Chapter 006

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Sylphiette

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I held my son in my arms, watching him sleep next to me. The raging storm inside me calmed as I watched him. His soft dark locks feathered his forehead, his breathing soft, and the peaceful expression on his face.

This was how it was always meant to be; my mind replayed the chaos of the day before. It's been three days since I gained consciousness and realized that I was in the Wintermoon pack.

I've pinched myself severally but this wasn't a dream. It was as real as it could be and my mind has been replaying on a lot of things.

Then there was Cassius. Just the thought of his name has my heart picking up pace. He’d been the one to save me. How ironic, the same man who cast me out without a second glance… saved me.

I wish I could laugh. If only it were funny.

I brushed the strands of hair on Kian’s forehead, catching sight of my banded wrist—the bruises from the shackles that held me down during the trial.

I wondered what happened afterward—after Cassius had stormed in like a tsunami. He's always been a force to reckon with—not that I cared about the rogue King and his pack. Axel was an arrogant and vile man. He probably just had a rough brush of karma on him.

But I didn't need Cassius to save me.

Don't get me wrong, I was happy to be alive and that Kian was safe as well but if I said I felt the same way about being back to this pack, I would be a wretched liar.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts and my head raised just in time as the door pushed open.

Doctor Harlan stepped in, his gaze concentrated on the notepad in his hand before his head finally turned up and he flashed a warm smile my way.

I flinched at the sight—pure and warm—still not used to seeing a genuine smile that didn't seem like someone was planning my demise.

That was all I felt living in a pack of wild, barbarous rogues.

And I've lived the past four years of my life knowing that every day could be my last. It had only been the thoughts of my son that truly held me together.

“Good morning, Sylphiette. How are you feeling today?” He asked softly, striding toward my bed.

One of his hands dug into the pocket of his overalls and the other—the one that held the notepad—fell at his side.

I ignored his warm question and asked what I really wanted to know. “When do I get to leave, doc?”

Something shifted in his expression at my curt question before it was quickly gone. He smiled softly instead, stopping in front of my bed.

“Sylphie, you need to understand that healing takes time, especially with wounds such as yours,” he stated pointedly as if it wasn't obvious.

But I needed to leave and that was all I could ever think about.

“It's going to take two weeks at best since your healing abilities are extraordinary,” he smiled as though proud then it was gone, turning solemn. “It's only been three days, Sylphiette.”

I groaned in frustration. “I can't wait that long— I can't… stay.”

“Sylphiette—”

Doctor Harlan’s words were cut off as the door pushed open.

The air instantly shifted, charged with power and an overwhelmingly soothing scent—misty forest and earth.

I inhaled sharply, my gaze darting to the door. Doctor Harlan turned in sync with Cassius stepping into the room.

All raw, regal abundance. He's dressed in formal wear like he’d just stepped out of a meeting.

His long, sleek hair is combed back with a part of it picked up and held behind his head. His eyes instantly found mine; dazzling hazel green eyes that I used to love staring into and unwanted memories flashed through my inner mind. I pursed my lips.

Cassius’ smile is soft and instant the moment he sees me. “Harlan,” he said quietly, the power on his words rolling off naturally.

Doctor Harlan seemed to understand the silent command and bowed, “Yes, Alpha.” then he was scurrying off the next minute.

Cassius stepped aside to let him pass and he bowed on more time before disappearing behind the door. It closed with a click at his departure.

The air shifted again and this time, it crackled with the tension in the air between us.

Cassius stepped forward, his steps quiet for the large man that he was; all refined muscles and… male. It carried the weight of his power as Alpha of the Wintermoon pack.

“Sylphie.” He breathed softly. My stomach churned with a feeling I don't acknowledge.

Once upon a time, I used to love my name in his lips. It was all I ever wanted to hear. Now they sounded like claws dragging down on my skin.

“What do you want?” I asked curtly.

By wolf law, a wolf would have found themselves on an execution ground for speaking rudely to their Alpha, or any Alpha at all.

Once upon a time, I wouldn't have dared.

But I didn't care.

He smiled softly, and his gaze fell on Kian as he halted at the edge of my bed.

I almost choked from the familiar sense of comfort his scent brought—like it always did all those years ago.

I grit my teeth, anger rising up my chest.

But there’s a familiar warmth in his eyes as he stared down at my son and I had the sudden urge to hide Kian away from his calculating gaze.

Cassius had always had the gift of seeing through things. He was smart and I knew he could be able to decipher the truth about Kian.

It was too bad he refused to see through the truth when I needed him the most. On that night… Four years ago.

I hated him for it. Every single day of my life.

And that was exactly why I needed to leave.

But I couldn't leave. Not with the way I was. I’d be ineveitably putting my son’s life in danger. I’d be prey for hungry wolves.

“How are you feeling?” His voice conjured me out of my thoughts. His gaze was still fixed on Kian.

“Why do you care?” I snapped.

Something shifted in his gaze. Hurt? Guilt? Maybe both? It was faint and I'd almost missed it but then he masked it quickly.

“You don't have to be so aggressive, Sylphie,” he said softly, turning his gaze to capture mine. “I’m not the enemy.”