Chapter Seven - Etiquette

The jet-black Lamborghini entered the parking area as a few thugs shut down the rolling shutter door behind. The garage was spacious, with colorful graffiti on the wall and filled with crates. A few captives were almost beaten to their deaths and cuffed by metal chains from the ceiling with blood-smashed lips and swollen faces. From the outside, there was no way to reckon the nightmare inside. Caspian got down from the Lamborghini in a plain black shirt left unbuttoned on the top and the v-lined, tight-fitted sleek vest. The thugs prepared a chair for Caspian in front of the prisoners on the verge of losing consciousness. Caspian sat, crossing his legs, leaning back on the chair comfortably. "Water," one of the captives mumbled. ''You blasted one of our factories, killing fifty of my men. Should I pour lava on your throat?" Caspian asked coldly, making a steeple of his fingers. "We didn't do anything," another prisoner said, struggling. Caspian got up from the chair, getting close to the prisoner within a glimpse. He grabbed the chin of the man and said, "Don't make me ask you twice. Which pack do you belong to?" "We don't know what you are talking about," the prisoner said, clenching his jaw. Caspian's grip tightened on the prisoner's jaw as his eyes glowed up, making a cracking sound, smashing the captive's jaw. Within a glimpse, the prisoner's body turned into ashes. The other captives were petrified in fear as Caspian's arms shifted into claws till his forearm. "Pl-please," one of the captives cried out as shortly, Caspian's sharp nails cut their throats. "You lived long enough after daring to blast my men," Caspian said calmly, placing a cigarette between his lips and lighting it seductively. Caspian exhaled the smoke, staring at the cigarette bitterly. "I still don't like it," Caspian mumbled as one of the thugs brought Caspian's phone from the car. "Master, we should arrange a meeting with the Black-snakes," Caspian said on the phone. Caspian came out of the garage in his Lamborghini, riding it at full speed, putting on his glasses. The cold breeze brushed his soft blond hair as he slid the window glass down. ********* I lay down on my bed till eleven in the morning. Caspian had left earlier. There was nothing much to do after breakfast. It had been a long time since I last relaxed in the morning. Part-time jobs were always exhausting. I heard a light knock at my door. I wondered if it was the maids again. Catherine entered shortly. The girl was too young to be the head maid. Perhaps a year or two older than me. Catherine smiled brightly at me. "I apologize for not coming earlier to greet you, Young Lady," Catherine said. I had expected to meet Catherine in a maid's outfit with a short, black frock and a white shirt underneath with a bow tie on her neck. However, Catherine was entirely different from my imagination. The brunette had dressed in casual cloth with a plain white shirt and peachy pink midi skirt. Her eyes were glowing. I wondered if Catherine was a werewolf. "Miss, before we proceed with the table manners, let me show you the outfits you must choose to wear on different occasions. Since the Alpha Lord is recognized both as a successful businessman and the leader of the White wolves, as his granddaughter, you will have to accompany him in the assemblies in the future," Catherine said, leading me toward a separate room attached to mine that I hadn't noticed. When I entered the room, my eyes were flushed by the luxurious architecture. The room was designed entirely in a combination of white and pink. A vanity table was in a corner with shelves filled with expensive cosmetic products. Catherine opened the cabinet as the shelves were filled with dresses, gowns, and casual clothes from all luxury brands. Catherine opened another closet filled with heels and shoes. "Young Lady, please pick your outfits from here, now on," Catherine said. I was still in a state of bewilderment. "Have I transmigrated into a dressing-up game?" I mumbled, starting at the cabinets. "Don't worry, Miss. Every day someone will be here to accompany you with your makeup and outfits," Catherine said, smiling. After that, Catherine lectured me till lunch on my daily activities, skills I needed to learn, and table manners. I had never even been this exhausted in my part-time jobs. My grandfather or Caspian had not returned. Catherine informed me that I had to dine alone at lunch. I never cared about table etiquette in my life before. It was embarrassing when Caspian treated me like an uncultured village girl earlier. "If comfortably eating gets you judged, it's better to eat alone," I mumbled. Hence, I should have felt relieved to get to eat alone. However, it was strange that inside, I wanted to dine with my grandpa and Caspian. It was lonely inside that massive apartment. Catherine got busy with her work. A bunch of armed men had been patrolling around the building. I wondered if anyone would allow me to go out alone. Shortly, doctor Athereld appeared as Catherine led him to my bed-chamber. I had not seen Athereld in regular clothes aside from his medical attire. In a plain white shirt, unbuttoned on the top, revealing his pale chest, and folded sleeves till his forearm, Athereld appeared as if he had come out of a novel. His silver-blue hair was messily touching his forehead, slightly covering his aqua-blue eyes. "Glad seeing you doing well, My Lady," Athereld said, smiling brightly at me. I had already gotten accustomed to Athereld's way of addressing. Yet, it would make me feel like I belonged to a historical novel. Athereld checked on my blood pressure and ran a few other tests on me. "Everything seems fine for now. You are just a little weak. Probably due to my overly concerned mate's keeping you dehydrated for an entire day," Athereld said, putting his medical instruments back inside his bag. "Mate?" I almost choked on his words. Was he not talking about Caspian? I wondered. My uncle had informed me that every wolf had a mate with whom it shared its bonds. And from multiple werewolf novels, I had at least learned that the wolves would find their mates at a particular age. Athereld broke into laughter, noticing my expression. He rubbed my head gently and asked, "You are so cute, aren't you? Have you always been this innocent?" "But aren't you also a werewolf?" I flatly asked as I realized he was only making fun of me. "Undoubtedly," Athereld answered as I continued to stare at him with wide eyes. "What I intended was to mean as my companion or fellow packmate, you can say," Athereld said, smiling at me again. My cheeks turned red. I couldn't fathom whether it was due to my imbecilic question or Athereld's captivating smile. I wondered what these men were consuming to grow up being this handsome. "Do you not have a mate?" I asked in a tiny voice as I suddenly felt curious. "Will that matter?" Athereld questioned. I couldn't fathom what Athereld intended to mean. But I had no intention of asking something moronic again. Hence I refrained from asking him anything further. However, I wondered if Athereld was a beta. I stared at the muscular build in his body. Athereld was not overly masculine or too slender. Even from over his outfit, the exquisite delicacy in his features was apparent, yet the manly virility was prominent. "I might turn to ashes if you continue staring at me like this, Young Lady," Athereld said, smiling at me. I turned red as a beet as I realized that my eyes were gobbling Athereld up. "Pa-pardon, I am not weird or something," I almost slurred in embarrassment, looking away. Athereld caressed my cheeks lightly and said, "No, you are not. Perhaps I will lose my mind if you continue being this cute." I shivered slightly at Athereld's touch. He was indeed good at sweet talks, I thought. "Anyway, I am checking the status of your wolf. I have already injected a few drugs into your body. I am hoping you will be able to realize the symptoms of having a wolf in a few days. Since it was suppressed for quite a long time, your wolf seems unresponsive to any external stimulus. It might take more time than I thought," Athereld said. My eyes glowed up, learning about my wolf. I felt an unfamiliar sensation flowing through my veins. I had never felt this excited before. "Will I be able to shift?" I asked as my eyes twinkled. "Indeed," Athereld answered. "Have you eaten?" Athereld suddenly asked out of the blue as I shook my head, indicating I hadn't. "Let's eat together," Athereld said, spreading his palm towards me, providing me with the most beautiful smile I had seen lately.