DIANA'S POV
Earlier
I tried to open the door, but it won't. Why would Roman lock me in? Must be some of his overprotective Alpha-imprint schemes, I thought. I peeked out of the window, and saw nothing but my reflection. I am alone again in the face of another danger at a place where I have no idea where. Thus, I look at myself with my chin up, not really afraid of anything anymore. Vampires. Wolves. Lycans. Magical creatures. One day, I woke up and realized that I've been living in a world which has been in a constant battle of survival of the fittest. And I'm getting tired of sitting duck all the time.
The music beyond the door have suddenly became louder.. so loud that it made the trailer rumble in vibration. My chest would pound like a drum along with it. It was deafening, that my ears rung at the terrible noise... and nowhere in this tiny home that I could ever bury myself in. These wolves really know how to party, I thought as I cover my ears with my hands.
In a moment, the doors flung open not even hearing how hard it banged against the wall. Two men in black ruffled shirts moved into the camper van, and closed in with measured steps. I tried to bolt away to escape, but they were too strong to hold me down. I shouted, but my voice was swallowed by the loud music slamming from outside. They wasted no time as one tied my hands, and the other covered my eyes. Shouting my lungs out, they stuffed my mouth with a cloth. Literally silencing me out. Struggling, I was carried out of the camper van and dragged somewhere else.
I felt the wind brush my skin, as the two men scamper away from the noise. They were in a hurry. Running, as if something is chasing them. Sooner, the sounds were replaced with the rustling of leaves, insects creaking, until they tossed me inside some place with metal floors as they rush out slamming the door. Firstly, I loosened the rope that bound my hands. Then, I removed the cloth from my mouth and the one that covers my eyes. Looking around, I realized that I was transferred to a different trailer home. This time, a bigger and cozier prison.
I called for help. Banged the door and the tinted windows. No one answered, no one came forth. In fact, it felt like no one is out here at all. I rummaged the drawers, and even the closet for anything that could help me escape. I tried spoons, forks, and even knives to jam the door open. But still, nothing ever worked.
Then, I felt the trailer home started to move slowly, driving away from the camp. Holding onto the side walls, I felt the mobile home sped up a little as it fully stopped to where the music is less discernible. "Hey!!", I pounded on the door as I shout aloud to get someone's attention. "Open the door!", no one answered. I sighed sharply and realized anything I do is pointless. Well, if there's danger coming, I wouldn't be much of a help anyway. Maybe it's better for me stay here. The question is, what kind of danger is coming? And if there's danger, why haven't we left yet?
Looking at my muddy feet, I just decided to accept my loss and might as well indulge in it. Sniffing a sticky clump of my hair convinced me to treat myself a proper bath. Besides, I want to remove all the handprints Roman left on my skin. Thinking how he changed my clothes irks me. With a loud sigh, I opened the maple drawers and took a fresh navy blue button down shirt. I can't find a well-fitting undergarment. The bottoms, jeans and pajamas are all too big for me. It isn't a good idea to be naked down there given that there's some guy calling mate sticking around. But then, I can no longer those filthy undergarments. I though hard, but then fine. I can be naked underneath the shirt. Who can tell right? Roman should be as self controlled as Scott.
I walked into the small bathroom and started to let the water running. Removing my moon phase watch, I looked high and low where to put it so it won't get wet. I groaned and went back out again as I land one kiss on it before resting it on top of the drawers. With the warm water running on my greasy hair down to my stained feet, and the hot steam coming out, I suddenly thought of my mother. In times like this, I've always wondered what would an Alva Woodsworth do? I can never deny myself of my own version of happy ever since I met Scott. None of my decisions were regrettable. Though when there are times I thought I am not strong enough and very capable of doing some things, she flashes in my mind especially if I'm left in making tough decisions. What would my mother do?
I turned the shower off, dried myself and put some clothing on. Drying my hair with a gray striped towel, I went out of the bath feeling clean and refreshed. I looked for my watch straightaway but.. IT'S NOT WHERE I LEFT THEM. I looked everywhere and didn't see it. Where could it be? Moving around, I heard people talking outside. I moved closer to the windows to hear them clearly. Realizing it's Roman and Oli talking, I kept mum and listened intently.
"How many times do I have to make myself clear, you have to give her up, Roman. Forget that Luna! She's owned by another Alpha", I heard Oli argue. Never been so happy to realize that someone here is on my side.
"You don't know what you're talking about, Oli.. I don't want to reject my mate or cut the imprint. I do not want to be banished by the moon goddess for disobeying the imprint", Roman distinctively yelled. "...and become a werewolf like my father", he added. It was then that I understood that there is a price when a wolf defies the moon goddess laws.
