Chapter 12 12
Odette's Pov
I reached out, still half-asleep, my hand searching the side next to me but all I felt was emptiness. The sheet was cold and there was no heavy arm wrapped around my waist.
My eyes snapped open.
“Aaron?” My voice cracked.
I looked around the room and realized it was too quiet.
I called out to him again but there was no response.
Panic crawled to my throat as I pushed back the covers and got out of bed. He said he would be here. He told me he'll be here when I wake up but he's not.
“Aaron!”
“Odette?”
I heard a voice call my name and whipped around. It wasn't Aaron. It was Clarisse.
She was holding a fresh set of clothes with a smile on her face. “Good morning, dear. I hope you slept …”
I didn't give her a chance to finish her sentence. I walked to where she stood and asked. “Where is Aaron?”
It might've sounded disrespectful but I didn't care. I was desperate.
Something suspicious crossed her face but she quickly tucked it away. “The king is busy. He'll see you later.”
Then she moved towards me with the dress draped over her left arm. “Come on. Let's get you ready for breakfast.”
I watched her walk to the bathroom and couldn't help but think about Aaron. He said he'd be here, now he was busy? Busy with what? Why didn't he wake me? Why would he break his promise?
“Odette?” Clarrise called for me.
“Coming.” I exhaled softly and joined her.
While she dressed me and styled my hair, my mind was elsewhere.
Was Aaron angry at me? Was that why he didn't come here? If I had known, I wouldn't have joined the Moon Hunt but…
“You're good to go.” Clarisse announced, gently keeping the hairbrush on the dressing table. “Breakfast is ready. You can go downstairs now.”
“Do you think he'll be downstairs?” I turned to ask her.
Clarisse sighed softly. “I don't know, Odette but I'm certain he'll come find you later.”
My face lightened up with a smile as I nodded. I would see Aaron again.
I walked to the grand dining hall, hoping and praying he would be there but when the man seating at the head of the table turned around, my smile froze.
He sat there like he owned the entire room and stared at me with coldness in his eyes.
“Where's… Aaron?” I asked, looking around the empty dining hall.
He smirked. “So the bride has manners? You can't even greet your husband's brother?”
My stomach twisted. I always felt uncomfortable when he was around. Our last encounter wasn't exactly pleasant.
“Good morning, Alpha Adam.” I curtsied.
“Don't be nervous, darling,” He chuckled. “Aaron will join us shortly but for now, she should have breakfast.”
I nodded and took my seat. Almost immediately, Leila entered.
“Good morning, Odette.” She smiled.
I forced a smile to my face. The rest of Aaron's families had returned to their homes. What was she and her mate still doing here?
“Morning,” I said, then reached for a glass of water.
She slipped into the seat beside her husband and forgot I existed.
The maids came to serve our food and stood behind our seats on standby.
While I ate, I watched as Leila and Adam discussed amongst themselves.
“I heard this year's Mating Ceremony will be hosted by the Blue Moon Pack.” Leila said, sipping wine from her glass.
“So I heard. All the Alpha's were invited.” Adam replied subtly.
I remained quietly, partially grateful that they didn't involve me in their conversation. I didn't even want their company. All I wanted was Aaron.
Leila suddenly turned to me and I almost flinched.
“Aren't you excited for the Mating Ceremony, Odette?” she asked.
I didn't know what the Mating Ceremony was, nor was I excited for it but if nodding would make her stop talking to me then so be it.
I nodded with a smile and she returned her attention to her husband.
I slipped more water, unable to touch my food. Even if I forced myself to eat or swallow a few bites, nothing would taste right.
Minutes dragged and I knew there was no point in staying here any longer.
I pushed back my chair. “Excuse me.”
Both of them looked up.
“Is something the matter?” Leila asked with fake concern while her husband watched me with hawk eyes.
I swallowed hard then looked at her. “I'm not feeling too well.”
“Oh, that's terrible. Please, get some rest.” She smiled.
“I will. Thank you.” Then I bowed and left.
