Ari

Chapter 67: What did I ever do to you

Tora helped me walk back to my room immediately when they arrived. The sun was already setting so it means that I was in the closet for at least three to four hours. It only makes sense that all of them were so worried after I disappeared suddenly.

"Ari... Are you okay now? I went to the storage room earlier with Centaurus to check on you, but we didn't see you." Tora asked worriedly while helping me to settle on my bed.

"I-I'm not s-sure... I-I'm s-sorry..." I apologized while trembling with anxiety.

I couldn't get myself to tell them about what I heard earlier. My mouth was sealed as if something was blocking me from saying a word.

"No, Ari... It's not your fault... I shouldn't have let you drink the suppressant so that we can still sense your location within the village" Lowell uttered while gritting his teeth due to regret.

I wanted to tell him that the suppressant helped me to prevent a bigger problem since I was not caught eavesdropping earlier, but I had no strength to explain the situation.

"No... It's my fault. I shouldn't have left you alone in the first place." Tora cried in regret.

"Mommy!" Gurion cried agitatedly upon entering my room, running towards me.

He transformed from his passive form to his aggressive form just to hug me with his tiny lion cub body while rubbing his face on my palm. I can tell he missed me so much since I wasn't able to give him some time since I started working on the translation.

"Ari, where have you been? We all have been looking for you. You suddenly disappeared." Blake huffed in irritation.

I faltered because I don't know where to start. I don't even understand why I felt too anxious about the situation. I need to speak up, but my lips are tightly sealed.

"Everyone give my sister some space. Ari, take some rest first, you don't need to force yourself to explain what happened. You can tell us when you are ready... Your health is more important than anything else. Tora, please look after her while we are preparing for dinner." My brother said despite the worried and baffled look on his face.

Tora nodded while all the males left to do their tasks. I can hear Jael and his spouse's voices from the outside, but I couldn't understand what they were talking about. Gurion licked my eyes to wipe the traces of my tears so I rested my head on the pillow while hugging Gurion in my arms.

During dinner, everyone tried to calm me down and tried to divert my attention to other things. However, for some reason, the menacing voices kept haunting my head.

After dinner, Tora told me that she will take Gurion to her room so that I can rest properly. I fell asleep right after I went back to my room due to exhaustion.

In my dream, I saw Tora in my arms, purple and lifeless.

I was terrified as I trembled with regret.

I should have fought my anxiety and told them about what I have heard.

I felt anxious and exasperated as I tried to revive Tora using my power.

"Tora... Please wake up... It's my fault... Please open your eyes..." I subconsciously cried pleading desperately while shedding tears.

"My dear niece... That's not Tora..." A creepy yet familiar voice drawled.

I shuddered and looked at my arms again, but the person in my arms became a familiar beautiful young girl with jet-black hair and pale skin.

"Ayla...? Wake up... Why are you sleeping?" I cried hysterically.

My voice suddenly became the voice of a child. The beautiful lady was in front of us crying yet inanimate. It was as if I was in a series of tableaux.

"Do you remember this scene?" The man's voice jeered in a furious tone.

"Remember? No! I don't understand what you are talking about. What do you want?! Why are you showing these scenes to me? What did I ever do to you?" I screamed frantically trying to look for him.

"Denial! Hah! You really resemble your father." He sneered sarcastically.

Everything grumbled. The darkness suddenly enveloped all the surroundings. Then the shadows emerged from the ground, sending shivers down my spine. I cried in horror while trying to recall if I really was Arie and the reason why Sephtis wanted to break me emotionally.

My mind couldn't handle everything and I suddenly blacked out.

"Arie... Idiot! Wake up! Right Now!" A familiar voice shrieked in terror.

"Ayla..." I whispered perfunctorily as I suddenly woke up from my nightmare.

I gasped as I opened my eyes. My tears kept falling uncontrollably as I trembled in fear.

Luckily, Ayla's voice woke me up from the nightmare this time. I still wonder how I can recognize her voice despite not remembering if I really was the 'Arie' they are talking about.

"A-Ari..." Cried a trembling male in a low voice.

"L-Lowell...?" I stammered in confusion.

He tried to stretch his hand to reach me out, but stopped midway knowing I wouldn't be able to handle his touch.

"Argh! This is so frustrating... I'm sorry, don't mind me." He murmured to himself, though I clearly heard his words.

He was weeping pathetically like a child in front of me, but he couldn't hold me in his passive form.

"Ari... Don't be scared, it's just a dream." Another male voice sobbed as he tried to calm me down.

He transformed into his beast form and licked away my tears, then rubbed his face on my cheeks to cheer me up.

"Dillon... What are the both of you doing here?" I whispered as I grabbed his mane to snuggle and hug him tightly.

I couldn't see Lowell clearly, but I can surely sense his jealousy through the insignia.

I reached out to Lowell using my other hand, inviting him to come closer. He also transformed to his beast form but I closed my eyes to prevent myself from jolting or fainting from fear because of my fear of huge dogs.

He hesitatingly approached me and rubbed his head on my palm. I pulled him near making him flustered and shy.

"Thank you for everything..." I cried pathetically.

"There is no need to be thankful for... It is our duty to comply with your needs and to keep you safe. I love you, Ari..." Lowell sobbed emotionally.

"Me too, Ari... I love you with all my heart. More than anything else and more than that dog." Dillon announced trying to tease Lowell.

"Don't believe him, Ari. He's just a pervert cat. I love you more than him." Lowell declared seriously.

Both of them started bickering one another, so I laughed hysterically. At that moment, I realized how precious they are to me.