7

Davina's POV

I lay down in frustration, finding myself sighing. My stomach churned as I recalled what had happened.

The scene flashed before my eyes, and my face flushed red.

Jasper was nothing but a jerk!

Disgusting!

But then again, Cassidy’s words were like eggshells thrown at a rock. They meant nothing to me.

I wasn’t going to fight another woman over a man. It wasn’t worth it.

I dragged my feet out of my room and down the hallway, feeling lightheaded.

When I saw Ambassador Flinn, I smiled cheerfully and rushed towards him.

“Imperial Physician,” he said, bowing slightly.

“Davina. Call me Davina. You sound so weird calling me by that title. It feels weird, too,” I said, forcing a smile.

He nodded. “Then it will be Miss Davina,” he corrected himself.

I raised my finger and gave him a thumbs-up. “That sounds much better. Please, I have a request!”

“Which is?”

I sighed deeply. I was already exhausted.

“I didn’t get enough sleep, and having you wake me up before dawn made matters worse. I need to get some beauty sleep. I don’t want to lose my mind. Please, nobody should come and wake me up. When I’ve had enough sleep, I’ll find my way myself,” I said in a pleading tone.

He raised an eyebrow, as though my request sounded difficult.

“What about breakfast?” he asked.

“Fuck breakfast!” I mumbled, biting my lips. I couldn’t say it out loud.

“I’ll skip breakfast. Maybe lunch.”

After saying those last words, I rushed towards my room.

When I got there, I entered and immediately locked the door behind me. I rushed towards my bed with excitement.

“I missed you so much,” I lamented, hugging the sheets tightly.

The coldness gave me a comforting feeling, and before long, I drifted into a deep slumber.

~~~

An Hour Later…

A loud knock suddenly jolted me upright. My weary eyes stared at the wall clock. I gritted my teeth angrily; I had strictly asked not to be disturbed.

My heart leapt into my throat.

“Who the hell is that?” I shouted.

Before I could move, the door swung open. I rubbed my eyes in confusion. I had clearly locked the door.

A cloud of strong perfume flooded the room.

I wrinkled my nose.

Who bathed in that much perfume?

Opening my eyes fully, I saw Cassidy Hudson.

Though my room was far brighter than Jasper’s, light barely penetrated through the dark curtains in his chambers. His room was dark.

Now, in my room, I could see her more clearly. She looked far different from earlier.

It had barely been an hour, and I was yet to get enough sleep. My eyes were still heavy, and waking up like this gave me a headache. 

I couldn’t help but frown.

She swung a bunch of keys around her fingers playfully.

She had unlocked the door from outside just to disturb my peace.

Since she had the keys, why did she knock so loudly?

This felt like psychological torture. 

She wore a fitted silhouette dress and impossibly high seven-inch heels that made her appear several inches taller than me.

The sharp click of her heels against the floor announced every step she took.

Clearly, she was trying to appear intimidating.

I had to admit she was beautiful—slender, graceful, and striking. She looked like one of the models who walked human runways.

Still, I wasn’t lacking in beauty myself.

As she approached, I couldn’t help admiring how effortlessly she balanced on those heels. I could barely survive four-inch heels without twisting an ankle.

I remained standing, watching her calmly. I didn’t need to ask why she was here. Somehow, the situation was almost amusing. 

She stopped directly in front of me.

“Let me save us both some time,” she snapped. “Alpha Jasper is mine. That little stunt you pulled by interrupting our ceremony changes nothing. The scene I witnessed earlier shows how cheap you are.”

Her eyes narrowed with contempt.

I scoffed. I wasn’t desperate for a mate, and even if I were, Jasper wouldn’t be an option.

“Being his mate means nothing. Stop forcing yourself on him. Focus on your duties as the pack healer and remember your place.”

I crossed my arms, unimpressed.

That was the opposite of the truth. If anyone was forcing things, it was Jasper.

“And if I ever see you near him again,” she continued venomously, “I’ll rip your heart out. You are never to treat him unless I’m present. Is that understood?”

Well.

Now I was irritated.

“First of all,” I replied serenely, “I answer only to the Alpha. I’m not one of your servants. Try becoming Luna before you start giving me orders.”

I held her gaze steadily.

Anger flashed across her face, followed quickly by embarrassment.

“I will make your life a living hell,” she hissed. “You will regret ever messing with me.”

With an angry stomp of her expensive heels, she spun around and stormed out of my room.

I stared after her in disbelief.

She spoke as though I were desperately chasing Jasper, when, in reality, I wanted nothing to do with this ridiculous entangled drama.

As far as I was concerned, Alpha Jasper had very little to offer besides arrogance and control.

Compared to the powerful and charismatic people I had known growing up, he wasn’t nearly as impressive as everyone here believed.

Thanks to him, I had been dragged into the palace against my will, and now a jealous princess was threatening me in my own room.

Remembering Cassidy’s final words, I let out a long, weary sigh and fell backwards onto the bed.

Right then, my sleep was far more important. I closed my eyes, trying to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t.

I had an unsettling feeling I couldn’t explain. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I felt something within me, and this feeling was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

I rolled over in bed, searching for comfort. The heat I felt intensified, making my whole body sweat profusely.

I checked my pulse. It was strong and steady. I was perfectly healthy. 

The French windows were open. 

Something wasn't right.

I pulled off my clothes but got no relief. I dashed into the shower, turned on the tap, and soaked myself in cold water, but it brought no relief.

I remained under the cold water for half an hour. I finally felt better, but the uneasiness didn’t cease.

My bracelet began to glow.

A bone-chilling cold spread through my wrist, sending shivers down my spine. It was as though my wrist alongside the bracelet had been dipped into a bucket of ice. 

I stared at it, my heart pounding loudly. 

“Something terrible is coming,” I muttered.

I shivered in fear. I had no idea what it was, but whatever it was had to be frightening.