Chapter 37 Chapter 37
ADRIANA'S POV7
Daciana pushed me through the short length of the paved pathway to the front door of the Packhouse. There were only about three people hanging outside the place. Two teenagers chattering animatedly and a gardener trimming the bushes. He was the first to notice us, he bowed in respect before going back to her work. When we got close enough to the teenagers, they also did the same. I just sat stiff in the wheelchair not knowing what to do, I mostly got scornful looks from people back in my back. It was kind of weird seeing their submission, though it was mostly directed at Daciana and not me.
When we got closer to the front door, I noticed a tall figure standing on the upper part of the building. From the way my heart thudded in my chest, I knew it was Xander. I commanded my stupid heart to stay still, not even knowing if it was reacting that way due to fear or anger, or something else entirely.
He was standing on the balcony on the first floor, his back turned to us. I feel my anger rising but I shoot down the primal feeling. At least I knew my reaction was out of anger and nothing else. That was good. Daciana must have looked up and saw him too because she let out a small sigh of relief, and another confused sound. She must have noted the number of men he was talking to up there. There were at least twenty men up there with him. He'd moved a little, giving us more room to see. The men were all in lines, almost military style, taking orders or listening to whatever he was saying.
"What meeting is he having?" Daciana muttered the question, more to herself than me. I lifted my shoulders in a shrug, not wanting to not give her any response because I had nothing better to say. She knew well enough I knew no better than she did. She was probably hearing bits of what they were saying because of her sharper hearing. Even though I was hearing a little better than usual, it still wouldn't be half as good as hers.
The doors were pushed open and the warm scent of the interior greeted us, Daciana didn't stop to acknowledge anyone as she started pushing me towards the stairs. I wanted to ask how that was going to work out, the wheelchair couldn't go up the stairs. Though she didn't seem to mind, so I let it go assuming she had a plan.
I heard her scoff, which made me turn back. She looked like she was receiving a mindlink. She growled, her annoyance clear. Whatever the person must have told her didn't make her happy.
"Fucking asshole." She cursed. Seeing my confused look, she sighed and ran a hand through her hair. We were now by the landing of the staircase. "Xander has started with his damned orders." She gritted out. I didn't know if she meant for me to hear it but I did and it made my anger flame anew. How dare he? After all that he has done, he still lacked no shame and he was going back to doing whatever he wanted.
"What does he want? For me to be locked back in the room?" I asked, glaring at the top of the stairs. "You know sometimes, I can't believe he had the audacity to show his face at the hospital. When he is the reason I was there in the first place." I grumbled.
"No, he..uh..."she gave up, not knowing how to defend him. She sighed almost tiredly and placed her hand on my shoulder. "I know I can't really understand how you feel and you're right it is his fault, but he felt bad for it. I don't want you getting angry over this, I'll make sure you don't see him until you're ready to." I immediately felt bad for blowing up. I needed to understand it wasn't her fault, but sometimes it was just so hard to keep it in.
"I...thank you." I muttered in a small voice. Still feeling a little embarrassed for going off.
"It's nothing. And I'm sorry you have to go through this, that you're going through this because of my brother. You really don't deserve it." She shook the forlorn look off her face and smiled this time, a sudden bright gleam in her eyes. "But you're going to be okay, and you'll recover. Let's not waste energy on anger. Channel that anger and focus on getting better. That'll be the best, don't you think?" she finished with a teasing note. I smiled, for real. Not even trying to stop myself from doing it. The act came easy to me when she was concerned.
I've come to realize that no matter how pissed I was, Daciana's positivity always managed to calm me down and make me see things from a different perspective. She always sought to see the best in situations and didn't let other people's negativity affect her. It was one of the characters that had attracted me to her so much. That and her humility too.
I looked up at the stairs, eager for us to get up there. I was getting of just sitting there and doing nothing, that was when I saw him. Since I didn't expect him, knowing he was busy, the sight of him almost knocked the wind out of my lungs. Daciana gave me another reassuring squeeze, I needed the support if I was going to face Xander. I sure as hell wasn't prepared for an altercation. I still haven't mentally prepared myself for how to act around him, how to feel and the others. Wait, I knew how to feel, I was fucking angry, livid even. But almost like I always felt when he was close by, he made me feel little. I didn't have the courage to show that anger.
I forced my eyes away from his face, his expression was blank so I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Probably wondering the best way to lock me up this time. I thought bitterly. My eyes roved lower to his outfit, I was a bit surprised when I saw what he was wearing. Somehow Xander wearing a casual outfit was more shocking to me than anything else. He was mostly wearing a suit, so it was... weird to say the least, seeing him like this. He has on a pair of faded blue jeans that are slightly worn at the knees, paired with a light blue t- shirt that has a small graphic on the front, a navy blue hoodie zipped up halfway over the t-shirt. On his feet were a pair of white sneakers. One of those brands I knew my brother's usually acted like they would kill me over if I messed it up when I was cleaning. I knew they were expensive as hell. They made sure to tell me how they were worth more than me.
His hands are in the pocket of his hoodie. His hair is styled in a messy way and he has a day-old stubble on his face. He looked the same but different all at once, I couldn't say what changed about him but something was definitely not his usual, him. Maybe it was the outfit I tried to disregard.
"You okay?" the question made me look away from Xander and then back toward Daciana. I nodded, though I wasn't really sure I was fine. I didn't even know what to feel except anger and how unfair it all seemed.
"Yeah, sure." I rushed out in a whisper.
"You know, if you don't want to go up there right now. We can make a run for it." Though her voice was teasing, I knew she meant it. Xander though didn't find it funny because he growled in warning. "It's your choice." She ignored his warning and said to me, her eyes glinted with mischief, a
I looked back up at the stairs, then I turned back towards her, trying to make a decision in a split second. I knew Xander would catch up with us, she may be a lycan and have their royal blood, but he was the lycan king and definitely faster than her. And, wolves or lycans liked their chase all the same. Challenging him into a run would be child's play to him and it would be a stupid move on our part. Who knew what he would do to me when he caught up with us? I doubted he would do anything to his sister. But what have I really gained from not being stupid? Nothing, just pain and nothing more.
I turned back to Daciana and told her my decision.