Is she your fúcking mate?

It was evening and the need for air surged through her mind, Arabella walked to the porch of the large house and into the garden.

She sighed, locking the door gently behind her.

She stood in front of the house for the first time since she arrived and stared in awe.

It was even more beautiful than her imagination had come up with.

Her eyes travelled from the tall glass windows to the red fine brick wall of the bungalow.

From the room she had been placed in, she had seen how beautiful the view of the outside was and the need to explore had permeated her mind.

Even though Blaze had warned her not to leave the safety of the house because of Sandro or any of his soldiers or associates who might be roaming around to do his dirty work, she couldn't keep to the order any longer.

Moreover, she doubted Sandro would come looking for her in the quiet environment.

It was rather lonely and the house she was in seemed to be farther away from other buildings but she enjoyed the serene ambience of the environment.

She preferred it was quiet that way and not the noisy environment she was used to before she was abducted by Sandro.

The leaves rustled as she stepped into what seemed to be a mini garden. She walked to the fountain in the middle and stayed near it.

The garden was partitioned by a sage-coloured fence and it divided the garden from the house.

Arabella inhaled and exhaled slowly. Her nostrils flared as the fragrance of scented rose wafted into her nose.

She shut her eyes and beamed as the wind rustled her hair around her face.

Opening her eyes again, she jolted as they landed on a large dog.

It growled and bared its blood-stained teeth at her.

Arabella grimaced and staggered back. She wondered how she hadn't noticed the dog there. At least, she'd have fled if she knew it was there.

She turned to sprint indoors but the dog appeared in front of her. She gasped and jerked, falling to the ground and landing on her bútt.

Her eyes rounded as the dog moved toward her.

Considering its large frame, it moved faster than she could imagine.

She had never seen a dog as large as it was and she had never been afraid of a dog before.

Until now.

"Stay away from me!" Arabella shouted as soon as she found her voice.

Perhaps, startled by the noise, the dog halted and tilted its head. Then it howled into the sky.

Arabella took the opportunity and sprinted into the house.

"Shít." Arabella winced as her hand smacked the edge of a glass vase.

It cut her flesh and she gripped a kleenex to wipe the blood that trickled out of it.

She turned and her body rammed into a hard yet warm body.

Arabella screeched, her hands flailed in the air and she attempted to dash away but a hand shot out to grip hers.

"It's me!" Blaze said, steadying her. "You look scared."

"A-A dog!" Arabella gasped out.

"Breath, Bella, breath." He instructed, caressing her back.

Arabella sucked in her breath and let it out slowly. She did it over again for a few more seconds before staring at Blaze who was watching her.

"What happened?" He asked again as soon as she calmed.

"I saw a dog in the garden and it looked as though it was about to kill me."

"I told you not to leave the fúcking house. When will you listen?!" He shouted, glaring at her.

"The room was feeling quite small." She replied in a small voice.

Arabella bit her lower lip and gazed to the floor as his glare intensified.

"Are you hurt? Did it come near you?" He rasped, his hand tilting her chin.

Arabella flinched and her eyes shot to his. She shook her head and let out a shaky breath. "It didn't. It just frightened me."

"Good," Blaze let out. "I want you to…"

He trailed off, his eyes narrowed at something at her back.

Arabella furrowed her brows and she turned.

She bumped into Blaze once more as her eyes collided with the dog.

"Please, make it go!" She yelped, gripping his shirt. Her body trembled and she wheezed. "Le-Let it go!"

"Breath, Arabella!" Blaze growled.

He glared at Thalia as she sat in the middle of the room. Thalia, whom Arabella assumed was a dog, was in her werewolf form.

She didn't look anything like a dog though. She was large and her golden fur gleamed. Her dark eyes glinted as they stayed on him and he heard her hissed through the mind link.

'What the fúck is wrong with you?!'

'Why the fúck did you interfere?!' She retorted.

'Let her be.' Blaze said. He expelled air through his nostril and scowled. 'She did nothing wrong to you.'

'She is in my freaking territory and she acts as though she owns everything!'

'Fine.' Blaze glared. 'I'll just leave the house with her. I don't think you want me here either if you can't let her stay!'

'Why are you salty about me not wanting her here? Is she your fúcking mate?!'