Chapter 2 - Name

The tree was withered and dead until an unknown soul came in and gave it a warm embrace... it blossomed. The wind blew my hopes away, and I was almost ready to welcome my death until he came and took control of the scene. It was odd initially, but thoughts about trouble came to mind when I realized who he was.

As far as I could recall, he wore a uniform that only beta wolves from a pack could wear. He held a strong position in the pack, and I was sure he was putting himself at risk because of his help to me. Even now, after minutes had passed since I woke up, I still couldn't stop thinking about the possible things that might happen if we both didn't turn out to be mates. My head still aches while thinking about it. Stuff will probably go my way, and surely, it'd be my loss. Minutes had passed since I discovered myself waking up in someone's room. The window on the right corner of the room was slightly opened, which made the cold breeze of the wind enter and make the curtains dance with the rhythm of the night.

The whole place was quiet, and the slight noise coming from the window was what could only be heard aside from my currently heavy breathing. The walls were painted with a vivid color of grey. There was also a carpet and a small chandelier hanging on the ceiling. I could also see a giant walk-in closet and different types of Beta uniforms hanging outside. Way back, I could only remember passing out while being in his arms.

When I woke up, I noticed that my leg was wrapped with a bandage and was already cleaned, I was already wearing a set of clean clothes. I immediately looked for him when my eyes opened, but I couldn't find him anywhere in the room. My vision then went to my pale and numb hands and stayed on them. I felt stiff sitting on the bed because even if I wanted to move, I didn't manage to do so.

Silence managed to conquer the whole room as seconds continued to pass by not till a sudden clicking of the doorknob took over and broke the silence. It immediately caught my attention and made me look at the door. The door opened, and I saw him enter. My forehead creased. His vision immediately darted toward the bed, and when he saw that I was awake, his eyes lit up with interest.

"You're awake," he uttered slowly as he closed the door behind him.

I didn't even try to avoid his gaze and watched him sit near the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked. “Sorry for the inconvenience earlier, I apologize for not getting your permission. Since you had fainted, I brought you here, made some of our maids clean, and replaced your dirty and wet clothes," he added. It was a breath of relief when he uttered those words.

"I'm thankful for the help you have given me," I started.

He stopped as he looked at me.

"Though it's unnecessary since I'm going to die anyway," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. He looked so serious and intimidating, which gave me a hard time to talk. I could see how his lips went from a small smile to being in a thin, grim line. For some reason, it made me nervous.

"Don't worry; I won't try to pull you under my situation. Just reject me; I can take it," I finally finished what i wanted to say which caused his forehead to crease. "Why are you thinking like that?" he asked, which caused my mouth to drop wide open in shock. It's common sense, but his sudden intriguing question made me think about my words. Wasn't this how I was supposed to think? "Because it is my fate to die after being a scapegoat?" I asked curiously and he puffed air before saying, "Well... that'll be changed now."

What did that even mean? "You are only saying that because of that mate bond," I said trying to convince myself while my heartbeat was at a normal rate, but when he went to move closer, it was almost like a dream and it started beating faster. He held my hand and said, "Raya."

My eyes widened.

I was having a hard time processing what just happened, and now that he managed to say my name. How in the world did he even my name? "No one's going to die. You weren't going to die, and that's for sure," he stated. "Did you think that I could just let them kill you? No. I want you to live your life longer with me,"

That... That was too— "I talked to the Alpha and asked if it was possible to spare you from being a scapegoat. But I haven't told him yet that we're mates, “he finishes.”And?" I asked not wanting to get my hopes up. He took a deep breath before he replied. "He said that he wants to talk with you," The night wasn't that long.

What he said lingered in my mind the whole night. Some maid brought me dinner in the room, and I ate alone. I didn't even think I could sleep because I was busy thinking about what would happen once I met the Alpha. When he left the room, I sat still on the bed, thinking about our conversation. Going back, I don't feel that sleepy because I just woke up. The chances of me falling asleep again is low but never zero. It was then that I found myself sleeping soundly in his comfortable bed.

The next morning, I woke up with the warm sun rays hitting my face. I stretched my arms before proceeding to rub my still, sleepy eyes. When I stopped and opened them, my soul almost left my body. "Good morning," he greeted. I shrieked. He was sitting in front of me, wearing casual clothing. My face heated up. That wasn't very comfortable.

"Sorry, I seemed to have caused you a fright,” he said which caused me to look away.

"W-What time is it?" I asked, trying to divert the topic.

"About nine-thirty, It’s still early if you would ask me," he answered.

My lips pressed to each other before I moved and tried standing alone. I was just doing fine, but when the wound on my thigh suddenly ached, I lost balance, and he immediately caught me by my waist. His touch immediately sent electric shocks to my core.

After some minutes, I moved inches away from him after standing tall on my own. I swallowed hard, still avoiding his gaze. "What time will I meet the Alpha?" I asked with a shaking voice.

"He didn't set any specific time, but he said you should be by his office after lunch. I will guide you,” he said formally and with a serious tone. Hmmm... I licked my lips before I decided to face him finally. "Could I ask you something?" I said. I caught him looking silently at my half-opened lips before he finally replied.

"Yes?" he answered sounding unsure, but I ignored it because my question was awkward. Really... awkward.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you know my name?" There, I said it. It would surely still be much better to hear it exactly from him. I still want to know his answer even though I already have my conclusions.

"Oh, right! About that..." he started. "We sought information about you from the pack you came from," he was saying more, but after the first sentences, I became bothered.

A memory of Gael entered my mind. When his guy friends forcefully took him, and I was left alone in the woods, wounded and weak, I could only recall him screaming while calling my name that night. Wonders about what he's probably doing right now came flooding my mind. I just hope that he's doing fine. "So... are you fine with it?"

My vision went back to him as confusion arose deep within me. "Huh? Fine with what?" I asked back, not having any clue about whatever he was saying.

"About meeting the Alpha," he answered.

"Ah yes, yes. I’m fine with it,” I said in a heartbeat.

A moment of silence passed between us after that. We just stood right in front of each other while trying to avoid each other's gazes. But I got sick just after a minute and decided to break the growing silence and let my curiosity get the better of me. "I still have one more question."

His eyebrows rose as he looked at me.

"Hmm?" I let out a short breath before finally saying it. "What's your name?"

He looked away. Seconds passed, and when he looked like he didn't even have plans upon giving me any answer, I became ready to tell him that it was fine if he didn't want to. But it was enough to carve a smile on my lips when he did. "Cassius," he finally said.

Some type of euphoria hit me after hearing his answer. Cassius. His name would surely be engraved on me for a lifetime.