You are awake

You are awake

Solan's POV

I blink at the sharp light, my eyes fluttering open.
The first thing I notice is the taste of blood. Copper coats my tongue, thick and metallic. When I try to open my mouth, pain burns through my jaw.
I attempt to move but my arms throb painfully, bound tight in rough cloth. The air smells of antiseptic, so sharp that I almost gag.
I blink as the room around me suddenly grows blurry again. On the third blink, I pick out the wooden walls. It almost looks like I'm in some sort of cabin. But I can't be too sure.

For a moment, nothing makes sense but then the memories rush back, cutting through the haze like a knife.


The ride jerks on a bumpy road, pulling me awake with a groan. A little disoriented, I try to decifer where I am. The moment I remember I've just been kidnapped, my eyes snap wide awake.
But I don't wake with fear. No this time fury is the only thing I feel before I jump at my attackers.

The whole fight is a blur in my head, but I remember dragging one of their swords. I remember the ride capsizing. I remember them growling in pain and limping after me.
I remember swiping the stolen sword against the neck of a woman.
I remember feeling dizzy… very dizzy on a cliff.

I didn't know… I didn't know then that I was so high up… not until I slipped.
And then I crashed into the hard surface of the water.

After that, I don't remember anything else.
I try to sit again but hiss as my whole body screams in agony. I need to get out of here … wherever this place is.

I force my hands to move but my right wrist aches under the bandage. I flex my fingers, feeling stitches or something tight and rough under my bandaged palm.

My throat hurts like fire when I swallow.
Goddess, I feel like I've died a hundred times already.

Suddenly my ears pick up footsteps and then a soft whistle right before the door is pulled open.
A man steps in and with him, the delicious smell of stew and meat.

I watch him closely. He doesn't seem to have noticed me as he continues his whistling.
There's a tattoo on his neck, his shoulders look strong, his hair dyed red. It's pretty obvious he dyed it because he did a terrible job.

He smiles when he notices me watching. “You're awake.”
I don't respond. I don't know what to make of my captor.

“Never knew Saviour could make something as good looking as this. Or do you belong to that twin brother of his?” he chimes.
My brows furrow before dropping to the steamy bowl in his hands.
“I see you also took the annoying silence he has… Definitely Saviour's.”

“Who are you?” I mutter hoarsely.
“Dang boy, you sound like you ate horse shit. Here, drink some water.” He shakes his head, handing me a cup after settling the bowl on a table.

I drink it, not really caring if he put something in it. I mean, he couldn't have kept me alive just to kill me… right?

“I’m Leo, by the way,” he says. “Your father’s brother.”
“Leo,” I repeat. The name is very familiar. I remember learning about him.

“You look like you know me?” He smirks proudly.
“Learned about you in history class.” I say.
His eyes nearly bulge out. “What? I'm not that old. Why'd they put me in a history book?”

I want to tell him I only learned it because I'm expected to rule after my father but I don't, too busy trying to know if he's a threat or not.

“You take your soft eyes from your mother,” he suddenly murmurs, his lip tilted slightly. “Raven’s always been a beauty.”

“Don't talk about my mother. And why am I here?”
“Ay, you better be nice or I’ll throw you back in the river.”

“That’ll be better than having to listen to you rant lustfully about my mom. I know who you are and what the hell you tried to do to her back then.” The words tumble out before I can catch them.

Leo chokes on a laugh, the sound irritates me. “She does talk about me, huh?”

“Psychopath,” I mumble flatly. Not bothering to tell him the beta had explained it to me due to my curiosity.

I wanted to know why Dad never sent out a search team for his lost brother but after hearing so many things, I began to wonder why Dad didn't lock him up like Uncle Callum.

He stops laughing and studies me. “No need to be so pissed. I was intoxicated by her heat. You are an alpha, I can tell… a pretty strong one at that. Wait until you're old enough to experience the irresistible pull towards your crush when they're in heat.”

“I know what a crush feels like and I've never touched my…” I stop, my heart pounding. O
“Listen kid, I did not hurt your mother… I almost did but I was so messed up. I still regret it till this day. But I've got my hands full with other mistakes.” He mutters, his eyes softening.

I don't believe him.

“How did I get here?” I ask, frowning when he gently lifts my head, supporting it with several pillows.

“You fell,” Leo mutters, scooping a spoon of the hot food he brought before lifting it to my lips.
I don't hesitate to eat.
“...into the river. Some captain found you half-dead on shore. They were taking you to the town nurse when I saw you. I knew who you were immediately. You look just like Saviour. Only, a little softer. So I insisted they bring you to my house.”

“Why did you save me?” I ask before taking another bite.

“Whoever hurt you is still out there somewhere, searching. And it won't be long before someone is intimidated into speaking up. This is the safest place you can be at this moment. I know you probably see me as a monster but you are my blood and I can't leave you when I have a chance to save you.”

“I want to go home.” I seethe, feeling uncomfortable.
“You're lucky to be alive after all this. And don't worry. It's safer to wait for home to come for you. Believe me, we'll both die on the way if we're ambushed. I can't fight to save my life.”
“But…”
“You have a lot of questions,” he says. “I’ll answer after you eat more.”

He feeds me slowly, regularly checking my temperature… acting a little different from the weirdo my books described him as.

Even at that, I must find a way to leave. Mom must be worried sick.