<div><p></p><p><a href="https://aureal.one/episode/2081374" rel="nofollow noopener" title="This link will take you away from hive.blog"><img src="https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/production/podcast_uploaded/33854949/33854949-1667985816868-26afde358d8cf.jpg"></a></p><iframe loading="lazy" src="https://aureal-embed.web.app/2081374" width="100%" height="200" frameborder="0" data-rocket-lazyload="fitvidscompatible" class="lazyloaded" data-ll-status="loaded"></iframe><p>▶️ <a href="https://aureal.one/episode/2081374" rel="nofollow noopener" title="This link will take you away from hive.blog">Listen on Aureal</a></p><p></p><hr><p>--<p>For some reason, this episode got me hard. I have a lot of polishing to do on my writing obviously! Anyway, please tell me what you think about this episode. Leave your comments and share. I will be uploading the written version on Hive. You can check at: www.peakd.com/deraaa</p>
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</p><p>Deraa</p><hr><p>▶️ <a href="https://aureal.one/episode/2081374" rel="nofollow noopener" title="This link will take you away from hive.blog">Aureal</a></p></center><p></p></div>

****
Carla opened her eyes as the sun streamed in from the windows, penetrating through the light drapes against her face. With a low moan, she turns on her back, facing the ceiling and rubbing her eyes. 

She had always been a morning person. Ever since she got serious with Canice, helping him run his bakery was priority. They did plan to get married afterall. She'd be the live in Mom with their three kids and they would work a schedule around the children and the bakery. 

She heaves a sigh at the thought, bringing a hand to cover her face. Her heart still aches even till this moment. She wonders if Canice has moved on. Has some woman taken her place? Waking him up with sweet kisses? Helping him knead the dough while she sings and he stares at her like she's the best thing to happen to him?

Does he let her run her hands through his hair? Does he compliment her smile and dress? Does he look awestruck whenever he sees her? Just like he'd get when she'd walk into the room...

She always held his undivided attention. She'd owned it. It belonged to her, but now, she wonders if he even thinks about her? Is he mad at her? Does he wish she were there?

So many questions she'd probably never have the answers to. Questions that should be long forgotten by now.

After a few moments just taking deep breaths, preparing for another boring day, Carla rises from the mattress. The sheets are in disarray and they fall from her small frame, revealing plain pajamas. 

Steadily, she does her morning routine. Biding the time till Krane leaves and she can go have breakfast. 

She had just put on a pair of blue cutoffs and a spaghetti strap vest when a knock comes from the door. 

She stills, wondering who it might be. Her answer presents itself when the door opens to a smiling Cattleya who's holding a tray. 

"Good morning." She chirps, "I honestly thought you'd still be asleep." She shuts the door with her foot and lets herself into the room. 

Carla follows her movements with her eyes, puzzled by what might be going on.

Cattleya sets the tray on the bed. Turning to Carla she says, 
"Hope you don't mind me barging in? We kind of left things on a sour note and I'd not want you to think that I hate you. Quite the opposite." 

Carla nods, paying little attention to what Cattleya was saying. Her stomach rumbled at the luscious meal set on the tray. 

"I don't know what you like. So, a little bit of everything." 

"Thank you." Carla tells her and walks to join the tray. She's wasting no time in stuffing her face. She'd skipped dinner the previous night because she was a bit melancholic and couldn't work up her appetite. 

Now it was back with a vengeance. 

The room is silent with Carla's chewing noises the only sound. Cattleya is smiling and nodding by the time Carla is through. 

"Thank you." Carla says again. 

"You're welcome." 

"And I'm sorry. You're right. I went too low last night." 

Cattleya nodded solemnly. "I know this is hard for you. Trust me. I do. But maybe you should let your grievances go for a moment." 

"I try and then he just acts up. Many times I've been doing nothing when he accuses me of doing something. Like thinking about..." Carla trails off, averting her eyes to the window 

"Your ex?" Cattleya finishes for her.

Carla nods. 

"You do though. Right?" Cattleya asked. Carla remained still, all the confirmation Cattleya needed. 

"Do you think you can forget him?" Cattleya asked

Carla's eyes landed on her once more. 
"You did not come to talk about my personal life did you?" 

Cattleya lips presses together, understanding the hidden message. 

"I originally came to apologize once more. For myself and Krane." 

"Are you his babysitter? He's a grown man." Carla said

"I'm just trying to make conversation and be polite. Krane had always been the hothead. Took after his father. Impulsive and rash but he's also loyal to a fault." 

Carla looked at this woman who'd made it a mission to praise Krane infront of her and made two conclusions; she's either a really good friend or...they are more than friends. 

The latter did not settle her at all. She did not like the way her stomach tied in knots at the thought of both of them together. 

The women fall quiet again. Then Cattleya speaks, "Would you like a tour?" 

Carla's eyes light up at the thought of getting out and not being cooped up for the first time in months. She'd not really known anyone that would accompany her around and the last thing she wanted was to run into any trouble. So, she'd stayed put in her room all-day, going through her phone. She'd deleted all her previous social media and opened new ones. So Canice wouldn't bother her. She knew he would and she knew she'd crack if he does. 

The ladies walk on foot, side by side. Cattleya takes Carla through the common grounds first. The children are playing, carefree and all just seems to be normal. 

There are a couple of stalls with strange items that Cattleya identified as Amulets. She takes Carla closer, showing her one that looks like the canine of a wolf. 

"This was souvenir from a bested rogue who dared violet the Shadow boundaries some months ago. Right before you arrived." The man, whom Carla assumed to be the stall keeper said. He was a short, stubby man with balding hair but he was shockingly broad for his age. 

Carla swallowed as she examined the tooth but not for long because Cattleya is dragging her away the next minute. 

"Let me show you the training ground." 

"Like a gym?" Carla asks.

Cattleya turns to look at her. "Krane hasn't happened to tell you anything has he?" 

Carla shook her head and Cattleya chuckled. 

"I thought so. There are ranks in the pack. Krane being the head and Alistair the second." 

Carla briefly recalls the young man who'd been at the gate when Krane had ushered her in. He'd been smiling, easier going than her "mate". 

"Gerome the third." Cattleya finishes. 

"And you?" Carla asks

"What about me?" Cattleya asks

"What's your position?" 

Cattleya laughs while she says, "you'll see." Further confusing Carla. 

They make a turn to the back of the manor and cobblestones cover the entire floor. A fence of barbwires ahead, connected to a small gate which was open housed men who were in combat. 

Carla didn't have to look twice to tell Krane was with them. His build announced him. 

She turns to Cattleya who only winks at her and walks infront, leaving her to follow.