"Shhh. . ."

Her heart curled up. What was terror? What was fear? This was the fear. Seeing the monster looking at her only.

His shaky finger moved away from his lips slowly after he signed her to remain quiet. Jennifer's face shook in extreme dread.

Uncertainty was real.

He moved back from her, the creepy smile curving his lips.

Jennifer watched him not moving his eyes off her. He wasn't saying a word.

Suddenly, the faint voices of the Knights shouting echoed. The galloping of horses could be heard. She watched him looking above at the sky.

The darkness was settling.

Her breath stuck in her limbs when he lowered his head and looked back at her. She gasped at seeing his eyes glowing brighter than before and the eerie smiles not leaving his face.

Her skin crawled in fear when the black fur started protruding his skin again. His toned legs taking the hinged shape once more. He looked down at his hand, tilting his head.

Jennifer's eyebrows furrowed and unshed tears rested at the corner of her eyes. Her lips parted at seeing the sudden innocence spreading in those bright eyes.

The fur was prickling his skin and slowly, the man groaned. His face was taking the shape that of a wolf.

The moment his jaws widened and his canines protruded, Jennifer widened her own eyes in alarm.

His clothes ripped a bit more but not properly. The man groaned hard and curled up like an infant, trying to control this transformation.

Jennifer gasped at seeing the blood leaking from his mouth.

The man groaned loudly until he turned into something she had seen the very first moment. Something which had killed Preston and Lori.

He looked back at his hand, breathing harshly. His expressions on that wolf face, displaying an unknown fear. He looked above at the sky and stood up.

Standing like a man but displaying the show of a predator.

He howled loudly, the voice echoing everywhere around the forest.

Jennifer's face paled.

Suddenly, he looked at her and the blood lust filling his eyes. Her soul shuddered as she slowly crawled back. Her hand moved on a crunchy leaf. She jumped up in fright and looked back at the Werewolf.

He opened his mouth, blood leaking and deadly canines bathing.

She screamed in horror.

Getting up immediately, Jennifer didn't care about anything and ran away for her life.

The Werewolf watched her retreating back with harsh breaths.

The chase had always been thrilling.

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Nathaniel kicked the chair hard in anger.

A girl was about to get raped.

He shook his head. It was wrong. Very wrong. Jeffery's sister. Lord, she was very young. Barely sixteen, maybe. He widened his eyes while looking around, thinking hard.

It had turned dark already.

This would create a lot of terror around the village. Jeffery would be broken and what if they got to know that it was his father's plan. Immediately, the face of Samara appeared in his mind.

She would be disgusted by him.

Nathaniel shook his head nervously.

He looked back at the chair that he was sitting on and grabbed the dagger he had removed from his boots. He pulled it out and checked the silver shining intact. Pushing it back, he glanced back at the door that he had bolted. Putting the dagger in his  boots, he started walking towards the door to leave the room.

While rushing through drawing room, his soon-to-be mother-in-law frowned at him while coming out from the kitchen.

"I had asked the cooks to prepare for dinner. Where are you-"

"Don't give her any food! Don't open her door! She is safe locked inside there!" He yelled at her while running out of the house.

Walking towards the horse, he climbed on it and rode towards Aunt Maria's land.

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"The bite is the treasure."

Samara shook her head with wide eyes, picking up her skirt to walk on the muddy path. "I don't believe in those words. The ability to turn into a Werewolf under the moonlight and kill people for pleasure is not some treasure. It is a curse."

Violet shrugged her shoulders. "But you were the one saying that her words about Soldier of the Sins have come true."

"They have," said Samara while focusing on walking carefully to not ruin her dress. "But I don't think that one can intentionally stand in front of a wolf or it's ghost and make a deal with him. Those were the ancient times where the men were pure in heart. Either bad or good, they showed their true passion openly. There was magic and witches. Today, we are just humans. We cannot struck deal with the devil. It can't happen intentionally."

"But when someone desires something so hard, he might get it." Violet reasoned while glancing at her. "It can be unintentional to get the bite but finding the treasure can not be. The wolves are after all watching over that treasure regardless of it being a bite or the actual riches. Maybe, the soldier knew about the treasure but the wolves attacked him. Maybe, this is all completely unrelated to the thirteenth night. Someone did it knowingly!"

Samara widened her eyes while Violet stopped walking and gasped. 

"I need to tell this to Logan," said Violet, horrified at her own conclusion. "He can help us by telling what were the soldiers doing the other nights."

Samara wiped the sweat off her forehead. "Yes, you do it. Because I don't think, I can ask the same to Samuel or Rodwin. I will only get scolded for trying to be an investigator."

