She's Dead.

Hermione hurried because she could now catch sight of the houses further beyond. But the sound coming from far behind made her feel uneasy. Only she knew how terrified she was at this very moment.

The rustling leaves became louder and Hermione quickened her pace, running through to get to the other side. The faster she ran, the louder the rustling sounds.

She started to hear her heartbeat drumming against her ribcage. Small amount of sweats formed at her temple. Hermione turned around to look back but the was nobody. Not even a presence. But the sounds of footsteps running with her were still audible. Her fear increased in great lengths.

Is it the creatures? She did not know. Her eyes stung with a burning liquid. She did not need anyone to tell her that it's her tears, her breath became harsh as though she was going to collapse any time soon.

Hermione used up her will powers to run in that direction. But why does the place seem so far away? Why today? She wondered with her tears rolling down her chin. Her hair was a mess, with all the little twigs which she had carelessly run through, coupled with the harsh cold wind that blew it anywhere it liked. But she did not care, the was a possibility that her life was on the line here.

Did she say possibility? She staggered back when an enormous shadow loomed over her. She did not need to look up, she didn't want to look up.

Her heart rammed rapidly and she was afraid that any second from now it was going to burst.

She had already made it out of the thick bushes and was just a few meters away from the houses when this had to happen.

A growling scowl echoed as a humongous animal crashed it's way Infront of her. Hermione's eye stretched wide as her lips parted in shock. Slowly she began to step backwards with apparent fear projecting on her face. Surely she was well aware that she cannot outrun this animal that resembles a wolf. No! It is really a wolf.

Time and time again, she had thoughts on how she was going to die. The most plausible one was being burnt by her neighbors. But this particular method had never for once crossed her mind. By a hungry wolf? Was she really that bad?

Hermione heard warning bells as the wolf followed with each precautious step she took, it barred his sharp teeth at her with saliva dripping from it's canines. It was as though the wolf was waiting for her so he could feast.

They both had their eyes fixed on each other as they took small steps, comprehending each other's next movement.

But unluckily for Hermione, this wolf wasn't a patient one, it didn't have time for the mary-go-round game she was proposing.

Despite her calm and fearless front in it's presence, her body has weakened from fear, and her vision fluctuates. Looks like this is the end. Hermione thought, shutting her eyes with ceased breath as the animal growled loudly one more time before launching itself at her.

Slash!

The whole place became quiet after that traumatizing sound. Hermione waited to feel any sort of pain but….none came. Her brows bended downwards. Was she already in the afterlife? If so, then she was grateful to the wolf for making it less painful.

So now she is dead huh?

Slowly, she began to unravel her irises, afraid of what she was going to see next.

"Ahhhh!" A horrifying scream left her mouth, seeing the wolf laying dead on the sandy ground with fresh blood oozing from it. The sight scared the wits out of her.

"Don't shout! My senses are heightened at this moment."

She heard a grumbling but mundane voice just above her ears. Just then, she realized that she was covered in a familiar warmth, the scent…..it was so unmistakably familiar. Without further acknowledgement, Hermione tightened her arms around his waist in a tight grip, clutching his cloth firmly while she released shallow breaths.

There and then, Servyn instantly stilled at her hold. He felt her arms moving rapidly behind his waist, clutching tightly on him as though he was her only hope.

Servyn brought his gaze down to look at her head which she had pressed against his chest. His hand lingered in the air, confused about where to place them. He folded his palm tight in response to her actions.

The hot breath she huffed out while trying to catch some more, rested on his chest as it permeates through his clothes. He started to wonder if he was the one feeling hot, or was it what her breathing was doing to him.

Hermione held on to him tightly upon knowing he was the one. He gave her a sense of protection at that very point. Grasping him more firmly, she tried to stabilize her breathing.

On the other hand, Servyn was not taking it any better. The rise and fall of her chest made him feel a certain kind of unease. Subconsciously he exhaled a breath that he didn't know he was restraining.

He contemplated pulling her away but was confused on how to. Where was he supposed to put his hand?

He had never been this confused his whole life.

Unknown to them in their tricky situation, the necklace in Hermione's belt had begun to glitter a bright gold.

It took some minutes for Hermione to recollect herself and when she did, she abruptly peeled away from him, as though his skin burnt hers. She looked at him, a little shy from her actions.

Servyn wordlessly stared at her in his own disarrayed state for a while.

She was expecting him to rave those annoying remarks of his, or his teasing smirks that irked her. But he just stood there quietly gazing down at her.

Her parted lips, the rising and falling intonation of her harsh breath which the wind carried vividly into his sharp ears.

Hermione bit down at her bottom lips before dropping her eyes below to her feet. "I'm sorry, your Highness." She apologized, thinking her unreasonable actions was the reason for his speechless stares.

Not knowing the Crown Prince was going through his own mental battle.

"I shall take my leave, thank you." She hurriedly said with a small bow, before turning on her heels to move.

"Where are you going?"