ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)

There were perks to having a proper means of transportation and Zaramanni was more than thankful that she didn’t have to walk for many days before getting to her proposed destination.

Well, it did take about four days for the entire entourage to reach the entrance of The Crown-Blood pack but unlike the rough journey in the forests of Amarxona, the travel was easier.

And for Zaramanni, her trip ended in front of a huge mansion that looked more than abandoned thanks to the depressing heavens.

But, there was no denying how rich the building and its environs looked. Surrounded by the vastness of nature, the stone-built, palatial building displayed architectural greatness right from the front view to the chilly insides of the mansion.

Greeted by two men who ushered her past the huge, carpeted stairs in the middle of the welcoming room, Zara began to wonder what the worth of the entire building would be in Earth’s currency. Then, she wondered if the people of Zenrada had a currency of their own.

So many other questions about that strange universe crossed her mind as the men urged her to take the right path at the end of the stairway.

Zara kept exploring the space as she walked past corridors. From the random sculptures she encountered to the gloomy scenery of the trees outside, Zaramanni made sure that her gaze feasted on something.

Then, she noticed that some of the fairly large, grided windows were either shattered or pierced in particular areas.

It seemed the manor, though looking strong and intact, did not miss the attack of the fairies.

But, the city ahead, the city that supposedly made Crown-Blood Pack what it was, wore a devastating look that could tell a stranger the sad story of the city’s downfall.

The empty and dark streets as well as the destroyed buildings that welcomed Zaramanni earlier were enough to tell her that the Crown-Blood Pack was highly deserted.

“Does that mean I am going to be the only one in this place?” Zara asked herself loudly.

The men with her didn’t give a response. All they did, after halting their steps, was point toward a grand door. They walked away after that.

While wearing a confused pout Zaramanni pushed the heavy doors open and a bedroom fell within her sight.

She was about to admire the dimly lit room when a loud noise reached her ears. Zaramanni quickly hoped that it was a person that made the noise, not some lurking and starving animal.

After taking a few steps into the room, she surprisingly found a green-coated switch which she hurriedly flipped.

Illumination from a hanging crystal chandelier filled the space and while she tucked her surprise at the fact that they had a means of supplying electricity, Zara noted how scanty the room was.

Apart from the bed in the middle, there were no other objects that rested against the metallic-coloured tiled ground.

With a frown, Zaramanni jumped into the soft bed which was the four-poster kind but roofless.

Then, as she stared at the glossy ceiling and the adornments that came with it, she wondered why King Darren would want her to stay in such a lonely place.

While it was true that she wouldn’t be staying in Zenrada for long, she needed to be around people if she was to maintain her sanity.

The girl sighed as she hoped that King Darren knew what he was doing.

Zaramanni’s body was slithering to get a proper feel of the sheets when her eyes caught the glimpse of her bag which looked like it needed a great wash.

Hoping that Zenrada had soap, Zaramanni dragged the tote towards her and she dug out her almost useless phone.

With a sad smile and the crazy thought of a call coming through running in her mind, Zaramanni wondered what on earth was actually going on.

Sure, that was the hundredth time she would be thinking of the sudden change in her life. But, Zara hoped that thinking about it so many times would provide an answer. An answer that would suit her thinking.

Her mind’s quest for responses was soon interrupted by a stench. After a quick sniff of her hoodie that spilled out of the bag, Zaramanni sprang out of the bed and rushed toward the door within the room which led to the bathroom just like she had guessed.

And of course, the bathroom looked just as expensive as the rest of the house.

~

Zaramanni’s heart was filled with gratitude toward her new bed. It embraced her well and comforted her aching spine. In fact, prior to the moment she settled into the bed, Zara had no idea her back had so much pain embedded in it.

Her hair sprawled all over the satin pillowcase, her new nightwear comfortable enough, Zaramanni found herself delving deeper and deeper into the slumber world.

She felt so relaxed and she did not mind loosening her sense of security a bit.

But, her journey to sleep was soon interrupted when she felt a restriction to her breathing.

Panicking, Zara’s eyes flew open but all she saw was the purpleness of the pillow that was supposed to be supporting the right side of her body. The object pressed onto her face with intent and soon, she was struggling for air.

Zara’s hands desperately waved, her legs tried to kick, but the person hovering above her did not budge.

She tried to scream, thinking that someone outside would hear her, but nothing worked.

It looked like death was waiting for her.

But, death in a foreign place?

Zara hated the sound of that, so she fought some more. She tried reaching for a portion of the material stuffed in her face with her teeth.

She prayed that the strange magic-like thing that keeps happening to her would happen at that moment but the person’s intent to end her life persisted strongly and she could feel her weakness growing.

“What is going on here?” A familiar voice sternly inquired from the far entrance of her room and like he or she never existed, the other presence in the room disappeared.

