Hellbound Heart

Raven quickly stepped in to block Elle before she could reach out and touch the wolf.

"Princess, is this… wolf really your pet?" the man questioned. Though his tone was respectful, with the slow way he had asked the question and his awkward looking face, Elle could tell that he was totally doubting his own question.

Elle could very clearly see the doubt and firm alertness reflected in his eyes. "Do you think I'm a fool to ask you guys to bring me a dangerous animal right here into my room if that isn't my pet?" She held his eyes with such fierceness that Raven had been unable to say whatever it was that was about to come out of his mouth.

Then he eventually gave in, bowed his head a little and stepped aside, making way for Elle to approach the wolf.

However, Elle did not move closer to the animal anymore and instead, gave out an order. "Have him brought into my room."

Raven and Rion's eyes widened in shock at her words. But Elle ignored them and acted as though she did not see their skeptical expressions.

Turning, she began to walk back towards the bedroom and pushed the large double doors opened by herself.

"Well… It's better than having her coming out of her room to see her pet, right?" Rion whispered to Raven. But the big man was still pretty unconvinced that placing a wolf inside the room with the princess still there was a good idea at all!

"Hurry." The princess' voice echoed and the duo looked at her as she stood there at the entrance to the bedroom. Her gaze was daring them to just listen to her and do what she wished.

"If we lose our head for this, I'll haunt you forever in hell, Rion." Raven hissed as he finally moved to carry the huge cage into the room as the princess had ordered.

Rion gave a nervous laugh as he helped him carry the cage. "I'll pray to god I'll go to heaven then. Haha." His reply was met with a sharp glare from Raven who was currently opposite him from the cage.

By the time the duo put the cage down by the window, Elle faced Rion and stretched out her hand to him. "Where's the key to the cage?"

"Here, Princess." Rion pulled out the key from his back pocket and held it by the ring it was attached to.

Elle quickly snatched the dangling key from Rion's fingers. She had noticed how Raven looked utterly frustrated when Rion brought the key out of his pocket. It was obvious that the man was not planning on handing her the key, but Rion had unknowingly messed up his plan.

"Thank you. You both may now leave." Elle quickly shooed them off.

As soon as the door was closed behind them, Raven turned to Rion with a deadly gaze. "Are you an idiot?! You should've told her that you did not have the bloody key!"

"You seriously want me to lie to her?" Rion asked in a flat tone, one brow arching.

"What if something bad happens if she let that damned wolf out?!"

"Ah… stop being a worrywart. I don't think the princess is foolish enough to risk herself. If Snow White really isn't her pet, I don't think she'd be brave enough to even have such a huge animal brought into her bedroom. Do you think the princess is looking to harm or kill herself?"

Raven shut his eyes closed and let out a deep breath. His hands were braced on his waist as he tried to calm himself. "I don't know but, I don't think this is something you should be taking lightly. That's a wolf for goodness sakes!"

…

Inside the room, Elle was still leaning against the door. Her eyes were set on the white wolf in the big cage settled there.

She was nervous now. Of course. There was a huge wolf right there now, inside her room. Though it was really beautiful, it kind of reminded her of Sebastian. Beautiful but – there was always a 'but' – most definitely dangerous. This beautiful creature could hurt her.

The only reason she was brave enough to dare have the wolf inside her room was the fact that she was not feeling a fear strong enough to make her change her mind. Again, very much like her feelings towards Sebastian during the first time she had met him. Knowing and feeling that he was dangerous and yet feeling the right fear… it was enough for her to take a chance. Of course, she still needed to be wary and careful.

Her plan was to have the wolf in her bedroom and not let it out until Sebastian comes home. She needed him back as soon as possible and have him explain all those confusing matters to her. Snow White was a solution she had thought of because she had seen how Sebastian had refused to let her touch him that time in the forest.

If he hears that Snow White had been brought into her room, he might rush back, right? Well, she was not too sure about that, but he might really rush home as long as she manages to not let anyone take the wolf out unless it was Sebastian who will come himself.

For now, though… she thought she could start by befriending the wolf? She honestly wanted to. She had been dying to have a pet since she was young. And now, here was her chance. But could such a wild animal even be tamed?

That snow-white fur of it held Elle's attention and an urge to go and touch it rose within her.

So, she approached, carefully and slowly. Once she squatted near it, and it was the bars that were the only thing separating them, Elle whispered. "H-hello baby boy… can I touch you?"

The animal did not move. It just sat there looking up the moon through the windows as his back was facing Elle.

Elle stared at its furry white tail almost sticking out of the cage. Lifting her hand, Elle reached out to touch it.

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A/N: If you can, please consider buying privilege even if it's just the first tier that cost 1 coin only. I am joining win-win this month. Hoping for your support hellbounders.

tysm guys. <3