Chapter 34 034
~DERRICK~
I followed Scott out of my office, long strides eating up the hallway as irritation simmered just beneath my skin. The air around me still felt unsettled from earlier, my wolf restless, my thoughts fractured. I expected the sharp scent of sand and sweat as we neared the arena, the familiar echo of clashes and growls....but instead, Scott slowed down.
Then turned.
Not toward the arena.
Toward her quarters.
My steps faltered before I caught myself, suspicion tightening in my chest as I took in the corridor we were now in. This was not the path that led to the training grounds. Not even close.
“This is definitely not the way to the arena,” I said coolly, stopping altogether. My voice was low, edged with warning. “What is going on, Scott? What exactly am I supposed to do here?”
Scott lifted his hand to knock, then froze mid-air at my words. He slowly turned to face me, guilt written plainly across his face. That expression alone told me everything I needed to know.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked again, sharper this time.
Scott exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. That was confirmation enough. Someone had put him up to this. And I already knew who.
They must have used the oldest trick in the book....her causing trouble....to lure me out, knowing full well I wouldn’t leave my office unless it sounded serious enough.
“I know you’re angry, Alpha,” Scott said carefully, his tone apologetic. “But… she’s sick. And she begged me to bring you here.”
I let out a short, humorless scoff. “She’s sick?” I repeated incredulously. “She told you that?”
Scott shook his head quickly. “Not exactly. Her friend came to me. She said Lyka hasn’t been well since afternoon.”
I stared at him, unimpressed.
“So you believed that?” I asked dryly. “You, of all people?”
He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, clearly realizing how ridiculous it sounded even to his own ears.
I turned my attention to the door, focusing my senses. Two heartbeats echoed from inside the room....steady, strong, unmistakably healthy.
I scoffed again.
How could someone on their deathbed have such a rhythm?
“So,” I said flatly, “what does she want from me?”
Scott hesitated. “She… she wants you to forgive her. She said she doesn’t want to die with regrets. And she wants you to promise not to maltreat her pack members.”
I blinked.
Slowly.
“What?” I muttered. “She wrote her will already?”
Unbelievable. Truly a new breed of troublemaker.
I stopped listening to Scott’s rambling after that. Without another word, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
My sudden entrance startled the woman in the room....a witch, if I remembered correctly. The same one who had disturbed me days ago.
“Alpha,” she gasped, bowing immediately. Her face was tear-streaked, eyes red and swollen like she’d been crying for hours. If this was an act, it was disturbingly convincing.
My gaze shifted to the bed.
Lyka lay there, unnaturally still. Her skin was pale....too pale. Lips faintly colorless. For a split second, even I almost fell for it.
Almost.
“How long has she been like this?” I asked coolly. “Because I’m quite certain she was agile enough this morning to spar with me.”
The witch’s hands trembled. “S-since afternoon,” she stammered. “She kept getting worse, and I.... I thought calling you was the only thing left to do.”
She broke into sobs, shoulders shaking violently.
It was almost impressive.
Almost.
I gestured to Scott. “Escort her out.”
“But Alpha!” she cried as Scott gently pulled her toward the door. “You have to forgive her! If you don’t, she won’t be able to rest in peace. Her spirit will wander....”
“That’s enough,” I snapped.
Her wails echoed down the hall as the door shut behind her.
Silence fell.
I turned back to Lyka, arms crossing over my chest. “Wow,” I muttered. “Such a performance.”
I waited.
Seconds passed.
Then a minute.
She didn’t flinch.
Interesting.
“What can I do to make you crack?” I murmured to myself.
“I never thought you’d stoop this low,” I said aloud, deliberately disappointed. “You always seemed like someone who owned up to her actions. But this?” I shook my head slowly. “Cheap.”
Still nothing.
I walked closer to the bed, my eyes tracing her face. Up close, the illusion almost worked. Her lashes rested against her cheeks, her breathing shallow but steady. Pale....but undeniably beautiful.
Too beautiful.
‘Mate is so pretty,’ Charles purred softly in my mind.
Quiet, I snapped back.
A strange pressure stirred within me then....something old, something dark....pressing against my consciousness. I clenched my jaw, forcing it down until it retreated.
What was that?
“If you keep lying there like this,” I continued calmly, “it really breaks my heart.” I leaned closer, taking her hand. It was warm. Very warm. “But maybe it’s not such a bad thing.”
Her hand didn’t pull away.
Warm hands. Sick, my foot.
“I could finally do whatever I want with you,” I said lightly, watching her face for any reaction.
Nothing.
“How crazy would it be,” I went on, “if I marked you right now? Mated you before your last breath?” I smiled faintly. “The Moon Goddess would be impressed, wouldn’t she?”
Her lashes fluttered.
Ah.
“And about haunting me?” I whispered. “I don’t care. If you become a wandering ghost and stay with me forever, I don’t mind.”
That did it.
Her eyelashes flickered again....more pronounced this time.
I straightened slightly, satisfaction curling in my chest.
“Since we’re here,” I said softly, hovering over her, “I should claim you properly. Send you off with honor.”
My breath fanned her face as I leaned closer, fingers brushing her cheek. Her body tensed beneath me.
“I’ll make your last day memorable,” I murmured. “Don’t see this as taking advantage of you. Think of it as… respect.”
Her control was slipping. I could feel it.
“How sweet would it be,” I whispered, lips inches from hers, “if I kissed you like this....”
Her eyes flew open.
“You pervert!” she screamed, shoving me with all her strength.
I lost my balance, falling forward instead.
And then....
Her lips crashed into mine.
Warm.
Soft.
Real.
For a heartbeat, the world stopped.
Then I smirked against her mouth.
How sweet.