Chapter 9

Layla POV 

She did as I asked immediately drawing me a bathe quickly,

"It's hot my lady" she mumbled and I hesitated.

"Can you make it warm" I asked and she looked at me as if I had shocked her, but I really didn't want anything hot on my skin, not after the fire. She added some water to the tub.

"Is it ok" she asked and I shook my head.

"Add in a little more " I urged, and she did,once it was like I wanted it I got in the tub. The warm water slid down my calves and back it felt decadent. It wasn't so hot that it felt like I was in a fire again. She scrubbed me rubbing at my skin gently.

"Your father will be very pleased." she mum led and I still, that was right, I was going to see my father now.

"Will he" I asked a little unsure.

"Of course he will." 

"You are his little baby and he loves you more than anything in the world." 

"He was very worried about you" she mumbled and I hummed in my throat.

"Maybe." She helped me out of the tub.

"Let's get you dressed then miss.” she mumbled.

“Alright,” I said reluctantly, allowing her to guide me toward the wardrobe in the corner of the room.  

This place was huge and it was far different from any of the rooms I had stayed in when I was with my father.

Could I really be happy here or would it be the same sob story as before. 

I shook off the strange feeling and reached for a  simpler dress, one made of plain gray cotton.

“This will do,” I said, ignoring her look of disapproval.  

“You’ll look like a servant in that,” she muttered tugging the dress our of my hand. She quickly, pulled out another simple but elegant gown.

The pale blue shimmered faintly in the daylight and the sight of it made my stomach twist painfully. It was beautiful, elegant—and entirely unlike anything I had ever worn.  

As she helped  me into it her hands moved with practiced ease and the efficiency of someone who had done this countless times before. I couldn’t help but wonder how long she had been serving.

“Lady Melody.” As she tied the laces at the back, I glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

“What’s your name?” I asked. She paused, her hands stilling. 

“You must have been sicker than I thought,” she said with a nervous laugh. 

“It’s Pearl, my lady. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me entirely.”  she asked as she tied the last ribbon at the back of the dress, she stepped back to survey her work, a satisfied smile on her face.

“There,” she said stepping back to admire her work. 

“You look lovely, my Lady.Much better now.” I offered her a weak smile, a little overwhelmed,I glanced at my reflection in the tall mirror by the wardrobe, and for a moment, I didn’t recognize the person staring back at me. The face was familiar but yet strange, as though I were looking at someone I should know but didn’t.  

" I think I do" I whispered.

"Let's take you Alpha Ryder" she mumbled and I nodded moving towards the door all of a sudden the room seemed to tilt, and I grabbed onto the edge of the wardrobe for support.

Pearl rushed to my side, her face etched with concern.  

“My lady, are you all right? Should I fetch the doctor?”  

“No,” I said quickly, waving her off. 

“I’m fine. Just...give me a moment.”  

She nodded, stepping back reluctantly. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself wincing when my head seemed to ache all of a sudden.

Memories coming faster, blending with my own until I could no longer tell where one ended and the other began. 

The fire, the mob, the name Melody and images of a man that reminded me of my father whispering in hushed tones— all connected.

The scar on my chest seemed to burn beneath the fabric of the dress, a constant reminder of who I was—or who I had been.  Pearl's voice broke through my thoughts once more. 

"Are you ok, my lady" she asked. I nodded.

" Yes I'm fine.”

“Come now, my lady,” she said, gesturing toward the door. 

“Your father is waiting.” I hesitated, my feet rooted to the spot as a thousand thoughts swirling in my mind. 

But then I took a deep breath, steeling myself.  

“Alright,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Take me to him.” She nodded, her smile reassuring, leading the way out of the room.  

As I stepped out of the room, the cool air of the corridor washed over me, and I took a deep breath, steadying myself.  We walked through the halls of what I could only assume was a manor or castle, it —was massive, the halls were lined with ornate paintings and tasteful decorations that cast a warm glow over the polished floors. 

Every step I took seemed a bit heavier than the last,

"Has he been waiting for long " I asked and Pearl shook her head.

"No, he was anxious though " she said as we finally reached the study, I hesitated outside the door, my hand hovering over the handle. 

My heart raced as a thousand scenarios played out in my mind, maybe I should just tell Pearl to make excuses on my behalf, but that would be wrong especially since I was already here I also couldn’t  stand here forever.  

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.  

The man sitting behind the massive oak desk looked up as I entered, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. 

He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair streaked with silver, and his expression was  a mix of relief and something I couldn’t quite place.  

“Melody,” he said, his voice warm but commanding. 

“Come in.”  

I stepped forward, my legs feeling like lead as I moved closer to him.  

“Father,” I said, the word tasting strange on my tongue. I steeled myself for his reaction because i knew what it would be but then his expression softened, and he rose from his chair, crossing the room to stand before me.  

“You gave us quite a scare,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “But it’s good to see you up and about.”  

I forced a small smile, unsure of what to say. I had not expected him to be that welcoming. I felt guilty and all I could think about was the scar beneath my gown and the questions that had plagued me since I woke up.  

“Are you feeling better?” he asked, his gaze searching mine.  

“Yes,” I lied, my voice steady despite the turmoil going on inside me.  

“Good.” He gave a small nod, his expression unreadable.

“You really shouldn’t be out of bed.”  he muttered looking worried.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze.

“I’m feeling much better,” I said, the words sticking in my throat.  

He crossed the room in a few long strides, his expression softening as he reached for my shoulder. 

“You had us all so worried,” he said, his grip firm but gentle.

“I...we thought we might lose you.

There was genuine emotion in his voice, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. This man—this stranger—was looking at me as though I were the center of his world.  Even my own father had not tried that hard.

“I’m sorry,” I said, the apology automatic.  

As if sensing my unease, he squeezed my hands shaking his head, his lips curving into a faint smile.

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. You’re here, and that’s all that matters.”  

“Come,” he said, guiding me to a chair near the fireplace.

“You shouldn’t be standing for so long.”  

“We have much to discuss.”  

My heart sank at his words, and i nodded sitting down , my hands clenching the arms of the chair. 

I had to find out more about this life I had stumbled into—and the role I was meant to play in it.