Chapter 4 The Game Of Charades

I changed back into my simple black dress, with the addition of a scarf, before I began making my way out of the castle.

As I made my way out of the castle grounds, I debated on letting out my wolf and decided against it last minute. Lena had a pearly white fur that was unmistakable even in darkness and the least we wanted to do was attract undue attention to ourselves, especially with people out to see me dead.

Although it didn't sit right with my wolf, who I imagined was already wagging her tail in excitement to finally be let out, we agreed on going incognito into the darkness of the night.

I knew where I was going even if I had a blindfold on. I ran through the woods with my black scarf wrapped tightly around my head, Muslim style. I knew every twist and turn by heart, every pothole and tree stump in the way was as the back of my palm, so I ran blindly and did not stop until I got to the clearing where, unsurprisingly, I found him there in his wolf form.

I could see the murderous glint in his eyes as he prowled and growled in the darkness.

"It's me, Loki. It's just me." I raised my hands up as I slowly talked to him, but his growl only became more dangerous. "I came because I wanted to offer my condolences, Lo. I mean no harm."

His wolf was beginning to whine when he abruptly turned back. I immediately turned my back to shield myself from seeing him in all of his naked glory. The tiny crescent of the new moon peeked out of a cloud and shone directly into the clearing. I could hear shuffling from behind me, but I didn't dare turn.

"Take your condolences to where it's needed, ma'am. I'm afraid a 'mere driver's son' is not worthy of such kindness." I whirled around to see he was still very shirtless and whirled right back;

"Loki, you know I don't think of you as just the son if one of the helps–"

"Bullshit. I call bullshit on this act of yours because I know the only reason you're here is because you seek comfort. I hate to break it to you, supreme Luna, that I am not obligated to offer comfort for your losses. Go ahead to your mate and seek that comfort from him!" With that, Loki turned back into the majestic greyhound that was his wolf and raced out of the clearing. Leaving me all alone.

All over again.

I slowly walked back to the castle in dejection. I couldn't blame him for reacting the way he had and I wasn't expecting him to welcome me back with open arms, especially after what I did to him, but I hoped he would, at least, lend me his listening ears. I wanted to apologise for hurting him, and offer him comfort for his loss; his father, after all, was the driver of the vehicle my family was in, he'd lost his only surviving family too.

I was hoping we could connect over our losses and bury the hatchet, but alas…

They can't all be winners. Give it time, Erica. Time is capable of healing even the deepest of wounds.

I nodded appreciatively at the comfort my wolf offered and patted my shoulder. As I drew nearer to the castle and spotted the familiar Maybach in the driveway and a male figure leaning on it with his back to me, my heart began to pound erratically in my chest.

I almost halted in my steps, but adrenaline kept me going; I put one foot in front of the other till I came face to face with the man who had single-handedly ruined my life and caused me to die in my past life;

Ronald.

And in his embrace was his accomplice, lover, and my cousin;

Natasha.

"I see someone's feeling a bit jealous, but you know I only have eyes for you, darling. Natasha was just upset, and I was consoling her."

Another one of Ronald's lies, but I wasn't in the mood to argue. "Why don't we go out for dinner together? We can talk things through, and I can comfort you properly." Ronald suggested.

I wasn't eager for his hollow comfort, but I felt trapped.

Just then, I saw Loki walking back towards the palace. I fought the urge to rush out and hug him; seeing him again filled me with happiness. I desperately wanted to talk to him, hoping he hadn't left because of our disagreement. I don’t think I could cope without him. I don’t know what I feel for him but he’s the only one I trust.

But can he be trusted?