Chapter 71: Chapter 71

I was aware that my mouth clamped shut as soon as those words washed over me, staring at the plastered wall in front. A few seconds later, it dawned on me that Aiden was silent for a long minute as well, his face blank. Mulling over the Alpha's words, my tongue delicately touched at the split parts of my chapped lip, eyes stoically fixed on the bandages wrapped around me.

"W-Why?" I croaked finally, the question rushing out before I could stop myself. My ears couldn't believe that my parents, the ones who abandoned me, reached out and wanted to see me in person.

Somewhere down the corridor, a door opened, cutting off Aiden's reply. I heard muffled steps and ragged breathing getting louder as they started to echo towards my room. My head tilted to meet the Alphas eyes, who motioned for me to stay upright.

"I'll go and check."

"Okay"

With that, Aiden walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Once he was gone, I quickly ripped apart the bandage and checked on the damage, only to see no scars. There was no evidence of there ever being a scar or mark around my ankle. Ecstatic, I tried to move my toes and twist my leg around, a ridiculous laugh escaping my throat.

The wound healed within minutes, just as I expected. My cheeks hurt from smiling, but I quickly wrapped the bandage, not wanting the Alpha to find out. As my eyes roamed around the empty room, I decided to leave as well, going back to sit in my room and not let Aiden's sudden change of behaviour get better of me.

Before I could get rid of the sheets off my body, loud footsteps echoed around, and the door to the room was pushed open.

Aiden stilled at the door, holding a tray containing a bowl and a wooden spoon, the hot smell of spices invading my nostrils. My stomach took that moment to growl, my cheeks heating up.

Our eyes locked as the Alpha neared me, his body now covered in a loose shirt, the first two buttons left open for me to see the sliver of his skin. I tried not to focus on that and instead stared at my legs.

"Are you going somewhere?" The Alpha questioned me as he set the bowl and spoon down on the table in front of me.

"Yes, to my room."

"I don't think so."

"Why not?" I challenged him.

"You are still healing, and I don't think it's proper to put pressure on your leg. Stay here. Besides, father and Beth want to come to see you after a while."

I huffed, my shoulders sagging in defence because he had a point. According to the pack members and mostly his father, we had a loving relationship. If they catch us sleeping in different rooms, that may arise suspicion and raise several eyebrows.

"Fine. Only for today."

I leaned forward to look into the bowl and noticed that it was, indeed, filled with soup. From my view, I could see small portions of carrots, beans, spring onions floating in the liquid and small square chunks of meat. "What is that?"

The Alpha looked at the bowl, clearing his throat awkwardly. "U-Uhh, Beth came by to give this bowl. She said that you should drink the soup to speed up your recovery."

My nose scrunched at the number of vegetables mashed together, but if it's Beth, then she must have thought about it.

"Okay. Give me the bowl."

***

As the wind picked up outside, I snuggled deeper into the covers, tightening my grip around the book I was reading. Sliding it lower, I peeked at Aiden, who was lazily perched on the couch, his brows knitted together while working on the laptop. The Alpha refused to leave the room because it was his. He also did not allow me to step out, so we were stuck together.

His phone buzzed again, but Aiden refused to pick up, fingers furiously typing at the keyboard.

I cleared my throat, keeping the book aside. "Umm...can you book a ticket for me tomorrow? I don't want to keep my parents waiting."

Aiden stopped his work, looking up, the green of his darker than usual, lips pressed together. "I am coming with you."

I squeaked, immediately lowering my voice and shaking my head. "Why? I mean, they did not ask you to accompany me. So you don't have to come along."

The Alpha stood up, closing his laptop and keeping it on the table. "I am their son in law, Rose. Why would they give me a special invitation? Huh?"

My mouth slacked open at his words, rage coiling in my belly. Did he hit his head on the way today? Why would he want to travel with me? I thought that Aiden would be filled with happiness to watch me escitene from packhouse.

Before I could open my mouth to protest, the shrill sound of the doorbell echoed around. He raced out of the room, leaving me slumped on the bed. A low groan escaped my lips, head lolled back and feet angrily kicking at the sheets. There was no way he was accompanying me to my old packhouse.

"Rose!" A familiar voice bellowed.

"Beth? Pack Alpha?" My face broke out in a weak smile when they approached the bed carrying flowers. I accepted them, placing them on the nightstand.

"How are you, my dear?" Beth placed a hand on my cheek, stroking it softly.

"Much better."

Alexander cleared his throat; his head bent down. "Aiden told me you injured your ankle. I feel guilty for sending you so deep in the woods, knowing they are a bit dangerous."

"Oh no! Please don't apologise. You had no idea."

He hummed along. Both of them sat for a while, enjoying a cup of tea Beth made for us in our kitchen. In the middle of our conversation, Alexander suddenly bought up the call from my parents. The Senior Pack Alpha has always been supportive, even on the day of my wedding.

"Are you going to visit them?"

I nodded my head, lips twisting. "I asked Aiden to book tomorrow's ticket for me. If my father said he wanted to see me as soon as possible, then it must be serious."

"Hmm, in that case, you should take Aiden along with you, my dear. You cannot trust the rails these days."

From my peripheral vision, I saw the Alpha's lips twitch at that. That's what he wanted to hear after all.

I nervously laughed, tucking the loose strand of hair behind my ear. "There's no need for that. I am sure Aiden is busy with his work, and besides, I can manage on my own. It's my old packhouse, after all."

"I am not busy at all."

I shot daggers at Aiden as those words spilt out of his mouth. For a second, I imagined his face to be a piece of wet, dirty cloth, wanting to squeeze and twist it until there's no water anymore.

Beth smirked. "See? Take your Alpha with you. I am sure he is excited to see the place you grew up."

There was no point in arguing after that since everyone thought the same thing. As if to make matters worse, Aiden instantly booked tickets for both of us.

***

While Beth was leaving for the packhouse, I wrapped a hand around her wrist, tugging her closer. Alexander and Aiden were already at the door.

"Thank you for sending me soup. It was delicious."

The housekeeper's brows furrowed, confusion written all over her face. "What soup? I did not send you anything, my dear."

"Didn't you visit me this afternoon?"

She shook her head. "No. This is my first time coming here. Are you alright?"

I bobbed my head, eyes fixated on Aiden. If Beth wasn't the one who sent the soup, does that mean he made it for me? Why would he lie to me? What was the Alpha playing at?

***

The following day, Aiden believed when I said that my ankle was fully healed. After all, that's how long it takes for an average werewolf to heal. He did not cancel his ticket like I expected him to or make any excuse for the trip. Instead, the Alpha packed his bag and carried mine as we went to the station.

There was a lot of residual feelings seeping out, unstoppable and palpable, as we sat next to each other, my mind racing with memories - all just out of reach. They rose to the surface whenever I stole a glimpse of Aiden out of the corner of my eye or when I caught a whiff of his shampoo or cologne. It's all dangerous territory, trapped with the Alpha, unable to walk away and take deep breaths to stop myself from thinking about Aiden and our situation.

A sigh fell from my lips as I hoped for this trip to end smoothly.

***