*Carmela's POV*

I look at Maleficus with my eyes wide and teary but I don't think this old man will let me go as he looked back at me with his eyes void of any emotions. I glanced around and saw the small wooden bedside table with a porcelain LED table lamp. He might be an old man who can see the future or wave magic tricks but if I can outsmart him, I might have a way out.

I know that the wolf prince is around as I recall him saying he's got an important matter to attend to.

"I don't think I can be a wolf's bride, I'm just a normal girl trying to go to college."

"Please let me go".

With my soft trembling voice, I beg him one more time and then I try to step back getting myself nearer to that object which I thought could help me fight him and get out of this place. His eyes suddenly turned black and sharp as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Don't ever try to do that stupid idea in your head Carmela, I may be old but I know what you're thinking and the alpha would not be pleased if I hurt you."

"Or maybe I can just make you sleep".

Maleficus gave me the kind of look that had evoked fear deep in my heart making me stop what I planned on doing and making me stay still. Now what else can I do?

I put my head low and made a soft sob.

"Please I don't want to be here, my family is looking for me now. They might call the police and start searching for me, if you can just let me go so you can save yourselves from trouble."

"This is kidnapping you know, it's against the law. And did you think the wolf prince could marry me that easily?

"Oh, that's a question that only Alpha Jack can decide Carmela. Now, stay here and be a good girl I'm gonna send Gemer to bring food. You must be hungry".

To hell with the food right now, I'm not feeling hungry. Especially being in these very unpleasant circumstances.

I walked back to the bed and sat as I felt myself slowly getting weaker in thinking of ways to escape from this place.

"I am not hungry"..

I replied looking away through the window glass.

The old man sighed.

"Making yourself starved won't do you any good Carmela, either way, I'm still sending someone over to bring you food as what the Alpha requires".

Maleficus turned his back on me and marched to the bedroom door. I sat for about few minutes just trying to replay all the things that happened to me since yesterday, when a soft knock was placed at the door. Then it opened slowly, and I held my breath and hoped it wasn't the Alpha Wolf.

A huge tray with a cover came into view first then the figure of Gemer came out holding the tray in both hands. The smell of food filled the air inside the room but I had no desire to eat.

"Hi, Carmela! You must be hungry by now, care for a late breakfast in bed?

He forced a smile on his face while walking slowly and placing the food on the top of the bedside table next to me. I followed his every move with a blank expression on my face and I asked myself if this guy could help me escape this place.

"How can you let that man take me Gemer? You were my friend, and we used to have a really good time working together. You even asked to drive me home safe."

Without blinking I looked at him with pain and betrayal in my eyes, it might not have been very long since I met him but I really thought that he was somewhat friendly and incapable of putting someone in danger.

"I apologize, Carmela, I didn't know you were the Alpha's chosen mate. I'm sure by now you already know that we are not normal."

"We're uh.. we are werewolves and our Alpha, Prince Jack is the person who leads our pack in this town. We respect and follow his command, because he protects us"

Gemer stayed standing beside the small table where he had placed the food. His voice sounded full of regret and sincere. And I can hear a hint of insecurity in his voice.

"Still you can help me Gemer, take me back to my house, please. By now my Dad and sister could have been worried sick wondering where I am. Don't you have any family too? Think about it Gemer, if you are in the same position as me and I have the power to let you go I would choose to do so. Because those short periods that we had together made me think about you as my friend"

"And friends help each other, that's what I know".

I am still hopeful I can talk my way out of this man whom I considered a friend from work.

But he just shook his head and looked away, his muscles tensed and his fists were in a tight hold on both sides. It's like his fighting the thoughts in his head.

"Again I'm so sorry Carmela, the pack is my family and the Alpha is my great leader. Under him we swore loyalty and trust, none of that could be broken. even if I am to lose my life".

"You are my friend and please don't worry too much, our Alpha is a very strong and good man. He came from the Langstone family whose lineage never hurt humans for their own selfish reasons."

"But isn't it selfishness to detain me here against my will!?

I blurted the question out suddenly which made Gemer flinch a little.

"Carmela you don't understand it yet, but being a chosen mate for an Alpha is a gift from the moon Goddess. For us werewolves, it is both an honor and a privilege. He has to take you because of the mate bond".

"But I... I am not a werewolf Gemer! I'm just a normal person. I don't want to be anything else but just normal!.

"Oh Carmela, I hope there is something I could do. But trust me, once you become one of us you will understand the true meaning of being mated to someone like Alpha Jack and all the hate you have for him will vanish."

"Now I hope that will happen sooner because it's hard to talk to you like this and explain things beyond a human mind's comprehension".

After hearing that, I immediately knew Gemer is even more loyal to his alpha than to the short period of friendship that we had.

"Please eat Carmela, we cooked you some meat with vegetables and I also brought fruits. The Alpha will be unhappy if you don't eat something".

"I won't eat Gemer, not until you promise me that you will help me get out of here".

Gemer closed his eyes and gulped down an imaginary lump in his throat.

"I can't promise you that Carmela, especially now that the alpha tasked me with looking out for you. You are the future Luna of our pack, so I would respect and follow your every command too but not now."

"Only when Alpha Jack turns you into one of us".

I blinked my eyes to refrain from making my tears fall, no one can help me in this situation. I sat there in silence.

I'm still wearing the same shirt from what they put me in last night, I shivered at the thought that a man had removed my clothes and tucked me in bed without my knowledge. The shirt is big on me but it's now making me uncomfortable with only covering up to the middle of my thighs.

"Can I ask you something Gemer, can you at least get me something decent to wear?

"Oh! Sure Carmela give me a few moments. The cook might be back in the kitchen by now, she went out to get some groceries and the Alpha has asked her to pick up a few things for you."

Gemer smiled a little bit before he spoke again.

"Don't worry Carmela . The old woman Hadil is the cook and the one who changed your clothes last night".

That news has brought relief to my troubled mind. Well, thanks God for the cook. I can't wait to see this old woman and thank her for what she did last night.

"Oh, now I know I'm not the only woman in this house that's a good thing maybe, considering that you guys are trying to keep me here against my will".

Gemer looked away and walked to the door.

"Please try eating some of the food Carmela, Alpha Jack is coming back in an hour."

With that, I snapped my head at the bedroom door where Gemer still stood holding the knob.

"And what if he comes back Gemer? He couldn't force me to eat if I don't want to".

I said with my head stubbornly held above my neck.

"I suggest you don't provoke the Alpha Carmela, he's maybe you're mate but he is short-tempered most of the time and no mild bones in his body."

"Please avoid getting hurt, though I'm not saying that he could get violent on you because you are his mate but it's different if you provoke him."

Gemer slowly closed the door and I heard clearly every word that he said, I felt exhausted by just sitting in bed and thinking. I looked at the bathroom door and thought of getting a shower, perhaps a warm shower would clear my mind and put me at ease.