Cedric, hungry and bored out of his mind, had been sprawled leisurely on his throne when he sensed Caleb and what would no doubt be a few other people approaching the hidden castle.
He immediately springs to his feet, up and out of the entirety of the hidden castle, finding his way into the woods. Like always, his now beastly wolf was itching for complete dominance over his mind and body, and it should've gotten it like it always had, but it seemed the lingering scent of the mysterious female kept it subdued.
Choosing solitude over potential interaction, Cedric trails deeper into the woods, distancing himself from the pack. Despite being in human form, his mind was unstable, and he knew any sudden encounter or unfamiliar scent could trigger a regression into his monstrous state.
Cedric let his thoughts wander as he roamed the dark forest on foot. He caught himself reminiscing about his childhood and the freedom he once enjoyed.
It felt good to feel human again. In the foggy depths of his mind, he remembered believing that the humanity attached to a werewolf was its greatest weakness.
He hated being weak. Because if he had been strong enough, he would have protected his parents and his pack from Guinevere.
He remembered clearly the terrified and confused screams of the unsuspecting pack members as she suddenly manifested in their midst. How she had held each one of them captive with just a snap of her fingers.
How he'd helplessly watched her transform and rip his parents to shreds while he'd remained rooted in place, disbelief and shock blocking every thought he might have had to take any action.
He finds his jaw locking at the memory, reminded of just how much he hated her, how he loathed that memory. Anger courses through his veins, hot like lava. His fingers balled into fists at his sides. He was going to get his revenge. He needed to.
Just then, his musings were interrupted by the sudden realization that the lingering scent from back then was growing stronger. Without conscious thought, he begins tracking it, following a steady hike until it leads him to the boundary.
Annoyed growls echoed through the air, causing Cedric to pause, a frown forming on his face as he assessed the scene. There, he spotted her - scaling a tree, attempting to leap from one branch to another. His heart skips a beat, captivated by the grace of her movements. He could tell the situation wasn't one meant to be a show of her elegance and poise. It would seem she was fleeing from something, or atleast, trying to. She hadn't noticed a new presence, and Cedric wanted to keep it that way, staying hidden as he watched on, curious about her motives.
She leaps through the air with surprising agility. But an invisible force field repels her, sending her careening back into Redwood territory and crashing into a tree that snapped in two upon impact. The impact of the collision echoes through the woods, accompanied by the grim sound of bones breaking.
Concerned, Cedric finds himself springing forward, ready to rush to her aid. However, she bounces to her feet almost immediately, seemingly unharmed, and quickly finds her way back to confront the invisible barrier.
Cedric tries to bite back a smirk at the unpredictability of the display he'd gotten a first-class seat to. Frustration is etched on her features as she now bangs and hacks at what he figures to be a force field, all to no avail.
Cedric could not tear his eyes away, his intrigue growing. He could sense her anguish, and his wolf yearned to reach out in a quest to ease her pain. Yet, curiosity holds him back.
What exactly was she doing? And what was this mysterious force field? Questions swirl in Cedric's mind as he continues to observe her relentless attempts to break free. When had this forcefield appeared, and why was it now a barrier surrounding the Redwood woods?
He is unable to tell how long he'd been watching until his senses are grated at the arrival of a new presence. He could feel the hostility of this person aimed towards his mate as they drew closer, and a low growl involuntarily escaped his lips.
His wolf was irritated. It was hungry and now ticked off at the fact that its alone time with the captivating lady was being interrupted.
The lady, sensing his growl, darts around with alert, sharp eyes surveying her surroundings with surprise etched across her features. Stepping back from the boundary, she peers curiously in different directions, aware of an unseen threat.
He marvels at her beauty from the new angle but chooses to withdraw further into the shadows. It wasn't the time to reveal himself; his wolf was well on edge now, and he doubted he could control the transformation, especially with the arrival of an unwelcome guest.
"Marisol!" A snarky voice calls out, and the pretty lady spins around to the direction it'd come from, her frown deepening at the sound of that voice.
"Sophia." She spits, equally as dissatisfied at the presence. Well, that makes two of them.
Cedric, hidden from their view, leaned closer as if to not miss a second of the exchange even though his sharp hearing had that well handled.