Chapter 62 Sweet Enough To Kill
Alyssa's POV
Jace was way better now and so was Elara but they were still confined to the room and according to them, it was way better than being in the dungeon…especially Elara who had spent months in one because Ryder was insecure about something.
“Have you figured out what's going on with Tristan?" I asked Aileen. I haven't been able to talk to him since just like Zayne, he was busy trying to figure out who the actual culprits behind the shooting was. Besides, they were at shadowmoon Pack to help them sort some problems.
She shook her head, “he's just overwhelmed with the entire thing," she said, “and they're training more. But I'll see him when he returns from shadowmoon."
I nodded, looking over to where Aria was playing with some kids, oblivious to what was going on. “I'm going to see my brother." I announced and a frown appeared on her face.
“I'm not sure I like this new found relationship with your brother," she complained, “and you better introduce us…he should know I'm your best friend.”
I chuckled, but nonetheless promised to introduce her to him once Zayne says it's okay for them to leave the room…it doesn't look like it would be anytime soon though. Mel followed me without a word, opening the door for me, despite how many times I told her I could do it myself.
Jace was standing by the window when I entered and he sighed deeply. “I can't believe I'm so relieved to see you." He said, turning to face me.
I rolled my eyes, “Just so you know, I'm good company.”
He raised his hand in mock surrender, "I didn't say you weren't,” he said, moving towards the bed and sitting. "But after spending most of my day with this two, a different face is very welcome.” He whispered, and the two warriors turned to look at him but didn't say anything.
This brought a smile to my face as I made myself comfortable on the couch that had become my normal space whenever I came to talk to him. “Won't Ryder look for you?" I asked after a while. “You've been here for a few days."
“I was supposed to be back yesterday…I doubt he's going to notice I'm gone.”
I frowned, "I'm sure he's going to notice if his Beta isn't around.” I told him, "you take care of everything in the Pack.”
That came as a surprise to him, as if he hadn't expected me to notice it. But I wasn't blind…mad? Definitely, but anyone could see that Jace was in charge of everything and the only thing Ryder had to do was show up. I used to believe that it was normal, until I met Zayne.
“I-I don't do everything.” Jace started, and I raised my brows slightly.
"Don't try to convince me, he's your Alpha now, not mine.”
He paused, “I can't place what it is, but you look happier and it looks good on you.”
"I'm happier…I'm right where I'm meant to be.” I told him truthfully. Even Nira nodded, definitely proud of my answer but I didn't expect anything else. "I've been meaning to ask, why did you help me?” I continued.
The question took him by surprise but he quickly covered it with a small cough. "What do you mean? You're my sister, it's what I should do."
I arched my brows slightly, “do you want to try that again?" I asked. “I can count the number of times you spoke to me after my mom married your dad and we moved into the Pack house…until you decided to go against your Alpha.”
"Simply put, you and your sister literally hated me.” I added, and watched as his eyes widened.
"Hate you? Why would I hate you?”
I paused, waiting for him to realise what he was talking about. While he never made it physical like hitting me or anything…that was all Iris, he never made any attempt to talk to me and when I tried, he just looked at me like I was crazy.
“I never hated you…your mom, maybe but not you.”
"Then how come you never spoke to me? You always looked like you were annoyed at me, what did you want me to think?”
"That I was…fuck!" He cursed softly, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry,” he said instead and it was my turn to be surprised. I never in a million years imagined that Jace would be apologizing to me but I guess anything was possible…especially after everything that was going on in my life.
“I thought it was the best thing to do at that time…apparently I was wrong.” He finished.
His confession lifted a burden, one that I've kept tucked away. "I wanted you to talk to me,” I heard myself admit. "I just lost my dad, my mom was getting married to someone she was seeing while my dad was alive. I thought having a sibling would make me feel better.”
"And then you met me.” There was a sad smile on his face. "I'm really sorry, Red.” He apologized.
I was taken aback by the nickname and I wanted to warn him about it but the part of me that wanted to watch what would happen if he called me that in front of Zayne didn't say anything.
"It's okay, I'm still grateful for you." I told him truthfully. “You're the reason I'm here…that I met Zayne.”
"He's a lucky guy.” He said, "I should probably give him the whole warning thing about not hurting my sister.”
I cracked a small smile, "I’d love to know how that will end.”
Standing up, I decided to go back to the girls before they found their way here. I didn't trust Aileen to not come looking for me.
"Ally,” Jace called, and I turned to leave. "I'm going to be the best brother you deserve.”
"I'd like that.”
Before I could change my mind, I moved towards him, throwing my arms around him. The warriors quickly looked away while Mel, who'd been quiet, stepped even closer.
“Alpha Zayne would probably have my head for this.” He murmured, as he held me.
We said goodbye and I promised to talk to Zayne about easing things with the warriors, and also allow them to walk around the Pack house.
"Is your brother good looking?" Lori asked even before I sat down. “I'm getting bored of the guys in this Pack."
“Have you seen me?" I asked, my voice light.
“I love you Luna, but do I have to remind you how relationships and family work? While you're beautiful, he's your stepbrother and might look like a horse.” Aria said, coming to sit beside me.
"One thing I can tell you, is that he definitely doesn't look like a horse.”
"If he's hot, I call dips on him.” Lori said.
Aileen rolled her, "need I remind you that you're the only person that's single here?”
Lori murmured something underneath her breath about how we were single shaming her before bringing cutting a slice of the cake that was on the table for me.
"The rest of you can help yourself if you want.”
I collected the cake from her, taking a bite. She was getting better at baking and I was actually proud of her. “This is really good," I told her, taking several more bites.
The fork slipped from my fingers before I even realized something was wrong.
A strange warmth crawled up my throat, followed by a heavy, liquid dizziness that made the room feel like it was moving. I blinked hard, trying to force my vision to focus but nothing worked.
“W-what's going on?" The words slurred out of my mouth.
“Ally, are you okay?” Aileen asked, her voice sounded far away, like she was standing at a distance instead of beside me.
I opened my mouth to answer, but only a thin breath escaped.
The last thing I saw before the darkness swallowed everything was Lori’s face, pale, frozen in a horror so real it cut through the haze for a fraction of a second.
Someone shouted my name…Aria? Mel?
A chair scraped.
Hands grabbed my shoulders.
Then nothing.