Not The Same

It is finally the crack of dawn. The night had been a long couple of hours spent tossing and turning in my bed. My mind is heavy with thoughts of what my life is about to look like now that Alaric knows I'm carrying his child, and intends to take responsibility for the baby, and because of that, getting any sleep was an impossible dream.

Not long after our heated discussion and Alaric's final decision, he left the beach house to attend to his duties as the officiator of the element games and I have not seen or heard from him since. Cedric showed me a room which I will be using for the remaining days we spend here while the games last, after which, I am to return with them to the silver tower, the very place I left in such a hurry five months ago.

My participation in the element games is inarguably forfeited. Alaric had been livid to discover I risked my safety coming out here to track down the fire elemental even when I knew I was pregnant. But he did not pursue it too severely.

For most of his accusations, I had no defence and so I could only comply with all his requests in hopes that would calm him down. The first being to forfeit my candidacy in the games, even when I had acquired the leading point in the first game by coming out the door first.

I do not mind it, my purpose for coming to this island is fulfilled and I acquired my candidacy for the games under false pretenses. Now that my true identity is out in the open, there is no need to keep up with the lies anymore.

And while my forfeiting would drastically affect the performance of Alpha Ryder's pack and their prospects in the games, I do not see the need to be of any help to Alpha Ryder's pack... not after he left me to die at the hands of the fire elemental with no hesitation.

Now, I have nothing to do but wait till the end of the games and return to Alaric's home with him and hope we can somehow coexist for the sake of our child.

There is a knock at the door. I already lie awake, and so I just glance over to the door, mumbling a quiet, "Come in."

Unsurprisingly, the door comes open and Alaric steps in. He is all dressed up, in a fitted suit and all and I sit up on my bed, leaning against the headboard.

Alaric shuts the door behind him and walks over to me. For a moment, he just stands by my bedside, staring down at me with an expression I cannot decipher and finally, he clears his throat. "You look like you didn't get much sleep."

"I didn't." I agree.

"Neither did I." Alaric admits, much to my surprise. He is silent for a moment longer before he continues. "The second stage begins in a short time. I'll be away for most of the day officiating the games."

My brows furrow in confusion, I had thought Alaric had come to say something of grave importance or better still, give me some more stern instructions. Since when was it my place to know when he was heading out and how long he would be out? Why is he sharing this information with me?

I immediately put a stop to the wheels turning in my mind and prevent it from formulating any thoughts or making assumptions, instead, I decide to play it by ear.

"I understand." I reply with a nod. "I guess... I'll be right here, most of the day."

Alaric's lips twitch in what I can only conclude is amusement. At least I hope it is. "I guess so." He replies.

And then silence.

Awkward...it is terribly awkward. Alaric is acting too strange and I'm not sure how to react to it. I fidget uneasily and Alaric's gaze strays to my fidgeting hands, and then back to me.

"Cedric will not accompany me. I instructed him to stay back here." Alaric relayed.

"Keep an eye on me..." I murmur quietly.

"Not that." Alaric denies flatly. "This island is teeming with eager shifters seeking to prove themselves. I cannot say for certain that they will not stray this far and I do not want you alone...in the event of unwanted company."

"Also, this house has not been used for too long. Though it has been tidied... you will need Cedric to make the arrangements for other necessities."

"Cedric knows not to interfere with your... activities, he will make himself scarce. You can just consider that he is here for your protection." Alaric clarified. "No one is keeping an eye on you, Kyra. I trust you know better than to run off again... even if you do, I can just find you. So no... I won't have Cedric monitor or restrict you."

Alaric's words are clear and direct, leaving no loopholes or room for any doubts. I nod slowly, "Alright. I see."

"And I won't run away again." I added with a roll of my eyes. 

Alaric smirks. "I know that."

He turns to take his leave and I begin to settle back into my bed, hoping to finally get some sleep but Alaric stops by the door again. "Kyra," he says,

I glance over at him, raising a brow. "Yeah?" 

"That night, back at Jake's cabin in Red Ember..." He hesitates for a moment before he continues. "I should not have left the way I did."

My brows furrow slightly, my heart made a questionable flip and what is more overwhelming is my surprise that Alaric just admitted to being wrong.

"I want you to know that... I'm sorry. And I went back to find you and say that... but...you were already gone." He murmurs. "And Jake wouldn't tell me where."

"I...well..." I stutter, unsure what to say. "I left once, in the same manner myself, so I don't hold it against you." I admit.

Alaric nods. "You did leave. But I did not go through what you did that day... it's not the same." His tone is ridden with guilt.

"Get some rest." He says and then he steps out and shuts the door.