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HAPPY EASTER!

Dedicated to shawwmhh. You've been such a fervent and amazing reader, I really can't appreciate you enough. Thank you hon!

The amazing cover above was made by Irenejames. It's beautiful! Thank you!

NOTE: This chapter contains some intimate content. So for my younger readers as well as those who are not comfortable reading such content, this is a head's up!

DO NOT COPY MY WORK!

This chapter is unedited so please excuse the grammatical errors. Enjoy!

____

Suzzanah's POV

The minute the elevator doors sealed shut, my head whipped towards Zuerien and I opened my mouth to ask about the whole 'room-sharing' business but Marco beat me to it.

"Room 1057 is mine", Marco said, "Room 1054 is Rino's and Room 1050 is the King and Queen's"

His tired eyes immediately found mine and he smirked, "And look how intimate you two have gotten after just one night!"

An involuntary hiccup escaped my lips before I covered my mouth with my hand in embarrassment, the skin of my face feeling hot against my palm.

Oh God!

"Jealously isn't becoming on you, Marco", Zuerien drawled out lazily as he pulled me closer.

Marco scoffed, looking away, "Jealous? Yeah right! I'm not jealous!"

"I am!" Rino exclaimed, "I want to share a room with the Wolfa and Anna too!"

I smiled helplessly while both Zuerien and Marco cringed in unison.

"Rino- ah! Forget it!" Marco said, clutching his forehead in his hand, having realized that there was no use trying to explain such things to Rino.

But despite Marco's nonchalant facade earlier, I didn't miss the hint of bitterness laced with his words when he had claimed he was not jealous. And instantly what Zuerien had told me about him last night, flashed in my mind.

"He wasn't always a playboy like he is now, in fact there was a time he was really looking forward to meeting his mate"

He was looking forward to it...but...

"I don't know exactly what happened, but he changed his decision almost overnight and turned into the flirt he is now"

I bit my lip, watching Marco quietly. I had known Marco for almost as long as I had known Zuerien and although I had to admit that I didn't really know all that much about his background or past, whatever I did know was enough to certify that Marco was many things, but he was not hard-hearted.

He may enjoy being a playboy, but he also knew how to be faithful when he had to. And there was no doubt in my mind that his mate would fall into the latter category. For sure. He would not break his mate's heart if he could help it.

So then...what happened Marco? What happened to turn you into this guy? From a guy who longed for his mate...into a guy who didn't even want to find her?

Before I could think further on the matter, the elevator dinged announcing our arrival on the 10th floor. That had been the fastest elevator ride of my life. A silent gasp of shock escaped my lips when the doors slid open, and Zuerien wasted no time in leading us out and then down the wide corridor.

Towards room 1050.

Our room.

My heart rate instantly spiked and my legs started to feel like jello.

Zuerien!

From the corner of my eye, I saw Zuerien smirk.

Yes, heart? I could hear the amusement in his voice.

WHY are we sharing a room?!

Because I want to

My head shot up to look his way, But what if I don't want to?!

His eyes found mine and his fingers lightly dug into my hip, You don't?

I do

I-I don't know! I told him, feeling my heart doing back flips in my chest.

Zuerien lowered his head to look down at me, his eyes filled with mirth yet darkening dangerously, Don't worry, my Suzzanah. I'll make certain that you enjoy everything we do, thoroughly

My jaw dropped in shock but I quickly pulled it back up, not looking Zuerien in the eye while desperately hoping Marco hadn't noticed, since Rino was too pure to understand my mate's dirty mind.

My heart thundered inside my chest as my gaze found the four numbers inscribed on a large wooden door which marked the end of our stroll down the passageway. Marco's and Rino's rooms were further down the corridor and when we came to a halt in front of our door, they carried on giving us nods and waves.

"See ya in a few hours, King, Queen", Marco said as he walked past us, "Try to- you know- keep it down"

I gasped out loud in both surprise and embarrassment, my burning cheeks like hot coals as I understood what he was implying.

GAAAHHH!

He shook his head walking away mumbling something like, "Man! I need to get laid"

Rino quickly waved at both of us, "See ya later!" he said before rushing after Marco shouting, "Hey Malcom, wanna share a room with me?"

