Chapter 11 - Awake.

-Aurelia-

As instructed by Elder Sage, all of us in the chamber stood some distance away; the healer had scolded us when we crowded the Alpha King.

We all watched as Beta Ilan held the Alpha King, his gaze looking all terrified, another rare moment of seeing the scary male’s face expressing his emotion. The healer attended to him, his hands moving so fast and swift that I struggled to catch up.

The atmosphere was tense. It felt as if I was watching the last moment of Alpha King Alaric.

If it were under different circumstances, I would have been laughing over the impending death of this monster but instead I prayed.

Moon goddess, please. He can't die like this… this death is way too easy for him…. He has to die by my own hands.

Please, Moon goddess.

A few minutes passed.

The Alpha King finally stilled, and I heard a sound of relief escape the healer, his lips curled into a smile.

Seeing his smile, various sighs of relief followed.

“I am happy to announce that the Alpha King is out of danger and has recovered,” Elder Sage said with a smile, “He just needs more time to be nursed back to his feet.”

And for the first time since all my encounters with the Beta, the scary male smiled.

Elder Sage turned to me and smiled.

“The Goddess bless you, my child. You have done really well.”

I bowed.

“Good.” Queen Luna Zena stepped forward, her shoulders raised high as she stared at me from my head down, “Your work here is done. Leave.”

“What?” I let out before I could even think about it, I quickly cleared my throat, bowed and repeated, “Your grace?”

What the hell? I can't get removed from my job as his caregiver now, this can happen.

My plan was already put in motion. This was another phase I was stepping into.

No. This can not happen. I should have killed this monster when I had the chance.

Now, I had fucking nursed him back to life and gotten nothing in return?!

I balled my fingers into a fists beside me.

“No,” The healer said as he began unpacking his basket. “Her work is not done. She will be the one to nurse the Alpha King back to his feet until he resumes his duties.”

“No. I won't agree to that.” Queen Luna Yani retorted sharply, “We are his mates. We only have that right, not some lowlife smelling Omega.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Underneath my veil, I pressed my lips together as I gritted my teeth within them.

Oh goddess! I felt like stepping forward and whacking these Lunas right across their faces!

When he was done real bad, they were nowhere to be found but now? What a joke!

“But, Your Grace—” The Healer pressed.

“I have spoken!” Queen Luna Zena snapped, Elder Sage sighed and gave a slight bow of submission.

No, please, Moon Goddess!

I couldn't afford to miss this chance. I had to do something, say something… but what?

“Leave.” Luna Yani commanded me harshly but I didn't move.

I couldn't make my feet too, I just stood there, staring at the ground, watching my toil about to go in vain.

If I turned my back now, that meant I had lost my chance, forever.

The chance I already had in my hold.

“Are you deaf? Or are you defying the Luna Queen's order? She said—”

“I agree with Elder Sage.”

Beta Ilan's voice sounded through the room, devoid of any emotions at all, cutting Luna Yani off.

“She has done a good job not only nursing the Alpha King but also protecting him with her life against rogues more powerful than her.”

“But—” Queen Yani tried to say.

“She is the best person to do this,” he cut in calmly, giving her a slight bow.

“I agree with Beta Ilan.” Queen Luna Nyx supported.

I could see the displeasure and hard lines across the Luna Queens' faces. They were clearly not satisfied with what he had said and that one of them had agreed with him.

I waited for their opposition, waited to hear them tell the Beta off but instead, they said nothing only looked away.

Interesting.

The Beta seemed to wield more authority than I thought, more authority than the Luna Queens combined. Interesting.

Good thing I had earned his trust.

The corners of my lips were about to pull into a smile, but I quickly pressed them back into a thin line and bowed.

I couldn't smile.

Not now.

Not when so many eyes were on me.

Especially those of the Beta.i can't afford to slip now.

“Who is she?” The deep, quiet voice of the Alpha King made everyone turn.

There he was, trying to sit up.

The healer rushed toward him. I noticed Beta Ilan already took a step forward, almost rushing to him. Almost.

But he halted immediately while Luna Queens rushed to the Alpha King, Luna Zena and Yani shoving Luna Nyx behind them.

“Your Majesty! You are awake!” Elder Sage exclaimed as he helped the Alpha King sit up. “All thanks to the Goddess.”

Alpha King Alaric let out a small smile.

His two Luna Queens, whom I expected to be all over him since they had sped towards him with the speed of lighting, simply stood there, pushing strands of their hair behind their ears and wearing wide smiles.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. They were trying to look beautiful before a man that just escaped the blinks of death?

Alpha King Alaric glanced at the healer and nudged his head towards me.

“Oh yes, she is your caregiver, Your Majesty,” he answered. “We agreed that she should continue her care. Do you want that, or should your mates take over?”

He didn't respond. Only stared at me, but I didn't stare back at him, I looked around instead.

I gripped the edge of my cloth.

Please don't say no.

Silence descended for a second, then he turned to his second in command, the Beta and called, “Ilan?”

With a bow, the Beta nodded, “I agree, Your Majesty.”

Then, the Alpha King Alaric nodded his approval.

I released a silent sigh of relief.

“The Alpha King needs his rest,” Gemma Garvin said, clearing his throat.

We all bowed.

“Aurelia, child, come with me.” The healer walked past me, I nodded, took his basket from him and followed behind him.

But before I stepped out of the room, I turned to catch a quick look at Alpha King Alaric only for me to find him staring back at me, I quickly looked away and hurried after the healer.

Still, within earshot, I heard the Alpha King Alaric say,

“Ilan, stay.”