CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
1082 Words
AT the woods near Ranch del Romance...
(Lucy's POV)
"Oh, heck!" I cussed with enlarged eyes while sprinting through the murky forest. "Aunty saw us!"
I could still hear my stepmother's voice thundering all over the expanse as she called out my name and instructed me to return to the house.
Trepidation surged in my veins.
What should I do?
I don't want to go back!
My chest squeezed as my heart thumped aloud I could hear it right on my ears.
The man who's running with me might have sensed my anguish as he pressed my hand he's been holding since we left the villa. "Calm down, sweet," he muttered in his deep serious voice. "I won't let them have you," he firmly assured me which negligibly eased my worries.
With bumpy breath, I nodded at him. "Yes, please," I pleaded as my eyes got teary. "Don't let them take me. I don't want to marry Mr.Hugo!"
Cria is the only one who could help me in that crisis. Even if he's too shady and a little annoying, I want to trust him that he will save me from the forced marriage. Also, having him beside me, I felt Moon Goddess's presence. Her kindness of sending someone who I could depend on.
Ever since my father died, I was left alone in the care of Aunt Selene and Katrina. My supposedly family feted me like a slave. They took away my right as the heiress of the del Romance. They made me an Omega and made sure I won't retrieve the life I had when my father was still alive. I lost many friends for I was stuck on the ranch.
I was secluded and Cria...
Well, Cria is the first one who approached me after so many years of being trapped in my susceptible situation.
He might be a trickster or a crook but to hell with that. My instinct is telling me to believe in him and I will.
A small smile formed on my lips as I finally loosened up. I then gathered all the courage I have before I asked Cria, "Where are we going by the way?"
I believe he has a plan where to take me, right? A safe place where I can hide.
"I don't know," he answered which automatically wilted my smile.
I instantly turned to a halt and took my hand from him. "What do you mean you don't know?" I clasped at him with a frown on my forehead.
Cria stopped too and faced me with his brows furrowed. "I don't know yet, sweet, but if you want, you can stay in my house."
I gasped and rested my hands on both sides of my hips for I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "In your house? Are you asking me to live with you? That you are maybe thinking I'm an easy she-wolf?" I puffed and gave him an intensifying glare. "Excuse me but if you want me to live with you, marry me first, mister!"
"What?" he's grunted with confusion written all over his face? "How do we end up to that?"
"Because you're bringing me to your house and you want me to live with you!" I snapped and stomped my feet on the ground.
"Oh, Goddess!" Cria slapped his forehead and replied, "I have no idea where your thoughts are taking you, Miss del Romance but alright, I will marry you!" he declared. "Now can we keep on running, sweet? Your stepmother might be behind us at this moment."
I thought back to Aunt Selene and I automatically grabbed Cria's hand. "I'm just kidding," I murmured and then grinned at him. "I don't want to marry you but you can bring me to your house."
Cria shook his head and grabbed his left chest with his free hand as we began sprinting ahead. "You're such a mean girl, sweet."
I giggled. "But you like me."
"I like your craziness, yes."
I laughed aloud and then whispered, "I like you too, Cria."
________
FIVE minutes later...
"Who's big bike is that?" I asked Cria when he pulled out a huge bike from the bushes when we reached the end of the woods.
"Hop in, sweet," instead of responding to my uncertainty, he muttered and then turned the ignition on.
I shook my head and stayed rooted on my spot. "Unless you tell me who owns that, I won't ride that bike, sir."
I knew that freaking vehicle cost a lot and an Omega or a common pack warrior couldn't afford that.
"Did you steal it from someone? Or did you borrow it?" I confronted him with scrutinizing scowl.
I am already running away from home and as much as possible, I don't want to get involved in any trouble furthermore, with thievery that could make my situation worst.
However, my words seemed off as Cria has thrown me a sad look. "You don't trust me." It is more of a confirmation than a question.
I breathed as I felt like I was poured with cold water after quickly realizing my unreasonable prejudice. "N-no... I was just-" I was about to clarify things but he beat me to it.
"Get in the bike, Miss del Romance." Cria's face turned blank. "That is if you still want to get away from the ranch."
I flinched. At that moment I want to smack myself.
What the heck!
What's wrong with me?
Why am I striking the only man who wants to help me?
My shoulders fell as I finally moved and hopped behind Cria. The moment my butt pressed onto the seat, he drove off which made me wrapped my arms around his waist.
Tension filled the atmosphere which made me hard to breathe. Again, I want to whack myself for hurting his feelings.
"Cria," I called out his name and rested my head on his lean back having a little whiff of his scent.
He hummed as a reply while were speeding off.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled with sincerity in my voice. "I don't mean it. It's just my mouth sometimes is getting ahead of my brain."
"Sorry is not enough," he asserted.
That made my chest cramped as tears formed in my eyes for I felt extremely guilty of offending him. "What should I do so you won't be mad at me anymore?"
He was silent for at least five seconds before he grumbled, "Be my mate."
- Writer