"Over my dead body!" Marco cried horrified before running towards his room followed by Rino.

Before I could even turn to Zuerien, I was hauled into room 1050, the door closing swiftly yet silently behind us muffling Marco's shouts about not being 'Malcom'.

The minute I got a chance, I quickly turned to speak to Zuerien but he grabbed my shoulders gently spun me around to face the room we had just entered.

"Zueri-!"

I inhaled sharply, my words dying in my throat at the sight of the enormous hotel room we had just walked into. My eyes bulged out of their sockets as I took in the lavish, magnificent chamber, my heart skipping a beat as I stepped forward.

"Whoa..." I breathed out like an awed child as I walked slowly across the humongous quarters.

The suite was so large that I was sure we could have stuffed a couple of airplanes in it. Equipped with posh, luxurious furniture and decorated with beautiful flower-vases, artistic photo-frames, gorgeous wall carpets, extravagant chandeliers and much more, the room was easily fit for royalty!

"We are Royalty"

I swallowed hard at my mate's comment before walking further into the room towards the large double doors at the far end of the giant suite. My hands gripped the cool handles before promptly pushing them open.

A strong gust of cool morning air hit my body, feeling exceedingly refreshing against my skin. Sighing in perfect contentment, I stepped into the stone-floored balcony, walking to the parapet railing.

Our room faced the back view of the hotel which I soon realized was far more exquisite than the front. Placing my hands on it, I held my breath in absolute awe at the sight of the view that the room offered.

My heart clenched inside my chest as I gazed at the thousands of acres of lush green lands, fortified by tall elegant trees that rose skywards like powerful pillars. Tiny flower-studded plantations decorated the fresh green landscape with a healthy dose of color and my heart leapt at the beautiful scenery. I was totally and utterly exhilarated.

A pair of familiar arms wound around my waist before Zuerien's lips grazed my ear.

"Do you like it, heart?" he asked softly and I smiled before looking back at him.

"I love it!" I told him honestly, "I had no idea that there was so much forest-area in Dublin!"

"Most humans don't", Zuerien replied making my brows furrow in confusion as I looked back at him questioningly.

He smiled, "Humans can't see these forests Suzzanah", he told me making me suck in a sharp breath of shock, "They can't see them, touch them, smell them or enter them. Not just these forests in Dublin, but thousands of others too, all across the world"

My eyes shot back to the landscape before me in disbelief as he continued, "Humans have no access to these lands because they are hidden from them by supernatural shields. In this case, Mazes, cast thousands of years ago by one of the ancient Alpha of Mazes"

I looked back at him gaping in shock, "Seriously?!" I cried out and he nodded.

"There are several parts of the world which are hidden from humans by such supernatural barriers", he told me, "Thousands of acres of land out of human reach. As a matter of fact, humans aren't even aware that these places exist. The world that that they know to be true is actually only half of its actual expanse"

"You're telling me that humans have inhabited this earth for centuries not even knowing that one half of it exists?!" I gasped out and he smiled.

"Most of them have, yes", he told me before hugging me closer, "There are others though who have been accepted into our realms as one of our own. Humans who were born for the Supernatural world. Special humans"

He placed a soft kiss against my neck and whispered, "Like you"

My heart skipped several beats and I exhaled a ragged breath, letting this new information sink in.

Humans who were born for the Supernatural world...

My heart warmed at his words as yet again they brought with them a sense of belonging that I had felt before. It was a soothing feeling, one that made me so happy that I could cry.

The feeling of home.

Looking back at him with loving eyes I said, "I'm really lucky"

He shook his head, "Its not luck, heart. Its destiny", he told me, "You were destined for this world, destined to be Queen", he bent closer to me, "Destined to be mine"

The mark on my neck immediately tingled and he added, "You were born for all of this and more. This is your home"

I grinned widely and shook my head.

"No. You are"

Raising my head, I placed a kiss against his jaw and his eyes immediately flooded with warmth and affection, a tender smile making its way to his face. Smiling back at him, I turned to look at the beautiful scenery again.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Zuerien", I said happily, "I think I'm going to enjoy my stay here very much"

I heard him snort behind me before his lips touched my ear, "I think so too", he said, his voice having turned deep and husky, "Especially the night time"

I gasped, almost choking on air, "Z-Zuerien!"

