Arabella’s POV
So Debbie finally found a buyer for my father’s house in the woods.
Wait, did I say house??
Sorry for the slip. That’s not a house. It’s a palace. A beautiful palace that is supposed to be my home but now it’s just a silent, cold, empty space that I never want to set my eyes on after today.
I’ve managed to keep away from these woods ever since I moved into Los Angeles seven years ago.
I still have that weird feeling that I just can’t get rid of. If there is any wolf in Los Angeles, they’ll definitely be hiding out in the woods, that is why I have always avoided the woods at all cost.
But today, I’ll be going into the woods for the very last time. The buyer wants pictures of the house and its surrounding, so I have to get it ready before noon so Debbie can close this deal today and I can finally get rid of that house and all the memories that come with it.
The buyer is coming in two days so I am sure that I can get my work done and get out of there. My scent would have disappeared from there before the owners arrive. Even if they turn out to be werewolves, they won’t catch my scent on the premises when they arrive in two days.
I had a quick bath and wore a blue thong and a matching bra, then I put on my deodorant and I applied my lotion and sunblock before heading back into my room.
I got dressed in my Black high waist jeans and a light blue crop top.
Gosh!!!
It’s always so hard to pull these jeans over my ass. I wonder how I got to have such a huge ass. Mom was curvy but she didn’t have this perfect hourglass shape that I have. I guess I got it from Dad’s side of the family.
Anyways, after I got dressed, I applied some light makeup that highlights my round face and full lips. Then I combed my golden blonde hair that’s shining as bright as the sun.
We were going into the woods so I grabbed my pair of black thigh high boots and a black trench coat.
“Don’t forget your coat,” I yelled at Debbie as I headed down the stairs.
I grabbed my phones and laptop and tucked them into my favorite handbag, then I grabbed the key to my Cherokee Jeep and headed out immediately.
I want to get this over with as soon as possible. Besides, we’re still going to stop by one of my hotels for breakfast. I named all my hotels after my first friend that was taken away from me, Phoenix. I let Debbie handle it for me but I still stop by every week for a routine check
Besides, I love having all my meals at the restaurant or on the rooftop. I also visit the spa every week, It relaxes my nerves and it takes my mind out of a lot of things.
When I got outside the house, I got into the car and tapped on the horn repeatedly to get Debbie to hurry up and get down so we can go already.
She came running out a few minutes later, with her coat hanging over her shoulder and her boots and handbag in her hand.
“Why are you in such a hurry?? You didn’t even want to go over to that house earlier on and now you are in such a hurry to go there.
You are so weird, Bella.” She complained grumpily as I pulled out of the garage to the busy streets.
“Oh shut up and, stop whining already. You ruined my day when you decided to make me take the pictures myself. So get ready girl, am gonna make sure you end up feeling so miserable also.” I said with a smirk as I focused on the road and headed to my hotel.
“So it’s true when they say that misery loves company??”
“Yup,” I responded with a wink as I purposely swayed the car to the left and right simultaneously, ruining her attempt to do her makeup.
She turned to me with a death glare and I couldn’t help bursting into full blown laughter as I saw the mess she made on her face with the makeup.
You’re so evil Bella but trust me, I know just what to do to get back at you. Am just going to call the chef and cancel your order for today.
No chocolate cupcakes for you today!!” she threatened seriously.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I called her bluff, thinking she would give it up but she smirked evilly as she picked up her phone and dialed the chef’s number.
I kept mute and waited to see what she was planning. The phone rang for some minutes before someone picked from the other end and Debbie turned to wink at me as she said,
“This miss Williams. Am calling to….
“Alright, you win Debbie!! Call it off already.
Jeez,
You used to be so sweet and easy to bully. When did you become so evil??” I asked with a scowl
“Don’t blame girl, I learned from the best.” She said with a giggle.
She’s right you know. When I took her in, she was all timid and quiet and she lets herself get bullied always. So I devised a means to get her out of her shell. I teased and teased her nonstop until she learned to speak up and fight back.
We’ve kept it up to this day. We keep teasing and daring each other like two siblings and I love that she’s getting quite good at it.
She dropped the call and continued her makeup and I did not try to ruin it for her again.
By the time we got to the hotel, her makeup was done and she had also put on her shoes. We had a quick breakfast and we packed some takeout for lunch because we don’t know when we will be done with the job we are going for.
I left some instructions with the supervisors that would be in charge while Debbie and I are away and after that, we headed to the studio to pick up three of my assistants that would be going with us and we also got the equipment we would be needing before we headed to the woods.
It was a quiet and lonely path to the woods. I guess Debbie had sent some people over to clean up the whole place There used to be grasses on the tiled roads due to years of neglect.
As we got closer to the house, I could see that the tall trees on either side of the road have been trimmed and groomed properly. Even the overly grown flowers are now looking fresh and well nurtured.
