Diana was finally able to breathe in calmly. Coco's body temperature had returned to normal, all on its own. She had been so afraid, she didn't know what to do, she was at crossroads because she wasn't certain her secret could be kept by the military medicals.
But just as suddenly as his body had risen in temperature, his body had also cooled in temperature and the boy had stopped crying.
"Diana, don't you think it's time to begin to feed him with regular food? The boy seems to suddenly have an appetite." Maggie had said. It was true, after Coco's temperature had calmed down, he fed for so long that Diana had begun to feel dizzy in a way. She couldn't understand why it was that way for him. But she was willing to do anything for the sake of his health.
"I don't know, baby food isn't all that much of an ideal thing right now," Diana said. "The illness was too strange."
"True." Maggie agreed. "But then again, you can still just mash the adult food to soothe his age and you know, it will also help you a lot."
"Me?"
"Yes, you," Maggie said. "I noticed that you felt very dizzy while you were feeding him the last time. You almost passed out if I hadn't given you that glass of water."
"Yeah, the water wasn't tasting like regular water," Diana said. "What did you put in it?"
"Some special type of sugar that aids nursing mothers, it gives them strength especially if their child tends to eat a lot and they don't," Maggie explained. "It will be very good for you."
Diana hummed, staring at Coco. She knew that Calhoun had an appetite. He wouldn't eat as much as he wanted to, only for him to come later and demand that she make meals for him. He only ever wanted to taste what she cooked. Either that or he just liked sending her on various errands that would dry her up.
She frowned a little.
"What's the matter, Diana?" Maggie asked. "I have spent two days here already. I don't know why I suddenly love Fraco."
"It's definitely because I'm here," Diana murmured. She had been suspended from work because of the missing mail and although she wasn't innocent, she still pleaded innocent.
She never knew why she helped Calhoun but she termed it as her love for Wisteria.
Diana was seated in her house, reminiscing the events of her past. Her time with her mother and father. She had truly been a stubborn child.
"Diana, how long do you think you could keep the secret of being a werewolf? Sooner or later, things will blow up." Maggie said.
"I know. But what would you have me do?"
"You can move to my town," Maggie suggested. "Sunshine town is the best! There are no wars and it's always peaceful. Also, it's not that far off from Wisteria."
Diana chuckled. Did Maggie know that the main reason she came to Fraco was exactly that it was very far from Wisteria? And there was little to no peace which ensured she was always on her toes, alert for any mishap, and always busy as well.
Moreso, the coming of Coco was something that also kept her happy. Every time she remembered how her time with Calhoun was, she would be happy because it resulted in her having Coco right beside her.
"You always get lost in thought, Diana," Maggie said. "Perhaps you can try doing something to spice up your life."
"Something like what?"
"Like getting married? Having a man by your side has to be the sweetest thing ever!" Maggie exclaimed.
"I can see how well that works for you," Diana said sarcastically.
Maggie gasped. "If my husband were to be at home every day for a year, I would be at home every day for a year too."
Diana nodded. "Of course."
Maggie huffed and turned to face the other side. "How can you say that? Tell me how Wisteria is. What does it feel like, being there?"
"I don't know, it was cool, fun too," Diana said. "But I don't think I got to feel the fun. I never enjoyed the fun and freedom that came along with being a werewolf in Wisteria."
"Why?"
"Well because I lost my parents at a young age and my stepfather had to take care of me," Diana answered.
"I don't understand," Maggie muttered. "Did your mother marry two men?"
"What?" Diana exclaimed, laughing. "Noo! Listen, my dad died and my mum remarried, and then she died."
"Oh." Maggie nodded. "That explains it. Cause you were like you lost your parents at a young age and that meant they died together, so telling that your stepfather trained you that meant the stepfather was there before your both parents died."
Diana reasoned it. It did seem plausible. It sounded like that was exactly what she meant. Thankfully, Maggie was someone who liked to clear things up immediately and not assume
"Well, it's good we cleared that up," Diana murmured. "So yeah, my stepfather, Thomas, was a brute. He was a gambler and never did anything serious with his life."
"All he could ever do was borrow and owe people and use me as collateral."
"How did you ever get rid of them?"
"Words," Diana said. "My father taught me from a very young age how to twist words to suit my needs."
Diana remembered a time when she had asked Calhoun that question. He had refused to answer it and she had to remind him that he was a king and he ought to keep his word. His answer was a yes, he did twist people's words to suit his needs. She smirked.
If she ever visited him or had anything to do with him again, she would use his own words against him. She would tell him, "your words against you sir".
"Well, was there ever a time when your life was endangered? I believe you mostly faced human opponents?"
