Chapter 148: Chapter 148

KAIST:

My ears picked up the unfamiliar sound of an intruder in the nearby bushes. I hugged Dahlia’s body closer towards me. If this was another attack by those blasted rogues, I came in prepared to lay my life on the line.

Just then, Dahlia started groaning. I cautioned her to stay quiet, but she didn’t listen. She pointed her bandaged arms towards the bushes where the sounds were coming from.

What was she trying to tell me?...

Just then, an enormous wolf as dark as the night emerged from the thicket. On his head, a dark violet rune glistened malevolently.

I was positive I had seen this wolf before… In fact, I had battled with him back in Payn!

I put Dahlia gently behind me and faced the wolf before me.

“You rogue! Come closer if you want your death!”

He was not just an ordinary rogue, for I am sure that he was just like me, a Shadow Rune wolf…

“Prince Kaist,” he growled. “It’s me…”

I cannot believe my ears. This wolf sounded just like Dahlia’s husband!

Unable to trust my hearing, I stood closer to Dahlia, still shielding her. “Transform back so I could see it.”

The wolf in front of us did not say anything, but he heeded my request and changed immediately back in his human form.

“You’re alive,” I said, almost relieved that Tristan Abell had survived. At the same time, I felt betrayed.

So this man’s wolf was black… Dahlia did cover up for him back then when I was chasing him…

“Yes,” he grunted. My eyes fell on his chest where a wound seemed to have been torn open a bit as some blood oozed from it. “However, I’m afraid I only brought bad news,” he said morosely.

My heart felt too heavy. Seeing that he did not bring my father along made me half-guessed what his news was about…

“So do I,” I said, trying not to sound too angry, for now I should tell him an even more bitter news.

I walked away from his view to show him Dahlia’s state…

I saw his eyes round up in fear and horror as it fell on Dahlly and her wounds. Seemingly forgetting my presence, he immediately ran towards her side.

“Dahlly,” he whispered. “Dahlly…”

Just then, he turned to me and seized me by the collar. “You – what have you done to her?!”

“There was an accident…”

I filled him in with what took place while he was gone, how I attempted to rescue Dahlia but failed miserably.

“It was all my fault,” I said bursting into tears as I recalled how that blasted tree trunk fell and injured my poor Dahlly. “If only I had been quicker… If I had been more careful, things wouldn’t have turned like this!”

My face fell downcast as he clutched even tighter around my neck. I deserved my life to be taken away!

I’m sure my father had already passed away too, pining for the woman he loved and the daughter he never knew existed, and all he had was a useless and wretched son – a son who couldn’t even defend his mate from harm, let alone him!

Tristan Abell’s hands that wrapped around my collar shook. He was too angry beyond reason.

“Go ahead. Just punch me, or better yet kill me,” I spat. “I don’t deserve to live!”

He raised a fist against my face. I did not hide my cheeks. I deserved to be kicked and punched as much as needed so that I could die with honor!

Just then, Dahlia moaned beside us. We instinctively forgot our squabble and came towards her. Right now, there was a more important person who needed our care.

I cupped her face towards me. “Dahlly, what is it?... Are you hurt somewhere?... Are you thirsty?...”

She nodded her head at my last question. I took the water bottle, but it was empty.

“I’ll go get you water, love… You stay right here,” I said, brushing some of the hair that had clung to her face.

I took the water bottle and searched frantically for any clean water source. I needed to hurry back…

Death can wait for me a bit longer until Dahlia has had her fill.

******************************

TRISTAN:

I cannot believe what I was seeing! My Dahlia has met such a brutal accident because I wasn’t there.

My heart was crushed beyond repair seeing her in such a state. I carried her light body towards me and positioned her into my lap.

I traced the scars that have marred her once flawless and beautiful skin because of the fire Kaist had mentioned.

The prince said it was his fault that Dahlia had turned out like this, but it wasn’t true… It was all because of me that she had to suffer such a fate!

If I didn’t start it all, she wouldn’t have ended here… If I didn’t seduce and marry her, if she didn’t come and help me at the auction, and if she hadn’t been kidnapped by Samalah, she wouldn’t have to go through all this pain…

“Ahhh… Ahhh…”

She opened her mouth, but no coherent words came out.

“Dahlly… What is it? Just tell me what it is, and I’ll come do it for you, hmm.” I tried to contain my sorrow in front of her, but the way she looked helplessly at me was truly heartbreaking…

Dahlia was a strong woman. If she could only withstand a few more days while we travel to the nearest village, she can be well again. I’ll make sure she stays well so that she could live the life she deserved…

“Are you hungry, hmm? Do you want to eat anything?”

She shook her head faintly.

“Do you want to rest, hmm? You can sleep if you want to. Just rest here in my lap.”

I smoothened the hair away from her face and leaned her into my arms even further.

“You remember the time when we first ran away from those rogues?... It was one of the best times in my life, Dahlly. I got to spend time with you again… I was happy that you have accepted me as your mate once more, and that you allowed me to mark you again…”

“But I ruined it, didn’t I?... I went ahead and ruined it with my lies… I ruined your life since the start when I decided to use you against my plans of revenge…”

I didn’t want it to happen at all – but my tears did not stop as I remembered all the recent happy memories I spent with my wife.

Just then, I remembered something.

“Dahlly, why don’t you use me?... Use my body as a medium. Let me channel your healing powers so that I could help make you feel better,” I exclaimed.

I thought it would make Dahlia happy. We had done it before, so I knew it could work! I could help heal her!

Instead though, her eyes widened as if she was in fear.

What the hell was going on with her?...