Laura's POV
I gasped for air as my head burst through the surface of the water, but my lungs refused to cooperate. They didn't know how to function without the comforting embrace of oxygen - which, in my current position, was not readily available.
I had never learnt to swim before, unlike Annabelle.
My arms flailed helplessly in the water as my head once again sunk below the surface. I tried to calm my racing heart, to control the desperation building inside me, but it was all for naught. My mind was quickly becoming consumed by the thought that this might be it, that I might die here in the pool on this otherwise unremarkable day.
Killed by someone I don't even know, in a place I don't even want to be.
It all happened so quickly. One moment I was walking out with a beautiful dress, something I couldn't brag of in a very long time, next I'm making bubbles with water due to water running in through my nose. I opened my mouth several times to call for help, but water filled my mouth right up.
The evil mistress that was the cause of my predicament didn't even care to help, maybe she did in intentionally.
My vision was narrowing, blurry and my focus fading fast. I was alone in the water and helpless, just the same way I've been drowning alone in my messed up life.
I had given up hope that this was it for me. Everything that I dreamt of achieving flashed right before my eyes. Finally, I will be rid of my problems and I just let the water take me.
And then, suddenly, I didn't.
There was a jolt, a sudden movement that sent me spinning in the water. A pair of strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me in close. The rough fabric of a t-shirt was pressed against my chest.
But I was losing myself. Drenched in water, I became heavy for me to carry. Water had filled up my lungs that I couldn't breathe properly and he took me wrapped in his arms, but before he could get me out of the pool, I lost myself as I couldn't no longer hang on. I lost focus and everything blacked out.
Suddenly, my eyes opened like someone had dragged me out of the darkness. Water sputtered out of my mouth and my nose.
I looked up and the face I saw was, though blurry a man knelt down above me, spitting out water too.
My chest hurt as I coughed and I looked around, seeing people gathered around me. I was embarrassed at the fact that people had to see that I don't know how to swim. Then, someone carried me in his arm. I knew he was a man when I felt the masculinity of his arm, I turned to see him and I was surprised by the face I saw, because I had never seen him before.
Brown haired and honey eyed, my super hero was caped by a handsome look.
"I can't... Walk." I stuttered, because I couldn't stand everyone watch me carried like a baby.
"Okay, whatever you want." He said, calmly as he dropped me on my feet.
"Thank you," I whispered as I turned to go back to my room.
I slowly made my way up the grand staircase, my legs still shaky from the near-death experience in the pool. My heart pounded in my chest, and I couldn't shake the feeling of terror that still lingered within me. As I walked up the stairs, I heard the sound of someone's laughter in the distance. I turned to look who it was and it was the same girl that pushed me into the pool, I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as I realized she was making jest of me. I thought I was done dealing with Annabelle, but it seems like my life was interwoven with Annabelles.
"Look at her! She couldn't even swim," She said, still chuckling.
I ignored her and continued walking, keeping my focus solely on reaching my room. I couldn't believe that she could find any amusement in my almost fatal experience which she had a hand in. She wasn't even sorry.
I could hear her footsteps behind me, and soon she was walking alongside me. "Why are you walking like a slave?" she sneered, mocking the way I walked. "What do they say again? Is it the sex every night that's making your legs so shaky? Or it's just the water?"
I clenched my fists at her nasty words and kept walking, not wanting to engage in any conversation with her. I had learned to ignore such snide remarks and insults over the years, but her words were hurtful. Just a few moments together and she was already a more cruel person than Annabelle ever was, and it appeared that she wasn't even trying to hide her behaviour.
I climbed up the stairs
As she kept on mocking me. Then, I heard someone walk up to where we were. I turned back and it was the same person that saved me from the pool.
"Stop it Clara!" He whispered with a deep toned voice.
"Oh, confess it. You have a feeling for her after seeing her waist in that revealing and slutty dress." She spoke loudly.
"Don't make me, Clara. Don't make me!" He warned her.
"Else, what?" She asked as she put her hands on her waist like she was getting ready for a fight.
"Enough." A voice from above screamed.
Everyone looked to the direction of the voice and it was Xander.
"Well, mission accomplished. He noticed you, but he still won't let you lick his ass." My knight in shining armor whispered.
I couldn't resist the shade as I snickered and she left the place angrily.
Then, I headed for my room.
On my way to my room I turned back and looked at him again and our eyes meet as we both looked at each other.
I quickly took away my eyes and rushed to my room.
