Authors Note: Hello everyone and thank you for waiting so patiently for this update! I hope you enjoy this chapter! I enjoyed writing it!
There was a moment of silence. The honey colored eyes of the young Italian woman looking over to the man who just confessed his love for her. She then looked over to the man whom she loved. Her eyes took in the sight of his muscular body, slicked back blond hair, and beautiful blue eyes like the sky. She imagined herself wrapped in his arms, feeling safe and loved. She couldn't imagine this with the other male.
Of course, she couldn't stay single forever and Ludwig had already told her that his life was to be dedicated to the military. Filled with conflict, Feliciana would look to the ground and frown. Why did life throw these difficult life altering choices? She bit her lower lip and then finally looked to Lovino, ready to give her answer.
"I'm sorry…" Her voice shrank. She didn't want to disappoint the other male but she couldn't say yes when her heart belonged to someone else. "I can't say yes."
Lovino looked at Feliciana and frowned deeply. "Is that your final answer then?"
"Si." The woman would return her gaze to the ground.
Lovino let out a low growl which caused the young woman to stiffen a bit.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Lovino forced out the words.
"Shall we play a game to ease this tension?" Lord Kirkland suggested. Feliciana had completely forgotten he was even there.
"What kind of game?" Ludwig asked while Feliciana stayed silent.
"A game of cat and mouse." The British male said in a calm voice, a wide grin forming on his face.
The choice of words alarmed Feliciana as well as Ludwig. The blond haired man would press his lips together. "And what are the rules?" He would ask, wishing he didn't regret his question.
"Simple." Lord Kirkland answered. "It's much like a game of hide and seek. Of course, there are consequences to being found."
Feliciana was nervous now. Had she really upset the other this much?
"What kind of consequences?" Ludwig asked in a sharp voice.
"It's just a game." Lovino would finally speak, though his voice was still strained. "The consequences will not be anything too dire."
"What are they?" Ludwig said, growing impatient.
"If the cats cannot find the mice within the first twenty-four hours, then the mice are safe to leave, no consequences. However, if they are caught, they have to do the bidding of whoever catches them." Explained Lovino, now looking directly at Feliciana. She couldn't avoid his gaze and it was clear that she had to play this game. Ludwig, however, did not want to play this game and he wished that Feliciana had the sense not to play as well.
Once again, Feliciana was conflicted. A game with such risks was not one that someone should play lightly. But she felt that she owed Lovino for denying his request for marriage.
"We will play." Feliciana finally spoke, looking over at Lovino. His expression was still the same but Lord Kirkland's smile only grew.
"I'm glad that you said yes to something." The British man said, causing the woman to frown. "We will begin our game in thirty minutes. Until then, why don't you two relax a bit? Maybe discuss a strategy with one another? After all, Lovino and I are going to be discussing ours."
That said, Lovino and Lord Kirkland left the room so that it was just Ludwig and Feliciana. The blonde haired man turned to the woman and frowned.
"Feliciana," His voice was hushed so that the others, if listening in, could not hear. "I do not trust them. I know why you agreed to play but I am warning you now, do not expect them to play fair. Also, do not give them any pity during this game. I fear that, if we lose, we may lose more than just this game." His face was grim and it made the woman nervous.
"Ludwig, I couldn't say yes to him. I can't marry him."
"I know." The man said, his blue eyes examining the other's features. "But it may have been better if you had said yes."
This silenced the other woman. She knew he was right and she felt guilty but she couldn't help the feelings that she had for him. How could she marry another man when she knew who she loved? Even if she could never have him.
"Love is torture." Ludwig said silently, more to himself than to the woman in front of him. It was as if he had summed up this whole situation.
Lovino loved Feliciana. Feliciana loved Ludwig. Ludwig was dedicated to the military. Love is torture and it spared no one. Not the young, the beautiful, the ugly, the old. No one.
When thirty minutes had finally passed by, Lovino and Lord Kirkland returned to the room.
"Are you two ready then?" Asked Lord Kirkland, the excitement obvious in his voice.
"Si." Feliciana replied, looking nervously over to Ludwig and then to Lovino. "I do have one question, though."
"What is it?" Lovino asked, still frowning.
"If one of us is caught, do we both lose?"
"No." The man answered simply. "If we only catch Ludwig during the twenty-four hours and never find you, then you are free to go."
"And, in this scenario, Ludwig will have to do your bidding, correct?"
"Correct."
"So if your bidding is to have him retrieve me, even at the end of the game, he will have to. Correct?" Her eyes were locked onto the other males. She was a bright young woman.
Lovino did not answer this time. This gave Feliciana her answer. There was no winning if one of them were caught.
"Now shall we begin?" Lord Kirkland said, annoyance filled his voice.
"Si." Feliciana felt a wave of emotions sweep across her.
Feliciana regretted not planning with Ludwig within the last thirty minutes but Ludwig was a military man. He would have a plan. Right? She hoped so. She looked over; asking him with her eyes but he only met her with a gaze. There was another moment of silence and then Lovino and Lord Kirkland seemed to let out a crackling noise, almost as if their spines had snapped. Feliciana didn't want to see what caused this noise but curiosity had gotten the better of her. When she turned around, there were no longer two men standing there, but giant beasts. They were covered from head to toe in thick fur, their clothes ripped to shreds, teeth gleaming and eyes animalistic. It was the stuff of legends and fables.
They were werewolves.
Authors Note: So how was it everyone? What did you think of this chapter? Are you excited for the next? Was the end of this chapter a little shocking? Did you enjoy it? Let me know what you think! I always love hearing from you guys! It makes me want to write more! R&R F&F and have a nice day!