Chapter 22 Ghost of his past
Chapter 22
Alyssa's POV
“Tristan is such an asshole!” Aileen complained, glaring at nothing in particular. We were in the hospital today, helping out with some of the warriors who got injured during training and since Aileen was practicing to become a doctor, she was putting what she had learnt into practice. Aria and I just wanted a change of scene…not the best one though.
“What did he do this time?" Aria asked.
She took a deep breath before telling us how he ruined her date with one of the warriors, making it look like she was going on with about two other guys.
“And he was really cute, but thanks to that idiot, he thinks I'm cheating on him now.” she said, groaning loudly causing a few of the nurses to turn to us but she didn't care.
“So, what did you do?" Aria asked.
“Nothing," she murmured, “not yet but there's no way I'm letting him get away with it."
The two of them went on and on about how to get back at Tristan while I just listened and nodded when I needed to. If they noticed anything was wrong with me, they chose not to talk about it, which I was grateful for because I had no idea how to tell them.
After my conversation with Lori…if I can call it that, a part of me felt guilty about how I nearly went through his things. So before he woke up today, I got ready and left the room. But it didn't seem to be a good idea because now, all I could think about as Aria spoke about Tristan, was how I wanted to be in his arms.
“Lune is suggesting we prank him, but that feels too childish.” Aria said.
I paused, "Lune? Who's that?" I asked, realising I'd missed out on what she was saying.
“My wolf." She replied and I frowned. "Her name's beautiful, right?”
I nodded slowly. "I didn't know your wolves had names." I said,
Both of them turned to look at me like I grew another head. "All wolves have names, it's the first thing they tell you when you get them.” Aria told me.
“Mine doesn't…” I paused, my mind playing what happened the day I got my wolf over and over again, but I couldn't remember her telling me.
"You can ask her." Aria and.
Her words echoed in my mind. There was a lot I still didn't know and I felt bad for not knowing…for not asking all this while. I told the girls I needed time to think and they nodded.
Instead of going back to the Pack house, I went towards the tree where I first met Tristan. It had all the quiet I needed to clear my head and probably rethink all the decisions I've been making, especially when it came to my relationship with Zayne.
“Hey,” I called to my wolf softly.
For a long moment, there was nothing but the rustle of leaves and the soft hum of the wind. I sat at the base of the old tree, pressing my palm to the rough bark as if it could ground me.
“I know I don’t talk to you much,” I began, sighing. “Or maybe not in the right way and I'm sorry.”
The silence stretched again, then a familiar warmth stirred at the back of my mind.
“You don’t have to try so hard,” she said gently. Her voice wasn’t sharp or teasing this time, but calm, steady—like she’d been waiting for me to say those words.
“I didn’t even know you were supposed to have a name,” I admitted quietly. “Everyone else does, and I just…” I trailed off, unsure what to say next. “I feel stupid for not asking.”
She shook her head, “you didn't know and it's alright." She assured me, and relief washed all over me.
"What's your name?” I finally asked.
There was silence for a few seconds before she spoke up, “Nira.” she replied.
I repeated it under my breath. “Nira,” I said again, slower this time, letting it settle. “That’s… really pretty.”
“You think so?” she asked, and there was a shy warmth in her tone that made me smile. I was used to her being outspoken and sarcastic, but never being shy.
“Yeah,” I said softly. “It feels like you.”
“I'm glad you like it."
We remained quiet, enjoying the peacefulness…well, until Tristan showed up, breathing like he'd just finished fighting off hundreds of rogues.
“Do I want to know what happened to you?" I asked, laughing at him as he made himself comfortable beside me, trying to catch his breath.
“I should be asking what you did to the Alpha.” He said.
I looked away, “what do you mean? I didn't do anything."
He rolled his eyes, “yea, and I'm an idiot."
“You are an idiot, are you just finding out now?"
He glared at me, “but I'm serious, he hasn't taken a break since we began training. I had to come up with an excuse about having myself checked out in the Pack hospital."
I sighed deeply as he spoke, "maybe he just wants you guys to be ready for anything?"
“I've known him for almost all my life and I can assure you this isn't it." He told me. “The only other time I've seen him so distracted during training was with Ny…” he paused, realising he'd said too much. "Just talk to him before the hospital isn't enough to contain the remaining warriors.”
I didn't need him to say anything before I found myself running towards the training ground.
The training grounds came into view, and I could hear the sounds of combat before I saw them. Grunts, the thud of bodies hitting the ground, Zayne's voice barking orders with an edge I'd never heard before.
I slowed as I approached, watching from a distance. He was sparring with three warriors at once, moving with brutal efficiency. One went down hard, clutching his ribs. Another tried to tap out, but Zayne didn't seem to notice or didn't care.
"Zayne," Xavier called out, concern clear in his voice. "That's enough for today."
"Again," Zayne growled, not even breathing hard while his opponents struggled to stand.
My heart clenched. This was my fault. Whatever was driving him like this, it started when I left this morning without a word.
"Stop," I said, stepping into view.
Every head turned to me, but I only had eyes for Zayne. His expression flickered between relief, anger, something else—before settling into a mask I couldn't read.
"Everyone leave," he ordered, not looking away from me.
The warriors scrambled to leave, Xavier hesitating before following. The silence that fell was deafening.
"You're avoiding me," he said simply.
"I needed to think."
His eyes fell, "is it something I did?”
"Zayne-"
"Just tell me," he interrupted, taking a step closer. "Are you having second thoughts? About..." He swallowed hard. "About me?"
I shook my head, "never…I just.” I paused, taking a deep. "Who's Nyra?
He took a step back, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out.