Alexander's POVAlexander had invited me to his annual kingdom race and I kindly accepted, who wouldn't?I and my pack had gotten to his house and all settled down in our rooms. Then, I headed for the hall way for some meet and greet.I leaned against the wall, observing the partygoers as they drunkenly stumbled through the dimly lit hallway. I sipped my champagne as my eyes wandered, taking in the various outfits and conversations before landing on her.I had never seen her in any of the kingdom races I attended before, she must be new.She walked into the hallway, her presence demanded attention as her dress clung to her curves, emphasizing her figure. I felt drawn towards her, mesmerized by her effortless grace.As she walked past everyone in the hallway, I could notice all every bit of her shape exposed by her dress like a sensor, a drop of my champagne spilled over the rim of my glass and onto my cuff, pulled from my trance. I quickly composed myself, taking one last look at her
Chris's POVAs I walked inside the hallway, I scanned the area for any familiar faces. People from different packs had come to the house for the annual kingdom race. But then, my eyes landed on Laura, who was the new girl Xander brought to the house. I had never really paid much attention to her before, but something about her caught my eye this time. She was walking down the stairs, looking radiant in her beautiful dress that exposed her curves. It felt like the world had stopped for a moment, and everything seemed to be in slow motion.I hesitated for a while, not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of her, but then I heard a splash followed by a shriek of panic. My head whipped around, and I saw Laura was thrashing about in the deep end of the pool. She was pushed into the pool by Clara and gone straight to the bottom, and now she was struggling to stay afloat. Without thinking, I took off running towards the pool and jumped in.The water was cold, and it took me a few second
Alexander's POVI was coming to meet Chris at the garden to tell him how I've began to develop feelings for Laura and getting to the garden, I met Chris seated with Mark on a bench in the garden having a chat. I wasn't going to sneak up on them until I heard Mark utter Laura's name.I couldn't believe my ears when I overheard Chris talking about Laura to Mark that she was some kind of sex slave to me. Well, she was kind of it, but I've began to develop a soft spot for her. Chris was my best friend, and Laura was someone we both knew and he knew how Laura's situation was, even if that's who she was to me, it doesn't mean he can be attracted to her. I had to confront him about what I'd heard.I waited until he finished his discussion with Mark, I was incognito for most part of the discussion. He leaned back in his chair.I grabbed his neck from behind and Mark quickly stood up in shock. While I held on to Chris's neck and he tried talking, but he couldn't speak. That was how I knew he h
Laura's POVI took a deep breath, settling into the soft cushions of the armchair at Xander's room.. I was drenched in distress, I was feeling sick and I wasn't feeling this way since the race, but it felt like something I did is coming together to hurt me.I recounted the day of the kingdom race, of how I'd felt the weight of my limbs as I almost lost my life, grateful for Chris to have jumped into the pool after evil girl sent me unwillingly diving into pool. I'd pushed myself to the brink of my endurance, muscles aching and cramping, but somehow still drowning in the water before Chris grabbed me.The memory of this incident will forever be etched into head and pools will always give me PTSD.."I recounted how, finally, I'd reached my room after the whole in pool and pool side incident and I was so tired and drenched because of the drowning and my cramps. I wasn't strong enough to go for the race, but I was scared if I disappointed you, you'll be angry and do more bad things to me.
Clara's POVI walked into the built in coffee shop, hoping to grab my usual cappuccino before heading to my room and take my bath. I caught my breath as I see Alexander sitting at a table with Laura. What is he doing with her? I try to shake off the thought and order my drink. As I wait for it, I can't help but sneak glances over at them.To my surprise, I see that they aren't behaving in any way I expected. Alexander isn't even touching her, and they seem to be having a genuine conversation. I feel my cheeks flush with embarrassment as I think of all the things I had been assuming about them.And I the way I attacked Laura? Was I scary enough for her?Maybe I had become sloppy, but I'll let her know I'm not one to be messed with.I grabbed my drink and took a seat at a table across from them. Maybe today will be the day that Alexander finally notices me, I thought to myself. I start to daydream about the life we could have together, but I am quickly brought back to reality as I hear
Laura's POVI had fallen ill since the race, my menstrual cramps made the sickness worse and during those times I found a support system in whom I least expected.I couldn't believe it when Alexander showed up at my doorstep with a basket full of fruits, veggies, and a care package filled with medicine and hot tea. This was the same Alexander that I had always despised, because of the way he took me from my home thinking he was just another arrogant and selfish person. Here he was, being genuinely kind to me in my time of need. I had been sick for over two weeks, and it had been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows.As we sat down in the living room with the care package spread out on the coffee table, I couldn't help but wonder why he was doing all this. After some small talk, he told me that he knew what it was like to be sick and feel alone. He had gone through a tough time with his family and had to rely on strangers for help, so he wanted to pay it forward. I was taken aback by
Alexander's POVEvery morning since Laura got ill, I do check in with her to see how she was doing, but this time she had recovered and we had a little argument before going to bed the night before. Laura told me she wanted to continue her training, but I wasn't in support of it because I felt she wasn't well recovered to start running around the woods and the training centre.Well, after many rounds of going back and forth with her, she finally agreed to stay back.But to my surprise this morning, I got to Laura's room and she wasn't there, I looked all over the house and no one could say they saw her, so I figured she must have gone for her run in the woods.I headed to the woods to look for her.I set out early in the morning, taking only my senses and determination with me. I knew I had to be careful, as the woods could be dangerous. I couldn't let anything get in my way. I had to find Laura.As I walked, I began to pick up her scent. It was faint at first, but it grew stronger as
ClaraI watched through the crack of the door as Alexander and Laura sat on the couch, giggling and holding hands. My heart sank as I saw how happy they were together. I had known that Alexander had been interested in Laura for a while, but I never thought anything would come of it because Alexander only took her as a sex slave and she, she didn't really like Alexander well, at first.I had always been trying to get close to Alexander. We had grown up together and had been the best of friends for as much as I could remember. I have always had romantic feelings for him, but I couldn't deny the pang of jealousy I felt as I watched him with Laura especially, after she told me they were just friends.I knew it was irrational. I had no right to be jealous of their relationship. But I couldn't help the way I felt. I had always been fond of Alexander, but seeing him with Laura made me feel like an outsider. And the fact that I have been trying all my life to make him even notice my affection