*Danika*
I was deep in sleep when a knock came at the door. I jolted up and stood on wobbly legs, ambling to open the door while wondering who could be knocking at this odd hour.
As I neared the door, it became unfamiliar- looking rusty and rickety. I didn’t think much about it, intent on knowing who the knocker was.
Just the door swung in, my mother pushed pass me, shaking her body to ward off frost stuck to her skin.
“Mother?” I called hastily, leaving the door open as I ran after her. “What are you doing here?” I asked, looking back at the open door and back to her.
She was dead and I… Am I dead?
“You ain’t dead, Danika,” she said, brushing her hands on the trouser she was wearing-which was the same she wore the other day. “How could you leave home? I thought you promised to become better for you, for us.” Her accusing eyes rose to meet my angst ones.
I looked down my hand, standing a foot away from her. “I can’t do this mother. You were strong and a great warrior. I am nothing like-”
“You are much more powerful than you give yourself credit for. Look here,” she scooted near, her arm flailing out to hold up my sagged shoulders. “Nobody deserves to make you less of who you are. I failed as a mother. I don’t want you to make the same mistake as me.”
I looked up at her with weary determined eyes, “Exactly what am doing mother. I don’t want to fail. I want to make you proud. So I’m leaving. I want to better myself, so that-” I faltered, not knowing while precisely I want to be better.
“You see? You have no idea why you want to be better. Don’t do it for me, do it for yourself and others out there who are going through what you went through. For posterity!”
“But how?”
“Only you know that. You have the strength, so use it.”
“My mate would kill me if I rebel. I don’t even know how to… to use my powers.”
She inched nearer. “First of all go home. Think about everything. What you want. How you want it, trust me everything would fall into place. As for your mate, you give him too much credit.”
“Mother, you don’t un-”
“Shush…” Her index came on my lips, shutting me out.” Just believe.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to say. Maybe she is right. I have to stand up and face my fears, instead of running away from it. Alonso came and saved me from my former pack without me standing up against everything they did to me. And now, I’m trying to run away from this pack, and from everything he is doing to me. When am I going to start fighting back?
The next time I looked up at my mother, I had resolution etched in my eye. Enough was enough! If Alonso doesn’t see me worthy of a Queen, then I have to prove to him and everyone that I don’t care what he thought about me. I have my life, and I will live it how I want. On my own terms.
“That’s my girl, now go back home and prove to everyone that you are the true daughter of a warrior!”
I smiled, the tears that had gathered on my eye instantly going dry. I reached out and crushed myself against my Mom. “Thanks so much, Mom, you came at the right time.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I am the one that should say thanks for listening to me after everything I made you go through.”
“I love you Mom,” I told her, stepping out from her embrace.
“I love you too, Bambie.” She waved at me, and like before started dissipating into thin air. I smiled while looking at her.
The last words I heard were, “Go save the land.” I stood there watching her vanish into thin air afore the door slammed at her wake.
Then, my body started shaking violently.
“Danika!”
I thrashed my hands about as I felt a hand on mine, my eyes snapping open to meet the cold ones of Alonso.
Quickly I scampered out of his grasp, looking about me. It was remarkably dark around us, his piercing blue eyes glaring at me in the dark.
“Alonso!” another familiar voice called, running toward us and stopping when he saw me. “Oh, my. How did you know she would be this way.”
Alonso growled, twisted around, and began walking away. “We head home,” was all he said whilst Alfred’s worried eyes pinned on me in silent question.
“I’m fine.” I shrugged, brushing my hands on my body, still running my eyes around the forest. It was so bizarre. I recall getting worn out and transforming back to my human shape. I decided to rest against a tree, but I don’t remember sleeping off.
“Are you okay? What were you thinking coming out here yourself?” Alfred’s soothing voice came forth as we began ambling out of the forest.
“I am fine. Just needed to clear my head,” I told him matter-of-factly. Indeed I had my head cleared. Everything my mother said to me was as plain as day to me. I have to fight. I have to stand up to my oppressors. I have had enough of everything. It’s going to be tasking but I have to start somewhere.