He smirked mischievously before his hands started to ascend up my waist towards my breasts. I cried out in alarm, quickly halting his actions, "Behave yourself!" I exclaimed, "We're here on a mission Alpha, or have you forgotten that?"

His eyes dipped to my lips, "You make it easy to forget"

He turned me in his arms so that I was facing him, before bending to kiss me. I hurriedly planted my hands on his chest, stopping him temporarily, making him frown.

I smiled amusedly, "That's not okay though, is it?" I said, "We can't have our leader forgetting the most important details of our stay here in Dublin"

He groaned, "Suzzanah-"

"So maybe its best we don't share a room, seeing as we don't really have to-"

"Yes, we do"

"But its probably best we keep a safe distance between each other so that my proximity doesn't affect your memory", I said, slowly turning and backing away from him, smiling mischievously.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Heart", he said warningly.

"Oh don't worry, Zuerien", I chirped, walking back into the room, "I'm sure we'll find another really nice room on this floor for you. Now let's make our way down to the reception and talk to the-"

In a flash, my vision blurred to a haze and my feet left the ground abruptly. An alarmed shout escaped my lips before my back made contact with a soft, fluffy surface that sunk under my weight, immediately setting my senses on high alert.

Oh my God, this is-!

The minute my vision cleared, my eyes zeroed in on the large frame of my mate looming over me, caging me on the bed between his arms. My heart rate tripled as I took in the sight of his chocolaty eyes darkening to obsidian and my breath hitched when he smirked at me devilishly, his canines flashing.

"Teasing an Alpha", he drawled out darkly, "Is dangerous, heart. Especially teasing an Alpha who has recently marked his mate"

His eyes shot to my neck and I felt my skin heat up under his intense gaze. My lips parted but no words came out as I was too shocked to formulate any sort of legible reply.

After a few seconds, with great difficulty I finally managed to find my voice.

"O-okay", I stammered, "You d-don't want to go. So why don't I find a different room right next to-"

"You're staying here", he said with finality, "With me. In my room. In my bed", he leaned closer till his lips were against my ear and whispered, "Our bed"

Before I could reply, he buried his face in my neck and when his lips locked over my mark, I gasped out loud, my back arching off the bed. Fireworks exploded all over my body as his kisses set my skin on fire.

"Aaah! Zuerien..." I panted breathlessly, my hands automatically finding their way to his hair and tugging softly.

He responded by nipping at my mark before, sucking on it softly making me shamelessly moan out loud in ecstasy.

Sweet heavens! I hope these rooms are sound proof!

The mark on my neck started to tingle sensuously under the assault of Zuerien's lips. The sparks that his actions ignited traveled all the way down my body, lingering for much longer between my legs.

By the time his lips left my neck, my body was on fire. Every inch of me was burning for him, craving him like my lungs craved breath. His hands had begun to roam my body only making my irresistible yearning for him grow.

Ever since he had marked me, my need for him had intensified so much that I couldn't even fathom the extent of it. It was like the minute Zuerien's teeth had sunk into my neck last night, the true strength of the mate-bond had been unleashed. And now that it was out, there was no stopping it. The overwhelming desire and love I felt for Zuerien was ever present and all consuming.

And it would never end, not until the end of time.

Mine, Zuerien growled possessively via mind-link as his lips peppered butterfly kisses over my exposed collar bones.

"Zuerien", I gasped out breathlessly, "I thought we agreed to take things slow!"

I felt him smirk against my skin, "This is slow, heart", he told me darkly, "Because if it was up to me, you would be screaming my name in ecstasy as I claimed you again and again against every straight, hard surface in this room"

Oh God! The way he talked!

Zuerien words sent both bouts of extreme shock and mind-numbing pleasure searing through my veins as he buried his face in my neck once more, sucking, licking and nipping at my skin.

Gasps and pants of unbridled pleasure escaped my lips and I struggled to hold onto the last few remnants of clear-headedness still lingering within me.

"Z-Zuerien-"

"You asked me why"

"Huh?"

"You asked why it was necessary that we share a room"

"Y-Yeah?"

He exhaled heavily, his body easing onto mine.

Its for my sanity

His deep voice filled my mind, making my eyes immediately shoot open.

