Chapter 50 050
Danica's POV
Something seemed off. I couldn't place it but everywhere seemed tense... In a bad way.
Not like anyone ever paid me any attention but it seemed to worsen today. Like the maids meeting my gaze and then looking back down quickly like they committed the greatest offense in the book of justice.
And I didn't like it. Not one bit. Which is why even with my legs sore, I still walked as fast as I could to see my patient... If he hadn't been discharged and then Vera... to tell me everything that happened while I was out like a light.
Luckily for me, he was just about getting discharged when I walked into the clinic. But the slight smile of relief vanished from my face when I took in how he looked. Battered, stressed and unhappy. He didn't look like someone who was happy to have been saved or maybe it was just me. Maybe I was just overthinking things. I tried to assure myself as I walked closer hoping to congratulate him.
He sensed me before I got to him and he looked back, hands halting midway into packing his used clothes. His eyes narrowed at me as I approached him closer and then he muttered.
"Doctor Danica?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper, scared that he might have the wrong person.
I nodded once, halting in my steps.
Then a look of relief and guilt crossed his expression as he stared thoroughly, his gaze lingering on my hands. I'd totally forgotten that it was wrapped until I followed his gaze to my hands.
I gasped lightly, slapping myself inwardly for being so careless as I tucked them into my side pockets.
I didn't come here to make him feel guilty about anything or to make him thank me for anything. I just came here based on the pure curiosity to know if I succeeded this time as well.
But things weren't going as I planned.
"I've always wanted to meet the doctor who risked her title to treat me out of that curse... I had no idea it would be just a small delicate woman like you" he started, his voice low and intrigued kind of.
"And that makes me feel even more guilty... That my mate did something so nasty to someone like you... I'm so sorry doctor" He continued and I blinked, my eyes suddenly watering like I was the one apologizing and not the one on the receiving end.
"I... I didn't come to see you because I wanted you to feel guilty... Besides, it wasn't your fault..." I trailed off as he shook his head, expression turning bitter... Not to mention, but to himself.
"It's my mate's fault, so it's definitely my fault as well. And I'm even more sorry because no matter how hurt she left you, no matter how scarred she must have left you, I still wish she doesn't have to go through all that torture and end up dead just because she tried to kill someone for me" He added and I blinked, feeling completely lost.
"All that torture...?" I whispered, my tone questioning.
"Yes. She's getting the justice she deserves... She's in so much pain and I can't do anything but count her days at this point. What I'm saying is, you might really hate her right now, both of us even, but I hope you find it in your heart to forgive us one day, even if she dies and doesn't get a chance to apologize to you directly. I assure you, she's been getting a taste of her own poison for the last nine days" he concluded and my eyes instinctively narrowed, my brain flooding with a series of unanswered questions.
What the hell does he mean by torture? The justice she deserves? Even if she dies?
Before I could find my voice to ask for a broader explanation... One that came down to my level of understanding, he was gone. And I couldn't stop him. Not with those slumped shoulders that made him look like someone who's been through hell and back.
If I looked like that and someone asked me a question about something that was obviously unpleasant to me, I might just claw out their eyes without realizing it.
Two nurses walked past me, bowing deeply and it wasn't helping because instead of feeling respected, I only felt more wary and confused.
No one ever bowed to me. Not even the residents who are just trainees. Except Vera. No one ever showed me a single ounce of respect.
Keeping my hands tucked in my white coat, I searched everywhere for Vera, but it suddenly seemed like she'd disappeared without a trace.
"Hi" I greeted one of the nurses at the desk and the minute one of them saw me, her eyes widened dramatically before she quickly hung her head low, asking me how she might be of help to me.
That's new... And strangely, this made me feel good. Too good, compared to anything I've seen this morning. Because this same girl, a mere intern who had seen me and scoffed at me openly like I was nothing more than her trash box was the same person who's now showing me a level of respect that was way beyond me.
"Do you have any idea where Vera is?" I asked simply, my tone surprisingly graceful.
"Yes, she went out to get some supplies, she'll be back in five minutes max" she responded immediately, her head still hanging low, like it might just drop to the floor if she looked me in the eye for too long.
"Thank you" I muttered lastly before pushing myself off the desk, not wanting to slow down their jobs with my suddenly intimidating presence even if I was really tempted to.
I waited for three minutes. Three minutes of realizing that even Head Doctor Renee wasn't at the clinic. She's not checked in the entire day, which was immensely strange.
Then Vera walked in, panting like she'd done something beyond her strength. She slumped on the front desk, trying to catch her breath and just stayed at a far end, watching her with a smile of relief.
She had been fine. Stressed but fine at the very least. I was scared that she might have not survived those ten days with Renee's temper.
But she did.
Eventually her gaze landed on me and her eyes widened together with her mouth that formed a wide 'o'
"Doctor Dan?!!!" She exclaimed, before catching herself in time not to scream beyond normal.
"Goddess, you're fine! You have no idea how worried I was, Luna doctor Dan" she whispered the last part and I practically choked on my saliva.
"What did you just say?!" I whisper-yelled, looking around to see if no one else heard that.
"The fact that there's a rumor circulating that you're our Luna to be? The King's romantic interest? And maybe his mate? Or the fact that he went totally berserk after finding you hurt and unconscious in the forest?" She muttered at once and I nearly collapsed into the ground.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I whined, desperately needing answers at this point.
Then she pulled me to a corner, before spilling everything that had happened in detail.
My heart was pounding so hard against my ribcage at the end of it all that I feared she would hear it.
"Are you really his mate?" Vera suddenly asked after a moment of silence and I choked again, coughing to catch my breath.
"What?!"
"I've been so curious to know... Is he really your mate?" She asked again, smiling widely like a child given her most favorite candy.
"No. Definitely not. You've all been mistaken. Someone like me could never be the Alpha's mate. It doesn't even make any sense" I ranted, hoping to the heavens that my anxiety wasn't obvious in my voice.
"It does make sense to me though. It would explain a hell lot... Like, why he let out that commanding growl in the middle of the night, summon and punish every single soul that had a hand in your attack and even promised to make them beg for death. He didn't even have to order a strict respect for you after all that, everyone got the message to never mess with you" she explained and my mind spiraled with several worries, more questions and fear.
Why would a rumor like that even spread in the first place?
Did Bianca let it slip?
Or did Alexander voice the mate bond himself?
Did he ever felt it?
First, I needed to see him. And I would get all the answers I needed, hopefully.