Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Alice had just opened her eyes for the first time that morning. She squints her eyes intermittently, trying to adjust to the bright light coming from the window. She looked to her other side to see Ryan sitting by her bed and staring at her.

“Good morning,” he said to her, smiling. “I’m still mad at you,” she told him though she was unable to hide her smile.

“Really? Because your face says otherwise,” he said jokingly, shooting a brow to the ceiling. She chuckled softly and shook her head.

He helped her to freshen up and they ordered breakfast from the hospital canteen. He noticed how she has been on the edge and wanted to say something.

He dropped his coffee on the table and set his eyes on her. She took a glimpse at him. “What?” She mumbled, averting her gaze. It was obvious she has something to say but didn’t want to say it.

“Spill, Alice,” he says. She heaves a sigh and rested her back on the pillow. She stared at the ceiling for a long amount of time, he didn’t interrupt her. He knew whatever she had in mind, she was thinking it through.

“Do you think Aaron is a nice guy?” She finally spoke. Her eyes were still up, staring at the ceiling—it sounded she wasn’t sure of what she had just said. He looked at her fingers, she was fiddling with it. Possibly afraid of his answer.

He returned his gaze to her face as he sighed. If it was up to him, he’d make her end things with Aaron because he seemed like a jerk and he doesn’t deserve her if he treats her friends and family this way. But he wasn’t going to be selfish. He’d tell her exactly how he feels about her being with Aaron.

“If I’m being honest, I say you dump his ass because he’s obviously a jerk. But… I know how much you love him and how he makes you happy. Though I’m not that convinced with him, but your happiness is what matters. And by the looks of it, he really does love you and I can’t come between you two. Just be careful.”

She finally looked at him for the first time since she asked the question. “Oh, Ryan,” she mouthed, spreading her arms and welcoming him. He smiled and got to his feet to embrace her.

He breathes out softly, relishing the moment and the warmth he felt against her body. Her hug has woven their souls in a way that is a forever bond. He hopes that was her intention, because this is real. It feels real.

The feeling he has for Alice would never fade, despite knowing he’d never have her. Even if she decides to breakup with Aaron, he knew Dominic was next in line and he doesn’t stand a chance. He’d love to have a chance to prove his love for her but he can’t. Ruining their lovely friendship was the last thing he’d want to do. Especially knowing she looks up to him like a big brother.

The door swings open and Aaron walked in, holding a bouquet of lilies and a heart-shaped chocolate box.

Alice briskly pushed Ryan off her when her eyes met Aarons’. He tried to hide the anger and discontent on his face but failed.

Aaron averts his glare to Ryan and exhaled, trying to collect himself from making a scene this early morning.

“I’ll check on the doctor so you’d get discharged soon,” Ryan said and kissed her forehead before he excused himself and brushed passed Aaron. Feeling Ryan’s slight touch against his arm made him feel ten times worse and hurt compared to the time he got bitten by a werewolf.

He heaved a sigh to release some of the fury built up in his chest and weighing him down.

He dropped the gifts he bought on the table and sat on the stool next to her bed. He used his hand and raised her chin up to look at him. “Hey,” he said softly as he smiled.

She breathes out the air she has been holding since he came in and met her against Ryan’s body. “Hey,” she replied, returning the smile he offered.

“How are you feeling?”

She didn’t expect him to ask her that. She was expecting him to make a fuss about Ryan but he looked okay.

“I’m fine… I’m feeling better,” she spoke uneasily.

He stared at her admiringly but it felt as though he was judging her—judging her for hugging Ryan. Who knows what they’ve done when he wasn’t there. Who knows if Ryan is really just a friend. Because by the looks of it, he seemed more than just a friend.

“Did you sleep well?” He asked, caressing the side of her face with his cold fingers. She shivered, closing her eyes. She bites down her on her lip and nodded. “Slept all through the night,” she says, opening her eyes to look at him. He was still smiling at her. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Alice,” he said in a low tone.

She doesn’t understand why he just said that but it entirely doesn’t mean what he said. She tilted her head, placing her hand against his fingers and gently squeezed it. “I’m fine,” she said and smiled at him.

“I wasn’t talking about the accident,” he said. He took away his fingers and rests his elbow on his thigh. “I was talking about him.”

She sends him a quizzical look, trying to comprehend what he meant and who he was talking about. She doesn’t want to mention Ryan because she knows there’s nothing between them. He’s just one of her best friends that she loved so dearly and look up to.

“I’m talking about your little friend, Alice. I don’t trust him around you,” He remark, taking her aback.

“What…” her words falters as she tried to laugh it off. He could see the shock registered on her face. She knew he was going to bring this up.

He held both her hands and gently gave them a squeeze. “I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be friends with him but there’s something about him I don’t like. I don’t like how he looks at you. I don’t like how he gets too close to you…”

“Ryan has been my friend since I was a kid. He’s like a brother to me. And he’s the last man you’d ever accuse of anything bad. You guys started off on the wrong foot, but I promise, you’d like him when you get to know him,” she explained. Aaron wasn’t convinced entirely. But it was better he let’s go of the talk. Especially how she has shown how significant he is to her.

“I trust you,” he said to her and kissed her knuckles.

An hour later, Alice was walking towards the gates of her home together with Ryan and Aaron that insisted to accompany her despite asking him not to. She knew the chaos that’d follow after if he decides to follow her home. Especially knowing that her parents were worried sick and wondering where she ran off to.  It was the first time she has actually ran away from home and slept out.

