hapter 0089
Cara’s POV
I pull away from Alaric, but his hand still grips my wrist.
“Let me go,” I say to him.
“Wait, Cara-,” Alaric starts to say, not letting go. His fingers are squeezing into my skin, and my arm starts to feel uncomfortable.
I look up at his face and see the firm stare in his eyes, but also something else… Almost like sadness… Could it be?
Is Alaric sad… because of me?
I pull away from him again, this time harder than before. Finally, his hold on me breaks and
I grasp my own wrist, holding it against my chest protectively.
“I’m sorry,” Alaric’s deep voice rumbles.
Since when did Alaric, the famously stubborn and self–assured Alpha King Alaric, start apologizing so freely?
Why are you making that face?” I ask, completely confused.
“Are you sad because I have a husband? Do you love me?”
“No, I don’t love you at all,” he answered immediately.
“I just, want to say apologize…For the past and for now, I shouldn’t have held you so tightly
“his voice rasps. He’s staring at his own hand, like he isn’t sure that he’s the one who commanded it to hold onto me.
Well, he’s still the Alaric I know.
“I went to the Pack House this morning,” I say, wanting to change the subject to something less emotional.
“Yes, John tells me you made quite the impression,” Alaric replies.
I shrug, “People have had the wrong idea about me my whole life. Why should things be any different now?”
It’s true, too. They judged me for being an orphan, now they judge me for being a princess. Somehow, I’m never quite what people want me to be.
That’s alright, though. I stiffen my upper lip and square my shoulders, physically transforming myself into the picture of stability and professionalism, just as I always have.
I’ve practiced this part. I know the movements. I know what I’m capable of, and that’s all
Chapter 0099
that really matters.
“When’s t
next visit back here in DarkWood?” Alaric asks me.
“I’m not sure. Today is Mia’s last day for this round of treatment. The doctors will want to see how her body responds before starting the next round,” I reply.
That’s actually one of the things I want to discuss with the doctors, and I’m sure it’s why Ruby came to Mia’s appointment today. Hopefully we’ll have some answers about how to treat, and possibly cure, her illness soon, but it’s still too early to tell.
“Oh…” Alaric’s voice sounds smaller than usual, and he’s got a faraway look in his blue eyes. He clears his throat and tries to resume his normally deep and confident tone, “I wish her well, and hope this medicine can solve her problems…”
It’s such an odd thing to see Alaric this way. Awkward… sad….
It’s making me feel quite uneasy. I need to get moving.
“Thank you. But I really should be going now, so…” I trail off as I turn and head down the hallway.
I fully expect Alaric to continue following me, but I’m shocked to look behind me and see that he’s still where I left him. Still standing there in the hall, looking downcast.
I try to remove thoughts of Alaric from my mind as I head to Mia’s hospital room. Ruby is there waiting for me, but Mia’s bed is empty.
“She’s with the nurses in another room. They’ll be back soon,” Ruby says, reading the look of confusion at my daughter’s absence.
“That’s probably for the best. I need a moment to collect myself, anyway,” I say, letting my body plop into a chair next to Ruby’s. I suck in a breath of air and let my muscles relax.
“Uh oh. What is it?” Ruby asks me curiously.
“Oh, nothing I can’t handle. Just getting berated by low–borns thinking I’m too high–class and arrogant to care about orphaned children, and a very awkward run–in with Alaric Grant.” I look at my best friend and take another deep breath.
Cha
Cha
