AlishaI shifted, keeping my eyes closed and trying to fall asleep.Yet…I grunted, shifting again. It was uncomfortable sleeping in so many positions these days. The book that Simon had given me from his library had mentioned something like that, but I didn’t expect it to come so soon.I sat up finally, frustrated and tired.I was thirsty.Just when I was close to sleeping.The ground was cold as my feet padded down from the bedside to the door of the room.I’d just go to the kitchen and take a sip of water, I reasoned.The nightgown I wore was a pastel blue cotton one which I assumed belonged previously to Simon’s mate. He had been kind enough to drop off some things for me this afternoon, but I’d have to return to the clinic tomorrow. Work awaited, and I still didn’t feel as comfortable here as much as I did at the clinic.Derek being the main reason why I wasn’t comfortable in the first place. I sighed to myself; I had to try and forget about him. Giving him space would make thing
DerekI couldn’t, for the life of me, fall asleep.Instead I was left pacing the hallway in quiet footfalls, trying to get my mind settled.And it was all because of her.A sigh tinged with frustration left my lips as I turned around at the end of the hallway and began another lap of pacing.Damn her.Damn this.Even my own mother had turned against me.I had spent most of the past two days outside to prevent myself from even running into Alisha or taking in that scent of hers in my home. I had been forced to this by my mother and her.But I was done. I was done playing this game.Why couldn’t she see that I wasn’t interested in accepting our mate bond? I hadn’t once lied to her about it! I had even been kind! Yet she dared to blindside me and make me the villain.Well I was done.If she was going to make my life hell, then I could always do the same.I turned and entered my study, a plan forming in my mind.…It was just barely 4am, when I entered Alisha’s bedroom.She had forgotten
DerekThe doctor arrived about an hour later, to find that his ward was nowhere to be seen. I didn’t care, though, and stayed silent as Melissa and Simon talked about her.She looked much better, I thought, seeing how she looked happier and full of life in the past two days than the previous week. Perhaps this rest had done her some good.“Alisha must be very tired,” my mother remarked to the doctor who nodded. “The maid only saw her later this morning and she looked exhausted. So I think we should let her rest.”“I’ll check on her later,” Doctor Simon commented but I cut in.“Actually she is on an errand,” I stated. “And it will be long before she returns.”The doctor and my mother looked aghast at my statement, much like I expected. They treated her like she was made of glass, I thought angrily.“But she needs some rest! Derek, why did you do that? The poor girl must be so tired,” my mother declared.“There was work that needed to be done and she was available,” I shrugged, not in t
Alisha’s POVIt was dark, and I was in the water, swimming endlessly. Everywhere was dark and cold and I felt lost.Where was I?I heard a sound and turned to see two lights. Suddenly it became clear.I was in a dream and I had to wake up.Putting all energy behind my strokes, I swam towards those two lights. The cold began to thaw and I felt warmth envelope me.Mother, the lights called me.My children. Not one, but two.I had to wake up for my children.I reached towards the warm lights, which seemed so far away. But then, it was all around me in a flash, and I was blinded by the magnificence of its glow.I was safe.I opened my eyes, my vision blurred for a few seconds, and found myself looking up at a familiar ceiling.The scent of cleaning fluids and home made me realize where I was.The pack clinic.I sat up slowly, looking around in wonder. The sunlight peeked through the curtains. How long had I been asleep?Looking down at myself, I found I was still in the clothes I had worn
DerekIt was eating me up inside.How could I have known? How had I not been present of mind to see the signs? Was it my anger or the pain of being thrust into a mate bond out of my control? Regardless of what it was, I had to get her back by all means.“I don’t know what to do,” i sighed, full of frustration. Benjamin sat beside me, having listened to my story in silence. “I really fucked up this time, Benny.”“That you did,” he nodded, sipping a little of the whiskey from the crystal tumbler he was holding. We were in my study, and the sun was high up in the sky. “But this was really a surprise. You’re going to be a father, Derek.” He let out a breath, shaking his head. “I’m not sure if there’s a way to undo what’s already been done.”I shook my head. I wasn’t willing to accept that. That Alisha was not going to come back to me… now I had full realization of what I had done, the thought was torture.“There has to be a way,” i growled out, clenching the crystal tumbler I held tightly
AlishaI groaned as I sat down. My feet were killing me; I had been moving about attending to patients since morning.Given that there were a lot of paediatrics cases of flu in the pack this week, it was bound to be a busy time for the foreseeable future.Still I didn’t expect to be on my feet for practically all morning and afternoon.Thank goddess the last patient had been seen off.“You okay?” I turned as I heard Simon exit his office, and I gave him a wan smile.“I’m fine, Simon,” I said to him. “You look super exhausted yourself.”“Ah, I’m used to it,” he responded just as he grabbed a pitcher of water and poured sole into a glass to drink. “It’s nearly time for dinner. What do you say to-““Alisha.”I stiffened, looking over my shoulder to see Derek standing there. What was he doing here?Just seeing him brought back the feeling of unease and anxiousness into me. It had been over two days now since I left his home, just like he wanted. I had no intentions of disturbing his life
DerekI was impatient and frustrated.It was time for the meeting in the dining hall.The place was empty save for myself and a staff of my household. I briefly looked at the man who stood there dusting the mantle.Who was he? I didn’t recognize him.I was about to call him over when my mother walked in, dressed in a green embellished gown.“You look nervous,” my mother commented, as if she was stating the weather. “I do hope you’re ready to express remorse for your actions.”“I am,” I insisted, noticing how the man had not moved from the spot. I turned to my mother. “I’ll convince her.”She smiled sadly at me before replying, “We shall see. After all, she may be soft hearted but everything and everyone has limits.”My eyes looked over the empty dining hall as she said that. Those words were painful but I had to admit that. I ruminated over my mother’s words as she sat by my side.It was true. But I had a chance to convince Alisha to not let go of our mate bond so easily. I would make
DerekBenjamin panted as he stopped behind me and I could hear him come closer as the man realised the shit he was in. I had him right in my grasp and there was no way for him to run off now.“Where did you come from? Who sent you?” I growled at the man and he paled. I squeezed his neck tighter and then he began to plead for mercy. “Speak now or I will rip your throat out where you stand.”My growls were warning enough for him and he choked out.“G-Gerard!”Benjamin’s face paled.“What?”He hadn’t expected that answer. But I had.Still, I had to be quick to dispose of the man, and within seconds, he was slumped down on the ground and bleeding out.“I already knew that,” I sighed. I hadn’t expected my meeting with Alisha to be interrupted. Not when I really needed to resolve things with her. “Of course it had to be fucking Gerard.”“I had my suspicions that you and Gerard had some issues,” Benjamin sounded speculative. “But I had no idea it had gotten to this point.”“Well, it’s been l