Chapter 213: Something Was Wrong

Leitana quietly went upstairs, her bare feet silent on the polished wooden floors, she reached their bedroom door and hesitated for a second before gently pushing it open.

Ravial was inside.

He stood by the large window, shirtless, the early afternoon light casting sharp shadows over his broad, muscular back. One hand was in his pocket, the other holding his phone to his ear as he spoke in a low, authoritative tone, his posture was relaxed but powerful, every line of his body radiating control.

Leitana stood in the doorway for a moment, watching him. Even now, after everything that had happened, the sight of him made her heart flutter with a mix of love and longing.

When he ended the call and turned around, he noticed her immediately. His blindfolded head tilted slightly, sensing her presence.

Leitana stepped inside, closing the door softly behind her. She walked over to him slowly, stopping just a foot away, hands clasped nervously in front of her.

“Mi Ravial…” she said softly, voice hesitant but respectful. “Can mi… can I follow Avery to the hospital? She’s taking Mathew there and then going to see Mama. Mi want to be there for them and I promise mi will come straight back after. I won't do anything else.”

Ravial was quiet for a long moment, studying her through the blindfold.

“You may go,” he said finally. “But one of my men will stay with you at all times. You do not leave his sight. Not even for a second. And you come straight home after the hospital. No detours.”

Leitana’s shoulders relaxed with visible relief. “Thank you, mi Ravial. Mi promise.”

He turned his back to her without another word, like she was dismissed. The cold motion hurt more than any shout could have. Leitana stood there for a second, blinking back fresh tears. This was part of her punishment, the distance, the silence, the reminder that she had disappointed him.

Last night, after he had used her mouth so roughly, coming down her throat while denying her release, he had simply pulled out, wiped her tears, and told her Mathew was on his way. Then everything had moved fast, the basement, Charles’s broken state, the weight of what Ravial was truly capable of. When they finally went to bed, he had held her like usual, but there were no soft kisses on her neck, no gentle whispers against her skin. This morning he had barely spoken to her.

She blinked away the tears, walked to the closet, and picked out a simple pair of jeans and a loose shirt. She tied her hair into a quick bun, glanced at his back one more time (he still refused to acknowledge her), and left the room quietly.

“You’re unusually quiet,” Avery said, turning to look at Leitana from where they sat in Alyssa’s hospital room. They had already told their mother everything. Alyssa had cried with relief, the man who had held her by the neck for years finally facing justice.

Leitana ran a hand down her face, sighing and explained everything to her sister.

Avery’s eyes widened with concern. “A wolf? Leitana… that’s dangerous. You could have been hurt. Or worse, the baby…”

Leitana nodded, looking down. “Mi know. Mi was stupid. Mi just… felt like mi had to do something.”

Avery reached over and squeezed her hand. “I understand wanting to help but you can’t put yourself in danger like that. Especially now.”

Leitana gave a small, sad smile. “I know.”

She stood up after a while. “Mi need to use the restroom. Mi will be back.”

The guard assigned to her followed a few feet behind as she walked down the hospital corridor. She stepped into the restroom, the guard stopping right outside the door.

Leitana went to the sink and splashed cold water on her face, trying to steady herself. When she lifted her head and looked in the mirror, a sudden flash hit her.

A scared girl’s voice echoed in her mind out of nowhere.

“HELP ME.”

Leitana gasped, gripping the edge of the sink so hard her knuckles turned white. The cold porcelain grounded her, but her mind was already slipping.

Flashes hit her like broken film reels, fast, disjointed, and terrifyingly real.

The dark alley.

Rain-slicked pavement reflecting dim streetlights.

A low, guttural growl echoing off the brick walls.

The massive wolf stepping out from the shadows, fur matted, eyes glowing with unnatural hunger.

Then the voice again, Arabella’s voice, raw and desperate, cracking with terror.

“HELP ME… PLEASE…”

Leitana couldn’t see her face. Just the voice and the fear in it. The sound of footsteps scrambling, a choked sob, and then a snarl that sounded too close and vicious.

She squeezed her eyes shut, breathing fast, trying to push the images away. But they kept coming, the wolf lunging, claws scraping concrete, the sickening sound of something being dragged into the darkness.

Leitana’s chest heaved. She splashed more cold water on her face, but it didn’t help. Her reflection in the mirror looked pale and frightened.

“Arabella…” she whispered to herself, voice shaking. “What is happening to you?”

The flashes stopped as suddenly as they came, leaving her trembling and breathless.

She gripped the sink tighter, trying to steady herself. Her heart was racing, and the gold chain around her waist suddenly felt like it was burning against her skin.

This wasn’t just a vision.

Something was wrong.