He pressed his face into the crook of my neck, breathing deeply, I may not look it, but I'm barely hanging on, he breathed out, Ever since I marked you, I feel like my possessiveness over you has intensified tenfold. Even the sight of another male simply looking at you makes me want to rip his head off his shoulders.

My eyebrows shot to my hairline at his confession and he nuzzled his face against my neck, I know its irrational and completely over the top, but I can't help it. My control is strained to the point of snapping and Kai isn't making things any easier by constantly reminding me of how you looked last night, underneath us- hot, breathless and utterly ethereal

My cheeks immediately heated up and my heart rate shot to a hundred beats per minute as I shouted,

"KAI!"

Yes, my heart? Kai's deeper, huskier version of Zuerien's voice replied.

"Stop making things difficult for me and your human!"

I'm not making anything difficult Suzzanah, he said matter-of-factly, On the contrary I am trying to make the process easy

"What process?"

The mating process, of course

"K-Kai!" I choked out.

Zuerien raised his head from the crook of my neck to look into my eyes and I was immediately awed at the sight of his mismatched orbs.

One chocolaty brown and the other pitch black.

Zuerien and Kai.

Oh Suzzanah, embarrassment really is a pointless emotion, Kai told me, as though he were teaching me a life lesson, Humans could accomplish so many things if they just trained themselves not to feel that one emotion

Like what? Walk around naked? Zuerien asked.

Yes, that's definitely one of the things, Kai said, And another of course is mate without public restrictions

WHAT?!

I don't understand why humans think that mating is something to be shy about, Kai said thoughtfully, Its a natural and healthy phenomenon, like eating or breathing, and I think it should be done just as often too.

My jaw dropped. Somebody make this wolf stop!

Kai, its not technically possible to mate as often as we breathe, unfortunately, Zuerien replied.

I suppose you're right. Okay, as many times as we eat then.

That'll mean we can only mate three times a day.

We'll just have to eat more often then, won't we?

That won't be a problem, Zuerien replied, his tone turning devilishly mischievous as he added, Especially since we can also eat while we mate

I gasped loudly as both thrill and shock bombarded my body hard. My face felt like it would explode from blood overload any minute.

Oh my God!

"Ah! You both are unbelievable!" I cried out, not knowing where to hide my face in embarrassment.

She's even cuter when she's blushing

I agree

"Stop it! And get off me right now!"

Don't wanna, they both replied simultaneously before Zuerien's face descended into the crook of my neck again.

"Wai-"

My cry was cut off by the traitorous moan that escaped my lips when he began to suck on my mark. His lips felt warm and soft against the sensitive skin and the sensuous way in which they moved set my body on fire.

So there I lay underneath my mate, squirming and panting as pleasure overtook me when without any warning, his fingers slipped under my shirt making me let out an alarmed cry.

His hands traveled up the length of my torso, raising my shirt up to expose skin while his teeth nipped at the skin over my collar bones.

"I-I-"

I couldn't even form any legible words, let alone sentences as Zuerien's hands ran up and down the sides of my body. Before I even knew it, the button of my jeans had been undone and Zuerien slipped a hand into my pants.

"ZUERIEN!" I cried out in both shock and ecstasy as his fingers descended to the heat between my legs.

Mine, he growled once again against the skin between my clavicles before lifting his head to claim my lips.

But just before his lips could touch mine and his hand could reach my core, his body went completely stiff on top of me and he froze mid-motion. Still breathless from his passionate assault, I panted underneath him wondering what had suddenly happened to him. My eyes shot to his, seeking answers and I immediately realized what had made him stop.

Mind-link.

Zuerien eyes were glazed over, a frown marring his handsome face and almost instantly I felt something wrench in my gut. Something had gone wrong.

I placed my hands over his shoulders but he stayed unmoving, his frown deepening. My grip on his shoulders tightened and a thin stream of panic started to seep into my blood as I waited impatiently for the mind-link to end.

Please...please let everything be okay

After what seemed like ages, but had actually just been a few seconds, his glassy eyes cleared and he blinked before his gaze re-focused on me.

"What's wrong?" I asked anxiously, without wasting even a second, my heart beating erratically in my chest.

