Chapter 9 She knows more than I think
Zoe's POV
I woke up to something warm pressed against my side.
Marcus.
The little boy was still curled up next to me. His small hand had a grip my nightgown. His face looked peaceful. Like he hadn't slept this well in a long time.
My chest tightened.
I looked over at the chair beside the bed. Ryan sat there, his head tilted back, mouth slightly open. Asleep. He'd stayed here all night. Watching over us.
Over me.
Over someone he thought was his mate.
The door opened quietly. A young woman came in carrying a tray. She saw I was awake and her whole face lit up.
"Luna! You're awake!" she whispered, trying not to wake Marcus. "I brought breakfast. Fresh bread and honey. Your favorite."
My favorite? I don't even like bread.
Olivia's favorite she meant.
"Thank you," I said softly.
She set the tray down and bowed."We're so blessed to have you back, Luna."
Then she left.
These people really believed I was Olivia.
And I was letting them.
A soft knock on the door made Ryan stir. His eyes opened slowly. When he saw me awake, he smiled. Tired but genuine.
"Come in," he called quietly.
The door opened.
Scarlett stepped inside.
My heart stopped.
I was shocked. It was the woman from last night.
Up close in the daylight, she looked older. Late fifties maybe. Gray hair pulled back neatly. Sharp eyes that seemed to see everything.
She looked at me. Just looked. Her face showed nothing.
"Good morning, Alpha," she said. Her voice was calm. Controlled. "How is our Luna this morning?"
"Better," Ryan said. He stood up and stretched his body.
Scarlett moved closer to the bed. Her eyes never left my face. "I'd like to speak with her. Alone. If that's alright Alpha."
Ryan nodded. "Of course. You two need time together. I should take Marcus back to his room anyway." He leaned down and carefully lifted the sleeping boy into his arms.
Marcus mumbled something in his sleep and wrapped his arms around Ryan's neck.
Ryan looked at me. "I'll come back later to check on you."
"Okay," I whispered.
He carried Marcus. The door closed behind them.
Scarlett stood at the foot of my bed. Just staring. Her face was unreadable.
Then she moved to the door and locked it.
My pulse quickened.
She turned back to me. And the warm, motherly look was completely gone.
Her voice dropped. Cold as ice.
"Who are you?"
I tried to sit up straighter. Pain shot through my chest. I gasped.
"What do you mean?" I managed to say.
She walked closer but slowly. "Don't play games with me, girl. I raised Olivia from the time she could walk. I know every detail of my daughter." She stopped at the side of the bed. "And you are NOT her."
Relief flooded through me. Finally. Someone who believed me.
"Of course I'm not her and I'm happy someone finally believed me!" The words rushed out. "I've been telling them I'm not her! But no one listens!"
Scarlett's eyes narrowed. "So why are you here? Of all places you could wake up, why here? Why in my daughter's place?"
"I don't know! I woke up here. I don't know how or why. I just... woke up." I said and looked straight into her eyes. But it's obvious she's not buying whatever I'm saying.
"I don't know why I look like her. I swear I don't." My voice shook. "My name is Zoe. Zoe Anthony. I was shot. Left to die in a forest. When I woke up, I was here in this bed. Everyone thinks I'm Olivia. I tried to tell them the truth but they wouldn't listen."
I couldn't finish. My chest hurt. Not from the wound. From something deeper.
Scarlett went completely still.
Her face changed. Like I'd said something terrible.
"Zoe?" she whispered. Her voice barely audible. "You said... Zoe?"
I frowned. "Yes. Why? What's wrong?"
Something flashed in her eyes. Recognition? Fear? Horror? All three?
Her hands gripped the arms of the chair. Knuckles white.
"It's... nothing," she said. But her voice shook. "Just an old memory."
"You're lying." I leaned forward despite the pain. "You know something. What is it? Why did you react like that to my name?"
"I said it's nothing!" Her voice came out too sharp. Too loud.
She stood up quickly. Walked to the window. Wouldn't look at me.
Her hands were shaking.
"You know something about me," I said. My heart was beating so fast. "About Olivia. About why I look like her. Tell me please! This whole thing of being in the darkness is driving me crazy"
"How did you end up here?" She asked ignoring my question. She still wouldn't turn around. "Tell me everything. From the beginning."
"I was in Lakewood Pack," I said slowly. Watching her back. Watching for any reaction. "Alpha Jeremy Dylan shot me. Left me in the forsaken forest to die."
Scarlett's whole body went rigid.
She gasped. Actually gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth.
"The Dylan boy," she breathed. She turned around finally. Her face was pale. "Jeremy Dylan? You were with Jeremy Dylan?"
Why are they all calling him the Dylan boy like that? And why do they all tremble when they hear his name?
"Why do you keep reacting like that?" I pushed myself up more. Ignoring the pain. "What do you know about the Dylans? What do you know about me?"