A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Fiora (POV)
I awoke nestled in a cocoon of soft, white blankets, with a plush pillow cradling my head as it rose and fell gently with my breath. Groggily, I blinked my eyes open to the sight of a blurry, dog-like face looming before me. With a sluggish effort, I propped myself up, squinting to survey my surroundings. Slowly, the details came into focus: I was inside a house, on the floor and beside me lay a large, fluffy white dog, now sprawled out near a dormant hearth.
As I lay there, memories began to flood back, but the allure of my comfortable perch urged me to push them aside. Yet, my conscience prodded at me, reminding me of the reality of my situation.
"Fiora, he's the CEO. Even with his assistance, he remains your senior. And once you've uncovered the truth, you'll have to return, while he remains here. Why act as if..." My thoughts trailed off as I glanced over and beheld the majestic form of the wolf, still deep in slumber. His sleeping face, akin to that of a peaceful puppy, displayed delicate features – a well-defined snout, graceful artic blue markings adorning his forehead like a regal crown, and thick, dark lashes framing his eyes. His nose, a mix of black and pink, added to his enchanting visage.
With a slight adjustment of my head, I found myself tempted by the softness of his fur. Though his earlier warning echoed in my mind, I couldn't resist the impulse. Gently, I rubbed my face against his plush coat, reassured by his continued tranquillity, and indulged in the comforting sensation like a child.
Turning my head to gauge his reaction, I was met with a pair of piercing arctic blue eyes fixed intently on me. A foolish grin spread across my face as I eagerly extended both arms, enveloping his soft fur in a warm embrace. With a gentle touch, I caressed his fur as one might run their fingers through freshly fallen snow or a heap of delicate cotton.
"Butterfly, didn't I warn you about the consequences?" A raspy morning voice, unmistakably Zack's wolf, echoed in my mind. I have forgotten his name amidst all this.
With an innocent expression adorning my face, I pouted in mock sadness, adopting a baby-like tone. "But you're so fluffy, I can't help myself," I exclaimed, hoping to elicit a sympathetic response. In response, I witnessed a toothy grin, the kind only a wolf could possess, accompanied by a playful laugh echoing in my mind.
"Alright... I'll permit it, on one condition," he declared, his tone laced with mischief. "Tell me, who do you prefer: me or Zack?" he inquired, maintaining an air of playful curiosity "
"You," I replied without hesitation, the sincerity ringing in my voice. However, as the CEO's voice resonated in my mind, I felt a pang of guilt. "After all I've done for you, you still prefer him over me, someone you only met last night," his words echoed, tinged with disappointment.
Caught between one man in its dual forms, I struggled to find the right words. With a foolish smile, I blurted out, "I prefer you too, but maybe just a bit more of him," without fully considering the implications or whom I was addressing.
"Why? Just because he's a little hairier than me, I am way sexier than him." The CEO's voice dripped with jealousy.
"Are you jealous of your own other half?" I retorted, annoyance creeping into my tone as I realized I didn't want to be part of their game. Fully awake now, I extricated myself from the situation, rising from the floor and making my way to an empty room to freshen up, leaving the tangled emotions behind.
"I'm furious," I muttered under my breath as I stormed into the bathroom of an empty room, frustration boiling over. Suddenly, a wave of reality crashed over me, forcing my mind to confront the whirlpool of facts and truths swirling around me.
"What are you doing, Fiora? You came here to uncover the truth about yourself and the mystery behind that photograph," I scolded myself, the weight of my mission bearing down on me. The more I delved into this world, the more entangled I became. "Should I abandon everything and leave it all behind? Why did I foolishly entertain the idea that I was some experimental baby, possibly created by the other two individuals from the photograph?"
With each passing moment, the gravity of my situation intensified. "There's an entirely new world around me, would I be hunted down if I chose to disengage? Would I be condemned to remain here indefinitely? Would I be forced to be cut off from my family forever?" Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, a profound sense of loneliness and fear engulfing me.
"Why can't I just be a normal human being?" I lamented silently. "Why do I have to be so different? Why did my birth parents abandon me? Or did they actually do that? Were they trying to protect me from this world? What fate befell them? Can I even trust him...?"
Despite the torrent of doubts plaguing my mind, I mustered the strength to carry on with my morning routine. I found solace in the mundane tasks, grabbing an unused toothbrush from the cabinet and mechanically continuing with the familiar motions.
Exiting the bathroom, I noticed a set of clothing strewn haphazardly on the bed– a shirt and trousers, both far too large for my frame. It dawned on me that they must belong to Zack, left behind for me. Among them lay a cosy-looking sweater, a welcome find since I lacked spare undergarments. Grateful for the unexpected provision, I quickly donned the sweater for added warmth.
Intent on finding a towel, I rummaged through the cabinets, only to stumble upon a walk-in cupboard instead. Inside, an array of clothing and accessories greeted me, undoubtedly belonging to Zack. It dawned on me that I wasn't in an empty room at all, but likely found myself in Zack's personal space.
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Resolving not to overthink the situation, I retrieved a towel from the cupboard and proceeded to wash up, hoping to maintain some semblance of normalcy amidst the whirlwind of uncertainty.
About an hour later, having indulged in a soothing bath that brought some respite to my troubled mind, I emerged from the bathroom, towel in my hands as I worked to dry my hair. As if on cue, Zack emerged from the walk-in closet, exuding an air of sophistication in a baby blue suit paired with a crisp white shirt.
With a small smile, I offered a respectful bow. "Thank you for the clothes," I expressed, striving to maintain a mature composure. Zack's gaze lingered on me for a moment before offering a brief nod in acknowledgement.
