Chapter Sixteen - Woman in the Mirror

Aria’s POV.

Her lustrous wavy copper red hair spilled out of the hood of her cloak, and flowed down to her shoulders, contrasting the dark heavy cloak she had on. Her bright emerald green eyes gleamed with an unreadable expression as they stared into mine, with the hint of a smile tilting her blood-red lips.

I stared at the reflection in shock, baffled by her sudden appearance. The urge to glance behind me just to be sure she wasn’t at my back was strong but I couldn’t feel her presence and I was very sure that I was all alone in the room. I blinked my eyes to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating but she was still there.

A gulp worked its way down my throat as my curiosity peaked, with my heart slamming hard against my chest as a cold dreadful shiver traveled down my spine.

“Who are you?” I asked in a mere whisper, unsure of my words and my sanity but in response, her smirk widened into a bright smile, mirroring the expression on her eyes.

I half expected her to not respond, but she did and it only fueled my confusion and curiosity, making me jump back.

“Soon, my love. Soon, you’ll find out,”

Her voice was the loveliest sound I’d even heard. It sounded like soothing music to my ears and somehow, it calmed my racing heart and rapidly growing nerves.

“W-what?” I breathed out, taking a step towards the mirror again.

She placed a palm on the mirror as though she meant to reach for me but even with the distance separating us, I felt a warmth in my chest. The more I watched her, the more I saw her smile fading away, giving way to a gloomy expression, making her once bright emerald green eyes to become a dull green that I was all too acquainted with. I was about to ask why she was sad but then a knock sounded on the door and my heart skipped, panic setting in. Hurriedly, I glanced at the door and moved away from the mirror.

“W-who’s there?”

I’d completely forgotten that Alpha Shane had been with me moments ago.

“Come on, Angel. Let me in, please?”

His calm voice only increased my panic and racing heart as I glanced back at the mirror but she was gone. All that was left was my reflection. A wave of disappointment washed over me but then the alpha’s voice came again.

“I guess you’re not ready to see me?”

“N-no…” I blurted out, ignoring the raging emotions and questions assailing my thoughts as I quickly ran to the door and pulled it open to see a surprised Shane standing there with a tray holding a cake in his hold.

His eyes roamed my entire being with a bewildered expression etched on his face. I was lost to his expression until he spoke.

“You’ve healed better and faster than I expected.”

Shit! I mentally cussed, realizing my mistake while Hailey on the other hand kept purring and radiating a comforting energy.

“Ye-yeah…” I smiled weakly. “The doctor’s medicine is working really well and I’m glad to be feeling better,” I lied through my teeth, still reeling from all that had happened in such a short while. “Come in,” I pushed the door open, allowing him to step in before I closed it.

He placed the cake on the nightstand before turning around to face me.

“It’s good to see you looking so well. Dr. Mark deserves a tip for a job well done,”

I faked a smile, with nothing to say. Deep down, something told me my sudden healing had nothing to do with the doctor’s medication but then, I wasn’t sure I wanted to dig deeper into the truth. I was already too perplexed from all that had happened that entire day and my mom always told me that ignorance was bliss and most of the time, I kept to that saying.

“All of your bruises are gone?” His brows were knitted together as he stepped closer. He took hold of my arm, examining it as though it was a strange object and his reaction had my heart racing, a cold sweat breaking out of my skin.

“I… I’m surprised,” I blurted out. Meanwhile, Hailey was practically in cloud nine at the reality that the alpha seemed to be all over me. He kept examining me while I glanced around, looking for a means of distraction to change the topic and my eyes suddenly landed on the cake. “Umm… who’s birthday is it? Yours?”

And just like that, he dropped my arm and his gaze darted to the cake, with a dazzling smile stretching his lips.

“It’s yours, beautiful,”

“W-what?” His words were enough to make me forget my current situation.

“It’s your birthday.” His smile widened but my brows knitted together in confusion.

“What’s today’s date?”

“November 30th,”

“Oh God,” I slapped a palm over my mouth, tears brimming in my eyes. It was truly my birthday. I couldn’t recall the last time someone remembered my birthday. It was always my mom and after she died, there was no one to celebrate with me.

I dedicated my entire time to ensuring I was in my dad’s good graces that I even began to forget and forgo my birthday.

“Please, don’t cry,” he pleaded in a soft voice, dripping with concern as he pulled me into his arms for a warm embrace. The heat of his hard body seeped into mine, spreading warmth through me. I felt Hailey approving the closure but I was too dumbfounded to speak or even object. Just like I’d been too heartbroken to keep my distance when I found out about my dad’s lies.

“I could take the cake away if…”

“No, please don’t,” I murmured through the lump in my throat, pulling out of his hold. “I’m just… It’s overwhelming, how much you care about me and how well you know me for a stranger,”

He cupped my cheek, his thumb slightly caressing the skin there and I swallowed. I felt the hair at the back of my neck raise as my lower stomach curled with a sensation I couldn’t understand.

“I’ll do anything to make you happy, Angel. And I want to take care of you. Will you let me?”

I bit my lower lip, unsure of what to say but deep down, I could feel Hailey yearning to connect with him. I knew I shouldn’t but the sincerity in his eyes got the best of me and I found myself nodding in response.

“Come on, birthday girl,” he winked at me and led me to the bed to take my seat after wiping the tears from my cheeks.

“How did you find out about my birthday?”

A lopsided grin stretched his lips as he scratched the back of his neck, his gleaming eyes staring into my curious ones.

“I may have asked Principal Barnette for your information,”

I faked a gasp.

“That’s illegal.”