Gasping for air and more air, Zaramanni rapidly sat up and scanned the large room for traces of the person that attempted to murder her, but all she saw was Sham running towards her.

His hands held her shuddering shoulders firmly as his eyes looked around the room. Then, when their eyes met, Sham said, “Hey, Zaramanni, you are okay.”

The girl’s lips quivered as her eyes welled with tears that were certain to be shed. Her breathing rate was still unstable and her mind was still in turmoil.

Zara’s slender body was pulled into Sham’s broad shoulders as he said again, “You are okay. You are going to be fine.”

“How?” Her voice was barely audible and it was shaky as well.

Sham replied with his soft voice, “I am well aware of the fact that I hardly know you, but you came with His Majesty and I must protect you as much as I protect the king.”

“That’s not-”

Sham dissolved the embrace as she let out a wince.

Gently pressing his fingers into her flesh, Sham said, “I caught a glimpse of the man who attacked you. So, be rest assured that I will find him. So-”

”No, you don’t get it.” Zara finally found the strength to speak louder. “I don’t belong here. I should be on my way to Mount Hermos right now so that I can finally go home. But now,” her eyes twitched violently, “I am stuck in this huge and lonely place and I was just attacked by someone I don’t know.”

Sham wore a frown. “The King didn’t tell me you had to go to Mount Hermos.” Zara’s brows cocked as she became rather comfortable and instantly used to his assuring hold. “Yes, the journey to that place is a long one, but we have some of our people who need to go there urgently.”

”Really?” Zara forgot about her attack for a second and all she could think of was meeting her grandmother again.

“Yes. I will speak with the King and we will arrange something for you.”

”Oh my goodness,” her excitement spilled as her arms went around his neck. “Thank you.”

“It’s fine.” Zara felt a stir as one of his hands went to her waist and accepted her sudden hug. “Will you be fine by yourself? Should I call someone in to stay with you?”

”No, it’s fine,” Zara quietly replied as she sat down, her back resting against the head of the bed frame. “I will just need some water.”

”Sure.” Sham placed a few pats on her hand as their eyes made further contact, that little action making something inside Zara surge.

But, like earlier, Zaramanni shook her head and scolded herself.

She was just attacked by someone strange, broadening her crush on the King’s guard wasn’t the best next thing for her to do.

Zara was about to pull out of her thoughts when Sham walked out of the room.

Swiftly, she rushed to the windows on both sides of the room and closed them all even though leaving them slightly open made her feel less lonely.

Well, those were her thoughts before someone tried to attack her.

Things had now changed.

It then became clear to Zaramanni what Alisha and the King were trying to say.

Somehow, stepping into Zenrada meant walking into danger

It was a good thing that she would be leaving for Mount Hermos as soon as it was possible, but till then, Zara became aware that she needed to keep an eye out for any form of danger or a person carrying pillows meant for murder.

~

“The palace feels different now that you are here, Your Majesty,” Sham said as he walked into the library where the Alpha had tucked himself ever since they arrived at the royal residence.

“Hmm,” the man cleared his throat as he set aside the grand brown paper he was looking at. “I have to thank you greatly, Sham. You managed this kingdom while I was gone and you did a great job.” King Darren gestured at the chair opposite him and Sham had his seat.

“Well, now that you are back, it will be nice to start redeveloping the Kingdom. That way, everyone can go back to their respective packs before an indoor fight breaks out, especially between two particular packs.”

”We just need the right partnership. I was thinking of contacting the humans. Some of our clients still owe us a favour.”

“Huh…” Sham’s eyes narrowed as the led bulb above them started to fickle. There were decorated lamps nearby but their greenish lighting didn’t reach the King’s desk. “About humans… That girl, Zaramanni, she is one, right?”

”Yes.” King Darren looked up from the electronic tablet he had earlier reached for. The ancient inscription on the back of the device was glistening. “Why do you ask?”

”Well,” Sham was glad he wasn’t in his guard’s clothes anymore because a certain heat suddenly enveloped him, “ she was attacked tonight.”

”What? What happened? I told you to-”

“Look after her. Of course. But wouldn’t it be better to let her begin her journey to Mount Hermos soon? Some of our people are going there for healing and-”

“No.”

“No?”

”I don’t know what she told you, but she is going nowhere.”

”But, she has no business here,” Sham retorted, his mind unable to understand why the Alpha would say no. “We should-”

”That’s enough, Sham. Do me a favour and make sure you capture the person that tried to kill her.” The king had a furious look on his face and it became clear to the Alpha’s guard that it would be useless to argue.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Sham gave in and he got up.

But, that didn’t mean his mind didn’t remain confused. And, he felt bad for the girl whose eyes showed desperation to leave. But, he answered to the King no matter what.

He wouldn’t dare go against the King’s orders.

So, he would just have to make do with making the girl feel less lonely and he knew just how to do that.