10 REUNITED

The alpha...no... Ivan. Ivan, made good on his promise. After I had lowered myself to my knees in front of him, I had been escorted back to my quarters. But not after witnessing him release Cruzita and Blue. I wanted to wait to talk to Cruzita. I missed her a lot and I just wanted to be in her loving motherly embrace but I knew she had to be taken care off and besides, I was also already too weak and dehydrated.

I spent days locked inside my room. Not because I was a prisoner but because Ivan wanted to ensure that I was well fed and getting enough sleep. Different varieties of food were brought to me each day. I was skeptical about the food at first but then I remembered Ivan's threat which prompted me to eat.

The food was actually very delicious. The meat was well cooked and the sauce was just pure heaven! The bread too was very soft and delicious! Don't let me even get started on the dessert.

Surprisingly, they had a lot of tasty dessert. Guess sweet tooth also applied to werewolves too. They had solid chocolates of different shapes and sizes and the craziest thing, some of them had nuts in them! I have never seen anything like that before. They also had different flavours of cake and also, my favourite cookies. I'm not sure how Ivan knew what I liked but he made sure I was well taken care off.

I stayed in the room for four days. Stuffing myself and getting enough sleep. I could see the changes in my body. My cheeks looked more rosy and I was starting to gain a little bit of weight, all thanks to Ivan's generosity. Now all I have to do is get enough rest so I can finally visit Cruzita and Blue.

I was in my room sleeping after I had stuffed myself with a slice of apple pie when I felt someone flick me on the nose. I waved off whoever was trying to disturb my precious sleep. But whoever it was, the person was adamant because I felt hands shaking me.

I finally pried my eyes open prepared to rain curses on who was disturbing me when I saw a familiar face staring down at me. A warm smile on her face, "CRUZITA!"

Cruzita smiled down at me. "Glad to see one of us at least feels comfortable enough to sleep."

"CRUZITA!" I yelled again happily and launched myself at her, hugging her tightly.

Cruzita let out a hearty laugh. "I guess someone miss me that much huh?"

"You have no idea." I mumbled still hugging her tightly. I missed her so much, I thought to myself as I breathed in her scent.

"Alright, that's enough. We have to get you ready for your meeting with the King." Cruzita said pulling me up from my bed.

I frowned at what she said. "Meeting? What meeting?"

Cruzita left me and went to my wardrobe yanking it open. "I don't know. All I was told was to get you ready, apparently he wants to see you."

"Oh." I mumbled looking down at my bare feet. I wasn't exactly thrilled at the thought of meeting Ivan again. The last time he had requested for me, I was made to seat almost naked in front of his subjects.

Well at least, I get to choose my own clothes this time, so I guess that's a good thing. I muse as I stared at Cruzita who was still rumaging through my wardrobe.

Cruzita let out a low whistle. "Just look at the amount of these dresses here and they are made of the finest silk and cotton. Rissa would have chopped her legs off just to try them on, I tell you."

"Yeah, I bet." I commented dryly. I don't really like dresses, they hinder you from being able to move freely with their heavy train and multiple ropes which are tied tightly at the back so as to bring out your figure. I miss my trousers and loose fitting shirt.

"What's with the long face?" Cruzita asked turning back to look at me. "You should go take your bath."

I gave her a small smile. "Yes, of course." And with that I dashed into the bathroom.

I took my bath, taking my time in the gigantic tub. As soon as I was done, I got out and wrapped myself up in the fluffy towel. I dried my hair and my body then stepped out only to see Cruzita had already laid out a dress for me.

It was light pink sleeveless gown that has a lot of layers making it look like that of a flower. It was a beautiful dress and thankfully it wasn't see through. I wore the dress which fits me perfectly. It wasn't that tight but it wasn't that loose either. Well, at least it's not see through, I thought to myself dryly.

"Come, I'll help you with your hair." Cruzita said bringing me out of my thoughts.

I reached a hand up to touch my hair. "Um, it's okay. I'll have one of the girls do it." I declined softly.