"Yeah. Most of the people he gambled with were humans. Foolish creatures." Diana said. "No offense, Maggie. I don't mean that you all are foolish, just a selective few."
"Of course, none was taken," Maggie said. "I do know a lot of humans who would say werewolves are mindless Beastly creatures who did nothing but kill stronger creatures."
"That too. But then there was a time when he gambled with a noble wolf and the man was after his life and then he sold me to him." Diana said. "Man, I was so scared. The man was rich and had ordered his servants to take me for ransom. When it dawned on me that my life was in my hands, I knew I had to do something."
Maggie was surprised. She couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that there existed a man who could be so reckless with the life of the child of a woman he claimed to love.
"Well, how did you escape? Did they kill you and somehow you returned?"
"No, Maggie!" Diana laughed. "I was able to save myself."
"How old were you?"
"About eighteen," Diana answered. Her mind flew back to that time. Her heart had truly hammered in her chest.
"Grab her!"
"No!" She cried. "Let me be! I'm innocent!"
"Shut her mouth, I don't want the king to be involved in such matters." The man said
"No!" Diana cried. Her mouth was shut with a binding tape which was used to bind werewolves. It was only owned by a few rich people in the town and others could only ever dream to have it.
"Thomas, if you ever want to see her again, I want my full money and its worth in gold!"
Thomas had a sly look on his face as they left, and looking at him, Diana could tell that he didn't have any plans to rescue her. He would rather she was used as ransom for his debts than to try work to pay them off.
"Thomas, you bastard!" Diana cursed aloud. "You will hear from me again! You fool!"
Thomas chortled wickedly as she was taken away. Diana was shoved into the boot of the man's car and was taken to his house.
When they arrived, she was bundled out. She had grown quiet.
"You, what is your name?" The man demanded.
Diana glared at him, shutting her mouth firmly. The man ordered that the tape be taken off. The tape was forcefully peeled off but she didn't as much as a grunt.
"I think we can just kill her off and send her carcass to that bastard father of hers."
"Thomas is not my father," Diana muttered angrily. "He is not man enough."
The man was pleasantly surprised. He expected to see fear in her eyes but the level of boldness he saw was affecting him as well.
"What is your name?"
"Diana."
"Diana, if you will serve me obediently, I will release you after two full moons."
Diana glared at him. "I will not serve you for a crime I didn't commit."
"Says who?"
"Diana."
"Listen to me, Diana. Your father owes me two pounds of gold and a hundred dollars." He said. Diana became frightened. If that was what Thomas owed then her life was over.
"You must be truly stupid," Diana said. The man's eyes turned rigid and a guard sent a slap to her cheek, causing her head to turn left. Diana turned back to face him, chuckling menacingly.
"How dare you?"
"No, how dare you allow yourself to be fooled by someone as foolish as Thomas?" Diana returned. "Thomas is stupid, he can't even fool me! All his life, he has only fooled humans as petty and foolish as they are."
The man quietened, listening intently to her. He had forgotten that she was hanging on his tree, waiting to meet her fate.
"Yet you claim to be strong and wise and Thomas, tiny little Thomas, fooled you." Diana mocked. "Your existence irks me."
The man glared at her. "What would you have me do? The fool must be gloating about this."
"Yes, but you can overlook a few pounds of gold. Thomas is a man who has been arrested and beaten severally by the other people he owes. We've lost our houses and the important things we owe, how do you still expect him to feel any punishment?" She inquired. "Losing me will be to him like losing a bet. It doesn't affect him. By the next day, he's off running to find who he can milk again."
"What do you propose I do then?"
"Let me go. Surprise him with your silence then hit him when things seem okay with him. That's when he's going to hurt the most." She advised.
The man nodded slowly. He understood what she meant. Although freeing her could also be a trap considering she could simply use his head and help Thomas escape.
"Untie her." He ordered. The guards were surprised at the order. She would be the first prisoner who had come to the house and be released at the same hour she was brought in.
"Don't make me repeat myself." He yelled. "Untie her, clean her up, package some gifts for her, and see her to the house."
The guards began to obey him immediately. Diana couldn't help but feel relieved. The guards carried out his order and Thomas had been more than surprised to find her back at home, looking unscratched.
"What the hell happened?" He asked in a whisper. "What did you say to them?"
"Prepare Thomas, for one day, you shall repay all your debts!"
"Wow! That was awesome!" Maggie exclaimed. "But, did you give him an idea on how to get back at your stepfather?"
"Yup."
"What if he comes after him?" Maggie asked softly.
"That might just never happen," Diana said.
"The chances of Thomas ever being serious with his life is below zero."
"You can't be so sure," Maggie said. Diana's countenance contorted to an uneasy one in a flash. What if somehow, Thomas became a good man and then this man came after him? How would he fix the subject?