Zuerien's eyes widened slightly before he shook his head, his features softening, "Its nothing, heart", he said, before lifting himself off me.

"Don't lie to me Zuerien", I pleaded, sitting up, "Please. I know something is wrong", I bit my lip before adding, "I can feel it"

He immediately bent in and cupped my cheek gently, "Hey, I'm not lying to you sweetheart", he told me softly, "It really is nothing to worry about. Just a little issue that needs to be sorted out asap"

"What is it about?" I asked worriedly. He hesitated before replying and I grabbed his wrist, "Zuerien, please tell me. Don't keep in the dark"

"Suzzanah-"

"I know you don't want to tell me because you think it will make me worry but if you don't tell me, I'll probably worry more", I told him, "Besides, I'm Luna. I have the right to know"

Zuerien smiled before gently caressing my cheek with his thumb, "I feel so proud when you stake claim of your title like that", he told me before his face turned serious again, "You're right. You do have right to know"

I sucked in a breath waiting for him to break the news to me. Looking me right in the eye, he said, "We have reason to believe that the Shadow People may have already started to tamper with our plans of retrieving Karina"

My heart rate immediately spiked but I didn't dare interrupt him for fear of missing any details as he continued.

"Earlier when I mind-linked John, he told me that both he and General Reginald had noticed that the flight's course was a little off", he told me, "They were monitoring the flight's path and noticed that for some reason, instead of taking the shortest route, the captain had chosen to take a round-about way to get to Dublin, one that will take at least an hour or two longer to arrive here"

I brow furrowed in confusion, "But...that doesn't necessarily have to mean anything though right?" I asked, "I mean surely the captain could have valid reasons for taking longer route, like air-traffic or something"

"That's what John presumed in the beginning", Zuerien said, "But then they started to notice that the some of the air-hosts and hostesses seemed to be keeping an eye on them. And later they realized that a couple of them were reporting their goings-on to someone over transmitter"

My breath caught in my throat, Oh no...

"We chose to travel via public transportation and not a private jet to minimize the amount of attention we drew to ourselves, but that has also proved to be a problem", Zuerien said, "Because there are humans on board the airplane. They can't afford to create a scene on the flight by marching up to the stewards and demanding answers"

"So these air-hosts and hostesses are supernaturals then?" I asked.

Zuerien jaw clenched, "That's the thing", he said, "They're not. They're human"

"But that would mean-"

He nodded, "They're humans who know about us being supernaturals", he said gravely, "Someone has very cunningly used humans to spy on us, knowing we would not easily suspect them"

The terrible feeling in my gut intensified as the true weight of the situation finally became known to me.

"So you're telling me that right now, Alpha Penson, General Reginald, Cole and Luna Prophecy are trapped in a flight filled with humans, some of whom may potentially be plotting against them?!" I asked, unable to keep the apprehension from seeping into my voice.

"We can't say for sure what they're plotting just yet", Zuerien told me, "According to John, up until now they haven't really done anything to physically harm them, not that they could even if they wanted to. But it just looks more like they're trying to slow them down, so that their arrival in Dublin will be delayed"

"But why would they want to do that?!" I wondered out loud.

"We don't know that yet. Nor do we know for certain who is behind this, but for obvious reasons our first and best guess is that it has to be those damned Shadow bastards", he growled out, his eyes darkening.

I placed a hand over his chest, trying to get him to calm down, "Was it Alpha Penson who mind-linked you just now?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"No, it was Cole", Zuerien replied, "And he told me that it has been confirmed that their air-travel has been tampered with. The captain apparently just announced that due to certain technical difficulties, their flight will have to make an emergency landing in the States"

"What?!" I cried out in shock.

"There is no doubt about it", Zuerien said, "Whoever is behind this is trying to keep them from joining us here in Dublin"

And its working...

Taking in my troubled disposition, Zuerien's eyes softened, "Don't worry, heart. We still have things under control", Zuerien told me gently, "The flight may have a lot of humans on it but a significant number of wolves have boarded too. And let's just say that John has some experience in flying"

My eyes widened, "He knows how to fly a plane?!"

Zuerien smiled and nodded, "And even if he didn't, it probably wouldn't take him very long to learn", he tapped his temple, "Alpha of Wisdom, remember"

"So wait...what do they plan to do? Knock out the pilots and take over the cockpit?" I asked bewildered.

