Chapter 5 No.5

Elvira

I had never felt water this warm before. It soaked into my skin, easing the knots in my muscles, washing away the filth of what felt like months of suffering. My bruise mark stung as I scrubbed myself raw, but I didn't stop until the water ran murky and my skin was clean.

Stepping out, I wrapped a towel around myself and walked back into the bedroom. A fresh tunic and trousers were waiting for me.

I dressed quickly, my damp hair sticking to the back of my neck, and I turned to the plate of food left on the small wooden table. I hadn't realized how starving I was until I took the first bite. The flavors were rich, too good. I ate quickly, barely chewing, forcing myself to finish everything.

'Eat when you can. You never know when the next meal will come. I'd learned that rule long ago.'

By the time I finished, my stomach ached from how fast I'd eaten, and exhaustion settled deep in my bones. I hesitated before moving toward the bed. It was soft, too foreign. I had never laid in one before. But I was too tired to care. The moment my head hit the pillow, darkness swallowed me whole.

-

It started with the sound of rushing water. The river seized me, swallowing me whole. I tried to breathe, but my lungs burned, my body heavy from the weight of my own blood. My shoulder throbbed.

An arrow was buried deep, and when I reached for it, I felt something wet and warm. My blood. I wasn't alone. Laughter echoed through the trees.

"Poor sister," Elyra's voice cooed. "It's over now."

I tried to scream, but the river pulled me under again, silencing me. Then, another voice.

Deep, pained, regretful. "I'm sorry, Elvira."

Deric. He stood at the edge of the river, his golden eyes shadowed with something unreadable.

"Deric-" My voice broke.

He raised the knife-and drove it straight into my chest.

-

I woke up gasping. Cold sweat clung to my skin, my breath rugged and uneven. My chest aches like something had been ripped away, and my throat burned like I'd swallowed fire. The river was gone.

The suffocating cold melted into warmth, heavy blankets draped over me. The scent of cedarwood and something darkly masculine filled the air. The room was dimly lit, shadows leaning against the walls. I wasn't alone.

Then a voice, deep and comforting, startled me.

"It's okay. You're safe. I'm here now."

The words pulled me back to reality, but my body was still trapped in panic. I couldn't breathe. My fingers trembled as I clawed at the sheets, trying to ground myself.

I jerked my head toward the voice, my vision swimming. Alpha Jaxon's Silver eyes locked onto mine. He sat beside the bed, his broad frame casting a shadow over me. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, like he'd been here for a while. His jaw was set, unreadable, but his eyes... there was something in them. Something I didn't understand.

Concern? Definitely not. I tried to sit up, but the room tilted violently. My stomach twisted. I barely bit back the urge to retch.

"Easy." His hands were on me before I could collapse, gripping my shoulders firmly but not harshly. His touch was warm. Soft.

I flinched, my body betraying me. I didn't want to be touched. Couldn't stand being touched. I swallowed hard, confusion swirling in my chest. Why was he helping me?

Alpha Jaxon seemed to notice. He let go immediately, but his silver gaze never left me.

"Doctor." His voice was sharp, like a command.

I blinked, barely processing that we weren't alone. Four figures stood near the far wall. Two warriors, stiff and expressionless. A woman in healer's robes stepped forward. Her scent marked her as the pack doctor.

She hesitated, glancing at Alpha Jaxon. "Alpha-"

"Check her," he ordered.

I stiffened as the doctor approached, her fingers cool and professional as she pressed against my wrist, my temple. She checked my pulse, the healing wounds on my skin, the bruises that already healed but left a mark. Alpha Jaxon sat unnervingly still, watching her every movement.

I swallowed. My mind was a mess, I couldn't process how I was feeling. The doctor finished her assessment and turned back to him.

"She's stable. Just exhausted. Her body is still recovering from the trauma, but she'll heal."

Alpha Jaxon gave a sharp nod. "Leave us."

The doctor hesitated. "Alpha-"

"Now."

She lowered her head and left, the warriors following behind her. The door shut with a heavy thud, and suddenly, it was just me and him. Heavy silence followed. I shifted under the weight of it, my heart pounding. Alpha Jaxon studied me for a long moment before speaking.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his tone softer than usual.

I nodded absentmindedly.

"What's your name?"

I hesitated. Something in his tone wasn't demanding. It was gentle, but firm. He wanted an answer.

"Elvira." My voice cracked from disuse.

Alpha Jaxon nodded like he'd expected it. He leaned back slightly in his chair, but he didn't relax. I stiffened. My pulse hammered in my ears.

What's next? Throw me out?

Long silence stretched between us, the warriors chants below shattered it. I flinched. Alpha Jaxon moved, my body coiled on instinct, like a wounded animal backed into a corner. His hand moved toward my forehead-slow but steady. I jerked away, a muscle in his jaw twitched. Then, he exhaled, his voice calm but firm.

"Relax. I just need to check something."

Relax? How could I?

His fingers wrapped gently around my wrist instead, pressing two fingers against my pulse. A shiver ran through me. Not from cold, but from something else.

The second his skin touched mine, I felt beneath it.

A glow. Faint, but there. A silver thread curled beneath my skin where he touched.

Alpha Jaxon stilled. His grip on my wrist tightened for half a second before he let go, drawing back like he'd touched fire. His face gave away nothing, but his demeanor had changed. I swallowed hard.

"What...what was that?" My voice came out quieter than I wanted.

Alpha Jaxon didn't answer right away. His gaze lingered on my wrist, then on me. I tried to move back, but there was nowhere to go.

For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, his voice cut through the silence.

"You were screaming in your sleep."

I swallowed, my throat still raw. "It was just a dream."

Alpha Jaxon didn't look convinced. His silver eyes blinked in the dim light, studying me too closely.

"You're from Bloodmoon." He said, his tone clipped.

It wasn't a question. Every muscle in my body went rigid.

How did he-? My pulse pounded so loudly I thought he might hear. He leaned in, his gaze sharpening.

"Who did this to you?"

I opened my mouth, then stopped. Something in the way he asked made my blood turn cold. His tone wasn't soft. It wasn't comforting. It was...dangerous. Like he wasn't asking out of curiosity, but to confirm a suspicion. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. Alpha Jaxon exhaled slowly, dragging his fingers through his hair. He looked almost...frustrated. And it was because of me.

"Get some rest, Elvira. We'll talk when you're stronger."