"Yes, you are going to get scolded!"

Both the girls gasped and looked at the intruder. Violet's breaths caught in her throat while Samara blinked nervously.

"Samuel," whispered the sister in nervousness.

Her brother looked at them with anger in his eyes. "Do you even know that the curfew has started? I had shouted it out to mother and you, warning completely how they are all around the forest tonight. They are going to leave a clue and catch him."

Violet frowned while Samara gulped hard. "Samuel, forgive me. I didn't think of that before leaving. It was important for me to find out-"

"Find out what!" Samuel yelled angrily. "They are doubting every soldiers out of us nine who gets out tonight. Do you want me to be caught even when I am innocent?"

"Forgive me," said Samara, feeling ashamed of her carelessness. "We were eager to meet the seer."

Samuel gave her a disappointed look and then, glanced at Violet. "I told you to stay away from the friends who make plans to put your life in danger," he taunted indirectly.

Violet opened her mouth. "Pardon. How dare you! I was going along with her."

"You can go make plans to kill yourself but not my sister," warned Samuel, looking at her. "At least I wouldn't have to ruin my sleep and safety to save your life!"

Violet gasped. "No one asked you to come and save me! You were the one not leaving my hand!"

Samuel flared his nostrils and glared at her. "Go to your home before the evening turns into night. The beast will be caught tonight but not without the killings. The King has planned something and it will get him caught red-handed."

Violet swallowed her cheeks and huffed angrily before going towards the street.

"Get to the home," Samuel told Samara who was still confused about the conversation between her friend and brother. "Don't let father and mother out of the house. It's dangerous. I am going to take her to the home and return before it gets too dark."

He started walking away already before Samara could even speak as Violet was walking faster.

Samara watched him catching up with her friend and didn't waste time to get to the action. She patted the two books in her cloak's pocket and started walking towards her home which was very much closer comparing to Violet's house.

Violet pressed her lips tight, feeling angry already. "Why are you following me now?"

Samuel walked beside her, matching her steps. "So, that beast wouldn't kill you. I am stupid to do my duty as a soldier even when I should be at home relaxing."

Violet looked at him, her anger fading away. "You should go," she said, her footsteps slowing down.

"Hurry," said Samuel, gesturing her to keep up with his pace. "And I am not going to leave until you reach your home."

Violet sighed heavily while walking faster. "I will be fine. If he had to kill me, he would have done it that night. But then, Logan keeps me safe."

Samuel scoffed immediately. "Who is he? Where is he now? Is he even aware of what you have been doing all this time? Where was he when last night, you were trying to kill yourself by going out in the night?"

Violet looked at him in irritation. "He doesn't know. He is a messenger. He has a lot of work than all of you. He is all the time going and coming from the castle, getting and giving scrolls. I don't want to trouble him by asking him to come and pamper me all the time."

Samuel huffed in humour. "He will keep exchanging messages and you will die at the hands of your own carelessness and unwanted bravery. Does he even love you?"

"He loves me as much as I love him. Immensely." Violet flared her nostrils. "And don't talk about him that way."

"Or what? You will cry? Because if he has been courting you, he needs to be with you and take care of you." Samuel said while taking the turn along with her.

Violet rolled her eyes and chuckled humorlessly. "You are the one saying? Who couldn't handle his own lover? I'd seen how she was crying that day, begging your mother to believe her that she is helpless. That Nathaniel is being dominant in whatever relationship their fathers have forced on them. She is trying to put the efforts that she can to still call you, hers. But no, you are here mocking my Logan's actions."

Samuel was stunned by her words.

Violet looked at her right and stopped when they reached her street. "I can go from here," she said quietly.

Samuel raised his gaze from the path and blinked. "Forgive me. I shouldn't have said such things about Logan. The environment among us soldiers hasn't been friendly, these weeks. I don't know if I can count anyone other than Jeffery as my friend. I trust Rodwin not just because he will soon be my brother-in-law. I have also known him personally. But rest of them, I. . ."

"I understand. I understand what pain you have gone through," said Violet, observing the dark sky. "Forgive me, too. It is not your fault that she can't stand up for her choices. Ida is a daughter of high lord but her boldness is not high enough to protect herself."

Samuel smiled sadly. "She has always been a sweet woman. But I never knew that whilst I was dreaming of our wedding, she was there with Nathaniel, getting kissed."

Violet lowered her eyes. "I am sure, if tonight the beast is found, you will be proven innocent. You can very well fight for her to her father."

Samuel nodded, looking over her. "I will."

