Chapter 61 Chapter 61
AILSA’S POV
I woke to warmth, not the heat that haunted me for days but real warmth that was gentle and steady, light streamed into the room and on my face making me squint my eyes. For a moment, I stayed still. I simply laid there breathing, listening to the soft rhythm of my heart.
My chest rose slightly. My limbs felt lighter. The ache in my ribs was dull instead of sharp even my head felt clear, no aches. I swallowed and smiled faintly. I was better.
My wolf stirred lazily, stretching inside me. She had finally healed.
‘We are better’ she murmured. ‘We’re not broken’
“No” I said out loud. “We’re not” I couldn’t be any happier than I was. At least I wouldn’t spend all day in this room.
I sat up slowly, half expecting dizziness but it didn’t come. When I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my body responded without protest. Strength hummed beneath my skin, I was sore but the hoes y kind of soreness that meant healing.
For the first time since everything happened, I felt like my old self again.
There was a soft knock on the door.
“Come in” the door opened and Lina slipped inside, her eyes lit up when she saw the smile on my face.
“You’re smiling so much” she exclaimed, crossing the room and setting the tray on the table next to me.
“I feel so much better today” I said with a smile and she wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m so happy, you are better” she muttered rubbing my back. She pulled back and looked at me with a scowl.
“You scared me. You still look pale though but you are better”
“I feel it too” I said honestly. She nodded and gestured towards the food.
“Eat. The healer would be here soon to check on you” she hovered while I ate, talking the entire time about small things. The only thing I kept in my head was Lucian. It was the only thing that mattered.
“I have to commend the Alpha for looking after you. He didn’t want anyone else to do it” my wolf shifted, something warm stirred in my chest.
After I finished eating, Lina helped me stand. She insisted on helping me even though I told her I could walk on my own.
“I’m not letting you fall” she said firmly. “Not after everything” I smiled. She walked me to the door, then hesitated.
“Will you be fine alone?”
“I’ll be fine” I promised. She pointed a warning finger.
“Don’t wander too far”
“I won’t”
She left reluctantly,glancing back at me before disappearing out of the door. The room felt quieter without her. I sat for a few minutes then stood again. The walls felt too close. I needed air and space.
I stepped outside slowly,savoring the way the breeze brushed my skin. I walked slowly out in the open. For the first time in days, I felt like myself. I was still enjoying outside when I felt the air changed.
I felt her presence even before I saw face, she stood near a tree. Dahlia. She turned as if she sensed me, her lips curving into a twisted smile.
“Ailsa” she said pleasantly. “You’re up”
My wolf scoffed. Her fake concern was so evident. I knew she didn’t care about me.
“I could say the same” I replied dryly. She approached me at an unhurried pace. Her boots silent on the ground.
“I wanted to see how you were doing after everything. I heard what happened to you” her gaze swept over me, it was assessing.
“I’m healing” I said.
“Good” her smile sharpened. “The alpha would be devastated if you weren’t”
There it was, the edge beneath her words. I could spot a fake when I saw one and Dahlia had it written all over her.
“I didn’t realize my health was such a concern of yours” she laughed softly.
“Everything that concerns Lucian concerns me” my wolf fumed.
She wanted to let Dahlia know that Lucian was ours.
“You must be strong. Surviving poison isn’t easy and then an attack. Especially for someone with your history” my stomach tightened.
“I don’t know what you are implying”
“Oh, I think you do. It’s just me and you here” she stepped closer, lowering her voice. “You left your pack after Lorcan chose another mate, didn’t you?” She went on calmly. My heart slammed against my ribs but I acted unfazed. I didn’t deny it and I said nothing.
“How humiliating that must have been. You’re running away from the disgrace and pain” she continued smoothly. “And then you ran here but in the disguise of being a rogue. You didn’t want anyone to know the pack you came from and what you are running from. Lucian would never have accepted you if he knew” my chest burned.
“Do you know what happens to wolves like you?” She asked quietly leaving closer and lowering her voice. “Those who carry old wounds and new marks?” I met her gaze, refusing to look away.
“They don’t survive being claimed twice. Their bodies reject it” she whispered.
“Whatever you are trying to do won’t work. Stop saying things you don’t know” her smile didn’t falter
“Are you sure about that? Don’t push me to the wall so I don’t reveal secrets you’ve kept hidden” a chill slid down my spine.
“If you really knew my secrets, you’d have spilled them already. You can’t threaten me, Dahlia. Try again” my voice was firm. I couldn’t let her know what she was saying was getting to me.
“A piece of advice to you. Marks don’t like competition, Ailsa. They burn” she smirked. “Make sure Lucian doesn’t mark you, your body would not accept it” that sounded more like a warning than advice.
“What would happen if he does? You’ll go crazy?” I said sarcastically and chuckled.
“I bet you don’t want to find out. I shouldn’t even be bothered about him marking you. You know why?” She paused. “He won’t mark you because he has marked another. “He would keep resisting any urge he has to mark you until his bond with that person is broken”
‘Don’t listen to her. She’s trying to get a reaction out of you’ my wolf said to me.
“I know he hasn’t told you about her yet” she smiled.
“You seem to have so much time on your hands and that’s why you are focused on other people’s lives while don’t you channel that energy into your own life so you can finally find your mate” her expression changed and I knew that got to her.
At least, I knew her weak point now. Footsteps echoed somewhere behind us and she straightened instantly. Her expression shifted into something polite.
“You should rest” she said sweetly. “Healing takes time. The Alpha would be devastated to lose you” she brushed past me, her shoulder barely grazing mine and her voice barely audible as she passed.
“You shouldn’t move around so soon, you never know what is waiting for you. Don’t forget to watch your back, rogue” she walked away leaving me standing there.
My heart pounded and suddenly the cool air made me cold. I lifted my hand slowly to my collarbone. The place where my mark would be. The place where Lucian had lingered but didn’t sink his canines in there.
I wondered if Lucian was really holding back because of what Dahlia said. I didn’t want to believe anything that came out from Dahlia’s mouth but this was the third time, a woman had been referenced to Lucian. Did he have another mate?
‘This is what Dahlia wanted and she has succeeded. She planned to put things in your head’ my wolf said.
I shook my head. She was not the only one that had said this. Lucian also said he couldn’t mark me yet when I asked him. This could be the reason.
‘Let Lucian tell us by himself. Dahlia doesn’t want you and Lucian to be together. That is very evident. She is in love with him’
I knew that she was in love with him. She had gone as far as finding out about my past. How could she had gotten an accurate information though? Did she know someone from my old pack?
I had to put an end to all this. I couldn’t let Dahlia be the one to tell Lucian about my past. He can’t know about my past now either. I had no other option but to make sure I didn’t anger Dahlia and stay clear off her path.
I turned and went back to my room, her last words still ringing in my ear. Watch your back. It was very clear to me that Dahlia could do anything, she wouldn’t my mind killing me if it got to that. She had tried that once already who said she couldn’t try it again.
Chase
His name rang in my head. I think it was time for me to ask for his help.