"They want me dead, I just know it."

We locked eyes the second I entered the dining room. He was in the middle of speaking with Sebastian when we came in. "Come on," Renee urged me, pulling me along and I look away. Bradey eyes were wide when I sat down next to him. He looked so happy here with Enrico. Renee sat opposite me, William near at the head of the table.

I ended up going with the light brown nude dress since it's what I felt most myself in. All the dresses were pretty so it was a hard decision to make. I did not look around, only smiled at Bradey. In fact, I was scared to do so. These people don't know me, I feel like I'm exposing too much of my skin and I already feel out of place. "Who's this?" A man asked and I looked up.

"She was a GoldenCove member and how she's here, drop it," William flatly said. The man didn't seem surprised by his harshness. I haven't seen him before which made me only wonder who he was. "Oh really? Do I know your parents?" The older man asked, already assuming I was someone important. I shook my head, not wanting to speak about them. They can't touch you here, you're protected.

"Since everyone is here, how about we start to eat," William changed the topic and everyone took the lids off. I was hesitant in doing so. My eyes widened at the amount of food on my plate. Renee eyed me weirdly which encouraged me to pick up the knife and fork and start to eat slowly.

"Are you good?" Bradey softly whispered to me and I nodded my head. His lips parted to say something else when Jayden spoke first. "I was supposed to tell you about the two wolves lurking on the southern border. There aren't rogues for sure so the best bet is they left their packs or got banished recently. Blonde hair, scruffy looking. They won't go away and appear at random times," Jayden informed. My heart clenched upon hearing that and all the different possibilities swarm around my mind.

"I need more information than that to do something about it but please keep a close eye on that," William responded. "Yes of course. I'll see what I can find out," he obeyed.

Questions went around the table about this new suspicion of a threat but I was caught in my thoughts. Are they back? Did they find me? How did they... I know it was too good to be true. They knew I wasn't dead, now they're back to finish the job.

I just know it.

My hands began to shake and I tried my best to drop the utensils without making a sound. My eyes remained on the food and the burning sensation started again. In that moment all the memories from the cave came crashing back. I could have sworn I felt every slice and burn from that day in this moment.

I can't stay here.

I'll embarrass myself if I can't control the tears anymore.

"Excuse me," I blurted out, pushing back my chair and quickly escaping the room. I turn the corners until I gave up and grabbed a random room door to hide in. Thankfully, it was a blank bedroom, smaller than mine, and showed no sign of possessions. I shut the door behind me and bolted to the corner of the room.

I sat on the floor, my hands still shaking and hot tears streamed down my sensitive cheeks. They're coming for me. I'm going to die. I should never have hope ever again. I'm so broken. Nobody wants me. They want me dead, I just know it.

The door opened and I cursed myself for not locking it. I was about to shout it was taken when William walked in, catching me off guard. "Everest," William whispered, his eyes softening. I said nothing, my lips parted and I remained tranquil. He cautiously walked closer, testing the waters. "Are you okay?" He asked. "That's a stupid question, I'm sorry. Can I help you?" He rambled off softly.

He was super close to me now and I felt like he was invading my personal space. "Don't touch me," I sobbed, trying to hide my face overall. "Let me, please," he begged, his hands reaching for my waist and he lifted me. Surprisingly, I clung onto his body, wrapping my arms and legs around him, hiding my face in his neck. "I-it's okay, I promise," he whispered, sitting on the bed.

He held me like I was about to shatter any second and he didn't want me to go. One of his hands was securely around my waist as the other brushed through my blonde hair soothingly. "I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry," I apologized, shaking my head and pulling away from him. He doesn't let go of me though, in fact, he held me tighter. "You need to stop apologizing and remember you're also human," he softly reminded me. His fingers slipped out of my air, brushing down my arm.

I threw all excuses out the window and appreciated his touch, allowing the sound of his heartbeat to calm me down. "Are you feeling better?" He asked again. I nodded my head, shutting my eyes. Neither of us moved, I just sat there on his lap with my hands around his neck with my head now resting on his shoulder.

"Everest," William whispered and I hummed in response. "I'll be eating one meal with you a day from now on okay? You need to be healthy and take care of yourself," he reminded me. I was too tired and on the verge of falling asleep so I hummed in approval again.

It was so hard, and I did not want to stop. All thoughts of our arguments and the bad qualities of William were forgone in the moment and I just allowed myself to slip into darkness while he held me tightly.

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