Chapter 5 Healing Hearts

Alexa

I mourned my fate in the corner of this small boat. My hands wrapped around my knees as my tears refused to stop.

I didn't know why all of this was happening to me. I had never felt full affection from my parents in my entire life. My mother died when I was little, protecting me from a rogue attack. My father, the former Alpha, passed away six months ago due to a thunderous heart attack.

Since my father died, my stepmother and stepsister treated me as a servant in the house my parents left behind. I thought I only needed to endure until I turned 18 and gained a strong wolf. Turns out, I couldn't control my wolf's strength, making me seem as if I was wolfless, unable to transform.

The day I was taken away was the day I was supposed to reclaim my inheritance rights to my parents' house and belongings. That day, I was supposed to meet my father's lawyer. But this event clearly prevented me from doing so.

My hand supported my forehead. My tears flowed as bitter laughter accompanied my journey. It's crazy what people would do for money.

But the most painful thing was Alpha Gabriel, who didn't even turn around to save me. He saw me being taken away and didn't lift a finger to pity me. Weren't we fated mates?

It was all nonsense! Even Alpha Alastair, who openly acknowledged our bond, ended up imprisoning me in that dungeon. Just because I wasn't a virgin?

"Eat this biscuit first to stave off hunger," a man's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and handed me a small can of biscuits. He also gave me a brown leather jacket.

"Thank you," I said as I draped the jacket over my shoulder without actually wearing it.

"Here, apply this healing ointment to your wounds," he offered me a bottle of cream.

"Thank you," I said it again, taking the bottle slowly.

I shouldn't have needed it since I knew my wounds would heal quickly by morning. This man was also a lycan, wasn't he? He should have known. Even so, I considered it a gesture of kindness and was grateful.

As I took the cream bottle from his hand, I felt an invisible electric shock when our fingers touched. Our eyes widened, and I instinctively dropped the cream bottle to the floor.

Damn! What the hell was that?!

"I'm sorry," I stammered.

I picked up the cream bottle and clenched it tightly to my chest. We were silent, and I averted my gaze to the dark sea. My hand massaged my nape, trying to calm the goosebumps that rose.

What was wrong with me? To cover up my clumsiness, I applied the cream to my scratched legs. Then I rolled up my sleeve with one hand. I winced in pain as I saw the reddish swelling on my arm. The tree bark had left marks on my arm, a result of the magic I used when hugging the tree earlier.

"Here, let me help," the man offered, reaching for the cream bottle.

"No, it's okay. I can do it myself," I shook my head.

"Just let me help you. I promise I won't bite." He reassured me in a calm voice.

His voice was soothing, and I felt safe and protected as I looked at him. He gazed at me for a long time before I finally trusted him. Carefully, as if avoiding another shock, he took the cream bottle from me.

I rolled up my sleeve further and extended my arm to him. Goddess! The reddish bruise was severe!

The man carefully applied the cream with a small spatula embedded in the bottle's cap. I winced as the ointment touched my arm, cooling the burning sensation and leaving a sting on my skin.

"It's okay. It will heal in no time for a lycan like us," he said, glancing at my face before blowing on my arm now coated with ointment.

"Thank you," I smiled slightly at him.

I didn't know anything about him. All I knew was that he saved me from that prison. I was obliged to thank him and ask why he had rescued me even though we didn't know each other.

"My name is Alexa Dawson. You can call me Alexa. What's your name?" I asked.

The man stared at me for a long time before clearing his throat. "Harlow. Harlow Phillips," he replied.

His hands tightly closed the cream bottle. His head lowered, his face unfriendly. His jaw tightened as he quickly packed the bottle.

"Thank you for saving me," I said, looking at his face, trying to find an expression that could answer my pile of questions.

"Why did you save me?" I asked carefully.

Harlow just stared at me with a furrowed brow. He thought for a long time before finally answering nonchalantly.

"Just because," he said dismissively.

My eyebrows rose in disbelief at that answer. Something was off, but I didn't know how to react. Of course, I didn't instantly trust him. I took a deep breath and gathered my courage again to ask him.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

The man stood up and glanced at me. "To a safe place." He walked back into the control room, shutting the door with a loud thud, leaving me alone in the passenger seat.

What was happening? Why was he so mysterious and sparing with his words? I couldn't understand how he could risk his life to take me away, but not explain his reasons in detail.

I sat frozen, alone. Although tossed by the sea, I didn't feel nauseous. This was far different from riding Rider.

The rocking of the waves made my eyelids grow heavy, and I began to feel sleepy. Exhaustion won the battle of consciousness until I fell sound asleep. That night was the first time I had slept soundly after a week of suffering.

***

The heat of the sun woke me from my sleep. I blinked my eyes and immediately saw an unfamiliar brown ceiling. My eyes widened as I suddenly remembered everything.

I stood up and walked out of the room. As I stepped outside, I was greeted by the blinding sun, the vast blue sea, and the sky stretching as far as I could see. I inhaled so deep until the salty scent crept up to my nose. Then I spotted Harlow at the back deck, working out.

His upper body was bare, wearing only beige shorts. His muscular arms pumped his body up and down while his legs stayed straight behind him in a perfect push-up position. Even though the waves gently rocked our boat, he seemed unaffected, maintaining his balance effortlessly.

A silver necklace reflected the sunlight, hanging from Harlow's neck. My eyes squinted as I raised my hand to shield the glare. The necklace he wore was shaped like a wolf's head. Once again, I felt like I had seen it before, but couldn't recall where or when.

Then I saw his tan-colored back glistening under the morning sunlight. The sweat running down his back seemed to create a glowing effect, tempting to touch. Moreover, the distinct scent of sweat mixed with mint and pine spread strongly to my sense of smell, instantly making my heart race.

His dark eyes stared sharply at the other side of the deck while sweat gathered above his eyebrows. His dark hair contrasted with the bright ocean view. I swallowed hard as he exhaled with every bend of his elbows, lowering his body slowly.

'Goddess! I want to be under there!'

I quickly covered my mouth, holding back the sound that almost escaped as I heard Mythril voice the same thought I had. Harlow gradually became aware and then looked up. When he saw me, he stood up straight and grabbed a small towel from a wooden crate.

"You're awake?" he asked as he wiped his body with the towel.

Without a word, I nodded. One hand clenched my arm to suppress all the inappropriate thoughts that had briefly crossed my mind.

"Alright. After this, we'll have a quick breakfast before continuing the journey." He put the damp towel back and grabbed a white shirt. "We'll abandon the boat," Harlow said as he put on his shirt.

"Why?" I asked.

"We'll take a bus."

"Where?" I asked again.

Harlow stood still, staring at me for a long time. That look again! What was going through his mind? Why wouldn't he tell me anything? Could I even trust him?

"Trust me, it's a safe place for you," he said.