GENUINELY SCARED

VELORA

The second my eyes land on Eryx, I wonder if my mind is playing tricks on me. It doesn't make any sense. Eryx Nightbane is inside my room. And somehow, I'm curled up beside him in my bed.

“Eryx?” His name leaves my lips quietly, almost as if saying it aloud will make him disappear.

He doesn't answer immediately. For some reason, that scares me. A tiny part of me wonders if he's about to push me away, and I don't know why the thought makes my chest tighten.

“How are you feeling now?” he asks calmly.

I blink.

I've definitely lost my mind. Eryx couldn't possibly be here. Not when he was supposed to be with Aveline. Something isn't right. Before I can think any further, I push myself up on my elbow and move away from him, despite the strange warmth still lingering around my body whenever I'm close to him.

“Velora…” He reaches for me, but I don't stop until I'm at the edge of the bed.

“You're…”

The cold breeze from the open window suddenly hits my skin. I freeze. Then I remember exactly why I'd been hiding beneath the blanket.

“Oh Goddess…” My eyes widen as I quickly grab it and pull it over myself.

“I was going to tell you that,” Eryx says, turning his face away.

I hear the faint amusement in his voice, and I narrow my eyes.

“What are you doing in my room?” I demand, half embarrassed and half angry.

He turns back to me, studying my face. “You were in heat. I wasn't going to let some bastard catch your scent and lose control.”

My mouth opens, but no words come. Before I can find any, he pushes himself to his feet and glances down at me.

“Stay in your room for at least ten minutes. Your scent should have died down by then.”

I stare at him. Why does he sound worried about me? Why does it matter to him if other male wolves are drawn to my scent?

I have so many questions, but somehow my lips refuse to form any of them. I nod.

Eryx takes a step closer. I instinctively flinch, clutching the blanket tighter against my chest. He stops. For a second, he looks at me, as though he's debating whether to say something else.

Goddess, help me.

“Thank you,” I finally manage.

He gives me a small nod before turning toward the door. He looks disappointed, but I don't understand why. The second it closes behind him, I release a long breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Once I'm certain I'm alone, I scramble for my dress and pull it on. Then I practically sprint down the stairs.

Downstairs, I find Father sitting in the living room with Rose and Aveline opposite him. My steps slow. I swallow hard. Whatever this meeting is about, I have a terrible feeling it has something to do with me. I walk quietly to the middle of the room, feeling as though I'm waiting for a death sentence.

“I hate you, Velora!” Aveline's voice cuts through the room the second she sees me.

“Quiet!” Father's command is sharp and absolute.

Aveline immediately goes still and drops back into her seat. My stomach twists. He's angry. Very angry. When his eyes settle on me, my fingers tighten around the fabric of my dress.

“Is Eryx Nightbane your mate, child?”

His voice is strangely calm. Almost as if he's afraid of the answer.

I shake my head. “No, Father.”

He exhales slowly and nods. “Good.”

Good? The word leaves a strange chill inside me.

“Did he say anything to you?”

My legs begin to shake beneath the weight of his stare.

“He said I shouldn't go outside until my scent isn't strong anymore.”

Father exchanges a knowing look with Rose. Then he nods again.

“Good.” He studies me for another moment. “How do you feel now?”

I almost forget how to answer. Father has never asked me that before. Not once. So I give him a small nod.

“Darling,” he says, turning toward Rose, “I think you should help Velora to her room. Let the servants serve her dinner there tonight.”

My eyes widen.

“What?” Aveline shoots to her feet. “Father, are you serious right now?” She points at me, fury twisting her face. “That bitch bewitched my boyfriend! He was going to propose to me. I felt it. I know he was going to, but then he suddenly changed his mind!”

Her voice rises with every word. “It's all her fault!”

“Sit, Aveline.”

“No, I won't!” She looks around the room, almost frantic. “Why is everyone suddenly taking her side when she's supposed to be begging for mercy right now?”

“Shut your mouth, child!” Father rises to his feet. His voice explodes through the room.

