Chapter 65 A Breath Away
Alyssa's POV
My body felt like it was on fire, Nira was doing her best, fighting the poison that was in my body. I could hear Zayne's voice begging me to open my eyes and I wanted to…for him, but it felt like something was holding my eyelids together making it impossible.
“Nira!" I cried, “I don't want to die…please do something."
This time, I meant it. If it were before I met Zayne and I was back in my former pack where everything seemed to be working against me, death would've been an easy way out but now, I had several reasons to live. I had a life that was worth fighting for, so I did exactly that…fought like my life depended on it…it did, literally.
Just as I felt my body giving up, something touched my lips.
“Was that–”
I couldn't finish my question when Nira took over and whatever was on my lips and now in my mouth did it work and my body finally cooled down before my eyes snapped open and a loud gasp escaped my lips and the first face I saw was Zayne's tear stained own.
“Red!" He called, a sense of urgency in his voice. "Can you hear me?" I didn't answer, my eyes scanning the room.
Aileen looked like she hadn't slept in days, Aria's eyes were swollen from all the crying. The boys looked mad, but also relieved. Mel was also there but I frowned because for some reason, it felt like something was missing.
“Are you okay?" Zayne repeated and my gaze finally rested on him. My hand caressed his face gently, using my thumb to wipe the tears he was desperately trying to fight back.
“I'm okay."
Immediately the words left my lips, he threw his arms around me, my head resting on his chest. "I thought I was going to lose you…fuck Red! I was so scared."
“I'm sorry for making you worry."
He shook his head, his arms tightening around me. “I should be apologizing, you did nothing wrong…I should've been here with you.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him that him being away had nothing to do with me being poisoned but I was struggling to keep my eyes open…I felt safe in his arms and also sleepy, so I murmured something along the lines of ‘I love you, but you need to stop blaming yourself for something you have no control over’
He helped me settle back down into bed, tucking me in while keeping his eyes on me, like if he looked away for one second, I would disappear.
“I'd be right here when you wake up baby.” He told me softly, placing a kiss on my forehead.
I nodded, and it was only then I realised all the others had excused us.
By the time I opened my eyes again, it was already dark outside, which meant I was asleep for a long time but I didn't get to figure out exactly how long because Zayne, who was sitting by the bedside, my hand in his and his head resting on the bed, suddenly moved but he didn't wake up.
“He must be really tired," I thought.
Compared to when I first woke up, I was feeling much better. Pushing myself up, I sat upright, my sudden movement caused Zayne to jump up as well, his eyes scanning the room for any form of danger, before they finally settled on mine.
“You should get some rest baby." I murmured.
He shook his head, “I’m okay.” He moved closer, cupping my face. "I was scared I was going to lose you…I can't lose you, Red." He swallowed hard.
I moved closer to him, “I'm not going anywhere…I still want to make beautiful memories with you.” I told him. "Maybe our little own family.” I wanted to add, instead I hugged him.
We remained like that, no words needed, until my stomach growled. Turns out it was way past midnight and I slept for more than six hours…which justified my hunger. While Zayne fed me, it was like we were both avoiding the bone of contention. But why would anyone want to poison me? I had several questions but all of them could wait till morning and that was exactly what I did.
I made myself comfortable in Zayne's office, my head resting on his lap. The guys, who all looked less like ghosts and more human, had taken turns hugging me, telling me how glad they were that I survived.
“Where's Lori?" I finally asked., and I didn't miss how Zayne's body tensed and how everyone looked away.
I sat up, “what happened to her? Did she d…die from the poison?”
"She's in the dungeon…Ally, the cake she gave you was poisoned." Aileen replied after a few minutes. "I can't believe she'd do something like that.”
I jumped up suddenly, “What?" My voice came out louder than I intended. “She didn't poison me.”
"I know she's our friend, but it doesn't excuse what she did…you could've—” she paused, looking away.
Although I knew where she was coming from, I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling in my chest. Lori couldn't have done it. "She didn't do it.” I repeated, causing Zayne to run a hand through his hair.
"I can't explain it, but I know she didn't do it." I continued, it was more of a guy feeling, only that I knew for a fact that it wasn't her and besides, she wasn't dumb to do it in front of a crowd.
“Red," Zayne called softly, “there's nobody else that could've done it. She had a clear motive."
“She does…but you have to believe me." I told him. “I want to see her."
Zayne looked torn but still signalled to Tristan, who hesitated before leaving. “Are you sure you know what you're doing?" My mate asked through our mindlink.
I nodded, "and I think you do too.” He sighed, explaining why he had his doubts but it didn't clear her completely from any suspicions.
Tristan entered a few minutes later, with Lori, who was a shadow of the person I knew. Once she saw me, she took a deep breath. “I'm so glad you're okay, Luna." She cried, coming towards me, but was stopped by the guys.
“I didn't do it…I swear Luna.” Lori pleaded, falling on her knees, her hand visibly trembling at this point. "Please believe me.”
Standing up to meet her, "I know you didn't do it, but I need you to tell me everything that you can remember after you finished baking.
The guys eyes’ held several questions, and confusion but they didn't interrupt. By the time she was done talking, I was more confused and the only one thought ran through my mind,
“This is going to be harder than I thought."