Chapter 76 - Fade Into Black

Sophie didn't understand how on earth she could pick up the door, just like that.

A question suddenly started to play on her mind.

This was not normal at all and yet there was bound to be a logical reason for it.

"Nicholas was turned into a lycan because he was bitten by one of them. So… what if it isn't the act of biting that transforms a regular person into a lycan but their saliva?" Sophie asked herself aloud.

She knew that her strength was unnatural and the conclusion that came to her mind was that Sophie was now actually a lycan too and she just only considered it now. It was very possible because of their close contact.

Nicholas and Sophie were so intimate with each other that… maybe it inadvertently transformed her into a lycan? 

Unlike Nicholas who saw it as a curse though, Sophie thought of it as a blessing in disguise.

"I'll be able to take care of myself better." Sophie gently placed down the door aside.

While it was true that lycans were a bane in the kingdom, Sophie was positive that she could hide in Hauntingen and keep her head low. She had no interest in politics or even any conflict at all.

Sophie would sneak across the hallway of the Hansley's manor and would avoid any footsteps that she would hear. It was as if her hearing had really become better and she was able to avoid people that were coming her way.

It wouldn't take her too long to arrive at Aunt Helga's room and she managed to find a way inside. She looked around the room but immediately focused on her aunt's dresser and saw the jewelry box where she kept her valuables.

"I really feel like some kind of thief, but I'm only reclaiming what's really mine," Sophie whispered underneath her breath to reassure herself as she opened the box and looked at all the rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Out of them all, Sophie would immediately find Nicholas' ring gifted to her and she quickly picked it up and smiled happily. She didn't actually plan to sell it because of the happy memories it meant to her.

It was another memento to their past that she wanted to keep for herself.

Before Sophie could stare at it any longer, she would suddenly hear loud footsteps. There was an alarm that suddenly echoed into the house and Sophie thought she heard someone scream that the basement's cellar door was broken.

More importantly, she heard Aunt Helga's voice.

"Where is that no good bitch?!" Aunt Helga demanded. "Are you stealing from me?!"

Sophie's gaze immediately darted around and she would hesitantly, but eventually grab for a handful of jewels from the jewelry box and then darted to the window. 

Aunt Helga's room was located on the second floor of their manor, but with the determination and belief that she would be okay, Sophie opened the window and then leaped out.

She landed in the garden.

The air all around Sophie was freezing and her skin started to have goosebumps, however, there was no turning back and she quickly fled away from the garden. The shouts of Aunt Helga were swept away by the winter's wind.

A part of Sophie's mind wondered if Aunt Helga was going to send men after her to look for the jewelry and her heart pounded in worry. 

Sophie was no longer in immediate danger and all she needed to do was find an inn or immediately find a way back to Hauntingen. However, all of the inns were already closed and there was no carriage, much even less a wagon willing to go in the temperature.

"Nick was so warm before," Sophie whispered underneath her breath and she was surprised that she was still feeling cold. If she was now a lycan too, why was she not as warm and immune to the cold as her husband?

Weren't lycans supposed to be stronger?

A painful smile swept at the thought of being safe in Nicholas' arms and her steps slowed down on the now icy streets of Hastings. She knew the winter was harsh and freezing, but there was an unnatural sense to the winter.

Her blood was freezing, but Sophie kept walking and fervently hoped that she would come across even just one shelter so she could leave in the morning. It was too crazy to actually try and leave right now.

However, even those who may have been open took one look at Sophie's appearance with a handful of jewels in her hands and quickly shut the door on her. She looked like some kind of thief who stole wealth using her beautiful appearance from rich men.

Or the people were nervous about letting her step inside for other reasons. It was unsafe to let strangers inside especially after what happened to Baron Ferdinand and his nephew, people were untrustworthy and wary of strangers.

Sophie didn't know why people refused to let her in but kept walking and walking even though the wind blew directly at her face and nearly tossed her backward. 

The snow was starting to fall even harder and she felt her body starting to lose heat. Her body became weaker and weaker, but she forced herself to continue walking.

The strength she experienced earlier was already gone and Sophie was losing so much warmth across her body that she thought she saw a cutting silhouette in the snowstorm as her vision was blocked by the treacherous winds. 

There was a shape of a tall figure that was quickly approaching her. Sophie wondered if she was seeing things, but trying as she might to do anything else, she couldn't do it any longer.

She had already exerted herself through her limits and soon saw her vision fade into black as she lost the strength in her limbs.

Leland caught Sophie in his arms before her body fell to the ground. This time he was ready. Leland quickly took off the coat he wore earlier and wrapped it tightly around Sophie's body.

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From Missrealitybites:

Sophie is so clueless about lycans that she thought she was one but for the wrong reasons. ^^

PS: So glad Leland got there on time.