Chapter 5: The Wife

Chapter 5: The Wife

“Bring him into the dungeon.”

His order is too cruel. My eyes went bigger as he did not even reconsider listening to my words. I want to be heard but why could not give me the benefit of the doubt?

“Alpha, I really did not do something bad. I am sorry if I crossed the line.” I knelt down and bowed my head on the floor to be forgiven. I do not want to use my last card but I think I need it.

“I am a healer myself. Although I came from the syndicate, I know what is right and wrong. I know I will be pusnish if I cause you harm. What I did to you is not something the cause of your death. I am sorry but I sipped the bad energy inside you.”

“What? Bad energy?”

Andrius and Shahida came. I glance at Shahida and asks for help through her eyes.

“What do you mean bad energy? Do not lie, slave. The alpha is just fine and his illness is attacking him. Why would we believe your nonsensical claim?” Andrius asked angrily.

Even the alpha’s second in command did not believe in me. All I need is Shahida, but she is too fearful of her brother.

“I am telling the truth, alpha. Please hear me out.”

“Brother, Elias did not do anything. I was the one who grabbed him to watch the hearing. I was at fault. Please forgive me, alpha.” Shahida begged him as she knelt down.

She grabbed my wrist which caused me to kneel down too. “Say something.”

With her command, I spoke, “Something.”

Shy slapped my arm slightly. “Are you kidding me? I mean say something. Like an apology. Why are you so innocent?”

How would I know what she was talking about? I did not know that even the alpha’s sister would kneel in fron tof him. How much more if I make mistakes in here?

“Oh, I am sorry.” I gathered my words again and think of anything. “I apologize, alpha. I was to blame. I did not mean to touch you but unconciously I was drawn to you when you were in pain. I apologize for my greediness to make you calm,” I said heartily without facing him.

The alpha did not speak. I do not know why but I know he is still here as I heard him cursed under his breathe. He stood up and glared at us.

Andrius came running through the hallway. He brought something to the alpha but he shrugged. Andrius’ eyes were asking why but he was shocked when he saw us kneeling in front of the alpha.  

“You, two. Face me,” he commanded.  

As we lifted our chin, we saw an emerald green eyes again. The black flicker disappears as if they were not here in the first place. Even Andrius creased his forehead at the sight. How can a black flicker faded that easy?

“How did your flicker faded into oblivion, alpha?” Andrius asked in surprise.

The alpha glanced at me. “That is what I am asking, too.”

“Elias, did you intoxicate the alpha?” Shahida asked, whispering.

I shook my head innocently. “I am a human. I do not know what has happening. What did I do? Did I hurt the alpha without knowing?”

Liar. I know what I did. It has been years already since I did not use this ability of mine. Seeping bad energy from people could make my life at stake. Even Samael himself did not know I possessed such skill. I pretended to not know.

“Alpha, we need to get out in here. The councils are walking this way. They might see you in this state. We could not risk that,” Andrius informed him.

Indeed, the councils were coming to our direction. But  the alpha refused to go and wanted to stay. His eyes were asking and in deep confusion. They are confused as to what happened to him. 

“Shahida, you bring him to your room. I just need to check something. And do not leave until I say so,” he ordered. Seeing him commanding his sister like this, I feel like he is being a brother to her; protective and caring. But, Shahida took it the other way.

Shahida’s face fell. She stood up, as if she is expecting this to happen. I stood up after her and followed her way.

“Another week inside my room again.” She chanted as she faced and smiled me bitterly. “What’s new in this lifetime, anyway? It’s not like I’m not used to this.”

She sighed heavily.

We stride ourselves in the pathway to Shahida’s room. Like any other girl I met, her room is decorated with pink stuffs, almost her interiors were pink, which is kinda blinding but understandle. Unlike her brother that it is plain and boring. She has a mini-shelves each side of her bedroom and on the upper wall of the headboard.

“Welcome to my cave!” Shahida exclaimed. “Sit wherever you are comfortable with. And feel at home.”

At home. How does it feel to have a home? I forgot how it feels like.

I took the couch in her vanity table as she spoke, “Did you see how those black flicker fades? That’s not something anyone could do. And it disappeared right after you told him you are sorry. Elias, you calm him. What did you do exactly? Are you the lost mage?”

She faced me, her hands on her waist like an asian mom who waits her son to come home.

I do not know what to say but I found myself lying. “You’re just imagining this.”

“No, I’m not,” she retorted.The bed lunged as she sat on it. “I feel like I have known you since forever. Have we met before, Elias?”

She took one book from her shelf and flipped pages.

“I do not think we have met. This is my first time in Northcrest after leaving Tillbury and my abusive owner,” I answered truthfully. “Aside from my friends at the sysndicate, I have never met somelike like you… in that status of yours.”

“I am sorry about that. I feel bad for you. You experience those horrible things.” Shahida sighed at the thought.

“You do not have to say sorry. It is fine with me.”

“Still.”

“Why are you so good to me? Don’t you feel scared at me? You let a stranger enter your room. I could just slit your throat right now,” I told her. I am not threatening her but she is very complacent when he does not know who am I really.

But she just laughs at me. “Which you did not do. You know, I am good at judging a character unlike my brother."