"She loves you," said Violet while nodding. "I have seen it in her eyes. Nathaniel is not interested in her. He just wants to ruin your happiness all the time."

"I know," smiled Samuel. "I must go now. You should too-"

"Samuel!" screamed someone from far.

Both of them jumped up and looked at the intruder. A man was running towards them, same of their father's age but skinnier.

"Uncle Joshua," murmured Samuel.

Violet recognized the blacksmith immediately. Her eyes narrowed at seeing tears in his eyes.

"Samuel! I was coming to your home only." The old man reached them, crying loudly. The two men who were talking in her neighborhood also started looking at them. "My daughter! She hasn't returned!"

Samuel turned alert and caught the arms of the man who wasn't in his senses because of the trauma. "What happened? Tell me."

The old man squeezed his eyes, letting out the unshed tears. His lips curled up as a sob broke out. "Jenny went to take milk from Lady Maria. She hasn't returned yet. Jeffery went to found her-"

"No!" Samuel widened his eyes. "It's a trap! He wasn't supposed to be out. They are looking for the beast tonight!"

Violet widened her eyes too when she realized the danger.

"But Jenny. My daughter. She should have come in the light but it's dark-" the man sobbed.

Samuel cupped the man's face. "Listen to me, Uncle. Go to your home. Where has Jeffery gone? Lady Maria's property?"

The man nodded while Violet frowned. "But it's not that far. Barely takes an hour," she said.

Joshua nodded while sobbing. "What if the beast. . ."

"No. No. No. It's the trap. The prince had said it all. He was looking for a clue. They are trying to bring out our deepest emotions. Right now, Jeffery is the target. Go to your home. I am going to find him and his sister." Samuel yelled while running away towards the fields.

Violet looked back at her street and the man around. She tried to think but nothing came. So, she did the one thing she could do.

She followed him.

"Violet!" The old man called out in worry.

"Go to your house! Be safe!" She shouted while glancing back.

The old man stared at them disappearing slowly and felt the tears sliding down his cheeks.

He had just wiped his eyes and immediately, someone called out his name.

"Joshua! How are you-"

Lord Lester stopped at seeing his tear-stained face. "Oh Lord. What happened to you?"

"My daughter-" the man sobbed and told the whole incident.

Lord Lester widened his eyes. He had very selfishly left the house to deliver the vegetables that one of his customer had asked for last day when Rodwin was taking a bath. "They are also looking for the beast, tonight."

Joshua nodded while crying. "Samuel told me to go home."

Lord Lester nodded. "He is right. Go home and wait for Jeffery- wait! Samuel has gone to look for Jeffery?"

The man nodded. "I must leave."

Lord Lester nodded absentmindedly as the man walked away with tears still pouring out. While he himself turned around and started jogging away, with the bag of vegetables still in his hand that he had to deliver to one house.

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Snatching the bed sheet off the king-sized bed, Ida tied its one corner with her one dress. She opened the window looked for any hook. There was no bar where she could tie it.

Looking back into her room, she gulped hard. Her eyes moved quickly over the objects until they landed back on her bed.

Her nostrils flared as she immediately bent down and tied the knot with one of its nearest leg with all her might. She gritted her teeth while tying the most tight knot she was capable of and panted hard.

Looking back at the door that Nathaniel had bolted from outside, she flared her nostrils and wiped her cheeks.

Removing her wooden heels, she walked towards the cupboard and pulled out her leather boots. Yes, she would need them tonight, she thought to herself.

Tying the strings, she stood up and hurriedly sat on the window shelf, looking around carefully for any guard.

There was no one as her room was facing the left side of her house. She had heard the galloping of Nathaniel's horse, right after Earl had left on his own horse.

Looking down at the ground, she told herself. "It is just ten foot. You can do it for Samuel. You can do it," she sobbed to herself and nodded.

Holding the bed sheet tight, she hung her legs and slowly trapped them in the creases of bed sheet. A yelp escaped her mouth and she controlled her fear immediately. Gulping hard, she looked down and slowly shifted her hands down. Her legs moved accordingly.

"Just three more foot," she whispered to herself and did the deed.

Shifting her feet on the bed, she held the bedsheet tight and shifted her hands.

But immediately, her hands failed to hold her own weight. They slipped holding the cloth and she landed hard on the ground.

Tears slid down her cheeks in pain as she had hit her knees on the ground. Two of pebbles had poked her legs brutally, she winced hard.

No, this couldn't happen. She didn't have the time to cry. Nathaniel was gone a moment ago. By now, Jennifer could be brutally hurt. They could frame Samuel for it.