Aveline freezes. I've never seen him shout at her before. Not even during one of her dramatic tantrums when she doesn't get what she wants. Something is very wrong.

Rose leads me toward my room, but my mind won't stop racing. Why is she suddenly being nice to me? What has changed? She has never treated me this gently before. What if she's planning something? The thought of her poisoning me crosses my mind. The thought makes me shudder, and I instantly push it away. Rose might hate me, but she fears Father. They all do. Still, something about the way she's walking beside me makes the back of my neck prickle.

The moment we reach my room, she opens the door and gestures for me to go inside.

“Careful, honey,” she says softly.

I stare at her. Honey? She gives me a soft smile. It looks almost convincing.

I sit on the edge of the bed, and she lowers herself beside me. Then, without asking, she carefully lifts my feet onto the mattress.

“I can do that myself,” I say quickly, trying to stop her.

She doesn't listen. Instead, she gently pulls my legs beneath the duvet as though she's been doing it all her life. “Let me take care of you tonight.” She says sweetly.

My stomach tightens. Take care of me? Since when?

“Where's the AC remote, dear?” Her eyes immediately begin searching the room. “You must be uncomfortable.”

I blink. “You said I didn't need one in my room. You said the standing fan was enough.”

For a second, her smile disappears. Something unreadable flickers across her face. Annoyance? Fear? I can't tell. Then it's gone.

“Things change.” She looks away before adding, “I'll have an electrician install one tomorrow.” Her fingers smooth the duvet over my legs. “Anything you need, darling. Just ask.”

I stare at her. She's never spoken to me like this. And somehow, every sweet word makes me more suspicious. Rose settles beside me again. This time, she takes my hand. Her thumb moves slowly across my knuckles. I almost pull away because it feels really uncomfortable.

“There's something I need to know, Velora.” her voice remains gentle. “I'd like you to be completely honest with me, okay?”

I nod cautiously. “Yes, Rose.”

She studies my face for a moment before speaking. “Young Alpha Eryx caught your scent tonight.” Her thumb stops moving. “That shouldn't be possible.” My heart skips when she leans closer. “Unless…” Her eyes drop briefly toward my chest before returning to mine. “Your wolf has awakened.”

Silence fills the room. Then she smiles. “You can tell me, darling.” Her voice lowers. “I won't tell your father.” She gives my hand another gentle squeeze.

I don't trust her. Why would she need to promise that? Rose has never cared whether Father punished me before. So why does she suddenly care about keeping my secret? Unless this isn't about protecting me at all.

“Has she awakened, Velora?” The question sounds different this time. Almost urgent.

I bite down on my lower lip. “I…”

I shouldn't answer… But maybe if I tell her I've gotten my wolf, she'll finally start seeing me differently. Maybe she'll realize I'm not as useless as she thinks.

I lift my gaze to hers. She's waiting. Not patiently. Hungrily. As though my answer means far more to her than it should... Then Kira's voice suddenly tears through my thoughts.

*Don't tell her the truth, Velora.*

My eyes widen. “What?”

Rose's expression changes instantly. “What is it?”

“I mean—” I swallow hard.

Her fingers tighten around mine. “Are you alright?”

“Yes.” I pull my hand slowly from hers, forcing myself to breathe. “I'm fine.”

She watches me closely, but I try to be calm.

“The truth is…” My fingers dig into my palm painfully. “I haven't gotten my wolf.”

The lie barely leaves my mouth when I see it. The corner of her mouth lifts. It's quick. Almost too quick to notice, before she catches herself and replaces it with a sympathetic smile.

“Oh, darling.”

She reaches for my hand again. But I don't take it. My mind is already racing. Why would Rose be relieved? Why did she need to know so badly?

And why did Kira suddenly return after being silent all this time just to warn me not to tell her? I look at Rose. Her kindness definitely doesn't feel like kindness. It feels like she was waiting for an answer. And somehow, I think I just gave her the one she wanted.

Whatever is happening, it's bigger than I understand. And for the first time since Kira awakened, I'm genuinely scared.