“No it’s not, baby.” He winked at me. “Not when I have the power and resources.” He flashed his brows and I rolled my eyes.

We settled into the bed comfortably and began feasting on the cake as I got comfortable in his presence. I also asked him about his day and he told me of the recent recurring disappearance of the pack members and how a stranger was caught in the act and had been kept in the dungeons where he was being questioned for answers.

I could see the strain and stress etched on his face as he spoke. He looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and he’d also mentioned his worries of failing the people.

“I fear they’ll one day face the reality that I’m not good enough to be their alpha,” he breathed out, gently sliding down from the headrest to lie beside me, with his head resting on my shoulder.

“Don’t think so,” I reached for his shoulder and patted it gently, subconsciously leaving my hand there as I began slowly caressing his neck and gently threading my fingers through his thick mass of soft dark hair.

All I wanted was to make him feel relaxed. He seemed so tense.

“You’re doing a good job and I know all of the people see it. They trust you to keep them safe,”

“Mmmhmmm…” he murmured in a non-committal tone and I glanced down to see his eyes were closed and his breath was even.

He was fast asleep and he looked so peaceful that I couldn’t bring myself to wake him up. A small smile stretched my lips as I shifted to accommodate him in the large bed, before pulling the covers over us.

“Perfect,” Hailey sighed deeply but I rolled my eyes.

My eyes mistakenly darted to the mirror again and I recalled all that had happened that day. I stared hard at the mirror, wishing to see the strange woman again but all that stared back at me was my reflection.

Maybe I had been hallucinating? It didn’t feel right to think this way but it was the only plausible answer to her appearance. But what about my health, how did it happen?

The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed, surrounded by Shane’s scent that had me greedily inhaling more with a bright smile on my face when I remembered the previous night.

I was feeling better than the previous day and all traces of pain were gone. Excitement bubbled within me as I got out of bed to prepare for the day. It was the first time in three days that I was going to see the outside world, except the four walls of my room.

Hurriedly, I took my bath and got dressed in the clothes I found in the closet. They were my size and they were also new. I did not doubt that it was Shane’s doing and I made a mental note to thank him later. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and exited the room to see a flight of stairs that led to the bottom floor.

Gradually, I climbed down the stairs and my eyes immediately landed on Shane and his Beta, Chase having a serious discussion in hushed tones. Chase was the first to see me and he stopped talking as his eyes trailed me from head to toe, in surprise. Shane turned in time to see me walking towards them and he smiled warmly.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he stretched out his palm to me and I took it as soon as I was within his reach. “You look amazing,”

Heat crept into my cheeks, a small smile stretching my lips as I glanced away from him to stare at the hardwood floor.

“Thank you,”

“You’ve healed,” Chase's stunned voice had me snapping my head up and my smile widened.

“Dr. Mark’s medications worked wonders,”

“Wow,” Chase murmured, still surprised by my appearance and quick healing.

The way he was staring at me was beginning to make me uncomfortable. Hence, I quickly changed the topic to avoid delving deeper into my healing story that I knew nothing about.

“Ummm… It seems you’re a bit busy. I can return later. I’ll just take a tour of the property or keep myself busy,”

“Not at all, Angel. I’ll never be too busy for you,” Shane responded, pulling me close and draping an arm around my shoulder.

“I guess this is my cue to leave?” Chase asked, playfully rolling his eyes.

“You don’t…”

“Yes,” Shane snapped before I could finish my words.

“Asshole,”

Chase turned on his heels, after casually hugging me.

“You should be glad you’re my best friend, else…”

“Threats, threats, threats. All empty threats,” Chase said in a sing-song manner, blowing a kiss towards us before he disappeared around the corner.

Laughter bubbled out of me, seeing the annoyed expression on Shane’s face but it transformed into a smile when his eyes met mine.

“So shall we take our tour?”

“Sure.”

With his fingers linked to mine, he led me out of the living room and out the door into the massive compound that seemed like an estate, not just a pack house. As we walked, we talked and he inquired if I was ready to return to school. He also informed me that he’d spoken to the principal and I could re-sit for my test whenever I resumed.

I was grateful for his help and intervention and I thanked him profusely, hoping my words were enough to convey my appreciation. And just like he always did, he waved it off.

“It's nothing, Anna. I told you I'd take care of you and I meant it,”

His words made me emotional and tears filled my eyes. For the first time in a long while, someone was caring for me unconditionally. Seeing my teary eyes, he stopped and turned to face me, placing his arms on my shoulders.

“Please, don’t cry, angel.” He wiped my tears off.

“I’m sorry, it's just that it's been a while anyone ever cared for me and you’re doing so much for me.”

“And I’m glad to be doing it. I want you to be happy.”

I smiled through my tears.

“I am.”

“Good.”

Taking my hand in his, we continued our walk until thoughts of my dad slipped into my head when we passed the dungeons.

“Can I see him?” I asked in a small shaky voice, with my heart suddenly slamming hard against my chest. But I instantly felt Shane become tense beside me, his hold on my hand tightening.

“No,”

“But…”

“I don’t want to hear it, Anna. He’s history and I forbid you…”

“Alpha Shane,” a manly voice called from behind us and we turned around to see one of the sentinel guards there.

A strange expression was on his face but it seemed Shane understood because when their eyes met, he nodded curtly before turning to me.

“Please, return to your room now, Anna. I have some important business to attend to.”

For a moment, I stared at him, unwilling to yield to his words but his intense gaze bored into mine.

“Now,” He snapped at me, startling me. I saw the regret on his face as soon as he noticed my reaction but before he had a chance to speak, I was running towards the packhouse with a plan formulating in my head.