Chapter 6

RILEY:

Yesterday, I can't say the number of places Xavier took me to. It was a lot and it looked like the pack or whatever it was called was run like any other town or city around.

Nothing looked odd except for the fact that it was just their kind that stayed here together. And according to him, other beings like them had their own pack to themselves in other locations.

To be honest, it was I who instigated the whole process of him taking me to a lot of places. It was my way of taking a mental scan that would help me navigate through the pack easily. It looked like it was a successful idea but my legs suffered for it by the end of the tour around.

Today, as early as 7:00am, he came to my room, stating he had something interesting to show me. And here I was, standing and watching bare chested men fighting against each other in what seemed like a training. At least that's what Xavier called it.

"Do they do this everyday?" I couldn't help but ask Xavier. This was after I witnessed one of them cut the other by the arm with a sword. And to my surprise they both continued like nothing happened.

"Yes. Everyday."

"But doesn't it look risky to you?"

I wasn't actually bothered about the sight of those training harming themselves. I was bothered about the sight of blood which tends to ick me. I really can't stand it.

"Of course it is. However, whatever risk involved doesn't involve death so there's nothing to worry about," Xavier tells me.

A brief glance at him and I say, "Even with them getting hurt, that's still not risky to you?"

"They will heal from the wound in no time. They always do."

I looked at him, giving him a look that suggested annoyance laced with confusion. "And you think this is ideal?"

He looks back at me. "Remember, Riley. We are not humans."

I really wish he would delve deep into what he meant by that. I'm sure he was trying to bring something up from it but he looks like he doesn't want to tell.

I do not pester him but instead look back at the showdown occuring. They kept hurting themselves over and over again but none of them seemed bothered about the cuts they were receiving. It was like they were immune to it.

"I don't think I want to be here anymore," I tell Xavier. "I can't stand the sight of what is happening."

"It's better you get used to this now. There will be more worse than this when the time comes," is what he says in return.

"Who says I will be here for too long?"

The look I receive from him tells me he knows more than I do. Or maybe that's what I think.

"Who says you won't?" he asks.

"Well I know I won't. Just give it some time. I'll be out of here and back to my life."

"If you're thinking of escaping these walls, then I'll suggest you let that out of your mind. You want to know why? Because every corner you go, there's always a pack warrior there. And with you being so slow, how do you intend to slide past them?"

I think through what he says for a few seconds before coming up with something. "I'm not slow. Have you seen me move before?"

I was just done speaking when a gust of wind hit my face hard, almost making me lose my balance. By the time I comport myself, I noticed Xavier wasn't where he was standing before.

"How fast can you be that you didn't see me move?" Xavier's voice came from behind me and I turned around swiftly to stare at him in shock.

My eyes were wide agape as I raised my hand at him with the intention to say something. But the words didn't want to come out as I was still in shock from what just happened.

"How..." I begin to say. "How... did you do that?"

"I didn't do anything," he says. "This is just one of the things that makes my kind different from yours."

"Isn't it magic?"

He shakes his head. "It's the superiority in every area. Strength, agility, speed, and any other aspect you could think of. We possess it all and maybe even more. Our average speed for example is about twenty times that of you humans. And I'm sure you won't believe it but you just witnessed it with your eyes."

"Did I?"

A wry smirk curls up on his face and before I knew it, he did what he did again, a bit of a strong wind splashing on my face. He wasn't there anymore as well and I didn't wait for him to speak before I turned around to find him standing at his previous spot.

"I'm not sure what to say to this," I couldn't help but say. "This is beyond me."

"Think of it as a warning."

Nobody needed to tell me whose voice it is. It hasn't been more than a few days but I seem to be accustomed to his voice already. And I hated it anywhere next to me. I didn't even want him next to me.

The voice continues, "Whenever you attempt to run away from here, remember that you won't be able to get past the walls. Why? Because you'll never be able to outrun my men. You just can't."

I was boiling inside. Rage filled almost every part of my being. And with that rage, I look in the direction of the owner of the voice which was none other than Damien.

Today he was clothed in something that looked like a robe which had embroidery that probably was stitched with a lot of hours and manpower.

I make sure he sees my hatred for him with my stare down and then I add to that by telling him, "Do me a favor. Stay away from me. And I mean it."

"You're on my land. The only way I'll be staying away from you is if you're not here again. But as long as you're here, you're mine."

I take a step closer to him. "You can only wish I was yours," I say, my voice firmer than it has been since I ever spoke to him.

"I don't wish, Riley. I make it happen," he whispers the last words to me and I won't lie, it kind of affected me. More like the words had a power that I was not able to overcome.

Still I didn't show any reaction. I wasn't going to let him know that his stupid words affected me. I just hope I masked my emotions well enough.

"Sooner or later, I'm going to find those words that you think I have to earn. And when I reject you, I'll be glad to leave this hellhole you call your own. Until then, enjoy my presence here."

The moment I say those words to him, my eyes drift to the side. It was at that time that I realized his Luna was standing not too far away from us.

Instantly I move away from him. The last thing I want her thinking is that I was trying to start a rivalry with her.