Chapter 10: Chapter Nine - New Home

Aria’s POV.

The bright morning light streamed into my eyes the moment I opened them, causing a moment of temporary color blindness and I shut them back, squinting them tight. A while later, I slowly opened my eyes to be met with the white pristine walls of my environment. A frown slipped into my face as I glanced around to see I was in a strange room. Even the bed I was laying on was far bigger than my small bed, and unlike the nightstand in my room with books sitting on it, the nightstand in this room was empty, holding just a lamp and a bottle of water. I turned a bit to glance out of one of the two windows in the room and instead of the usual familiar bush path that was behind my home, I was met with a clear view of the street below and more buildings.

A wave of confusion and fear hit me as I began to wonder what had happened. I closed my eyes and tried to recall how I’d gotten to this strange place but all I could remember was how I’d jumped through the window of my class in an attempt to escape from the Alpha. I could also remember heading towards the lake but thereafter, I couldn’t tell what had happened or how I’d gotten to this place.

Or did the Alpha capture me? These thoughts hit me and my heart slammed hard against my chest, causing a sharp pain there, just as my stomach began to tie in knots from fear of my secret being discovered.

Hailey…

I was greeted with silence and it only heightened my fear because Hailey was never quiet in such situations. She could have been rambling already if it was anything to do with the alpha.

Or maybe I got home and the alpha came snooping around and dad took us away?

I was still lost in these thoughts when I felt the sudden need to use the toilet. I tried climbing out of bed but the moment I moved to sit up, a sharp pain, worse than the one I’d felt in my chest tore through my body, making my limbs weak. I winced in agony as I tried to lift my arms and I realized I couldn’t. They felt so heavy and the pain that I was feeling wouldn’t even let me raise them. I tried moving my legs and I felt more pain in my core and suddenly, the memories of all that had transpired the last time I was awake assailed my thoughts.

I vividly recalled seeing Alpha Shane in my class and meeting his intense green eyes before jumping out the window and almost breaking my legs. I recalled how I’d escaped from him to the lake but he followed me and I decided to return home, where I’d fallen into my father’s arms. I’d been in so much pain from all he did that morning that I didn’t have the strength to ward him off but then at the last minute, the alpha and his beta came in to rescue me.

A lone tear slid down my cheek as a wave of shame washed over me and I shut my eyes tightly, allowing the tears I’d been holding when he’d carried me to his car to flow freely. I didn’t want to break down in his presence because he’d already seen me in a terrible state and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to look at him again. He must already know what I am.

Hailey? I called again but silence greeted me and my heart shattered.

Maybe she was gone. She couldn’t deal with the shame anymore.

Just then, the door swung open and my eyes immediately darted to it, to meet the familiar green eyes of the alpha. As soon as I saw him, I averted my gaze to the window. It was a better sight than to stare into his eyes and see the judgment and menace they’d be holding.

Although I was looking away from him, I heard him walk closer after closing the door and suddenly, the entire room was filled with his woodsy scent. I found myself greedily inhaling it and then like a miracle, a warm fuzzy feeling began to spread through me and I heard Hailey’s purr.

The urge to roll my eyes was so strong but I struggled to keep my expressionless facade until I saw him blocking my view of the window and my eyes instantly darted to him.

The most beautiful smile I’d ever seen was etched on his handsome face and I saw him placing a tray of food I hadn’t initially noticed on the nightstand before he walked over and tried leaning over me but I froze, a gasp of shock and fear escaping from my lips as I ignored the pain coursing through me and I gathered the energy to move to the far end of the bed where he couldn’t reach me unless he got on the bed. His warm smile was quickly replaced by a deep frown and my heart pricked me as I suddenly felt the need to explain my actions.

“Don’t… don’t come close to me. I don’t want you to be affected by the dirty energy I give off,”

“What?” his frown deepened.

I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, with my heart palpitating fast. When I opened them, I saw him still watching me with those intense forest green eyes and they made me gulp. His expression gave off the notion that he wasn’t just going to let me be without a proper explanation.

“I’m cursed, okay. I’m not supposed to mingle with the other gender. So please, keep your distance,”

I saw the moment he tried to make sense of my words but after a while, he simply ignored them.

“How are you feeling now, Anna?”

For a moment, I forgot I was known as Anna at school, hence it took me a while to speak but when I eventually tried to, he beat me to it.

“Look, Anna, I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to take care of you until you’re fine. Is that okay?”

My eyes locked with his to see the softened expression in his pleading eyes and the look tugged at my heart strings. I felt a nudge from Hailey, who appeared to already be in a puddle just from his presence.

"Our Prince Charming," she murmured.

"Shut the fuck up, Hailey."

When I remained quiet, he released a sigh of distress and took a step back.

“Is this fine? I promise, I won’t hurt you and if it’ll make you more comfortable, I could get a maid to be with you,”

A part of me felt terrible for treating him this way but truly, it’d make me more comfortable to have a female attend to me. I couldn’t trust any males after my dad and I wasn’t ready to take any chances or be a victim anymore. I opened my mouth to tell him to leave but I found myself saying something else.

“You can stay.”

A dazzling smile stretched his lips and somehow, it warmed my heart and I heard Hailey coo.

“How are you feeling?”

I didn’t want to appear weak so I lied.

“I’m fine.”

“I brought your food and medications.” He stepped towards the nightstand to carry the tray before approaching me again. He was careful not to get any closer as he dropped the tray on the bed but when I tried to reach for it, pain shot through me and I winced loudly. In a second, he was by my side while making sure he wasn’t close enough to offend me as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“It’s okay, Anna. You don’t have to lie about your health. I’m sure in a few days you’ll be fine.” He offered me a warm smile and I simply nodded, averting my gaze from him. “Come on, let me help you.”

My eyes snapped to him and I saw the food was open and he was holding a spoonful of food midway, waiting for my approval. I could tell him to send in a maid just like he’d offered but then the pleading look in his eyes and the aura of comfort he was radiating calmed my nerves. I gave him a curt nod and opened my mouth as he leaned closer to feed me the food.

I ate in silence and a short while later, I couldn’t take in anymore. He handed me the pills and after I took them, he got up from the bed. I expected him to leave but he dropped the tray on the nightstand and turned to me.

“Would you like me to run you a warm bath?”

“No.” I spat out, shaking my head vigorously, as my heart began slamming hard against my chest.

Understanding sank into him, and a look of remorse slipped into his face. I hated it but I remained quiet.

“I’m sorry, Anna. I didn’t…” he paused and I saw his jaw clenched tightly, his eyes growing darker, hinting at his fury and it only increased my heart rate as I saw him ball his fists. As if he’d just realized that I was still watching him, his gaze landed on me and a soft expression replaced the hard one. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I’ll get the maid to take care of you and I’ll check on you later.”

I nodded in agreement and I watched him leave the room with the tray. A sense of loss filled me at his absence but I didn’t even have the time to question it before the said maid came in, ready to begin her new duties.