"Son, we can always find other options.. Dolphus saw your fate, your life is in danger with her", so Roman is Oli's son and Dolphus saw visions of a dark future of Roman with me. I leaned more, to hear more. "Give her to Scott now, he have arrived", and now I knew, who the danger Roman's referring to.
It took time for Roman to reply. I held my breath as I listen. Then he said, "She's the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. I can't just let her go".
From there, I stopped listening. I swallowed a lump in my throat and sighed shakily. My life took a turn after so many things, and so did Dolphus' prophecy from Oli's lips. And for such a powerful man to see danger in Roman's life once entangled with me, the greater my will for me to stay out of his life.
I feel devastated, knowing that the imprint is the most-awaited and significant milestone for a wolf. And to imprint on me, is neither his blessing nor a gift, especially if I'll only give Roman anything not even close to love. I sat on the bed and dangled my cold feet on the floor. A few moments later, Roman came in the trailer home looking bluer than blue. "Is it safe now?", I asked as he walk in, pretending I didn't hear anything.
He lifted his face up and gave me a warm smile before he locked the door. "We're leaving the campsite tonight", he replied walking closer to me.
"You made a fine mess of this situation. Your friends didn't have to drag me blindfold, tied... and gagged just to transfer camper vans.", I huffed, making his face turn completely white.
"They what?!", he instantly fumed, rushing towards me in a few steps grabbing my arm with gentleness that doesn't mirror the anger in his voice. "I'm sorry, Luna. It shouldn't be that way. Are you alright? Were you hurt?", muttered, kneeling down.
I spatted his hand away. Not that I wanted to be held by those again. I wasn't particularly hurt anyway. Just then, the trailer home engine started, which gave me a little sting in the chest. "You said we were leaving?".
"Yes.. LUNA", he replied emphasizing the word Luna. "You took a bath", not moving away from the floor.
"There's.. there's nothing much to do here, anyway.", I uttered, feeling a bit restless in my chest, as I feel the hum of the engine. Scott is out there and I need to get out of here. "Where are we going?", I asked, trying to calm myself or else this man will cage me more.
"To the Valley of the Falls.. Did you noticed the dead trees that we passed by going here? That's where", he answered, standing up stepping away to the door.. I supposed, it's the same place where I had the feeling of déja vu, and the same road where I saw the man deemed familiar somewhere in my memories.
A tiny flick of an idea piqued my mind as I stood up. Something reckless, and not Scott approved. "Oh..", this forceful taking finally had its advantages. It has to be a place who have answers to at least one of my questions. Also, I need to speak with Kristia too. Leaving now won't give me any more of those chances. So despite I long for Scott, I had the urge to take care fo some unfinished businesses that have been kept hanging for too long. "Is Kristia coming?", I asked, following him assuming he might step out.
"Yes", he briefly replied. He stayed standing tall a few steps away from me.
I stood up holding onto the wall and carefully studied his face, then shifted my gaze to the door. Why isn't he opening it? "...and how about the danger that came here?", I asked even though I already know the answer.
"They say.. the first step is the most important part to start a good journey.." Roman took one step closer.
"You know I won't take that step.." I replied, with a large step back. "I'm willing to come with you to the Valley of the Falls. But at least, let me see Scott first".
"I don't mind taking a few more, Diana", Roman took a couple more of steps closer. Again, with that softness in his eyes as if trying to win someone's heart. And a dumb luck where he doesn't even heard a thing I say about Scott. He just looked lost in my eyes, trying to take liberty going over the boundaries that I have built. "Diana... why? Why can't you see me the way you look at Scott? Don't you feel anything for me? Even a tiny bit?", he asked.
Words died in my mouth. I couldn't say a thing, until I thought of what I can do. "I can cut the imprint for you".
Something in his face faltered, barely there, like a shadow passing over glass. Then, he laughed. It started as a breath, sharp, and sudden, before it split open into something louder. Too loud that it echoed between us. Almost out of place. He bent slightly, a hand coming up to his mouth as if to contain it, but only made it worse. It spilled out of him in broken pieces, each one thinner than the last, like something unravelling thread by thread. "Right. You think it's that easy?", he managed between breaths, shaking his head. "A Luna can only cut the imprint with her mate through death. Can you do that to Scott?".
He said it as if it was a bullet I cannot dodge. Of course, I already thought of that. As a doctor, maybe I can die and revive myself in perfect timing until I remove the imprint. Both of Roman's and Scott's. It could be a way to save them both.
"I am the better Alpha for you, Diana. Choose me, love me. Find your way to me", Roman insisted, harsher this time.
"Roman, it's not about who's the better Alpha. I already chose Scott for so many reasons.", I replied, backing away from such a tiring a pointless conversation with him.
"Even if.. he turned to a lycan and tried to kill you?", he said as I pause, turning my back from him. How the hell did he knew?