Chapter 15 Chapter 15
ADRIANA'S POV
I followed Daciana out of the room, my heart racing with excitement. It felt good to be out of that stuffy, cramped space, and I couldn't wait to feel the sun on my face and the grass beneath my feet.
As we stepped into the hallway, I was startled to see Donavan standing there, a sinister look on his face. He glared at us, his eyes cold and hard.
His lips were curled back in a snarl, revealing a set of sharp teeth. He looked like a predator, ready to pounce on his prey at any moment. Whatever horrible things he was planning from the calculating look in his eyes, I know I will be at the end of receiving it.
I shuddered at that thought and immediately looked away.
I needed to be careful around Donavan, I may have only spoken to him a few times but there is this cold energy he has that doesn't sit well with me and for someone who has the bad luck of always attracting trouble, he is a trouble i shouldn't go close to.
He has been cold towards me since the first time we met in that woods, after Alpha Xander found me. He seemed annoyed by my presence and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why he didn't like me.
I could have sworn I have never met him in my life before now.
If the other members of the pack choose to overlook that i'm just a werewolf-one without a wolf, no less-something tells me he won't. And his hatred right now will be child's play, compared to what he would do to me then.
I instinctively leaned towards Daciana, shielding myself with her body.
I hated that I was weak and couldn't even defend myself. I'm sure it wouldn't have mattered in this case.
Donovan is a lycan. He has lived for almost as long as alpha Xander did which means they are almost equal in strength, since he is the
beta.
"What are you doing here, Donavan?" Daciana asked, suspicion lacing her tone. "You have no right to be here. It is out of your jurisdiction."
He sneered at her, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "I have every right to be here," he spat. "This is also my pack, and I'll do whatever I
please." Daciana's eyes narrowed, and I could see the anger building within her. But before she could say anything else, Xander appeared at the end of the hallway, his face dark and stormy.
Like I always feel whenever he is close, the urge to make myself as small as possible grips me. His presence fills the entire hallway and I find myself almost quaking with fear. He hasn't even spared me a glance yet.
God, I'm so pathetic.
"Donavan, what are you doing here?" his deep voice boomed in the hallway, making me tremble slightly. "I thought I made it clear that
you are to stay away from the wolf."
Donavan sneered
thim, his face twisting in anger. "I'll do as I please, Xander," he replied, his voice dripping with venom. "The little
thing is just begging to be touched, I'll be pleased to help her out."
A shudder rolls through me, disgust at what he is saying makes bile rise on my throat. I swallow it down, not wanting to think of the consequences I'll face for soiling their expensive hallway.
Xander took a step forward, his eyes flashing with anger.
"No one touches her, and that is my order." Alpha Xander's voice is low but the force behind it makes me lower my head
submission.
Donavan glared at him, his fists clenched at his sides. I could see the hatred burning in his eyes, the intent to defy his alpha clear as day.
I wonder how he is able to stand straight and even face this large and scary man, just being in his presence has me shaking internally. Before things could escalate any further, Daciana stepped between them, her voice calm and measured.
"Donavan, please, just go. You're not doing anyone any good by staying here and causing trouble."
He glared at her but made no move to leave as she requested. I felt him looking at me but I refused to meet his gaze.
After a few seconds of terse silence, he stormed off, leaving us standing there in the hallway.
I let out a sigh of relief, my body trembling with fear.
"Come on, let's go." Daciana said with a soft exhale.
She stretches her hand for me to take which I gladly do and we start walking down the hallway, following where Donovan left.
I held my breath when we passed by Alpha Xander. I didn't know what exactly I was afraid he would do to me but the options were
endless and I didnt want to find out any of the possibilities.
As we walked away, she gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Don't worry, Adriana," she said softly. "We'll make sure that Donavan stays away from you. You're safe with us, I promise."
I see again just how beautiful Alpha Xander's pack is. Daciana is a good tour guide because she makes sure she tells me about anything she finds significant.
We walked through the pack lands, the warmth of the sun on my skin and the beauty of the landscape around me started to lift my
spirits. Still, it wasn't enough to make me want to stay.
The beauty of the place did not make me forget the ugliness that waited for me inside.
Daciana was doing everything to make me see them as family. I can tell from the way she spoke about the pack, she wanted me to fall in
love with it too but I can't.