"In the worst case scenario, yes", Zuerien replied, "But that would cause too much of a commotion amongst the humans on board. So for now they are trying to figure out a more subtle way of making things work"

"Is there anything you can do to help them?" I asked and he smirked.

"Of course I can", he replied, "I'm the Alpha King for a reason"

He stood up, pulling his shirt down, "I need to get in touch with the air-traffic control in both the States as well as here in Ireland. Once a few right calls have been made, that flight will hopefully be back on track in no time"

Relief flooded my veins and I exhaled the breath I hadn't realized I had been holding once again. Zuerien bent down and cupped my face with both hands.

"I told you, you don't have to worry, heart", he said comfortingly, "I need to go for a few minutes to take care of this matter but I'll be back really soon. I'll be taking Marco with me. Please try not to leave the room"

He hesitated before adding begrudgingly, "But if you must, take Rino with you"

I smiled and nodded, "Okay", I replied, "Let me know how things work out as soon as possible"

"I will", he said before pressing long, lingering kiss against my forehead, "Rest up, heart, you hear me?"

I nodded quietly. I didn't really need any more rest but I knew arguing with him about this would be useless and would only delay him unnecessarily.

"Remember, don't go anywhere alone", he repeated as he made his way towards the door.

"I wont"

"I'll go and tell Rino to come here and keep you company", Zuerien said opening the door, "Tell him to sit here by the door, or in that corner of the room, you know...away from you"

I giggled, "You really are unbelievable, Alpha", I said, shaking my head at him.

"I'm serious"

"Yes, yes. Whatever you say. Go on then", I said, waving my hand towards the door.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "I'll be back soon", he told me again before adding with a dark smirk, "And you can be certain I'll pick up again where we left off a few seconds ago"

My cheeks immediately heated up and my mouth fell open in shock but no words came out.

"Wait for me, my Luna", he told me mischievously, "I'll be sure to reward you with more pleasure than you've ever felt before. Even more than last night"

"J-Just go!" I squeaked out urgently and he chuckled softly before nodding.

"Bye, heart", he said before closing the door softly behind him.

I sat there on the giant bed for the next couple of seconds, wondering how to feel about the here and now. It hadn't even been an hour since we had arrived here and things were already starting to get...complicated.

Could it really be the Shadow People who were meddling with our plans? Did that mean that they knew all about why we were here?!

I shook my head, "But that's not possible", I told myself, "How could they know?"

Just like they always do. Somehow!

I chewed on my lip not knowing what to think. My gaze returned to the closed door as I waited for Rino to waltz in. At least his company would prevent me from driving myself insane with my crazy thought process.

Sighing, I got off the the bed and straightened my disheveled attire when a cool breeze swept my hair over my face. Turning my head, I looked towards the open balcony doors from where the lovely gust of wind was flowing into the room.

The beautiful view outside immediately beckoned me to appreciate it once more and I walked out the door and leaned against the balustrade, drinking in the scenic landscape.

Much like the Royale Industries, the Ashford Hotel Enterprises were also surrounded on all sides by several hundred feet of thick woods. To think that even though these forests were all around them, the humans couldn't see them, couldn't hear them and couldn't ever enter them because of the supernatural barriers that prevented them from doing so.

Even when the places were right next to them, right in front of them, all around them, all the time.

But then again...that's probably a good thing...

Glancing at the grey-green outline of tall mountains in the distance, I closed my eyes, feeling them sting against my eyelids. I felt tired despite having slept for several hours and I knew it wasn't the physical strain but the mental, that was taking a toll on me.

Here we were in a foreign land, burdened by several secrets, surrounded by age old enemies and searching for two lost souls who meant the world to our kingdom.

One who was being held captive by dark shadows.

And another who was hiding in the darkness of her own free will.

Megan...

After having worried all day about my sister, Karina, this time, my thoughts drifted to those of a girl who, despite all odds, had been nothing but a dear friend to me. A fiery haired woman with a gentle heart, one who had seen her fair share of hardship.

And one...who, right now, was probably...all alone...

Megan...