Shahida read her book so I shut my mouth.

“You are obviously not into women, why should I bother? Now, it is my turn to ask you.” She dropped her book on her bed and went to my side.

She grabbed me on my wrist. “Do you like my brother?”

I was stunned. She wiggled her eyebrows, teasing me. Her question never reached my mind. Even the slightest pity to the alpha, I did not feel it.

Aside from he is too far from being reach, I have someone in my heart already. I just smiled at that thought and recall Riley. 

“No, of course not. That is the most ridiculous decision I will ever make. I like someone else.” A smile from my lips escaped voluntarily.

“Really? Don’t you find my brother attractive or so so?”

“He is charming… but not enough to make me fall. I love someone already.”

“Too bad.”

A loud and consecutive knocks stopped us from talking as Apollo entered with Andrius keeping a distance behind him. Apollo’s eyes found me and glanced at Shahida for a moment before talking. I stood up right that instant and bowed my head to him.

His strength perhaps were retrieved. His aura seemed different. He clenched his teeth as he saw his sister smiling at him. I wonder what these two were thinking.

I stilled when his eyes found mine. He glared as if I made another mistake of my life. Did I do something bad?

When Shahida stood firm, I imitated her. We looked like two servants who was about to get scold by our owner, but Shahida could be that elegant servant.

“Brother, I can stay here for a week but don not touch my books like the last time. I know I was too pushover,” she stated at him.

But, he did not say anything. So, Shahida surrendered, “Okay, fine. But, let Elias stay with me. I have no one in here. If only I have my tutor, I wouldn’t force Elias here.”

“You are the next heir of Northcrest and yet you’re afraid of being alone?” the alpha retorted sternly.

Shahida rolled her eyes in annoyance. It seemed like the alpha was used to it as he didn’t react mad.

She snaked her hand into mine. However, it just made Apollo growled. She pretended she didn’t hear him that she even put her head on my shoulder. What’s with these siblings? Are they going to make my life even harder?

“You don’t have the rights to bargain with me, little sister. You’re at fault here.” He yelled which caused us to whimper.

I saw Andrius grinned at the corner but when the alpha tilted his head towards him, he fakely cough and stood firm behind. The alpha hissed at him.

“He’s going to stay with me,” he admitted.

My eyes grew bigger at his decision. Why would I stay at his chamber?

“What?”

“What?”

Both Andrius and Shy blurted out in shock. Why would I be staying at his chamber? I know he may be protective with Shahida but that’s outrageous.

“No! He’s with me. For a record, he has someone already so he’s not going to do something bad. He doesn’t like you so he won’t be sharing bed with you. Isn’t that too early for the both of you?”

“Shahida, one more lustful words and thoughts and I’d burn your books right now. Try me, little sister,” he threatened.

“Then, why are you so adamant of staying with him?” Shy blurted her complaints to her brother. “He could stay at the servants quarter or in the guest room. We have a lot of chambers unoccupied. Why it has to be in your bedroom?”

I am waiting for his words. Shahida made sense. Even Andrius is waiting for an answer from him. What could be the reason why he would keep me to himself? Does he know about my skill and wanted to use me into his own accord?

“Uhh.. hmm.” He coughed. “He knows how to heal an invisible wound. And he could help me by staying with me close.”

“Right. He knew it already. You’re so stupid, Elias,” I thought to myself, silenly reprimanding my subconscious.

Andrius furrowed his brow at his answer and I wonder why. Does he know, too?

“I’ll lift your punishment for a day. Will that be okay?” he told her and Shy immediately agreed to him.

“Then, he’s yours.” She pushed me towards the alpha’s side and I saw his lips curved. Did he smile? The alpha do not smile.

“Did you just sold me out?” I asked Shahida all of a sudden in a soft tone. I was stunned when she pushed me. I thought she’s going to defend me.

“Alpha, I think this is wrong. If this decision would reach the council, you will be summoned again,” Andrius told him with concern. But, the alpha didn’t budge. “You know what will happen if they will report this to Lady Isabelle.”

“That is not your concern anymore, Andrius.”

The beta surrendered as to how bullheaded Apollo is. What he wants, he gets.  And no matter how many would block his way, he will deliberately get it in any means. Typical alpha of the town.

I FOUND myself walking away from Shahida’s room with Apollo and Andrius. I was just behind him, making my pace fast because their strides were long and mine is just average.  

As we walked on the empty hallway, an elegant woman revealed herself before us, walking with elegance and poise. She’s like an angel on Earth. She’s unbelievably gorgeous.

I bumped my head at Apollo’s toned back as I didn’t know he stopped and so did Andrius. His smell lingered on my nostrils and I was in trance. I didn’t know the smell of mayonnaise I abhor my entire life could be this overwhelming.

“Lady Isabelle,” Apollo uttered between his breathe. His words became soft and low. “How did you get in here?”

I saw Andrius bowed down and told me to do the same. And I did. I remembered her name from earlier. Andrius mentioned her when the alpha decided to keep me in his bedroom. Is she his wife?

But what caught my attention are the words that were coming like an ember sticking on my open wound.

The woman spoke softly like an angel humming, “My Alpha. How are you, my husband?”