I did this for my father but now I don't know what to do with myself. Don't I have a life too? Dreams?
I couldn't get any of that here, I know it, so I have to leave. I have so many reasons to leave.
Not only because of Donovan but because I simply didn't like this kind of life.
The Pack was heavily guarded and Xander must have told the guards about me because I saw them lurking.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I have been inside for too long and being outside felt so soothing.
Daclana turned to me, her expression serious all of a sudden.
"Adriana, there's something I need to talk to you about," she said, looking a bit hesitant to start the conversation.
"Okay?" I asked in a small voice, my throat bobbing as I swallowed.
She hesitated for a moment as if trying to decide how to word what she wanted to say.
"It's about Aiden," she said finally. "The other day you talked to Xander about him, and I just wanted to warn you that you need to be
careful when talking about him."
I frowned, confusion clouding my mind.
"What do you mean?" I asked, shaking my head. "Why can't I talk about Aiden? He helped me"
Daciana sighed and looked at me, her eyes filled with sadness. "Because Xander hates him, Adriana," she said softly. "Xander never
spares his enemies, and he'll do whatever it takes to get rid of him if you continue like this. If he finds out that you've been talking about him, he might try to hurt you too."
She holds both of my arms with her hands and squeezes gently. "Xander is not always patient with people and I want to look out for
you."
I felt a cold lump form in my stomach, and I knew that Daciana was right.
I couldn't risk Xander's wrath, not when Aiden's safety was at stake. "I understand," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I won't
talk about Aiden anymore."
Daciana nodded, a look of relief crossing her face. "Good," she said. "I'm just glad that you're safe. I couldn't bear it if something
happened to you."
I smiled at her, touched by her concern. "I'm safe because of you and Xander," I lied. "You two have been so good to me, and I'm grateful to have you both in my life."
Daciana smiled back, her eyes shining with emotion. "We're glad to have you too, Adriana," she said. "You're a part of our pack now,
and we'll do everything we can to protect you."
We walked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the pack lands. But as we reached the edge of the meadow, Daciana turned to me again, her expression curious.
"I have a question but you don't have to answer if it offends you." I nod for her to go on.
"This is a little weird but I've always wondered what having a wolf is like for wolves," she chuckles lightly.
It distracts me from panicking instantly and letting my secret out. Alpha Xander will probably kick me out the second he finds out I
don't have a wolf, and my father will kill me if I go back home now.
My options are not really options but still, i think here is better than there. At least I don't get beat up on a daily basis.
"You know how lycans are one with their wolfram i heard you can talk to yours and they are like a different person but still you."
"Erm," I cleared my throat awkwardly, not knowing where to start from.
I didn't want to lie to her, but I also don't have any choice but to do that.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed anything. I was wondering if you could introduce her to me, like tell me what she looks like. Or
if you've even met her yet?"
I realized she was giving me an out and I easily took it. There is a way to tell her the truth without actually telling her the truth.
"I have met her, but only once" I lied, my voice laced with sadness which was real. "I've always felt like I was missing something after
she left. She made me feel complete and then she just vanished one time." Daciana looked at me with concern, her eyes filled with compassion. "I'm sorry, Adriana," she said. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to understand more about you, and about your wolf."
I sighed and looked at her, my heart heavy with emotion. "It's okay," I said. "I'm just not sure how to explain it. It's like... I don't know,
I feel incomplete without her. But I have no idea how to see her again, or how to connect with her."
Daciana reached out and took my hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry, Adriana. You will see her soon" she said. " We'll figure it out together. You're still very young though. You're just turned eighteen right?"
I nodded. "Don't worry. You're not alone in this, and we'll do everything we can to help you find your wolf. You're a part of this pack,
and we'll support you no matter what."
Tears sprang to my eyes, I don't know for what reason.
"Thank you," I whispered. "Thank you for understanding, and for being there for me."
She hugged me back, her own eyes misting over with emotion. "You're welcome, Adriana," she said. "We're a family now, and we'll
always be here for each other."
"Can you keep this away from Xander, please? C- can you... keep it a secret, please?" I pleaded, my words ridden with stutters.
"Of course, your secret is safe with me." She joked, but I can hear the sincerity in her voice.