I could still remember the look in her eyes just before she teleported from the library in the resorts. There had been so many emotions swirling in her green orbs- fear, regret and so much pain. And I could still remember the words she had said as though she had whispered them to me again but seconds ago.

"I don't want anything to do with Supernaturals anymore"

"I just want to be left alone, by all of you!"

That's not true though...is it...Megan...

She didn't want to be left alone. She didn't. No one does. No one wants to be alone. No one wants to be left behind, to be forgotten. And she didn't either. But she had long since convinced herself that doing so was best for everyone. That isolating herself and staying away from everyone would be the solution to most of our problems.

"I can't stay. I can't stay here. If I do..."

My eyes stung yet again as her broken expression flashed in my mind.

"MEGAN! We won't hurt you!"

"I'm sorry, Suzzanah...but, I'll hurt you"

Megan...

She left...not because she wanted to be alone, but because she had to. She had realized that if she stayed, she could hurt those around her. So she chose to push them away instead, not because she was cold or harsh, but because she cared.

Megan, I then realized, was a lot like someone else I knew. Someone who had once pushed me away for fear of hurting me, or being hurt by me. Someone whom I loved more than I could even imagine.

Megan...was a lot like Zuerien.

And Zuerien...didn't like being alone.

He would never admit it, but I knew. I could feel it. Alpha Zuerien Kai Royale didn't like being alone.

"Don't leave me..."

Those had been his words to me- a desperate cry, a broken plea and probably also...his greatest fear.

Megan Houston- no, Megan Regalia, the last of her kin. She was a powerful witch, a gifted mind-reader, a Luna Extraordinaire...

A friend.

And she was all alone...

Megan...where did you go?

My heart clenched inside my chest and I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

"Wherever you are", I whispered quietly, "Please be okay..."

Another strong gust of wind hit my body and I prayed that it would carry my words to Megan and let her know that she didn't need to be alone anymore. Because there were people here who cared about her and who were willing to accept her just the way she was.

Just the way she was...

Unconditionally

Behind me, I heard the door to my room open and I knew Rino was here as I heard his cheerful voice call out, "Anna!"

I smiled at the pleasant sound before the wind abruptly grew stronger, muffling his voice, and I felt my body shifting involuntarily at the force of it. There was a push, a tilt and a slip and all of a sudden, I felt weightless.

My brow furrowed as I squeezed my eyelids shut, trying to prevent the harsh wind from assaulting my already closed eyes. For some reason, for but a split second, my breath caught in my throat and my heart hammered at a hundred beats per minute.

But before I could even dwell on it, the feeling was gone and I felt absolutely normal again.

Whoa! I felt like I just had another out of body experience.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I turned to face Rino, opening my eyes.

"That was some gust of wind just now, huh Rin-"

My words died in my throat as I stared at the sight in front of me, bewildered.

What the-

My eyes bulged out of their sockets and my jaw dropped in shock as I gaped at the rows of humongous trees that now surrounded me like a cloak. A gasp of utter horror escaped my lips as my head violently whipped from one side to the other, my wide brown orbs seeing nothing but thick, wild woods in every direction.

It had been not but a second ago that I had been standing in the balcony of Room 1050 of the prestigious Ashford Hotel Enterprises. But it seemed like that measly second had been enough time to transport me into the middle of nowhere.

Here, there were thousands of acres of land swarming with trees and shrubs and stones and grass.

And not a person in sight.

And just like that, my heart that had only just settled into steady pace in my chest abruptly shot to a staccato rhythm once more, as confusion and incomprehension finally gave way to baffling discernment.

And although a thousand thoughts bombarded my mind in that one moment, the most prominent of them all still stood out like blazing torch.

And I realized...

I had no idea how or why, but I was suddenly very far away from everything and everyone I knew. I had no clue where I was, why I was here or how I was supposed to get back.

But the most terrifying fact of them all, one that flooded my veins with panic, was that I was here now...

And I was here...alone.

****

A/N

In honor of my title  as 'Queen of Cliffhangers', I give you chapter 3 of Shadowed Hearts. What do you think?

I feel evil lololol. 

And this is just the beginning. Book 2 will be a crazy ride. I hope you guys are ready.

So....how did you like this chapter? 

If you enjoyed it, please do VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE! 

Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!

Until next time,

All my love

Angel