Chapter 19 19
Phoebe~~
We arrived at the pack's general hospital, and the doctors rushed to revive Angeline. Knox ordered that they must do everything within their power so she survived, and that made me feel a little relief, even though his glare at me got out of hand.
I sat on the bench along the passageway, facing the theatre, while Knox paced around, more like awaiting good news. The thought of him not wanting me dead made me ponder what was wrong with him. Was it that bad to kill the daughter and the remaining soul of the family? It wasn't like my death would cost him anything or affect him in any way. It would even free him from the curse bestowed on him.
He didn't like me getting hurt, and at the same time, he wants to torture me to prove that he was coldhearted. If I make an intimate advance, he would reject it, but would want to dominate over my body later on.
Was he sick or just the curse affecting him?
‘Let's say, his wolf is the problem here,’ my wolf mentioned, and I covered my mouth in shock, nodding.
Now I thought about it, that could be the fact. He didn't love me and wanted me out of his life, but his wolf was against it. This could be torture to him as well because it was always hard to make those decisions in my favour.
By the time the doctors began coming out, they announced that Angeline was stable now, although asleep. Knox instructed his men never to leave the hospital and keep an eye on us, then he left the hospital, and I finally released a heavy breath.
Angeline was taken into a separate ward, where I stayed beside her until she was awake. She looked like she had been reborn, and the smiles she wore brightened my mood as well. “How do you feel? What about your wolf?”
“I'm very fine now. I feel so lively. Did Alpha Knox truly share his wolf energy with me?” she asked while I helped her sit up. I nodded, and she looked so grateful. “It doesn't change the fact that my life is still in line. Alpha Knox would save a life just so he takes it again the way he wishes,” she narrated and laughed it all out.
But to me, it wasn't anyhow fun. If he was going to execute her again, what was the use of saving her? He could have just watched me take my life instead.
\~~~
Two weeks later, I returned to the palace with Angeline, who had recovered fully. It took time for her to recover as her wolf was weak, but the most interesting part was that she made it out alive.
Knox wasn't acting like someone who would want to take her life again, and I hoped so. But what I didn't anticipate was the slave mistress being arrested, since it came to light that she was the one who gave me the knockdown gases.
I rushed to the torture field where she was being whipped, and without thinking, ran ahead and obstructed the whip from lashing on her again. The first lash sent an excruciating pain down my spine, but I bit my lip so hard and swallowed the pain.
Knox was brutal. He would always hurt people who helped me, because he wanted me to be alone.
The mistress turned and saw that I was the one taking the lashes. She shook her head at me, tears in her eyes, but I didn't care. It was better that I paid for my crimes than innocent souls always doing that for me. I had taken Angeline to the underground, and only she was prosecuted to death, whereas I was given another chance.
And now this…
If I didn't come to the mistress, she wouldn't have known my plan.
“What is going on here?” I heard Knox’s growl, and the guards whipping me stopped. “Phoebe!!!” he yelled, and I lost my balance on the floor at that moment.
I felt something cold soak my dress, and I knew it was my blood. But looking at the mistress, she had already passed through a lot because of me, so the pain I felt was nowhere near hers. I scratched my fingers on the floor, staring at the lady who stared at me, who stood crouched to the ground behind her. “I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.” I pleaded, and more tears gathered in my eyes.
She only shook her head, sobbing just like me.
I had always caused everything. It was really getting out of hand.
If I didn't fall for Knox, my family wouldn't be wiped out by him. And now, I was putting souls in danger again. They pay for the crime I committed, and I was always on the safer side. It hurt so much to think of that. Even my people are being tortured because of my mistake.
“Are you crazy? Didn't I tell you that I own you? How dare you hurt yourself?” Knox snarled at me, but I wasn't in the mood for him. He was the enemy I craved without knowing, and if I could just take his life, wouldn't it be better? When I didn't talk to him, he lifted me into his arms and with how weak I was, I couldn't fight back.
I knew I would heal quickly with the help of my wolf, but that wasn't the case with the mistress.
He took me into his room and applied an ointment to the bruises. His glare was so chilly and destructive, as though he would rip me apart. Maybe it would even be for good if he did that, instead of hurting the people around me.
“I warned you, but you turned a deaf ear. Did you think I would spare my pack member when she goes against my order?” he hissed and still covered my body with the duvet. “I already told you to learn to live, or I'd force you to. If you keep doing this, I will have no other choice.”
I didn't even know when I scoffed amid the pain. “Have no choice but to do what? Kill my people? Hurt the ones who love me? Just take my life, or I'll do it when you don't even know. You hate me already, so why keep me beside you?” My voice rose, and my tears blurred my vision again. “There's no reason to justify your brutal attack on my family members, Knox. Do your worst already. There's nothing you would do that's more than the pain you already put me through.”
He didn't speak further, but I smelled how enraged he was and was trying to hold back.
Didn't he warn me not to set foot into his bedroom? Now he brought me in himself.
The thought of all that made my mind spin, and I didn't want to pass out.
By the time I noticed that I had healed completely, I sat up in the bed only to find him sleeping on the sofa. Staring at him awakened the hatred I had in store for him, and the only thing I thought of was to kill him right there.
I searched my inner pocket, and the knife that I had hidden there was still intact, so I climbed down from the bed. If I stabbed his neck, he would die in a go. Even if I were executed, I would be happy that I avenged my parents.
He lay still, and I tiptoed towards the sofa on which he lay. As I reached, I waved my palm on his face, and he didn't seem to be awake anyhow, so I positioned the knife very well in my hands, ready to strike his neck and feel his blood splash on my face.
I raised my hand in the air when I saw his eyes open.
The knife slipped from my palm, and I dropped to the ground. His alpha aura overwhelmed mine, and I found myself fidgeting and sweating.