However, her last words were ominous to me.
Go save the land. Which land do I need to save? Is something bad about to happen?
“Danika?”
I blinked severally, turning towards Alfred. “Huh?”
“You are making me worried. Is this all because you miss Lance?” We came out to the back of the mansion and everywhere was bright now with sharp light fixtures. “We are here for you, you know,” his similar blue eyes were fixed on me while walking. How is it that he doesn’t miss his step?
“I am fine, Alfred. And yeah, I miss Lance,” I said genuinely.
“Fine, what if we go hunting tomorrow. You will love it. I wanted us to go today but…” he twirled his hands. “You went missing since morning, and Alonso nearly lost his mind when he didn’t see you at Lance’s place. I’ve never seen him that way for a long time.”
My eyes dilated in confusion. Alonso lost his mind over me? Simply impossible. He was only being selfish of the fact that I will no longer be around for him to torture. Yeah, that’s it.
“Well, about the hunting. I would have loved to go, but you know I work in the-”
“Don’t worry about that, I will handle it.” He stopped walking because at that moment we were standing in the intersection that led to our different rooms.
Realizing he was waiting for my response, I brushed away hair from my face and looked down, “Oh, okay.”
“Good. Goodnight-”
“To your room, Danika!” Alonso suddenly materialized-his countenance no farther from death. I hurried off, not replying to Alfred bed tidings. I heard them start arguing amongst themselves before entering my room.
Getting to my room, I stood at the door, my back plastering on it. What am I going to do? I need to do something. But what?
Maybe I had heard incorrectly. Maybe I should just tell Alonso about it… Or maybe not. He would never believe me. He would call me an idiot and say I am going mad.
I huffed, raking my fingers into my hair and pushing them backward. I think I’m overreacting. Perhaps my Mom was being figurative with the land. Conceivably, I’m the one that needs saving.
I pushed off the door, walking to my bed-meaning to unclad and go straight to bed. I have no strength left in me to bathe tonight. I will just go to bed, then in the morning, I will think of how to start practicing. But how can-
Yes! I will ask Alfred. He is a good warrior as they said. Perhaps he can help me. I will tell him first thing in the morning and prays he agrees to help me.
I went to the closet and began removing my dress, when unexpectedly the door swung open.
I jumped, my eyes flying to see who it is, and flushed when I saw Alonso standing there, his predatory eyes fastened on me.
I looked away and rapidly proceeded wearing back the gown I had discarded, the thudding of my heartbeat matching the thunderbolt that has suddenly started outside.
I was shaking profusely. From the hood of my eyes, I saw him start making his way into the room-after my door key had rattled.
He stopped at the center of the room, and I whipped about, plastering myself at the closet door, and meeting his raging eyes.
“You disobeyed me, Danika… You went against my will and tried to escape. You are my slave, and slaves heed their masters! But-”
“I am no one’s slave!” I found the strength to clamor even if I was going to pay vehemently for it.
The corner of his lips pulled up, in a shady smirk. One leg passed over the other, and the next, the trembling of my body becoming prominent.
“No slave talks back at the master, Danika.” He said in a very mild voice, yet so cold.
He came to an abrupt stop a few feet from my wardrobe, his finger reaching out to wag me to him.
I stood there shuddering, still contemplating if to go to him or stand up to him. He had something against me. If I am going to fight for my freedom, I have to play along.
Plus my treacherous body.
On wobbly feet, I shuffled forward until I was standing directly in front of him, raising my chin defiantly to meet his brooding ones.
His glimmering orbs shimmered under the dim light, accentuated by the moonlight filtering into the room through the window. Like a moth drawn to a flame, my body was yielding under this scrutiny. I batted my lashes, unable to hold up-my tenacity floundering under his smoldering gaze.
“I thought as much,” he muttered, his finger coming up to raise my chin and look me deep in the eyes.
Then he leaned in slowly until we were a breathe away, my eyes beginning to flutter close. Then he broke my heart with the next words.
“Strip, slut.”
‘
‘
‘