Chapter 28 TWENTY EIGHT

Chapter 28 TWENTY EIGHT
ILYANA’S POV

“I don’t care that you're an omega, Ilyana. You’re my mate,” Kael muttered hoarsely. His hand was on my chin, drawing me in.

“Really?” I whispered softly, heat spreading through every part of me.

“Hmm hmm.” He hummed, leaning closer. His lips were barely an inch away from mine, and I briefly glanced at them, subconsciously licking my lips before flickering my gaze back to him.

“Prove it then.”

His eyes darkened, his voice raw and hungry with need, “Are you sure?”

It was my turn to hum, daring him, “Prove that I’m your mate.”

He closed the last gap, his lips meeting mine—

A sharp knock split through it.

The moment shattered like glass. I groaned, pushing my face deeper into the pillows, clinging to the fading warmth of the dream, hoping it would return. But another series of knocks followed, louder this time, dragging me fully awake.

I huffed, sitting up on the bed before calling out, “Come in!”

I was expecting either Misha or Tina to walk in, and every trace of sleep vanished as the pack doctor, Atasha, stepped inside in vibrant colors, without her doctor’s coat. Her hair was down in a straight fall, her glasses making her look even better than the last time I saw her.

She was so pretty. The morning rays streaming through the window fell directly on her, illuminating her entire figure as she walked toward me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away, following her every step.

“You look enthralled by me,” she said as she climbed onto my bed, cutting my thoughts short as she leaned closer to my face, a smile stretching across her lips. “Are you always this enthralled by women or just the alpha king?”

Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, staining them a deep red as she pulled away and burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the entire room. “You’re so cute when you blush.”

“Wh…why are you here?” I stuttered, too caught off guard to form a proper sentence.

She stopped laughing, though a trace of amusement still lingered on her face. “Why am I here? To see you, of course.”

I blinked, swallowing as nervousness coiled in my stomach. My mind spun with questions, and I opened my mouth to ask one when she beat me to it.

“How is your health? I’m sorry I forgot to check in, but I’ve been so busy.”

“I’m fine now, my lady.”

“Call me Atasha,” she said.

I pressed my lips thinly, my fingers curling beside me. “Of course. I’m fine now, Lady Atasha.”

“Just Atasha,” she corrected before walking to the table and pulling out a chair. She sat down, her gaze sweeping across the room before settling back on me. She smiled.

“Do you know that the alpha king is my brother?”

My fingers stilled against my dress, my eyes widening as my lips parted. I had noticed the resemblance between them, especially the night they came after the vampire attack, but I wasn’t sure. If she was royalty—his sister—why was she the pack doctor?

And why wasn’t she living in the pack house with him?

But I kept my questions locked behind my teeth, unwilling to say anything that might provoke her before I understood why she was here.

“Not at all,” I replied.

“Yes,” her smile widened, “we’re siblings. He’s three years older than me, which means you and I should be the same age, or you might even be older. No one knows. We’ve kept it a secret all our lives,” she rambled.

“I don’t have any interest in sitting at home, wearing lavish clothes, finding a mate, or being useless. So I went to school, got my degree, and became one of the pack doctors instead. It’s better, and at my age, it’s more useful.”

Suddenly, she looked back at me as if just remembering I was there, her face scrunching into a thoughtful frown. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two,” I replied.

“Arghh! That means we’re the same age. Isn’t that nice?” she beamed excitedly.

Her excitement was infectious, but also a little unsettling. After Lucienne’s drama, I wasn’t eager to deal with any more unpredictable people in the pack. “W…why are you here, Atasha?” I stuttered.

“Why am I here? Of course, I’m here for you.” She rolled her eyes. I felt my unease creep back in. It was early morning, I hadn’t done anything last night, and I wasn’t injured.

I quickly glanced down at myself. No, I wasn’t hurt.

“Am I in trouble?”

“Trouble?” she huffed. “Why do you always assume that whenever you see me? Do I bring you trouble?”

She stood up from her seat. “You’ll never be in trouble, Ilyana. At least not with me. And not with my brother either. I’m here because I’m intrigued by you… and I also have a proposition.”

All traces of playfulness vanished from her face, her tone turning serious. A shiver ran down my spine at her sudden shift, fear thudding against my chest. The last time I was given a proposition, it ended in pain and disappointment. What could this one mean?

“What do you want?” I asked nervously.

She climbed back onto the bed, leaning closer until I had to shift away slightly. Her eyes moved rapidly, and my heartbeat quickened. Up close, the resemblance between her and Kael was uncanny. The same nose. The same eyes. The same intensity.

Then her lips curled, her voice light, almost childlike. “You see, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do for my brother—love.”

“He doesn’t think he’s deserving of it. So I’m bringing you a proposition.” She leaned in slightly, her gaze locking onto mine. “I want you to make my brother fall in love with you.”

Before I could respond, another knock sounded at the door—firmer, heavier than Atasha’s—cutting through the moment.