"I apologize for the events of last night. Breakfast is ready, and afterwards, I'll arrange for some new clothes for you. Then, we can proceed towards our destinations," Zack stated, his tone carrying a hint of formality. "As for your identity, it will remain safe with me. You can choose to reveal it to others at your discretion."
I returned his nod with a silent expression of gratitude, understanding the weight of his words. With a final nod, Zack made his way downstairs, leaving me to contemplate the newfound distance between us. As I watched Zack descend the stairs, a pang of unexpected longing washed over me. Despite the brief duration of our acquaintance, I found myself already missing his presence. In this unfamiliar and uncertain world, Zack was the only individual I felt I could truly trust. His willingness to share insights into his world, even without assurance of my trustworthiness, spoke volumes about his character.
It dawned on me that Zack might be grappling with similar uncertainties and risks. Just as I posed a potential danger to his world, he likely harboured concerns about the implications of divulging information to me. Yet, despite these apprehensions, he had extended a hand of trust.
In this labyrinth of unknowns, Zack emerged as a beacon of reliability and understanding. His willingness to navigate this precarious terrain alongside me fostered a sense of camaraderie that I found myself yearning for. As I reflected on these thoughts, I resolved to reciprocate Zack's trust and loyalty to the best of my ability.
We sat down for breakfast in a subdued silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Despite the tranquillity of the morning, an undercurrent of tension lingered between Zack and me. The simple act of selecting clothes became an unexpected source of contention, as I found myself embroiled in a short argument over who would foot the bill. In hindsight, I recognized that it was a trivial matter, yet inexplicably, I felt a surge of irritation and frustration, emotions that threatened to overwhelm me.
Suppressing the urge to cry, I swallowed my emotions and pressed on, determined to maintain a facade of composure. The remainder of our journey passed in strained silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic hum of the car engine.
Upon arriving at the library, I was struck by the grandeur of the historic building, its opulent interiors exuding an air of old-world charm and sophistication. The ornate decor, adorned with a palette of gold, silver, black, and white, was accented by shimmering gems that lent a sense of texture and structure to the surroundings.
What truly captured my attention, however, were the myriad genres represented within the library's extensive collection. From occult studies to elemental control, morphing morphology to energy manipulation, each section offered a tantalizing glimpse into realms of knowledge both ancient and esoteric. As I stepped through the library's hallowed halls, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the wealth of wisdom waiting to be discovered within its walls.
Sensing a presence behind me, I tensed before strong, sturdy arms encircled me, drawing me close against a solid chest. The familiar voice, tinged with concern, addressed me with a nickname "Are you ok, moon pie?" I recognized the voice from the night before – Zack's wolf.
Quickly, I extricated myself from his grasp, feeling the weight of his gaze upon me. Meeting his arctic blue eyes, now adorned with Zack's human visage, proved to be a challenge as I struggled to contain my emotions. Unable to maintain eye contact, I cast my gaze downward, my heart pounding erratically within my chest.
"I don't think we should cross our professional boundaries," I began, my voice faltering slightly as I attempted to articulate my thoughts. "I'm grateful for what you did for me yesterday, but I believe it would be best if we exercise restraint..."
Before I could finish my sentence, I found myself silenced by a soft, unexpected kiss. Every instinct screamed at me to resist, to push away, but my heart betrayed me as I succumbed to the tender embrace. Lost in the moment, I reciprocated the gesture, the world around us fading into oblivion. Yet, just as swiftly as it began, the moment was shattered by a sudden, sharp pain radiating from my abdomen. Panic surged through me as I realized the implications of what had transpired.
Feeling a tumult of emotions swirling within me, I couldn't help but blush furiously as I attended to the mundane task of inserting my menstrual cup. Shyness, embarrassment, and anger mingled with the jiggly sensation of butterflies fluttering in my stomach, all compounded by the sharp twinge of pain echoing from earlier.
As I washed my hands and composed myself, I grappled with the realization that I couldn't resist Zack, no matter how hard I tried. Steeling myself, I emerged from the bathroom to face him, only to find a visibly concerned Zack waiting for me, his presence exuding an undeniable allure.
Caught off guard by his undeniable sex appeal, I couldn't help but let out a muttered comment "What a waste of sex appeal," earning a knowing grin from Zack in response. Gathering my courage, I met his gaze head-on, mustering a sturdier voice as I posed a question that had been lingering in my mind.
"What's your name?" I asked, a note of determination underlying my inquiry.
"Theo," he replied simply, his expression softening. "I think we should proceed with our work," I stated, deliberately avoiding meeting Theo's gaze as a mix of shyness and embarrassment enveloped me.
As Theo closed the distance between us and bent down to my eye level, his gentle tone betrayed genuine concern as he asked, "Does it ache terribly?" Irritation flared within me at the question, a reflexive response to feeling patronized. "I'm not a child, I can take care of myself," I retorted, my tone sharper than intended.
However, Theo's smile remained unwavering as he reached out to pat my head softly, a gesture that softened the edges of my irritation. Accepting the water bottle he offered, I swiftly unscrewed the cap, only to find warm water inside. Despite the unexpectedness of the gesture, I appreciated the thoughtfulness behind it.
"I'm sorry" I apologized genuinely, as I held the bottle close to my abdomen, the warmth offering a modicum of comfort as I followed Theo towards the problematic area of the library.
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A/N
Word count:- 2200
Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well
Here, is the 16th chapter of my book
I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead
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bye:)
Until next time
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Date:- 23/03/2024