9

"Let me go!"

I struggle to wiggle myself free with no luck. A blinding light blinds me forcing me to shut my eyes. As I slowly open my eyes, I find myself in a well lit furnished room. I look around the space and my eyes settle on the figure standing by the corner. Black stands his gaze fixed outside seemingly in deep thought.

"Black?"

He turns his gaze to me and a ghost of a smile spreads across his lips.

"Sister, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Your welcome was a bit..."

I rub my sore wrist and he chuckles.

"Was Ash hard in you?" he asks and I walk towards him.

"Ash?"

He whistles and the door behind me breaks open. I look around for the intruder with no luck. Instantly, Black's hand is on my shoulder.

"This is Ash. Ash, this is my sister whom you'd been rude to by dragging her here without her consent," he says pointing to thin air.

"Um.."

I look from the spot Black is pointing and back to his face confused.

(Maybe those people weren't wrong about him being mad. He's literally talking to himself and making it look like he's talking to an actual being.)

Black squeezes my shoulder and I turn to him forcing a smile.

"Won't you greet him Nine?"

"Uh..." I swallow and turn to the empty place," hello Ash. Nice to meet you but next time no more pulling me into darkness."

I wiggle my finger in front of me and Black behind me chuckles.

"You don't have to scold him Nine, he's sorry."

(Am I seriously losing my mind by talking to some invisible person?)

I turn and eye Black who shows me to the chair. I nod gratefully and take a seat as he sits across from me his right foot crossed over his left.

"You seem to be in quite a predicament. Right?"

My eyes widen at his sudden change in tone and I slowly nod.

"How did you know that?"

"You're too easy to read sister. Now out with it."

I pull the book from my bag and hand it to him. He eyes it sceptically before grabbing it from the table.

"What are you doing with this?" he asks his eyes never lifting to my face.

"I was looking up something."

He looks at me from the rim of the book and I sigh.

"Okay here's what happened..."

I tell him everything that's been occurring for the past few days starting with the weird howls, the dreams and what Abryl had told me concerning the cursed forest in my dreams. Black nods his head as I narrate the incidents. Once am done, he places the open book on the table a sad smile on his lips.

"What's with that look?"

"Nine... this is no coincidence," he says and I sit up right listening," you're getting married."

The words echo as I struggle to find an answer.

"What? Me? Married?"

He solemnly nods and I sink back into the chair too tired to think or do anything.

"This is rather concerning my dear sister."

"What does that mean?"

"Simply put, the words here are of the ancient wolf clan," he says and my eye brows shoot upwards in shock.

"Please tell me that's a mad joke you're pulling up right now."

I look at him and from the look of his eyes, am certain he's not bluffing.

"You're telling the truth aren't you," I reply my eyes shifting to the marble ceiling.

"Says here you will mate with one from the ancient wolf tribe. Doesn't say who though."

"Great not only am I getting married but I have to mate with a cannibal?"

"If I may."

I look at him as he crosses to my back and gently pulls my sweater down revealing my bare shoulders.

"Hmm... interesting," he says and before I can ask what he means, he's out of the room.

I pull my sweater up straightening it just as he appears through the wall. I look from him to the place he had passed in confusion.

"Are you a ghost?"

I move to touch his hand for confirmation and he chuckles before placing a box on the table. I look at him and reluctantly pick the box. Upon opening, a necklace with a pendant comes into my view. I slowly pick it up the pendant shimmering in the light.

"It's beautiful. Is it for me?"

"Yes it's your protective charm," he says taking his seat.

"Protective charm?"

"Might as well fill you in on the circumstances you'll encounter on your journey to meet your partner."

"Hold up, I didn't say I'll agree with any of these things."

"I'll begin with the tale of the wolves," he says completely ignoring my words.

I stir and open my eyes to find myself in my apartment. I look around and spot Black fast asleep on the sofa. Carefully, I walk up to him and pull the covers to his shoulders. I sit cross legged on the floor and carefully tuck a strand of hair from his sleeping face.

"You're ruining my sleep."

I withdraw my hand chuckling nervously.

"Am sorry if I woke you."

"Don't worry, how are you feeling? You dozed off while I was telling you the story," he says as he slowly sits up.

"Sorry but your stories seemed made up."

"Made up?"

"Of course everyone knows wolves can't turn into people that's just a modern fantasy."

"But it's true!"

"I know I know I believe you. So.. what do you want for breakfast?"

"You don't believe me, do you?"

I shrug and head towards the door ushering him to follow as I head out. I serve him his meal and sit down opposite him with my glass of milk. I watch him as he devours the entire meal in mere seconds.

"Thank you, it's been long since I had your delicious food. How I missed this."

I shake my head and my eyes land on the clock.