A week passed by in the blink of an eye. The group continued their journey without much hassle.
The carriage moved up and down against the uneven road with the girls struggling to maintain their balance.
"How close are we to the Southern border?" Adrian asked. If not for the girls, they ought to have passed the southern border.
"We should be able to get there this evening if all goes well." Mason replied.
Brian and Gayle rode in front of the carriage not wanting to hear the other men nag at them.
"Why haven't you spoken to your mate?" Gayle asked softly.
"I could also ask you the same question, you know. Why haven't you done so?" Brian asked back.
Gayle sighed.
He didn't know what to say to her and it only made it awkward. He hadn't hoped he would fund his mate this soon and a human at that.
"I don't know what to say to her, but I won't deny that I like her tho." Gayle said.
"Mmm… same. The others would mock us to no end if we ask for their advice." Brian replied.
Gayle laughed. The both of them back to their usual self.
"When we rest later, let's talk to them at least. No harm in getting to know our mates better, right?" Brian asked.
"You're right." Gayle replied.
Behind them, "They are finally back to themselves." Drake commented.
"That's a relief! Their silence is not what I can ever get used to." Mason said.
"Right!" Jarred and Drake said at the same time.
•••••
Arielle opened her eyes. It had become dark already and the carriage was still moving. She didn't know how she had slept off. She noticed Belle and Anna were asleep also.
She opened the window on her side and felt the night wind against her face. She snuggled into the blanket but didn't close the window as the carriage was very warm.
The night was quiet as only the hooves of the horses and the carriage were heard.
Her mind wandered back to the silver-colored wolf she met the other day. She had wondered who had brought her back into the carriage that night.
She asked Anna and Belle but they were both sleeping and did not notice when she came back into the carriage. Maybe one of the men brought her back. That was her conclusion.
•••••
The large entourage rode throughout the night only stopping when one of them wanted to ease themselves.
The sun hung high up in the sky, casting a warm glow over the land. Arielle was grateful for the sun as it warmed her up. They were leaving the South and it was getting cold.
"How long do you think we would get to the North? Or at least stop for a rest? My butts are on fire, I have been sitting for two days straight only standing when I want to ease myself." Belle said with a pained expression.
Arielle laughed at the expression Belle made.
"It's not funny, Ari. Belle is telling the truth." Anna said with a pout. "We have been riding for hours, and it is noon already."
"I didn't say she was lying, Anna. Her expression just looks really funny." Arielle said and laughed.
"I am in pain and you are laughing?" Belle asked with narrowed eyes.
"Alright, no more laughing." Arielle said no longer laughing but she had a smile on her face.
Arielle knew the girls were right. Her butt was beginning to ache also but there was nothing they could do and could only bear with it.
Little did they know that, the men outside had heard them and hence the king ordered them to stop for a while.
"Let the horses rest, we will continue at night." Adrian told his men.
The girls were happy that they could finally stretch their limbs from having to sit in the carriage for hours. They got down from the carriage and found a place to sit.
"Is there any lake around this place?" Belle asked.
"How would we know, Belle?" Anna asked, raising an eyebrow.
Arielle shot Belle a 'seriously?' look, as if wondering how Belle could ask such a question.
"This is also the first time we are here, Belle."
"Why are the both of you giving me that look? I only asked a question." Belle said innocently as if the question she had asked them was not a stupid one.
"I really need to take a bath, I feel very sticky and uncomfortable." Belle said.
"We all need to take a bath, Belle. Relax, alright?" Arielle told Belle.
"I heard you asked if a lake was close by?" Ethan asked, coming to stand in front of them.
"Uhm… yes. Do you perhaps know if there is a lake nearby?" Arielle asked raising her green orbs to meet Ethan's brown ones.
"Yes, there is. Come with me."
The girls packed all that they would need and followed the werewolf. The walk was a short one as they soon arrived at the lake.
"I would leave you girls to it. You know that path back, right?" He asked, a bit worried. "Or you can just call for one of us… ohh right! You do not know our names. I am Ethan, just call for me if you can't find your way back."
The girls looked at him and smiled. He talked too much for a guy.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"We will call for you, Mr. Ethan if we can't find our way back." Arielle said with a small smile.
"Alright and please just Ethan."
"Alright." Arielle replied and Ethan left.
"He talks too much for a guy." Arielle said as she chuckled.
"Mmm… he's cute tho." Anna said.
"If you are done talking about the werewolf, you'll come have your bath." Belle said as she began pulling her clothes.
"So impatient." Anna said and laughed along with Arielle.
"Ouch! The water's cold!" Belle shrieked. "How do we bathe now?"
"We have no other choice, Belle. We have to hurry up, we can't keep the men waiting." Arielle said as she tied her waist-long hair into a bun.
She stepped into the water, her teeth already clattering. "I wish it was warm tho."
"It would have been nice." Anna replied.
"Ehh? What is happening, Arielle? Why is the water suddenly warm?" Belle asked, shock written all over her face.
"What do you…" Anna stopped midway in her sentence. She noticed the water had started to get warm also. Her mouth hung open, not believing what was happening.
"I don't know, Belle. Perhaps the water is dangerous?" Arielle asked, her eyes growing wide at the potential danger in the water.
"How can the water be dangerous? There's nothing like that. Maybe the water… is magical? Maybe the gods saw that we could not bathe in cold water and decided to warm it for us." Belle said.
Arielle and Anna exchanged a skeptical glance and looked at Belle as if she was speaking another language. They both burst into laughter and didn't say anything.
Soon enough, they finished taking their bath and walked back to the carriage.
"I'm glad you didn't lose your way." Ethan said immediately he saw them.
The girls smiled and didn't say anything.
Brian stared at Anna and could not deny that she was very beautiful. Her wet skin glistened under the sunlight highlighting her delicate features. She had packed her hair into a bun and her slender neck was in view, he swallowed unconsciously.
"Stop staring. You look like you want to eat her whole." Drake said while laughing at his friend.
Brian averted his gaze but not completely.
"You still haven't talked to her. Seriously what's wrong with you and Gayle? You are even more inexperienced than I was." Drake said as he looked at the girls who were now free with Ethan. He was not surprised tho, Ethan had a way with women.
••••••
Earlier…
At the lake where the girls had their bath, a cloaked figure stood there, as he watched the girls leave the area. He narrowed his eyes behind the cloak and vanished from there.