Cruzita has never done my hair before, she wasn't allowed to. Father and Christine ordered her not to touch my hair with her hands because it was the same hands she would use to take care of Rissa and also to cook for us.

"Nonsense." Cruzita brushed it off, "I'll do it, now come sit." She ordered me and I bit my lips nervously but moved to sit in front of the mirror.

Cruzita brought out a comb and started combing through my massive red hair. It was a little uncomfortable watching her touch my hair. I keep expecting her to freak out but she just continued working on my hair.

"There, you are all set." Cruzita said giving my hair one last part.

"Thank you." I mumbled shyly as I touched my red hair and she smiled at me from the mirror.

We were still staring at each other when a thought suddenly entered my mind. "Cruzita?" I called while she looked at me with a questioning look on her eyes.

"Have you..." I stuttered, unsure of how to get the words out. "Have you ever thought of me as a...a...freak?" I blurted out and as soon as I got the words out Cruzita gave me a knock on my head.

"OW! What the hell was that for?" I winced rubbing my throbbing head but Cruzita glared at me.

"Don't you swear at me young lady or I'll make sure I give you a good hiding you won't be able to sit for weeks!" Cruzita threatened and I kept quiet at that but she continued. "And what? A freak? Why do you even use such a word on yourself?"

I bit the inside of my cheek. "Well you know I'm a little different from others and..."

"And so what?" Cruzita cut me off before I could finish. "Just because you are different from others doesn't mean you are a freak. Sometimes being different is good you know?" Cruzita said brushing my hair back.

"Well, it doesn't feel that way." I mumbled looking down at my hands which I was twisting nervously on my laps. "Being different isn't good. Being different is what brought me here in the first place, Dad happily gave me away because I was different." I finished and I looked up only to see Cruzita looking at me with sympathy.

"Oh poor child..."

"It's okay. I'm okay." I cut her off before she could say anything. "I'm glad I'm out of that town anyway. It's not like I had a home to begin with. Everyone knows the first female child of the household was always selected but Dad gave me away instead. He didn't even put up a fight when the Fairchilds pointed their hands at me...He just...he just gave me away." I finished with tears already rolling down my cheeks.

"Arianne, I'm sure he doesn't think that way." Cruzita stroked my arm in an attempt to sooth me.

"I tried you know?" I asked looking up at Cruzita who was still staring at me with a look of pity. "I always did as he asked. I did everything without a fuss. I even tried my best not to feel different. I kept my hair covered at all times, I did my best to always please Rissa and Christine even when they were mean to me! I did everything and all I ever wanted was for him to see me! To see me as a daughter or a human being at least!"

"Oh Arianne!" Cruzita immediately pulled me into a warm embrace while I sobbed against her.

Cruzita held me and comforted me as I cried. Murmuring soothing words in my hair as she stroked my hair in an attempt to calm me down.

"There are some things you don't understand child." Cruzita murmured into my hair. "You are meant for a far more greater purpose Arianne. And one day, you will save all of humanity." Cruzita finished and I leaned away to look at her.

"Wha..what do you mean by that?" I sniffed looking at Cruzita with a puzzled look on my face.

Tucking a strand of my hair behind my hair, Cruzita smiled at me. "I wish I could tell you everything, I really do but I can't. It will all be revealed to you someday."

I didn't understand a word Cruzita was saying. I don't understand a single thing at all but I guess she was saying it as a means to calm me down and strangely enough. It seemed to work, I felt a little bit at ease.

"Thank you." I mumbled squeezing her hands and she smiled at me.

"Of course." Cruzita smiled at me and I noticed a small frown on her face.

"What is it Cruzita?" I asked looking at her.

Cruzita looked up at me with a serious look on her face. "How about we escape from here?"

WHAT? "What?" I voiced my thought out a shocked look on my face.

"How about we escape from here? Away from the Midnight pack?" Cruzita said with so much determination in her eyes while I just sat still, staring at her in shock!

~~~

This is where I stop here tonight, I'm sleepy. Have fun reading and do not be a ghost reader! Voice out your opinions in the comment section.

Thanks for reading!