Chapter 74: Chapter 74
I opened and closed my mouth, a lump forming in my throat at his ridiculous suggestion. My chest tightened as I imagined the last time we slept together in the same bed. A grimace settled over my features, and I leaned down to pull extra pillows. There was no way I wanted to cross any lines. Not again.
“Fine!” I let out a deep breath.
“That was easy”, He whispered, but I could hear loud and clear.
“Only because I don’t have a choice!” I emphasised the last word clearly before stuffing the pillows in a line, creating much-needed distance between us. The Alpha kept on tracking my moments, his eyes fully blown wide.
“W-What is this?”
“A pillow bridge.”
“What now?”
Twisting my loose hair, I tilted my head, meeting his eyes. They glinted in the dim glow of my room, causing my stomach to swirl, breathing elated. Maybe I should sleep in the next room. I thought for a fraction of a second. “It is a safety.”
Aiden hummed, a thoughtful look crossing his features as he cocked his brow. “Ohh, I get it! It must be difficult for you to stay away from me even in your sleep. Is that it?”
Rage coursed in my veins as those words pricked my skin. I pushed the pillows away immediately, glaring at him. “Do not think highly of yourself. There! Now you can shut up and go to sleep.”
The Alpha winced, taken back by my tone before shrugging. “If that’s what you want. Good night.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned my back to him and pulled the sheets to my neck, fluttering my eyes shut. The sound of his heart pounding paired with loud breathing was a contact buzz in my ears, but I didn’t open my eyes. Holding my breath, I let the lull of sleep take me.
***
My chest heaved, moisture pearling off my hairline and cascading down my neck and shoulders as I stared at the Alpha above me. My hands grappled for support on the narrow and moist trunk behind, lips quivering at the voice.
“Answer me, you knotwhore!”
The wolves standing around him chuckled, encouraging that vile behaviour while I curled around. Frantically, and with a growing panic of those deep black eyes staring down at me, I dug my nails in as hard as I could, desperate to hold back my cries.
Just then, I heard the sound of footsteps padding in my direction. With a spinning head, I looked up to see a woman carrying a suitcase, appearing sharp and poised, the blossoms raining down onto her feet. She was an omega but stood daringly in front of the Alpha, her hands crossed together.
“Why don’t you pick on someone your size, knothead?”
A menacing growl slipped from his throat, and something inside my chest clenched, making it hard to breathe. “How dare you low-level omega speak to me that way?”
“I can do more than just talk.” She inched closer, her eyes narrowed into slits, sharp nails tracing his cheek. “So if you don’t want my whole pack to tear you in pieces, I suggest you run.”
A silence befell around us, and everyone kept staring at the Alpha, who was challenged. He took a step back, his hands falling to the side, head-turning towards me. “Consider this your last warning. Do not show your face to me anymore.”
With that, he motioned the rest of his guards to follow him, their boots crunching the leaves underneath, air whooshing loudly, and my heart pounding along with their return.
“Cowards!” The woman cursed, shaking her head as a weak smile stretched over her lips. She slowly turned around and took a step in my direction, forwarding a hand to me. “Come on! Up!”
I brushed my hand along the seams of the skirt, trying to get rid off the dust before taking her hand. Judging from the blood that escaped my wound, I was expecting some pain, but I quickly stood up. The woman gaped at me, her eyes narrowing at the dried blood on my calves.
“You are a special girl, aren’t you?”
I blinked my eyes.
“Let’s get out of here.”
She didn’t let go of my hand even when we reached the plateau, keeping a surprisingly iron grip around my wrist. I struggled to catch up with her, legs and feet screaming and muscles aching with every step as I tried not to lose sight of our path. I saw a faint glow in the near distance, and only a short moment later, a familiar figure emerged from the edge of the woods. A sharp cry broke out of my lips, and I rushed into him.
“Dad!”
***
Suddenly, I sat up in my bed, the sheets sliding off my chest, and every last bit of fatigue clung to my mind and body. My throat was clogged, sweat beads forming at my hairline, hands still trembling. It’s been a while since I had dreams like that, mostly stopped after I left this house.
Why again? I thought to myself, bringing my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. Just then, I realised the tears sliding down my cheeks.
Inexplicably, it’s still dark, no light shining in from outside, no ray of the sun yet. I balled my fingers into fists, trying to focus on my breathing when the sheets rustled next to me. The Alpha sat up, his eyes blearily blinking as he turned to me.
“Why are you up?” He croaked, his voice rough and drawling.
Wiping the tears, I sniffled. “It’s nothing.”
“Come here.”
Before I could say something, he pulled me closer, the mattress giving way under our combined weight and making the two of us sway slightly. His thumb brushed into my backside in a soothing motion, The feel of his arms bringing a fresh set of tears in my eyes.
“Aiden,” I sharply said, trying to pull away. “I am okay.”
Pulling back, the Alpha touched a hand to my face, nearly making me cringe, his palm fitting perfectly against the curve of my jaw. His thumb brushed the delicate skin by my ear, and fingers tickled along my hairline.
“You are shaking. So please, don’t lie to me either.”
“I am not….”
My body was still trembling; the idea of stumbling forward and throwing myself into his arms seemed more and more appealing.
The Alpha kept a gentle but firm hold of my jaw, his eyes piercing but not cruel, and the panic I should probably feel by now didn’t come.
“I know how you look when you’re lying,” Aiden whispered, his warm breath falling on my face. “So please do not lie.”
Suddenly all those cruel words he said to me came rushing back, my brows pinched together. I pushed him off me.
“You don’t know me.” My nose flared, hands bunching the sheets. “You don’t know anything about me, so I would appreciate it if you stop with your act in my already miserable life.”
With that, I turned around and threw myself back on the bed, pulling sheets over my chest again, blinking back tears.
***
The following day I woke up with a pounding headache, my hands massaging the temples as I looked over to my side. Aiden was not there. Did he leave? A lump formed in my throat as I realised how harshly I behaved with him last night.
Taking a hot shower, I dressed up in record time and got out of the room for some answers. My feet froze midway.
“Hi”, I breathed, eyes slightly wide while still hovering in the doorway, not moving, not saying anything more than a single word. The last thing I expected was to see the Alpha standing in the kitchen.
“Hey,” Aiden echoed after a moment, a smile tugging on his lips, then he pushed off the counter and walked towards me. “Did you have a good sleep?”
At the mention of last night, I tried to fights the blush that was creeping up my face. Like a dummy, I only nodded at him.
“Good. Let’s eat. I am sure you must be starving.”
What was with his sudden change of behaviour? Does he have a split personality? Where was he hiding this side of him? From the corner of my eyes, I saw my mother and father sitting in the dining room. That explained everything.
“Not really”
“Come on” He tugged my wrist and pulled me towards the dining table, patting a chair next to him.
Sitting down, I remained quiet, picking at the slice of toast and staring into the cup of tea that has sure gone cold by now. A lot of thoughts swirled in my head. When another few minutes had passed in absolute silence, Aiden cleared his throat.
“Do you want more tea?” The Alpha asked
I shook my head.
“So, what are we doing today?”
“I don’t know about you, but I am going to talk with my father.” I waited for a beat before sighing and pushes my chair back. “Alone. Shall we?”
***