Chapter One

Calmness.

That's all I heard. Birds chirping and… nothing. Besides leaves rustling in the afternoon breeze, nothing. Just nothing. That sounded a lot like peace. I could almost feel it everywhere.

I closed my eyes, took a breath, and smelt the scent of moist earth and greenery. Nature. Clean cool air. I opened my eyes to the green forest in front of me. Thousands of acres of nothing but untouched natural forest. Now, this was life.

Why did I really leave this place in the first place? Really. I turned and took my box out of the trunk. I walked with difficulty to the door and walked in.

I thought this house was supposed to be bigger. I thought as I placed the box on top of the kitchen and looked around the place. It seemed smaller than the last time I was here but spacious.

Okay, the movers and their interior designer really did their job. I thought as I inspected the kitchen first.

It was an open kitchen and I loved it. The Cabinets, the floor, the floor, and the appliances within my view, I loved them all. Besides, it was not crowded like my last apartment. And it was… lovely.

The white furniture really did make everything seem bright. I turned to the living room and… I gotta give the interior designer a good tip.

The white couches and the dark wooden pieces really did go together. The television stand looked great. The grey marble floor was superb. And the French windows really were overkill.

But I loved it. Especially the look outside.

The green lawn opening to the blooming forest was perfect. I really loved it.

I ran to my childhood bedroom, and I definitely loved it. She really did change it, the designer I meant. She did change it but still made it modest and perfectly subtle.

Just my taste.

I jumped into the white bed with a pale blue lining bed and felt completely at home. It was moderately soft and the whole room smelt of nothing but lavender. This, this was heaven. Now, who said being an introvert was a lifetime of torture spent with extroverts? oh right, I am a billionaire's daughter. But, this...This was perfect.

Ring!! Rring!

I heard the telephone ring. It sounded Melodious and definitely not terrifying as a mobile… wait, telephone?

I rushed out of the bedroom and ran straight to the kitchen and picked the phone before it rang for the fifth time.

"Hello," I said out of breath.

"I was just about to come down there and drag you here."

"Dad!" I shouted at him. "I just…"

"You promised me three rings." He reminded me of my promise. I had sworn, even vowed that I would be safe. Always safe, call him every morning and night at exactly seven for him to be certain I was safe. And from this telephone to be certain I was at home in exchange for swindling this gorgeous house from him.

"I know, I just got here, and I was just checking the rooms. I'm sorry. But it's 3 pm and you didn't call my cell phone." I defended myself knowing fully well that I was going to be dragged back to the bustling city if I didn't defend myself properly and keep my promise.

He once did, because I lied, three years ago. Told him I was going over to a friend but went on a date instead. I was eighteen and he sent four of his bodyguards and they literally dragged me out of the cinema, in front of a lot of people. So what was going to stop him now?

It's why I hated being a billionaire's only daughter.

"it's okay," he said, I could hear his voice mellow. "so how do you like your house?"

"I love it. Really, really love it."

"I know you do." He said with a lot of pride I could almost imagine the look on his small eyes ad guess what he was going to say next. "I took time and these very hands to repair that house and make sure it was perfect for my princess."

Yeah… right.

"you mean you spent money." I corrected him.

"Okay, money I mean, but I designed that house from scratch."

I know. But since mom was mauled by a bear here you haven't set foot in it. I wanted to add. But he was agitated, so I wasn't going to bring it up, or open his wounds.

"I know."

"so take care of it."

"dad, you are not gonna cry again are you?" I asked him as I heard his voice tremble.

"No, I…"

"It's okay. I will come to see you every two weeks. Besides, enjoy your honeymoon."

"don't take exactly two weeks, come before then."

"Dad, I'm hanging up," I told him as took the phone off my ears and heard him mutter something. Before I hung up, I added, "I love you."

Two hours, maybe… wait was it more? Probably less, I was in front of the television watching The Witcher with a tub of ice cream on my hands. I had done almost everything that needed to be done. Hang my deceased mother's photos where they need to be. Unpacked things I came with and already had a shower. I didn't need to clean because, apparently, I have a housekeeper. I didn't like it, the same way mom never liked it. But I knew dad was just being dad. Hiring a housekeeper was nothing short of him keeping an eye on me.

By the time the tub was done, I had watched the first two episodes of The Witcher, and I was a bit drained, and my mind was clouded with thoughts of dad, mom, and my stepmother.

I was glad dad remarried, and I knew that my stepmom would never replace my mother, but I was still hurt. I missed mom and, as the excitement of living alone and far from dad was dying out, this empty house, full of memories of mom was definitely not helping.

I shed a few tears again as The Witcher credits rolled and switched the television off. Wolves howled in the backyard, and that was definitely an instant reminder that moving here was a mistake.

I ran upstairs to where my bedroom was and looked outside.

At the very base of the forest, a wolf stood sentient looking up at me. Its grey-yellow fur looked beautiful and a bit shiny in the backyard light. A few more wolves joined it and they all stared at me for a moment before turning and leaving.

Did I lock?

Where they going to…

I wanted this. I told myself as I closed the curtains. I wanted to live here. And wolves won't attack unless provoked. Or once fed. i think. they are not like bears that mauled Mom ten years ago.

Besides they haven't killed anyone. I hope.

I went back down and checked if everything was locked.