Chapter 27
Alora’s POV
“You are recovering quite nicely.” The physician had said to me that evening after giving me my last healing tonic to drink for the day and I only smiled at his words.
My whole body was still weak and my face had gone pale like someone who had just been awoken from the dead.
Even I can’t believe that I am recovering so quickly. I had thought that I would be bedridden for many weeks to come but it isn’t the case this time around.
“In all my years of treating someone, I have never witnessed such miracle.” He voiced out in disbelief but I only looked on. I watched him grab the white clean cloth from the table as well as some other herbs before heading towards my bed.
“It’s time to change your dressing.” He informed me and crouched down next to me before unwrapped the soaked cloth that were used to wrap my wounds in order to secure the herbs that were applied on them.
After taking them out, he grounded some leaves in a small pot for applying them to the open wounds on my back.
I hissed when he accidentally grazed his hands on one but forced myself to remain calm so that he can finish with whatever he was putting on them.
“There,” He muttered after he was finished and took a step back to examine the work he had done. “Hopefully, this would bring more improvement by tomorrow morning p>
Picking the garment on the bed, I wrapped it over my shoulders. I hissed, sucking in a sharp breath of air when I stretched myself too much in the process of wearing the garment.
“When do you think that my wounds would finally heal?” I asked in a small hoarse voice. My whole body was still yet to adjust to the endless tonics and herbs that was applied to it every second of the day.
“Maybe in week or two. It could take longer as well.” He answered, hands working tirelessly as he didn’t even turn to spare me a single glance.
“Usually, it could’ve been lesser.” He continued and my tired eyes stared at him from the across the room. “But it’s not because your wolf is domant now.” He added.
That’s when I realized that I haven’t heard Nyx speak out to me or air her grievances ever since I opened my eyes. I knew that a part of me was missing and him just saying it now, confirmed my worst fears.
“W-What happened to her?” I whispered, my voice very low and barely inaudible.
“She is tired and over worked.” He answered with a sigh. “She had been trying to keep you alive ever since you were injured and even before you were brought in here. She is probably exhausted and has taken some time away p>
“Not to mention that the poison you were forced to drink played a vital role in numbing her abilities as well. It was supposed to kill the both of you so, it will take a while to recover p>
“Will I ever I trailed off, touching my chest with sad eyes. Nyx was probably the only friend, my only ally I know and sadly, she has gone dormant inside me.
“Will she ever come back to me?” I sulked, my voice filled with hurt at the thought of losing her.
“If she is healed enough and wants to.” He said and turned to face me. “With time, she might come back but for now, you’re on your own. Trying to keep you alive when you clearly didn’t want to and fighting the poison at the same time had stretched her thin but, on the bright side, your wolf feelings are still intact p>
“I am sorry.” He apologized but I only nodded my head curtly, not knowing what to do or say. My wolf and I have not even bonded properly and somehow, Ryan was able to snatch her away from me as well.
“Is it okay if I take a stroll outside the tent?” I requested. “I’ve been cooped up inside here for days and I need to clear my head p>
“Do not go too far.” He warned. “The people of this place are not too keen on strangers especially ones from the Moon Stone Pack. If you wander far and get into trouble then I might not be able to help you p>
He helped me out of bed and and with steady strides, I walked outside the tent, the evening breeze hits my skin like a man kissing his long lost lover for the first time. It was cold and refreshing.
I breathed in the cold air, my lungs coming alive again. This is what it feels like to be alive. This is what Ryan tried to snatch away from me.
With slow strides, I walked over to the back of the tent and there, I saw a beautiful flower garden with different kinds of exotic plants. They reminded me of the ones I had grown back at home when my parents were still alive.
I couldn’t bring myself to bend down and touch them because of my wounds so I just admired them from afar, my mind lost in thought. What will become of me now that I am here?
Why does my fate always find a way of playing tricks on me?
“M-My Lady?” Someone called from behind me and I froze, chills running up my spine as my heartbeat increased rapidly. I turned to look at who it is and I am surprised to see Lara, my previous chief maid, standing there, her face widened in shock like she had seen a ghost.
“Is that really you or do my eyes deceive me?” She whispered in a small voice as her voice cracked, breaking down in tears.
“L-Lara.” I called out her name in a hoarse voice. My eyes blurry as tears gathered in them, threatening to fall.
“It’s you, My Lady.” She stated firmly and rushed into my arms, hugging me as she broke down in tears.
She pulled away, touching me on my face and hands frantically as if to confirm that I was indeed the one standing in front of her.
“I-I thought that you were dead.” She wailed bitterly, sobbing at every word that she uttered. “I thought that I would n-never get to see you again p>
I hugged her again, running my hands over her back in consolation as I fought back my own tears. I am happy because I finally got to see a familiar face in this pack.
“H-How are you here?” She choked out, pulling away to hold my hand as she wiped the tears that rolled off her cheeks aggressively.
“I should be asking you the same question, Lara.” With shaky hands, I pushed a strand of hair behind her ears. “How did you come here? What happened after I left p>
She shook her head, eyes casted to the ground. “Alpha Ryan happened. He sent his men to confiscate the mansion. I barely survived when they came but I managed to escape p>
She sniffed, “I was all alone but I found a group of pack travellers who were willing to help me and that is how I ended up here. The palace needed more maids so I was taken in to work here p>
“Do they know that you’re from our pack p>
She shook her head vigorously like she has committed a grave sin. “They don’t and I try my best to hide it from them because they do not like us, My Lady. I lied about who I was and where I came from to work here because if they found out that I am from an enemy pack then they will kill me p>
“I live in fear everyday but still, it’s better than being in Alpha Ryan’s clutches.” She said in conviction. Even I, know how that feeling too well. That’s why I refused to leave.
“After the rumours I heard of what he did to you, I was so scared that you were dead. I’m sorry, My Lady.” She apologized, her tears only falling more she cried out in hurt.
“It’s not your fault, Lara.” I hushed her. “If you hadn’t run away then you too would’ve been killed. You have no idea how happy I am to see you standing strong in front of me right now p>
I kissed her hair, hugging her again. “Thank you for staying alive, Lara. Thank you for not leaving me like everyone else p>
She cried in my arms, her tears wetting my cloth that was wrapped around my wounds but I didn’t care. I was happy to see her and that’s all that matters.
“But, how are you here p>
I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later when I am ready and in a better state of mind because I don’t want to revisit my demons when I have barely recovered p>
She nodded in understanding. Her cheeks and eyes swollen from crying too much.
“How do you know this place?” I gestured at the physician’s tent. “It has been quiet ever since I was brought here so I just assumed that no one ever comes here p>
“I was sent here on an errand and decided to walk around a bit while he prepared them for me.” She smiled through her swollen eyes. Although, she tried to hide it but I could see the multiple injuries on different parts of her body.
She must’ve gone through so much that I can only imagine, to get here.
“I have to go now, My Lady otherwise, I might get into trouble but I don’t want to leave you.” She informed me, her eyes tearing up again.
“You have to go Lara. I won’t be able to forgive myself if something happens to you here.” I said to her calmly. “I am fine and besides, this wouldn’t be the last time that we will see each other, I promise p>