Chapter 11

Neriah

The chain joining my hand to the faceless man had become longer. It was not just on my hand but in my veins, everything in me became tighter, the hot ashes heating up my body. 

My heart beat faster when I saw Callen, Alina, Lorelei and my father mocking me instead of saving me.

“You deserve this,” my father said, his voice ringing heavily in my ears. 

I tried to run but the hot ashes made me feel like a gum, making it difficult to move. The faceless man walked through the fire, his voice echoing around me. “The more you fight, the more you’ll burn, till you eventually die.”

Looking up, my skin was burning. “Noooo…” I shouted and jolted awake, pulse slamming in my ears.

‘It’s just a dream.’ I whispered, trying to calm myself but I was still sweating as my eyes met the white ceiling above my head

I stayed still until I became calm. Rhea isn’t back yet, but my body didn’t ache like the previous day. But I must do something to wake Rhea, I can’t survive here without her. 

Turning to the side, I saw the picture I was looking at before sleeping last night – Jasper’s and Letana’s own. I took it, intending to return it when I felt eyes boring into me.

There sitting on armchair in the dark corner was Jasper. One arm rested on the chair, his posture straight but not relaxed as he stared right into me like a prey. He was staring, not glaring. 

I flinched. 

He wasn’t happy to see me here, I could tell from how his jaw flexed under the chandelierl in the room. His muscles tickled like he was holding himself back. I couldn't look at his eyes, he's looking me in a way that made the air feel colder. I could feel the difference in power 

My body shook with nervousness. I quickly stood up, muttering,“I….I’m sorry,” I stuttered, hand curling at the edge of my cloth.

 Was I too bold to enter this room? Had I overstepped? Was I too reckless? Every second the silence stretched made my heart thump. What if he said I disobeyed and threw me in the dungeon? What if he says I’m a spy?

Then I remembered. He didn't say I shouldn't come here. He only said this is my room last night. So I haven't done anything. 

He caught the flicker in my eyes because the next second, he was standing in front of me. One minute he was sitting down, relaxed, and next, he was standing in my front, eyes dark woth anger. He kept moving until the space between us was narrow enough i couldn’t move again,

“I couldn’t find a dress in that room, so I came here and slept here.” I lied. 

He knows I lied, I could feel it in the heat in the room. I kept shifting on my feet till my back rested on the wall while he remained fixed in a position. But despite the distance I still feel the heat radiating from him.

“Is that why you slept here, dressed like a slut?” he lashed at me. “Are you hoping I’d have sex with you if you come here, dressed like this in my bed? Don’t you have better things to wear?” 

I gulped. “You didn’t tell me where exactly is my room…” goddess, what was so wrong in what I did? Why is he acting like what I did was the most unforgivable sin in the world?

“Don’t come here again,” he growled. “This is me and Letana’s room, so stay away from it. You can never replace Letana, not in my bed or in my heart. I’m going to find her and when I do, you’ll be nothing but a walking corpse.” 

I was scared as fuck. “What, no.” Why would I even want a man like you after my experience with Callen? “Don’t worry, Alpha. I don’t like you enough to sleep with you.” 

It felt like I just set a bomb because the moment I said it, he closed the distance between us in a stride. I closed my eyes, preparing for the worst, but when I opened it again, he was staring at me. It felt as if something was stopping him from doing anything.

“Keep it that way and stay out of this room.” 

I nodded, but then he'd blame me if something went wrong again. “Won’t people know that I’m not your mate if they find out we sleep in different rooms? I’m sure the maids come here often to help. What about Becca?” 

He clenched his jaw,  narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me. Then dismissing my question, he growled. “That’s not your concern. Just don’t come here again.”   

I nodded. It's useless arguing with someone as powerful as him, besides he has a point. I don't even know what came over me that made me sleep here last night. I guess it was because the room felt warm, unlike my own that felt empty and dead. This one has some touch of love, but that one feels lifeless.

He barged into the room I sensed was the toilet, banging the door after him. While I returned to the empty room, still confused about what to do. I don’t have clothes to wear after having my bath, don’t even know what to eat. Everything was so confusing now. 

I took my bath,and lied on the bed for sometime, thinking about what to do when I heard a knock on the door. 

A young petite girl was standing at the door, holding a bag. Tears seemed to well in her eyes, but she was fighting back not to cry. “Good morning, Luna.” she said, making a bow.”My name is Josephine, I'm your maid, do you remember me?” she paused, taking time to study me before she said, “i heard you lost your memory of what happened that nigh. I know you might not remember me, but don’t worry, I’ll continue to help you.”

“Thank you, Josephine. But do you think I won’t remember you?” Of course, I don’t know anyone, so playing along with them is the best for now. 

“I’m happy you remember me.” she said, putting two clothes on the bed. “Today is the Moon Pup day and the official opening of the house you insist Alpha built for orphan pups who lost their parents during war. Alpha wants you to choose one from this ahead of the event in the evening.” 

I stood there stunned, looking at her like mannequin. I wasn't expecting this, not after that episode with him. 

She pointed to an emerald green short flared gown, talking courtly. “I think you should try this one first. You have a thing for green color, besides it won’t show that you’ve lost some weight.” 

I nodded, taking a mental note of the colour she mentioned. 

I wore the red other gown first, but it shows too much that I’m lean, like a person just recovering. Although the short one was short, I still preferred it because it didn’t show that I'm lean. It also looks like it was made for me. 

“Tina will bring your food shortly,” she said before hanging the clothes in the wardrobe, bowing again before leaving.

A knock came from the door shortly after. The door opened, expecting Tina with my food, instead Becca stood at the entrance, smiling, “Hey sis, I brought your food.”