Chapter 101 - Strangers (1/2)

Vol 2- The lost heir .

-ONE YEAR LATER-

Meredith adjusted her handbag on her shoulder as she blew out air. She had closed from work late and unfortunately she wasn't getting any taxi so she decided to walk.

Atlas had left earlier with Ace to solve some issues and she didn't want to bother him.

”I will be fine.” She muttered to assured herself

Fleeting footsteps behind her drew her attention. She turned quickly, curious to see who was following her on the pavement, but there was no one in sight, the road was busy as cars rushed past her.

She continued to walk, but a sense of discomfort

pricked the back of her neck as she heard the faint

crunch of gravel and the sound of snapping twigs.

Meredith stopped and looked back again, scanning around but everyone was going on about their business and she was the only one walking on the pavement.

Unease roiled in her stomach. She hurried her steps and breathed a sigh of relief when she finally reached her neighborhood.

Suddenly she became aware of how alone she was.

Eerie silence greeted her. She inhaled a deep breath of fresh air and rubbed the nape of her neck.

Everything had been going so smoothly lately she couldn't help but be paranoid.

She continued to walk, her eyes constantly scanning for the slightest sign of life, the sound of a car, the bark of dog, anything that would reassure her that she was not alone.

Meredith walked faster down the road, gripping the handle of her bag. The street bulbs flickered and a wave of apprehension washed over her and her heart hammered in his chest.

She was so close to home yet so far. Her conscience screamed at her to run and to get out of there.

Meredith started running, fortunately she was wearing flats today.

A shadow flickered across her path, she gasped and turned, seeing nothing, but feeling for a fleeting moment something brushing against her legs.

Scared, she paused and touched her legs and glanced around quickly.

Meredith removed her phone from her bag. She wanted to call Atlas.

She wanted to convince herself that everything was in her imagination but knowing her background she was sure something was definitely wrong.

She looked at her phone and nearly cried. There was no signal. If Meredith was doubting at first now she was absolutely sure something was wrong.

She stiffened at the change in the air and slowly looked up from her phone. A shadow passed by her and she bolted in terror.

There was no thought, her primal fear propelled her to run faster than she believed she could ever move. But it was not fast enough. A shadow flashed across her path, turning into the figure.

He was wearing a cloak so she couldn't see his face just that he was tall and masculine.

Meredith swallowed and tried to sidestep him, he reached out with lightning speed and grabbed her arms.

”You should learn some manners. Don't you know how to greet?”

He said with amusement laced in his voice.

Scared, Meredith tried to shake free but his grip was iron.

”Well, she really lacks manners. How is she going to be the queen?” A voice chuckled darkly behind her.

Queen.

Meredith's heart jumped in her chest. Now she was regretting not listening to Atlas to take a bodyguard. She had forced him to even remove the one who was protecting her in the shadows because she hated the feeling of being constantly watched. It made her paranoid.