Chapter 08

XAVIE

Hilda would be temporarily staying at the pack house until I got better, so I was not that surprised to find out she had turned the guest room she’s occupying into a healer’s shrine. The door was ajar, and outside of it were filled with homely plants and flowers, some I recognized while others I had no clue.

“I’m here for my daily check up.” I announced, walking into the room. 

She straightened up at the sound of my voice and I saw that she was grinding something on a flat stone, inside her room was even filled with more plants, giving it an orchard theme except for the single bed backed up against the wall at the corner of the room. 

“I have been expecting you.” Came her response as she motioned for me to take a seat on the bed. “You still look very pale, are you still putting yourself under stress? I  told Alpha not to let you perform any Luna duties until you’re healed and well enough.” She added, which happened to solve the mystery of why I haven’t been performing any Luna duties, who is in charge of that by the way? 

“I’m not stressing myself.” I assured her. 

“I was not just talking about physical stress, I meant mentally. You suffered a mental blow as well, you should allow yourself time to heal in all aspects, I will have to talk to Alpha about that.” She responded and I wished I could tell her I’ll never heal mentally, at least until I have Alec right where I wanted him. 

After making me take the appropriate medication for the day, Hilda was done with me but I still lingered around, watching her go about her business. At some point, she stopped what she was doing to get something that was beside me and I handed it to her, that made her pause in surprise. 

“You’re still here? I thought you left.” She glanced towards the entrance, probably swearing in her mind that she saw me left. 

I almost wanted to smile at her reaction. “Sadly, I’m on bed rest so I have nothing to do.” I sigh, resting my chin on my hand. 

“Nothing to do? That’s so strange to hear from newlyweds. Are you unhappy?” Her question made me jolted upright. 

“What? No! Where did that even come from? Kian and I are very happy, what I meant was, he has been so busy with Alpha duties that we haven’t been spending much time together. I’m sure his meetings are over by now, I will be seeing you later!” Before she would question me any further, I hurried out of there.

I glanced up and down the hallway as I walked because I had no destination in mind, back at home even though I didn’t have any friends, I was too busy to notice I was bored. Not wanting to return to our bedroom because I knew Kian was done with his meetings, so there’s a high chance he’s currently in there. 

I took a deep breath once I arrived at the castle floor, watching as the servants go about their business, watching them bring back a lot of unpleasant memories including how Alec betrayed me. In a way, I had no one but myself to blame, I was so desperate to get out of the situation I was in and I didn’t look for any signs, I also blindly trusted Annika. 

I startled out of my thoughts when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, spurning around. I was surprised to see it was Kian even though I hadn't been expecting anyone. I waited for him to say something then mentally slapped myself a few seconds later when I remembered he couldn’t talk. 

It was also then I noticed he was extending an envelope at me, I was looking at his face expecting him to talk instead of looking down at his outstretched hand. Clearing my throat, I took the fancy envelope from him and opened it, I read through it, my attention piqued at Alec’s name sign at the bottom. 

“We must go!” I told him, after I finished reading the content of his letter. “For our plans to work we have to see them as often as we can.” I added because he doesn’t look like he was interested in going. 

He glanced at the paper again as if just seeing it for the first time before finally nodding his head. He turned to leave, almost bumping into Hilda. 

“Alpha Kian, just the person I was hoping to see. I have a few concerns to discuss with you about your wife’s health, she’s not listening to me.” My eyes widened at her words, already knowing where she was going with this, I didn’t actually think she would go through with it. 

“Hilda please.” I cut in defensively, clearing my throat when four curious eyes peered at me. “I mean, there’s no need to bother him with something so small, I can take care of myself.” I concluded. 

“So are everyone else but my point is, you’re still healing, you’re pushing yourself too hard and sooner or later you’re going to crash.” She responded before turning to Kian. “Alpha, you need to take care of your wife. I understand you’re busy with work and duties but her health is important as well. She might be healing physically but her mental state is still the same.” She paused as he began to sign something to her. 

At that moment, I wished I could interpret sign language so I could understand what they were saying. All I had to work with was Hilda one sided conversation which didn’t give me any clue about what Kian was signing. 

“That’s a really good idea, the sun is starting to set, it’s the perfect time to go riding!” She exclaimed excitedly, now looking at me. “Alpha is taking you riding.”  

How did we go from my health to riding and what has that got to do with anything? I couldn’t stop the frown that appeared on my face. “I’m not going riding.” Realising how that sounds, I quickly corrected my tone. “What I meant is that, I don’t know how to ride so…” which was true but I didn’t wait around for Hilda to convince me, I excused myself. 

I don’t need riding lessons from anyone and neither does my mental health, everything will be fine as long as I have my properties back and both Alec and Annika pay in one way or the other. I stopped in front of my dresser mirror, staring at my reflection. 

Hilda was right to be concerned, I look so pale one might even mistake me for a ghost! Okay that’s reaching but I look really pale which was no doubt due to the blood loss I suffered when Annika had stabbed me. I staggered, gripping the table for support as images flashed across my mind. 

I have barely slept these past few days as I always wake up from nightmares, fortunately Kian hasn’t been sleeping in the bedroom, despite negotiating that we share the bed. I have no idea where he spent the night, not that it was my business, he isn’t back when I go to bed and when I wake up, he‘s gone. 

I prefer these arrangements because when I wake up crying or whimpering, there’s no one to ask me what’s wrong or show concern. I didn’t need anyone’s pity or sympathy, I jerked upright when I heard the private living room door open. 

I paused, expecting him to come inside but the door remained firmly closed and I released the breath I didn’t realise I was holding. I walked towards the bed, pulling the blankets around me as I lay down. 

Staring up at the ceiling, my thoughts drift to Hilda and my response to what she suggested. If I start reacting that way every time she suggests I spend time with my husband then she’s bound to start suspecting something was wrong and that was the last thing I wanted. I don’t want to let anything blow off my chance at getting revenge, I have come this far to back down. 

Spending time with him is the least I could do to keep up the pretence so, I climbed out of bed, pushing the door open. I strolled into the living room where he sat typing something on his laptop. He didn’t look up until I was almost directly in front of him, his face filled with questions. 

“So, where are my riding clothes?” I asked, briefly looking away from him. “I mean, if we want to keep up the pretence of a loving couple then this is a small price to pay for what we both want.” I added. 

There was a few seconds stretch of silence that felt like minutes before finally, he nodded his head in agreement.