Selena was relieved that her friends and she, herself had a chance to escape from this place. All she has to do is to endure Zaden and Grandpa Kai until they reach home. To her understanding, they can’t do anything to force her back here if she refuses to come with them, once she is home.
She got ready as quickly as possible but didn’t pack any of her dresses as she doesn’t want to raise suspicion. She heard a knock at the door and opened it to see Zaden, one hand leaned on the door frame while his head hung low. He doesn’t look so excited or anything near to that for the fact that they might find a link to prove that she is a Samrat.
‘Maybe that’s how he is– rarely show any feelings’
As a matter of fact, he looked pissed, as if he hated this whole idea. He turned around and walked out of there, not even stopping to check if she is following him or not. Truth to be told, he did hate this idea. He wanted to prove a link as bad as anyone else but he expected it to take some time. This is sooner than he anticipated and if they find prove, then they have to inform Ozrain and he might take her away. That thought had been raking his mind for the past hours. Selena followed him silently.
They arrived at the front yard where Grandpa Kai has already taken the rear seat. Selena’s eyes wandered around hoping to see her friends but she saw none and Zaden were walking straight to the four-wheel jeep, showing no sign of waiting for anyone.
“Where are my friends?” Selena finally opened her mouth
“Who said they are coming?” she panicked at Zaden’s nonchalant answer and her breathing started hiking while she licked her upper lip trying to content herself.
“What do you mean? I came with them and I expect to leave with them. I am not going anywhere without them, you understand that?” her head slightly tilted to the side as she glared at Zaden.
He stalked closer to her but she didn’t budge
“You are to go out of here with me and you are to return here with me. Until then, your friends will remain here. If you decide to take a detour, you won’t be seeing your friends. At least not in one piece. You understand that?” Selena’s eye froze with fear as images of her friends being torn to pieces by wolves flashed in her mind.
“I had a tiring start today and I have my own ways to contact my pack to finish the job, any time I want. So, I would suggest you be a good girl…” he pulled out a hand from his black jeans and stroked Selena’s cheek “and do as I say” she took a few steps away from him, avoiding his hands.
She stood still, brainstorming a way to turn things to her liking– any excuse or drama that she can pull off but nothing came. Tears clouded her eye as she dropped her head and stormed past him towards the car. She opened the back door and sat with Grandpa Kai, behind Zaden. Zaden followed her with a smug look, sat on the driver’s seat.
He stole glances at the rear mirror anytime he could, only to see her grimed face. The usual bubbliness has died out. Her head turned 180º, further back as possible to look at the house before it disappeared from her view. A drop of tears rolled down her cheeks and the beaming sunlight amplified the tears, crystal clear to Zaden. She swiftly wiped it off with her fingers. Zaden rubbed his neck in stress. Maybe he was too harsh, he thought but it was necessary for that situation and he will never actually harm them.
They were just 30 minutes into drive when Grandpa Kai complained about his knee and needed to stretch his legs on to seat next to him, so Zaden stopped the car and Selena got off, walked to the front seat, settling next to Zaden. A slight fear building within her towards Zaden. He can be vicious beast under stress–it was just sleeping all this while. As a result, she clinged close to her door, palm intertwined on her lap, never to speak to him or to look in his direction or even breathe audibly next to him. Zaden clearly felt the sudden hostility, a brick wall stacked between them. As much as he would like to break the wall by pulling her onto his lap and kiss her passionately, this could be beneficial given the current situation.
After driving for a while, they came to stop at a restaurant for lunch, a bit further from mountain Manuka base. Selena walked quietly behind two men– one with masculine build and steady walk, another with walking stick and a tad of a bent spine.
“What would you like to have, my child?” Grandpa Kai asked with concern to Selena, sat in front of him and Zaden.
“Hmm… I’m not hungry grandpa. I need to use the washroom, excuse me” she walked away from them with a dreadful face.
“What did you do to her?” Grandpa Kai sneered at Zaden, and he explained what happen before they begin driving.
“Are you nuts? Has your top gone cuckoo? ” Grandpa Kai circled a finger next to his temple and Zaden sighed low.
“Why would you do that when we are not sure she is a Samrat?” Zaden drooped his eye to the ground. Then it clicked
“Ooo… you like her? And you don’t want to let her go?!?!?” he let out a low chuckle.
“Son, love can’t be forced. You can’t bound her with a golden chain and expect her to like you. Gold or not, it’s still a chain” Grandpa Kai raises his eyebrow. His face filled with lines, freckles and endless wisdom.
Selena had a cup of fresh juice that was forced to her by Grandpa Kai before getting into the car. Zaden came way behind them, and they had to wait in the jeep for a few minutes. He climbed up and thrust a tin foil-wrapped sandwich onto her lap before starting the engine. Selena turned to see him, jaw clenched and eyes focused on the road ahead. Her eyes remained on him in confusion for a few more seconds before he said in a deep, low voice
“Eat”
“I’m not hungry” she said low, turning to the window. The jeep pulled over to the roadside the next minute.
“Grandpa, could you please excuse us,” he said politely and Grandpa Kai obliged with a gentle smile. After all, he could use a break from sitting. Seeing the old man walking past her triggered an alarm as Selena opened the door and tried to jump out of the jeep but a firm hand grabbed her gently and pulled her in.
Her heart thumped loudly against her chest. Had she pushed him too much? Is he going to threaten her again? He leaned across her to close the door, took the sandwich from her lap, and unwrapped it. He pinched off a small piece of the sandwich and shoved it to her mouth as her eye fluttered at his sudden movement. He pinched another piece and brought it closer to her when she held his wrist to stop him, still chewing on the last piece. His heart softened at her delicate touch as he fancied her lips. Once done, she let go of his hand. This time he feed her gently and his fingers grazed a little onto her lips. She tried to take the sandwich of his hand but he pulled it away from her, pinching off another piece. Apparently, he enjoyed feeding her.