Snarls of fury

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Hera paced around the royal chamber, awaiting news from the betas. If everything went well, she would become a free woman and she would finally get to execute her long overdue revenge on those bloody murderers.

She rubbed her hands in glee as an evil chuckle escaped her lips. She truly couldn't wait. Her eyes suddenly widened and she was taken aback by her extreme bloodlust. Was this happening because she was slowly turning into a werewolf?

The weight of that thought suddenly dawned on her. A werewolf. She would no longer be human. Did that mean she wouldn't be able to go back to Wardsville? Would she have to live in Blood-stone? With the other werewolves.

She shuddered visibly as that thought terrified her greatly. She knew nothing about their laws, customs and way of life here. She knew nothing of being a werewolf. Where the hell was she supposed to start from?

Those thoughts were indeed terrifying and she began panicking internally. Suddenly, the room suddenly got too hot and her breathing became labored. Her thoughts came to a standstill when she heard a knock on the door but that didn't stop her panic attack.

Hera heard two sets of footsteps walk into the room but she was too far gone to even attempt to turn around and she stood completely still instead.

“Hera?” She heard Knox call but she couldn't make a sound. “Hera!” He exclaimed, rushing toward her and grabbing her by the shoulders. “Hera? Are you okay?” He asked but she just looked at him wide-eyed without saying a word

Asha was by her side in seconds. “What's wrong with her?” She asked and Hera could have swore she detected a hint of worry in her voice.

“I think she's in shock,” Knox replied and he was almost panicking. “Hera, I'll lead you toward the couch, okay?” He said and as expected, Hera didn't say a word and only stood frozen as sweat trailed down her brows.

Knox held her shoulders firmly and led her gently toward the red couch while Asha trailed after them, eyebrows furrowed in worry which was so unlike her. Knox gently helped Hera sit on the couch and he turned to her, carefully placing her smaller hands in his.

“Hera, breathe okay? You're okay. You're safe,” He said calmly and Hera blinked twice but she didn't say a word. “No one's going to hurt you. You're safe with us. With me. I'll never let anyone hurt you,” He continued.

“Breathe with me, okay? Breathe in. Breathe out,” He began some breathing exercises and soon, Hera slowly began to join him. She inhaled and exhaled with him and all that time, the two of them never took their eyes off each other.

Hera finally calmed down and she was able to speak. “I'm okay,” She said weakly, managing a small smile. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome.” Knox replied with a bright smile of his own.

Hera turned to Asha who still had a slightly worried expression on her face. “Thank you, Asha. I'm fine now. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Asha scoffed, averting her eyes. “I wasn't worried.”

“Sure you weren't.” Knox said with a chuckle and Asha scowled at him.

“How did the meeting go with the Alpha King?” Hera quickly chipped in before Asha would try to bite Knox’s head off. Knox's face fell at the question and even Asha’s demeanor was subdued.

“We tried to talk to him about it but he still refuses to let you leave.” Knox said.

“But why?” Hera whined.

“Because he is a stubborn, hard-headed prick, that's why.” Asha snapped and Hera almost jumped at her harsh tone.

“Don't worry, Hera. We won't stop trying to talk to him until he eventually lets you go.” Knox tried to assure Hera and she gave him a small smile.

“Thanks Knox.”

“You're welcome.” He replied and for a moment, his fingers reached out to touch her shiny, curly hair but he quickly retracted them. Asha raised an eyebrow and Hera was taken aback by his strange behavior but she didn't say anything.

“Alright, human. We have somewhere to be. We'll see you later.” Asha said gruffly and began making her way to the door.

“I'll see you later, alright?” Knox said and he almost looked reluctant to leave the chamber.

Hera nodded. “Alright.”

“And don't forget. If you need me, just send a message through the guard.” Knox added and Asha rolled her eyes at the door.

“Got it.” Hera answered and since there was nothing else to be said, Knox had no choice but to get up from the couch and go after the left-hand beta. After giving Hera one last glance, he exited the room.

Hera relaxed on the couch with a deep sigh. She couldn't believe she just had a panic attack and froze up right in front of the betas and she couldn't believe they were actually worried about her and that Knox’s breathing exercises actually worked.

A small smile formed on her face and her heart fluttered in her chest. Was it possible that she was becoming friends with the werewolves? Knox was very pleasant and it wouldn't be bad being friends with him. Asha on the other hand was really abrasive but Hera couldn't help but admit that she wasn't that bad.

It wouldn't be such a bad thing to become friends with the betas. She needed allies on her side after all. Her thoughts slowly drifted to the grumpy Alpha King who wouldn't let her out of this chamber.

Why was he so stubborn and too blind to see that she was innocent? What else was she supposed to do to prove that she was telling the truth? That she was really attacked by werewolves and she was bitten and probably turned into one of them?

She let out a sigh. Maybe he would never believe her. Maybe he planned on letting her rot in this chamber with no intention of letting her leave.