Chapter 15
Truth
***
Leila heaved another deep sigh as she looked at Butler Henry assisting Hunter towards the woods. It’s been thirty minutes since they started walking into the depths of the woods.
After what happened last night, she had fallen asleep in the cozy guest room that Butler Henry had told her to sleep she was so exhausted that she didn’t even realize that darkness had already consumed her.
She gulped her bottled water which she must say was her last drop. She was already exhausted, but she couldn’t even voice it out. She was afraid that they would encounter some ‘rogues’ again like what Butler Henry had told her about.
Rogues were the ones who attacked her that night. She didn’t know what it was, but one thing was for sure, she knew that those were screaming danger.
‘Why am I here, anyway?’ She mentally asked herself.
She called her mother earlier this morning to inform her that she would be with Hunter on a trip. Her mother was so worried, but she had no choice but to allow her as if she had any other choice.
Besides, as if she would be safe in her house alone.
She mentally heaved a deep sigh as she stared at Hunter, who was trying so hard to maintain his balance. His broad shoulders were moving like he was trying to contain his exhaustion. Despite the fact that this might worsen his condition, she couldn’t deny the fact that he still looked so hot-
‘Oh, my goodness, Leila. Stop dreaming. Focus, you witch!’ A part of her mind castigated her.
She let out another deep sigh. Amidst everything that she discovered about Hunter, she couldn’t stop herself from the deep attraction that she was feeling towards the man. And she couldn’t even pinpoint why.
For the nth time, she mentally asked herself why she was with them again.
Well, for starters, Leila knew that she wouldn’t survive another attack if those err-rogues came to her house again.
And another thing… she wanted to know who they were? And why would those ‘rogues’ attack her? She didn’t even know who they were.
“We are almost there.” Butler Henry finally announced after an hour of walking with them.
She was just grateful that they weren’t fast at walking.
Leila’s forehead creased as Butler Henry moved some of the bushes revealing a small community. The houses were made of wood, bamboo, rattan, cane, anahaw, bark, cogon, and even nipa grass. She couldn’t believe that these houses could be built like that!
She loved how the wood was carved intricately. The houses weren’t all bungalows, but some were also two-storey ones.
Leila’s mouth turned wide open as Butler Henry and Hunter walked towards the biggest house. Hunter tried to walk on his own even though she knew that it might be too difficult for him to do so.
She mentally heaved a deep sigh.
Even here, he wanted everyone to see that he wasn’t a burden that he wasn’t a weak man who would kneel for anyone’s bidding.
Everyone looked at them. She felt so minute from the way they looked.
However, what made her confused was everyone slightly bowed their heads as Hunter passed their way.
After that, when their eyes went to her they looked as if they were so confused and wondering. She felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. She had never gained the spotlight in her entire life and now that she was getting everyone’s attention was making her feel so shy.
She slightly bowed her head as she followed Butler Henry and Hunter.
“Hunter…” Hector called to his brother as he was waiting right in front of the biggest two-storey house in the place.
“Don’t create a scene here, Hector. Let’s go in.” Hunter simply told him using his cold tone.
Leila swallowed hard. She wanted to smack her head as she felt her heart beat at a faster pace as she heard Hunter’s cold voice. She must be out of her mind.
She saw how Hunter took a swift glance at the woman standing right beside Hector before walking inside the house. She was gorgeous she might add.
Wearing that simple yellow floral dress while her straight black hair was half-braided made her look so simple yet sophisticated.
‘Who is she?’ She plainly asked herself in her mind.
“So, what the hell happened?” Hector immediately inquired about the moment they sat in the living room.
Leila couldn’t appreciate the ambience as well as the antique things around her. The atmosphere instantly changed the moment Hector asked that question.
It was certainly not welcoming more of… tension began to intensify between them.
“And why would she have to be here?” Hector rudely asked pertaining to her.
She bit her lower lip as she felt a tiny hint of pain in her heart. She felt like she had stepped into something that wasn’t supposed to be. But what could she do?
Leila swallowed hard.
“Hector…” The gorgeous woman called Hunter’s brother as if stopping him from being rude to her.
She couldn’t thank her enough through her mind.
“What? I just want to confirm about her, Myrtle. She had no business here.” Hector scoffed.
Leila wanted to roll her eyes at him, and she did. Butler Henry might have seen her already wearing her patience, and that he instantly answered Hector’s questions for her.
How dare he?!
She wanted to scream at him for she couldn’t deny the fact that he didn’t even know the reason for her presence and yet he had the guts to jump to a conclusion. As if she wanted to come here.
“Miss Leila were attacked by rogues last night, Master Hector.” Butler Henry quickly replied.
Hector’s left brow shot upwards. Leila gritted her teeth. She tried to calm her nerves, but she just couldn’t.
“What? I am here because I want to know what the heck is happening. Why would those so-called rogues try to hurt me, and they even entered my house!” She couldn’t stop herself anymore.
Hunter groaned as he crossed his legs and placed his elbow in the armrest before putting his cheek in his balled fist.
Everyone suddenly turned silent.
Well, not for Leila’s heart, which seemed to beat faster now just by looking at Hunter.
‘Damn it, Heart! Focus!’ Leila tried to maintain her composure.
“Just place some sentinels in her family’s home, Hector. She needs to be here to be guarded. That’s what father told you, right? You don’t need to interrogate her more.” Hunter explained using his bored tone.
She was about to thank him, but his bored tone just gave it away. She felt disappointed all of a sudden.
Leila wanted to scream at those two who seemed so calm at what happened, like it was just a simple thing. But she wouldn’t. Besides, she was just so thankful that her family would be guarded, too. So, she could give that to them.
“Thank you so much for that. However, I still have more questions to ask.” She insisted.
Hector heaved a defeated sigh before he leaned his back on the chair made of rattan with cushion, making it more comfortable to be seated on.
“And what would it be? If you are confirming our real identity, then, you already see it in the front row, right?” Hector sarcastically stated.
“We are werewolves and everyone else here is.” Hector seriously added like he was totally scaring her.
Leila’s eyes widened as her mouth was slightly agape. Being shocked at his bold confirmation was an understatement.
“Hector!” The woman called him.
“Tsk!” Hunter just sneered at his side.
“What? It’s true. And those who attacked you last night? They are rogues who could kill you dig their claws into your skin-”
“Hector! You are too morbid! Don’t try to scare her.” The woman interjected before looking at her.
“Sorry about that.” She sincerely apologized.
Leila shook her head and pursed her lips.
“Y-You mean w-werewolves are t-true? Then…” Her lips quivered.
The corner of Hector’s lips rose as if he was anticipating that Leila would be too scared now. However…
“What? Scared now, lady? Maybe, you want to go home now and-”
“Can you transform now? Is it painful to shift into your wolf form?! Wow! I haven’t- Oh, no, I have but I am just to stunned to realize everything.” She couldn’t hide the excitement and fascination anymore.
Everyone stared at her like she had grown some heads in her head.
Leila bit her lower lip.
Yes.
She wasn’t scared at all. Maybe, at first. She was shocked but scared not anymore. In fact, she was more excited to know that what her grandparents were telling her when she was young wasn’t all tales but true!
“Sorry about that but I am just so ecstatic to know about it. And sorry, but no. I won’t go home. I want to stay.” She smilingly replied making Hector look at her with a confused and shocked expression on his face.
“Besides, I want to know more about the reason why I am attacked by those rogues.” She added before shrugging her shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal at all.