With the help of Ryan, she limped further until they were in front of the gates where Fredrick, Linda, Dominic and some of the pack warriors were standing and it was obviously because of her.

The moment Fredrick spotted them and noticed Alice limping with a cast on her leg. His heart dropped to the floor and he pounced on Aaron without hesitation. If his daughter is hurt, then it definitely has to do with the so-called boy she wants to mate with.

He swung up his left fist and slammed it into Aaron’s jaw. He swung back and roundhouse kicked him in the stomach real hard. Aaron stammered out a curse laced with blood and fallen to the ground.

“You fucking stay away from my daughter, else I’m going rip your insides out and feed it to you,” Fredrick threatened him whereas Aaron winced in pain.

“Aaron,” Alice cried out limping towards him but her father beat her to it by grabbing her by her wrist and drawing her away.

“Take him out of my territory before I end him,” He ordered, drawing her inside the pack house.

“NO!” She clamored, snatching her hand away and pushed him away. “What is wrong with you all? What the fuck do you want from me?” She roared with every strength she’s got left.

The place went silent as the air went thin. No one dared to move or speak except for her father that was already pissed.

“You haven’t even heard what happened, you don’t even know what happened to me but you just stupidly went ahead to jump into conclusion,” she said through the tears that were already rushing down her red cheeks.

“Look, Alice, I’m just trying to protect you…”

“The only protection I need now is to stay as far away from you as I can,” she fired back before turning away and limping towards home.

**

Tonight, the ceiling seemed to be an interesting object for Alice to look at and perceive. Or maybe a distraction she wanted to stop herself from thinking of the scenarios happening in her life since she met Aaron… since she met Dominic.

Was this how love works? How hard it was and how unfair it was sometimes. Or her father was the one being unfair by not letting her be with the guy she wanted to be with.

How hard could it be for him to just accept it? How hard was it to just trust her and let her be with Aaron? What is it they see that she couldn’t see? How bad was it going to be if she marries Aaron?

“Alice.”

She looks at the door without moving her head—just her eyes and she could see the person standing at her doorway. “Your dinner is getting cold.”

She averted her gaze back to the ceiling. There was nothing more interesting now than the ceiling she was staring at.

Linda walked further into the room despite knowing she wasn’t welcome. She settled down on the edge of the bed and observed Alice’s face and how beautiful she is.

She smiled proudly and stroked her clear, silver hair.

Alice looked at her mother, still not uttering a word to her. She loved the kind gesture her mother was showing her. She loved how no matter how many times she’d shut her out, Linda never gives up and always comes back.

“Ryan explained what happened—your father feels so sorry for what he had done,” she stated, still caressing Alice’s hair.

“Can we not talk about this? I don’t care if he’s remorseful or not. I don’t want to bother myself with his thoughts tonight.”

Linda smiled softly and nodded. She nudged her to scoot over and Alice laid her head down on her mother’s lap. “I know you don’t want to talk about this but I just have to. I understand how you’re feeling, Alice. And I know you must be thinking that your father is the worse man in the world or he hates you so much…”

“Yeah, he does… no doubt.”

“No, he doesn’t, sweetie. Your father loves you very much. He’s just being like any other father out there. And you being his only child scares the hell out of him. He can’t handle seeing you in danger or getting hurt. He wishes you nothing but the very best,” she said. “But you should have this at the back of your mind whenever you feel like you’re losing it—he makes mistakes. He’s not perfect. He won’t always give you your way. But he loves you with everything he has. He worked hard his entire life to be able to provide the best life possible for you. He will always love you no matter how much you guys would fight or get on each other’s throat.”

A smile flickers at the corner of her lips. She nods her head though she couldn’t say she was convinced. “I know he loves me but sometimes he’s just too much to handle. I don’t know why he’s pushing Dominic so hard on me. You don’t used to be all about Dominic too but now it seems like Dominic is more important than I am to you.”

Linda breathes in and exhaled slowly. She knew Alice was going to bring this up one day, especially when she promised to support her on whoever she chooses as her mate.

“I didn’t like the idea of Dominic being your mate also because I thought your father was just pushing it because of what Dominic had sacrificed for us to have our pack back…”

“What is it that everyone’s talking about? I want to know—what has he done?” Alice asked eagerly.

Linda shoulder-shrug. “I’m not in the right position to tell you,” she said.

“Then who is?” She was already running out of patience with everyone claiming Dominic was perfect and how he sacrificed a lot for them.

“Dominic. He’s hurt, Alice. He has been hurt for the past couple of years. He wants to heal and for the first time, he’s able to trust someone with his heart—he’s able to trust you with his heart. And even if you don’t love him, you’ll make me the happiest and proudest mother if you change your mind and decide to marry him. I’m not saying who your choice isn’t good for you, but you know you father…”

“My father would never accept it because his family are still human. Why would they harm me if their son is also a werewolf? I know Aaron would never let anyone harm me or my family,” she affirmed.

She could see the misery in her mother’s eyes as she cupped the sides of her face. “How did you get so stubborn, Alice?”

“You’re also forcing me…”

“I would never force you to do what you don’t want to. I’m only advising you on what’s best for you. And I know how confused you are right now…”

“I am not confused; you are just not listening to me. I want to be with Aaron,” she cuts in, her voice getting louder than Linda’s calm voice.

Her mother sighed softly and shook her head. “Every choice comes with a consequence. Once you make a choice, you must accept responsibility. You cannot escape the consequences of your choices, whether you like them or not.” Linda rose to her feet. “I hope you make the right decision,” she said and kissed Alice on the top of her head before leaving.