It looks so different. The huge fountain in the middle of the mansion is now flowing with sparkling water and I could hear the sounds of the water from the stream that’s flowing deep in the woods. It has a waterfall also and for some reason, the water in the stream adapts to the temperature of the environment.
If it’s a sunny day, the water would be chilly and if it’s a cold day, the water would be warm. I guess that is one of the reasons why dad had bought this house for us. It’s so perfect and enchanting.
As I stepped down from the car and viewed the surrounding, I couldn’t stop the tears that slipped down my cheeks as I realized that this may be the last time that I set foot into this house.
The three storey house has been repainted a cream color and the stairs on either side that leads to the front door have been cleaned and polished to make them sparkle brightly. There are multiple balconies on every side and on every floor.
As I stepped into the house, I realized that it has also been taken care of. The whole interior was painted white and a huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling has been polished to make it shine so brightly.
Dad’s golden throne and every other piece of furniture have been sold out already. I don’t want any werewolf stumbling upon this house. They would know immediately that it was built for a king and they may start digging deeper and discover that it belongs to my father. More investigations may even lead to me and that would be a disaster. That’s why I got rid of all the furniture.
As I looked around and marveled at my dad’s beautiful palace, the tears flowed freely down my cheeks and Debbie walked over and stood beside me as she whispered to me saying,
“I didn’t bring you here to take pictures Bells, I wanted you to see this house one more time and tell me if you are really going to sell this beautiful house.
I know it holds many sad memories but you can actually create many more happy memories in this house.” she said convincingly.
“No Debbs. You know what I am and where I am coming from. Anyone that sees me living this far out in the woods would know what I am. It may be hard to detect my beast because she is still weak, but they will dig deeper until they uncover the truth about my true identity. I don’t want anything to do with my people anymore.
Trust me Debbs, it’s so hard for me to give up this house. But it’s for my safety and yours also. Let’s just take the pictures and get the fuck out of this house. I have a weird feeling.” I urged her calmly as I moved to walk out and start taking the pictures, But she ran forward and blocked my path, giving me one of those mischievous looks of hers.
“Now What??” I asked with a sigh.
“Well, I was just thinking, since this is obviously the last time we would set foot in this house, what do you say we let the guys take the pictures while we take a swim in your father’s magical stream??”
“No Debbie, Not happening,” I said sternly as I moved to walk past her, But trust Debbie, she just wouldn’t take no for an answer. She still walked over and blocked my path whenever I made any move.
“Come on Bells, it’s just a swim and it’s gonna be your last swim in this house,” she said eagerly, trying so hard to convince me.
After attempting severally to bypass her and failing miserably every damn time, I decided to indulge myself a little, so I obliged her request and take a swim, after all, it is still my house until the deal is finalized.
I told the guys what to do, showing them the best angles to take the pictures, Few minutes later, Debbie and I picked up our lunch from the car and we headed deeper into the woods.
We ran and teased each other as we followed the sounds and searched for the stream.
Good thing that Debbie had this place cleaned. Am not sure I would have ventured into the woods if it looks as scary as it used to before Debbie had it cleaned out.
“Yeah, you can tease me and call me a scared little wolf, I don’t really care Okay. I’ve watched a lot of movies where these guys go into the woods and they end up being eaten by wild animals.
I won’t put myself at risk when I know that my wolf is suppressed. I don’t have a death wish okay??”
We found the stream a few miles into the woods. If you ask me, I’d say that this spot looks like a romantic spot for young lovers.
It looks so serene and peaceful and the water is sparkling clean and there are beautiful colorful flowers all around us.
Debbie got out of her clothes in record time and she glide into the stream in her thong and bra, giggling like a little school girl.
“Oh my Gosh!!!
Debbie, you’re so crazy, someone might be watching. You’re practically naked.” I giggled and screamed as she swims around in the stream.
“Stop being a chicken and get in already. It’s our last time, remember??” she asked with raised eyebrows as she tried to splash water on me.
I smiled at her antics as I took off my boots and jacket.
That was when I noticed the weird feeling am having for the first time in so many years,
“Phoenix is awake and she’s trying to rise up but she’s just too weak.”
I could feel her trying so hard to come up. She’s stirring and making weird noises. I feel like she’s trying to say something to me but she’s just too weak.
“Come on bells, what are you waiting for??” Debbie asked when she noticed that I was still standing outside.
I ignored the Phoenix completely and I took off the rest of my clothing, wearing only my blue thong and matching bra as I made my way to the stream.
I was just about to dip my foot into the stream when I heard a very loud howl from behind me that sounded like the roar of a great and mighty lion.
I tripped and fell right into the pool as I heard Debbie’s loud screams.
“Arrrrrrrrrrrrrr,”
She yelled in a very terrified tone.