Chapter 26 Chapter 26
It had been three days since I was accused of being part of a rebel group. Three days since I had been in this room, three days since Lucian's voice had caused an ache in my chest. Now I was in isolation. I was even more surprised when Aiden had led me to a room. I was expecting the dark dungeons that reeled of blood and sweat but instead I was brought here, to a room, larger than the one in the servants quarters and a bed bigger than the one I had laid in since I got here.
Aiden said it was the Alpha's wing. I wasn’t surprised because it was different from the other parts of the house. It looked elegant and classic. One question kept ringing in my head, is this what he meant when he said I had to remain under his watch by placing me close to his room?
That thought had refused to leave my head since Aiden brought me here. I looked out of the open windows and sighed. When I saw others go about their daily activities, I was reminded that I couldn't leave this room without permission. My meals were brought in by Lina, my days carved into dull hours of silence.
The only time I had human contact was when Lina brought my meals and we had bonded very well and I could finally call her my friend. I was happy when she said she was appointed to bring my meals, at least I had a familiar face around.
Lucian didn’t come to see me. Not once . At first, I told myself I didn't care. I told myself that the burn in my chest was of anger, not disappointment. But each night, I heard footsteps lingering at my door, I found myself holding my breath, hoping and waiting and then nothing.
The mark had become a part of me now. It throbbed sometimes and other times the pain was more intense. I had been having dreams of myself in the forest and something chasing after me. I didn't know what it meant but I knew it was something good. My wolf was restless. There was a knock and the door opened revealing Lina with a tray of bread and milk, her hair tied in a loose braid. Her eyes soft.
"You didn't sleep again, did you?" She asked setting the tray down with a sigh.
"Had a nightmare again plus my arm felt like it was on fire" I muttered. She frowned, glancing at the mark beneath my sleeve.
"The mark looks like it's disappearing"
"It look so faint yet it seems like a big mark. Did you find anything?" She didn't answer. Instead,she leaned closer and whispered.
"I've been asking around and I heard the Alpha saw the exact same mark close to where he was attacked"
"What?"
It dawned on me why I was brought here and why he made that statement. He believed I was the one that attacked him or thought I knew who did.
"Did you find any other thing relating to the mark? Like an old story" her expression fell.
"I'm sorry, I haven't been able to find anything but I'll keep looking" I was disappointed
The silence between us stretched, then as if sensing my rising heartbeat, the mark on my arm pulsed.
Lina gasped and reached for me as I winced in pain.
"Ailsa!"
"It's fine" I said quickly, though my voice trembled, “It doesn't hurt anymore” I assured her.
"I'll be right back, let me get something. Finish with your breakfast" She left and I ate the remaining of the food. For a moment, I thought I heard something from the window, a whisper, low and distant, like the rustle of wind through leaves.
'We have to find the origin of this mark sooner before it turns into something bigger' my wolf said. I became more scared than I was when the mark appeared. I wondered if this mark had something to do with my old pack. Lina came back with a book in her hand.
"I got you a book to keep yourself busy until you’re allowed to go out. I know how boring it is when you are cooped up in a room.
"Thank you so much, Lina. You're a lifesaver" I gave her a half smile which she returned.
"I have to go now. I'll still keep looking to find any clues and I’ll let you know if I find anything”
By afternoon, the sun was beginning to dip, painting the window gold. I was sitting on my bed with the book in my hand. I had been to engrossed in the book that I had already reached the middle of the book. Then there was a knock on the door before I could answer, Damian stepped inside.
"Damian" I said excitedly.
"Still breathing, I see" he said with a crooked grin. “I half expected you to be in a dungeon and weeping" I rolled my eyes.
"Close enough. What's the difference between this room and a dungeon?" I asked. He leaned against the door frame, arms crossed.
"There's a very big difference, you have a bed to sleep on, a window and your food is brought here. That’s not a privilege that many prisoners have. Moreover, it seems as though the Alpha is not very angry with you" I raised a brow.
" What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing” he said brushing off the topic, he continued. “I've been looking for a way to sneak in here and sneak you out since the alpha is not around and won't be back until later, we could take a walk and you’ll use that as an opportunity stretch your legs but I'm scared of the Alpha's reaction if he sees me with his favourite prisoner" he said smirking.
"His favourite what?"
"Prisoner" Damian said innocently. Though the glint in his eyes told another story. I tried to suppress a smile and failed.
"You are impossible” I laughed.
"That's what I've been told"
The banter was warm and easy, it made me lighter. Damian had a way of drawing me out, of making me forget my worries.
"How is your leg? How are you?" His voice softened.
"My leg is healing fine, the swelling has gone down and about the other question, the truth is that I'm scared, I don't know if the day would finally come when I'll be able to walk freely amongst other without them looking at me suspiciously and thinking that I have bad plans for the pack” he nodded slowly.
"A lot of people don’t really know you, they judge you based on assumptions but I know you are good person and you are not part of any rebel group. You don't deserve any of this" I looked away.
"You are just one out of the thousand. I’ve come to accept that I don't deserve much of anything" I held back the tears that stung my eyes.
"That's not true", he said, stepping closer. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"You've done more than members of this pack and with time, they'll come to realize that. I know the Alpha sees it too, I think he's just scared to admit it” his tone reduces as he spoke about the alpha. I guess he didn't want anyone to hear him say that.
"Why do you think so?"
"The Alpha is clearly not himself. He hasn't been the personI know since you came" my heart stumbled.
"What do you mean?" He hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the window before returning to me.
"Let's just say.... The alpha is scared to trust a stranger or rather he's scared to accept you because you are a woman” This was the second time Damian was talking about Lucian and mentioning women.
"Who made him stop trusting women?" I had to ask the question on my mind.
"I don't know much about it either but it was someone he really cared for. That's why I think his behaviour towards you, has something to do with his past" I scoffed. I also had a bad past but I wasn’t mistreating men because of that.
"I don't care if he trusts me or not. I just want my freedom" He raised a brow.
"Are you saying that to convince yourself or you really mean it? Considering the fact that you both are mates and he should be protecting you and not the other way round?"
"I think.....Wait….did you just say mates? How....." I stopped realizing that the words couldn’t come out.
"Are you surprised that I know both of you are mates?" I wanted to deny it and say we were two different people to be paired together but there was nothing I could say to convince Damian otherwise.
"I put two and two together and came to that conclusion. Also the way both of you behave around each other, when you think no one is watching is not hard to notice" I swallowed hard.
"Your secret is safe with me. No one would hear it from my mouth" I forced a smile and changed the topic.
"How has training been? I've only watched from the window but I didn’t see much. I miss training. I don't know if I can still remember all I have learned"
"Fighting is something that comes naturally, once you find yourself in a tough situation, everything you've learnt will come back to you"
"I hope so. I really want to be able to defend myself at any given time" I sighed.
"You'll do well. I think you are very strong and brave. When you first came, I saw the determination in your eyes. I know you would do well when the alpha asked you to prove yourself” His words uplifted my spirit.
"Thank you Damian. Your words mean a lot to me" I give him an actual smile.
"That's what friends are for. Let me give you a hug to make you feel even better. I hear I give the best hugs” he said opening his arms and I stepped in to embrace him.
His warm arms around him, his scent engulfing me but his embrace didn't comfort me. This was not the person that my wolf wanted to be hugging us but I didn’t know if he wants us in his arms, Damian’s hug would be fine. Damian smoothed my hair.
A low growl echoed from the doorway making us pull apart. I froze and Damian straightened instantly, his smile vanishing as Lucian stood there.