I WANT YOU

CHAPTER 13

Anna suddenly turn her head nearly colliding with Arthur's chest as a howl erupted so close to the house it sounded as if it was right outside the French doors.

She snapped her head in that direction, but what she could see of the balcony through the windows was empty.

Had she just imagined that? Could there really be a wolf just outside the second floor doors?

Anna thought maybe she was imagining things until she gazed up at Arthur.

His face was hard as he stood. “Stay right here.”

When the older man swung the balcony doors open, Anna scented jasmine and honeysuckle on the air as a breeze skirted through the room.

Spring had taken hold of Dark Haven, and although the nights were still a bit nippy, the days were warm and welcoming. Anna loved to feel the sun on her face even if she burned easily.

Arthur gazed downward and then turned on his heel and left the bedroom.

Anna was partly relieved. If he wasn’t here, then the older man couldn’t force her to reveal why she’d been outside the study.

But it was strange how Arthur had reacted to the closeness of the howls. The guy should have been concerned, but Anna had seen the anger on the man’s face before he left.

Curious, she slid from the bed and padded to the open doors, careful to stay out of view. She could see the dark and dense forest beyond the concrete wall of the balcony.

Anna stepped closer, peering down onto the shadowed lawn. This room faced the back of the house, she realized.

Her eyes searched the sprawling green lawn until they landed on Arthur.

Anna slapped a hand over her mouth to stop the scream when she saw something that couldn’t be possible. Shouldn’t be possible.

Standing in front of Arthur was a pack of wolves. They were covered in dark-grey fur, and all seemed to be listening intently to Arthur.

Werewolves...

Anna wasn’t sure how she knew this. She feared Arthur would be torn to shreds by these creatures. Anna started to turn away, to run and find Conrad, to asked for help when Arthur suddenly said, “You were ordered to keep to the forest. Defy me again, and I’ll punish all of you.”

Arthur's tone was harsh and hard. The creatures bent their heads as if bowing before their King, then they turned and loped back into the woods.

Anna scrambled back when Arthur turned his head and looked up at the balcony. Had he seen her watching them?

Racing across the room, Anna hurried toward the bedroom door. She had to get out of here. She didn’t care if she was naked. Clothes didn’t matter to her at the moment.

What in the hell was Arthur that he could control a dozen wolves? More importantly, why had the creatures bowed to the man?

Things were definitely weird around here, and Anna knew she shouldn't stick around.

Over the years she’d come to realize that Frost Manor had secrets, but never did she dream those secrets were otherworldly.

Anna’s mind became a scrambled mess as she rushed down the hallway and flew down the stairs. She came to a skittering halt and fell on her ass when she spotted Arthur standing at the front door, hands on hips, his eyes glowing.

“W–what are you?” Anna shrank back when the older man took a step toward her. “Please don’t kill me. I swear I won’t tell anyone what I saw.”

Arthur pressed one knee against the marble floor as he knelt in front of Anna. The glowing ebbed away, and the only thing she could see was the amber coloring she’d grown to adore. “And what did you see, pup?”

“Nothing,” Anna quickly said. “I didn’t see anything!”

Anna’s breath stuttered in her chest when Arthur lifted her from the floor, cradling her in his strong arms as he climbed the steps.

Oh, god. He’s going to take me into one of the rooms upstairs and let those wolves eat me!

Anna began to shake violently in Arthur's arms but knew escape was futile.

The older man was too large and too strong for Annna to get away.

She slammed her eyes closed, refusing to watch as the creatures sank their sharp teeth into her tender flesh. “Please,” she continued to beg. “I swear I won’t tell a soul.” Tears began to trickle down her face as Arthur carried her.

Her eyes flew open when the older man laid her on something soft. She was back in the bedroom.

The balcony doors were still wide open, and the fire was still crackling, but there were no wolves in the room.

Arthur sat once more on the edge of the bed. “Now, I believe you had something to tell me.”

The man was acting as if Anna hadn’t seen those beastly wolves or Arthur's eyes glowing. If that meant that Anna wouldn’t be eaten, she’d pretend it hadn’t happened as well.

But did Cristina know about those creatures?

Anna wanted to ask her best friend, but it appeared that Arthur wasn’t going anywhere until Anna confessed her feelings for the older man.

But the question is, did she still feel the same way after what she’d witnessed?

Did she still loved him, even though she's sure that Arthur is not exactly human as she thought he is??

......