FredaIt's been days and my recovery has been slower than usual. The pain in my chest was slowly subsiding and there was only much I could handle. I was taking the pace as easy as I could. Although it was difficult to eat as much as I would have loved to, it wasn't easy because I was still down with a sore throat. For some reason, I wanted to see Alfred even when I knew he was going to be an ass to me, I just wanted to know he was going to be around me.The idea of being alone scared me more than anything and I just wanted to be assured. The night in the darkroom still scared the hell out of me and each time I wanted to get past it, something always took me to the dream. I was in my room eating when a knock distracted me from my thoughts."Hello." Kale peeped through the door, grinning. I grimaced not knowing what he was this excited about. I loved that I had company but I didn't know what to make of his friendship with me. It saddens me that I had nothing other than good gestures to

AlfredI haven't felt this kind of loneliness before. I fought through the waves that were putting me under. I have been thinking of her and everything she's been through. The worst-case scenario has happened because I tried putting myself in her shoes, she must be so alone. I bought her off and the least I could do was be nice but still, the lack of distrust has settled deep within me and I see nothing but red anytime she is in the picture. That was how irritated I felt, my irritation for something like this was making my skin crawl.I saw a small pool of her blood at the center of her room and the memories of my deeds haunted me. I stood there staring and picturing her, wondering if she had a smile. Then I remembered every time I took that smile from her face and locked it in a dark room. The number of times I punished her through several means. I was creative in making her suffer, in increasing her pain and that seemed not to end because someone had actually taken it too far. Too f

Alfred’s POVI felt my world repairing itself when she squeezed my hands. It felt like I could finally breathe. It was something I didn't expect, the pain that built up inside me subsided. It was that small nudge of her consciousness that gave me hope, it made me realize that she was going to recover soon and fast. Although the timing felt like forever, it was something that I was holding on to. Kale was with me throughout, not failing to remind me that it was entirely my fault that she was in that situation. He was right. I have failed as a mate and an Alpha if I couldn't protect someone who I took under my wing. No matter the means I brought her in, I made her my responsibility and that was entirely my choice. In every way, I have been reminded that I have failed, in more ways and that was my punishment. The excitement died down each time I thought of how I failed her. I fought myself and wondered about different scenarios in how I was going to face her. The guilt ate me up slowl

Freda’s POVThe world blurred out. For a moment, I had thought that time had paused and I was always the one slow enough to catch up. My memories were still foggy but I understood quite well the situation I was in. I sat through Sophia's tireless talks aboard, and it seemed that I missed a lot. Sadness washed over me when I think of all that has happened. The little bits and pieces were not pleasant, they were like scars tattooed on my skin. The pain was enough to squeeze my breath but still, there was a bit of forgiveness and kindness left in me. "What about Diane?" I asked Sophia. Her mood changed in an instant, I knew I said the wrong thing. Then, I was not triggered by the incident but I was curious to know what had happened next. "You do not need to know about Diana. What she did to you was despicable.""How were you all able to tell that she was the one that pushed me?" As far as she had spoken so far the conversation merged into several other unnecessary topics that I didn't

Freda’s POVHe kept laughing as he said that. I shook my head wondering where his sense of humor had been all along. Although there were a lot of smiles, he found it difficult to really relax because most guards were coming in and out of the ICU, giving him information about the said intruder. With the way they communicated, there were a lot of things they were not saying. I didn't push because I was more scared that this quiet moment that we were having was going to end soon if he changes his mood. "You don't have to worry, the antidote he gave me will neutralize the poison." I nodded. "But how were you poisoned? The only way that one can be poisoned with that much effect is through food. I know you didn't go to the lobby to eat."He narrowed his eyes at me. "Look at you acting like the FBI in my case. Do you want to catch the culprit?" "What do I know? I just want to be able to understand a lot of things. Especially what happened because everyone seemed to think that it was my f