She had to save him from the false blame.

Wiping her cheeks, she collected some courage and got up on the wet ground.

She looked around carefully and thought, how going out from the main gate would be a mistake.

She looked towards the back of her house. Behind their backyard, they had fencing made of iron bars within the distance of hundred metres around the house. She could do that very well, she thought.

Nodding to herself, she ran towards the backside with all her might.

She had to save Samuel. She had to.

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_______

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"Rodwin!" Lord Lester shouted while entering his house.

Rodwin came out from his room, glaring at his father, with a cotton towel draped around his waist. "Should I start putting you in chains, old man? Would you ever listen to my words? I had warned. Had I not? Where is this greed coming for that you put your life in danger for some little money-"

"Samuel and Jeffery are in the forest." Lord Lester said, cutting him off.

Rodwin silenced immediately. "What?"

"Jeffery's sister has not returned home yet. She goes to take milk from Lady Maria's dairy. They are looking for Jennifer in her property. You know that it actually-"

"Touches the forest," completed Rodwin while looking away in shock. "They shouldn't have let her go. It could be a trap. That is what the Prince was talking about, maybe. I am leaving!"

"No!" Lord Lester shouted immediately.

"Then why the fuck would you tell me about it? To have a tea and gossip?" Rodwin shouted while taking his breeches from the rope on which it was hanging. He went back towards his room and Lord Lester could already hear him dropping the towel.

"To make you aware of the on-going dangers. I don't want you to put your life in danger like them-"

"He is Samara's brother, father. Before that, he is my colleague. I need to help him and Jeffery. And as a supervisor, I hold the principles to not sit at home when a girl is lost outside in the forest at this time of the day," said Rodwin while grunting.

Lord Lester's lips trembled as he squeezed his eyes shut, regretting his decision of telling his son the incident. The next he knew, Rodwin was putting arms around his father, hugging him to his chest.

"I don't want my only son hurt," sobbed Lord Lester, his voice shaking.

"I will be back," said Rodwin. "But I can't sit at home and watch my colleagues getting themselves arrested whilst the beast is out there killing people. Who knows if Jeffery's sister has been attacked?"

Lord Lester nodded when Rodwin pulled away and wiped his face. "Be a man, my old man. You teach me to be brave and then kills me with your tears."

"Fine. I won't cry. But swear on me that you will return back alive," said Lord Lester looking at him as he picked up his sword from the wall and two extra daggers that he was provided from the castle.

Rodwin came closer to his father and sighed, cupping his cheek. "I swear on you. I am not dying without giving you a grandson, old man. And for God's sake, don't leave this fucking home!"

Lord Lester chuckled while following him out of the house as he climbed on his horse hurriedly.

"Take care, son. You are going to the forest."

Rodwin looked back at his father. Pulling the strap of the horse, making it raise the two front hoofs and neighing loudly. He let out a frustrated grunt and shouted, "The forest should take care of itself knowing that I am coming."

Lord Lester smiled through tears and ended up crying while watching his son's retreating back.

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The Knights looked around along with Erasmus. The weapons ready in their hands while Jeffery was unarmed.

Erasmus looked up at the dark sky and checked his lit torch. He didn't know when would the Prince or Lord Commandant would arrive. Maybe, he would have to send Logan to deliver the message and then, these high rankers would think of coming here.

But before that, they had to catch the beast, red-handed.

"From here she begins her walk. She always takes the shortcut," shouted Jeffery while looking at them.

Erasmus looked frustratingly at the soldier. For some reason, he couldn't doubt him even when he was out at this night. He had directly found them and told how his sister was lost. He needed help. He was honest and he stayed with them since then.

Even when the first howl of this night echoed.

"Are you sure? Maybe, she took the long cut today, in fear of avoiding the dense trees?" Erasmus said while giving him the enthusiastic look.

Jeffery shook his head. "She knew, she had to come back soon. She won't waste time. We should go for the shortcut first," he shouted angrily, his eyes holding desperation to find his little sister.

The Knights readied their horses and went ahead without waiting anymore. Erasmus watched them going towards the shortcut.

"Come along!" One of them shouted at Jeffery, giving him a hand as he hopped on the horse behind him.

Erasmus flared his nostrils as he watched them leaving. He glanced at the long cut that was properly cut off as road to be taken. His jaws clenched as he decided to come back here for sure.

With a grunt, he followed the other horses, his bow clutched tightly in his hand. He would definitely see the face of this soldier who had been blowing off everyone's sleep. He would be burnt tomorrow for sure, he though to himself.

The countdown has begun.

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