72
MAYA.
As we got closer to the body, the apprehensive feeling continued to get more and more nagging. We had finally made it, and thankfully, the travellers hadn’t done anything sneaky. I was happy that Tianna had been right all along.
“Halt!” A very loud and clear voice commanded.
The carriage came to a full stop immediately and the men immediately climbed down from the carriage. Tianna and I stayed back with the woman. My anxiousness seemed to increase tenfold as the two guards approached us, sizing the men up like two boxers about to face off.
“Who are you?” One of them asked gruffly, before he started to search the men who looked so calm and collected. It was clear that they had been through this search many times. I still found it hard to believe they had agreed to let us go with them. It was very risky to trust anybody around here. The man who had helped us join them spoke up.
“We are just travellers, sir. We mean no harm.” The guard nodded and began to search us.
I held my breath as they rummaged through our belongings, momentarily pausing to look at us and sneer. I couldn’t understand why they were being so hostile, but I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to do anything that would anger them or we would be spending a lot of time outside the boundary.
After they were done searching and were satisfied that we had nothing of value except the things they were going to trade once they got into the Pack and settled, he asked the men to get onto their carriage and move on.
The nervousness that had gripped me suddenly dissipated and I felt calm again. I was already sweating and I made sure to keep my dagger at arms reach should they attack us.
If that had happened, I would have killed them all before choosing to go into the Pack or go back. I was happy that we didn’t have to resort to violence before getting through. Just as they got back to the carriage and were about to move on, one of the guards stopped us again.
“These girls look sketchy. What are you both hiding?” He asked, walking towards us with a sly smile on his lips. None of us said anything.
“Have you gone deaf, or dumb?” He asked, angrily.
“What do you have beneath your dresses?” He asked again. Tinna retorted sharply.
“My cunt, and my breasts.” There was a collective laugh from the guards who were standing around the border.
“Clever girl.” He said, getting closer towards us.
“I’m a lady, not a girl.” I snickered. “This one doesn’t seem fun.” The guard replied, before he commanded.
“Come down, let’s do some searching. I don’t trust you.” He said. I groaned inwardly as my heart started to pound heavily again.
“Do you have anything with you? Something I might be interested in?” He asked. I shook my head.
“What is your name?” He asked again. I made up a quick name.
“Rose.” I replied. He rasped an eyebrow as he continued to eye me suspiciously.
“There is nothing rosy about you. All I see is a grumpy, troubled lady who hates men.”
“What does this have to do with the search? We have nothing with us, just let us go.” I said but my plea seemed to make him even more happy. He was happy that I was begging.NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.
“Not yet, Rose.” He said before asking me to get closer. I hesitated not wanting to be searched by a man.
“I don’t feel comfortable being touched by a man.” I retorted.
The man snorted. “Oh, you’re one of those. I’ll search you myself and if you refuse I am not letting you into my Pack.”
He threatened. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as he got closer towards me and started to pat his hands all over me like I was a criminal. I could feel the way his hands lingered on my waist. Meanwhile, Tianna was trying to speak up, but the guard shunned her.
“Shut up, and don’t make this hard for yourself. If I decide you’re not going in there is nothing you can do to appease me.” He cautioned again. As if to make this threat clearer, he asked the men to leave us and move on with their journey.
I clenched my teeth in pure anger wondering why he was doing everything to frustrate us. I knew it was intentional, but once again. I willed myself to keep my mouth shut and not say anything that would jeopardise our mission. He kept on searching and soon felt something strapped on my waist.
“Ah, what do we have here?” He sneered as s mile lit up his face. He took out my dagger with a swift motion and gazed at it with a child-like admiration.
“Give it back.” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the rage that was swirling inside me. He laughed.
“I’d be damned if I give this back, girl. This is mine now.” He said. He asked one of his subordinates to stop the carriage that was already trotting into the Pack.
“That was my mother’s last gift before she died. Give it back please.” I lied, hoping it would get to his heart but he sneered at me again.
“I think I missed the part where that is my problem. If you don’t join your people, I won’t let you in.” He said, sounding so authoritative. I growled at him before turning and ambling to the carriage. I was settling with rage and all I could hope for was that we would come in contact one way or the other before the end of my stay in this Pack. I was going to get my knife back, and I would kill him.
“Put up a cheerful look.” Tiana advised. “Squeezing your face won’t do us any good.”