The second I was outside the hall, I didn't hesitate. I walked straight to Aaron's study to find him. And just as I suspected, two hefty-looking guards stood by the door.
“I need to see Aaron.” I said firmly.
The tallest guard shook his head. “The King ordered not to be disturbed.”
“He'll see me.” I insisted, stepping closer.
“I'm afraid not, my lady.” The second guards said.
“Okay,” Desperation crept into my voice. “Just… tell him I'm here.”
“I'm afraid I can't. I'm sorry, my lady.”
Anger boiled within me and I turned around to leave. Just then, I heard a voice call my name.
“Odette!”
I froze and looked at the guards. It wasn't them nor was it anyone in the hallway.
The voice called for me again and I instantly recognized the owner. Aaron.
“Odette…” he said my name in a strangled cry that made my heart drop.
Oh no
“Aaron!” I spun around, darting my eyes over the corridor.
“My lady, what are you…”
I ignored the guards and their warnings and ran the other way till I reached a narrow stairwell made of stone.
My mouth dried as I took a step into the thick dampness. The air was thick with … blood and the sound of something rattling against the walls filled the air. Chains?
My chest tightened. “Aaron?”
There was no response.
“Aaron!”
A growl came as my reply. I didn't run. I followed the sound till I reached what looked like a dungeon and inside, I saw him.
A shocking gasp escaped me as I looked at him.
Aaron was chained to the ground on his knees. His shirt was torn, his skin was littered with wounds and his eyes… they flickered between gold and terrifying red.
“Aaron…”
He looked up fast, then shook his head. “Odette, no. Leave!”
I stumbled forward, tears sliding down my cheeks before I even realized I was even crying. “Who did this to you? How… how did this even happen?”
Aaron groaned as he shook his head violently. “No. Don't come any closer! I don't want to hurt you!”
“But Aaron…” I whispered, stepping closer despite the warning. “you're bleeding and ..”
“Odette.” He squeezed his eyes shut as though fighting his inner demons. “You have to go. Please.”
“You weren't there when I woke up,” I choked out a sob. “You promised me you would be.”
He opened his eyes again and for a moment, I saw him. Not the beast, not the man in chains but… my Aaron.
He held my gaze and smiled softly. “And I'll be there next time but I need you to listen to me. Please, go. I … I can't control this. I don't want to hurt you.”
I reached my hand through the bars, touching his hand but he flinched like my touch had burnt him.
“No, you have to go.” His voice broke.
I rose to my feet and he looked away, probably thinking I would leave. I didn't. Instead, I stepped even closer.
“Aaron,” I said softly. “you told me when I wake up, you'll be there so I'm not leaving until you fulfill your promise.”
“Odette, I'm begging you. Go.”
I shook my head, tears blurring my sight. “No. If you want to kill me, then go ahead because I'm not leaving here without you.”
I waited for him to say something but before he could, his body tilted downwards and he collapsed.
“Aaron!” I rushed to him, slipping past the door that had somehow opened. I didn't care how.
“Aaron! Aaron, look at me.” I touched his face with shaky hands. “Come back to me. Please…”
The chains around him snapped one by one till all of them fell to the ground. Then, I reached for him and he collapsed into my arms.
I held him tighter, sobbing into his hair. “Aaron, please… don't leave me.”
His arms weakly wrapped around me, pulling me closer as if I was the only thing keeping him alive.
“Odette,” he whispered. “I'm sorry.”
I cried harder and called for help again.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway and Adam appeared first. His eyes widened at the sight before him, me holding Aaron and the chains littered around us. Behind him, Caesar froze completely, his eyes wide with shock.
“Help,” I screamed, cradling Aaron's face.
Caesar ran immediately, turning to shout for healers but Adam… he didn't move.
He only stared at us, at my arms around his brother, at Aaron's head resting against my chest, then at my hands. Then slowly, a smile spread across his lips.
Aaron groaned softly in my arms and I held him tighter.
“It's okay. You're safe now.”
When I looked up, Adam was gone.