CHAPTER FIFTY ROXANNEYou know that light head‐ ness that comes with being run over by a carriage and series of hooves of many horses. That's if you've ever been run over by a carriage. That dizzy feeling, like the world is swirling around you and then you feel yourself falling into a deep end— that was what best describes my situation the minute I opened my eyes.It was as though the world had shifted on its axis and everything seemed different. My vision was blurry and I could make out one color — blue. The constant beep in my ear was beginning to annoy me and the repugnant odor of antiseptic congested my nostrils and invaded my senses.I moaned and slowly forced my heavy eyelids wider apart till my vision became clear. I didn't recognise anything and I could barely lift my finger.Now I saw white and then— a pair of eyes.“You're awake!” someone squeaked.Was it now a thing if someone was awake?“Don't move please,” a man said in the calmest voice ever as he flashed a light in bo
CHAPTER FIFTY ONEROXANNE It's been three weeks since I woke up and returned to the pack house and I hated everything. I never left my room for once because I hated myself. I just couldn't bear the thought of going out and I still couldn't walk properly. My bones ached. It seemed as though in any minute, my bones were going to dismantle. And myself. I hated myself so much I wanted to hide myself from the world. I had smashed the mirror in my room again when I saw my reflection. I was bruised all over. Not the bruises Ryker's men gave me but new ones and I couldn't remember how I got them but they hurt and itched and I scratched till they bled. They were scars like something hot damaged my skin. They were scars from having my skin burnt and they were all over my arms, my legs, my chest and my stomach.These were scars that were going to be stuck with me for life and I hated them a lot. I cried myself to sleep every night and no matter how hard I tried to remember how I got these mar
CHAPTER FIFTY TWORYKERCaught up in organizing my cluttered table, I was completely oblivious to anyone's arrival until I felt her hand resting on my table's surface. When I looked up, I was taken aback by the sight of Roxanne's unexpected presence and her expression was devoid of emotion.“Roxanne,” I chirped. “I guess the bird decided to leave its nest, eh.”She shrugged. “ Nothing fun was happening.”“I thought you weren't supposed to be walking yet,” I said as I eyed her crutches.“Oh but I am,” she said and shot me a look that screamed ‘if looks could kill’ “What's with that face? Do you need something? Have you had anything to eat today?”“Yes,” she said coldly. “You look occupied.”“I really am occupied but I'm glad I came to see you and please stop giving me that look. It gives me the chills.”“Everyone in the house is busy, so I decided to help out since I feel useless staying in my bedroom. I mean I've been hearing them working and talking for days now and maybe I was wait
CHAPTER FIFTY THREE RYKER “I don't care about you enough to worry about that. How do I get this across that thick skull of yours? You mean nothing to me. Nothing at all.”I shook my head vigorously, trying to get her words out of my head. I had no idea why of all the words she said, my brain chose to pick the harsh ones.“I'm not mad about that. I'm mad that you're mating with someone else and I'm mad that I like you but you don't see it.”I sighed deeply as I slicked my hair back with a brush. I didn't want to think about her today but her words, like always, were imprinted in my brain.“I hate you Ryker. I hate that you like someone else and not me. I hate that you're cold to me.”Roxanne's confession left me speechless and confused. I didn't know if it was her courage but she definitely intrigued me with the way she took the lead. All the while I had thought she hated me more than she hated cheese but it turned out that she liked me.How long? Perhaps when we first kissed. But sh
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOURROXANNEThe evening air was cool but the tension between us was far from it. My heart raced as I tried to process the intense emotions swirling inside me. Ryker had a way of making me feel exhilarated and terrified at the same time.I didn't know if I could trust his words. This was Ryker being expressive and I was trying not to be nonchalant but I couldn't help it.I looked up at him, my resolve weakening under his earnest gaze. “I just don’t want to be someone you run to when things don’t go your way.”He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re not. You’re someone I want to be with because you make me feel whole. You make me forget about the pressure and the uncertainty.”I sighed. “I don't want to get hurt, Ryker. Make up your mind, okay?”He let out a low sigh. “I know what I want Roxanne, I'm not confused.”Yes, I was scared, I was too scared of falling deep– perhaps I had. But I was scared of being really into him and his mate appea
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVEROXANNE Sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting soft, golden rays across the room. The light danced on the wooden floor, creating patterns that shifted with the breeze. It was as if the sun itself was gently coaxing me awake, wrapping me in its tender embrace.Birds were chirping outside, their songs filling the air with a happy melody. The rustling leaves outside my window added a soothing sound, like a gentle lullaby. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of earth and flowers. It flowed through the cracked window, making the curtains move softly. I shivered slightly under the thin covers, feeling the breeze on my skin.I lay there for a moment, soaking in the peacefulness of the morning. Everything felt more vivid, more alive.Turning my head, I looked out the window. The light framed the edges like a halo. A bird landed on the windowsill, its feathers ruffled by the breeze. It chirped once, tilting its head as if to greet me b
CHAPTER FIFTY SIXROXANNE Everything came back to me in a rush. The searing pain of the burner against my skin, the piercing agony of the arrows. Tears slipped out of my eyes as the memories flooded my mind. The voices, so cruel and taunting, belonged to people I didn't know. I was attacked for reasons that were still a mystery to me.Gentle fingers caressed my face, brushing my tears away. My eyelids fluttered open slowly, and I found myself gazing up at Ryker. Worry etched deep lines in his handsome face."Hi," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing."Hi," I croaked back, my throat dry and scratchy."How are you feeling?" he asked, his eyes never leaving mine.I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy and weak. "Confused," I admitted. "I remembered something... something awful.”Ryker nodded, his hand gently stroking my cheek. "Kara told me you fainted during archery practice. Do you want to talk about what you remembered?”I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
CHAPTER FIFTY SEVENKARAI was in the garden peacefully picking flowers for my bedroom since the one I had before had withered, when two of the Alpha’s guards approached me. “Kara,” one of them said, his tone stern, “the Alpha needs you in his office.”Surprised, I glanced up at them. The Alpha rarely summoned me. “I'll be there in a minute,” I said, trying to steady my voice. But before I could move, they grabbed me roughly by my arms and began to haul me away. It felt like déjà vu— like the last time I was dragged by the guards, accused of a crime I didn't commit.As we reached the Alpha’s office, my heart pounded so loud I was scared it would burst right out of my chest. The guards shoved me inside, and I stumbled, falling at Ryker's feet. He looked down at me, his eyes filled with cold anger. “Alpha you sent for me,” I said, my voice trembling.Ryker nudged me with his boot, signalling the guards to hold me down. Sweat trickled down my face as he pulled out a cleaver knife, its bl