Chapter 161
Chapter 161
+25 Bonus
Guilt washed over me again. If I had just been able to intervene, I could have saved her from this.
“I’ll go see her,” I said, and reached for the doorknob. One of the healers reached out to stop me. I quirked an eyebrow at him.
“Alpha, you should know that she’s delirious with fever. She is babbling nonsense. I would recommend coming back after she’s less… agitated p>
“I have made note of your concerns,” I said briefly, and opened the door. I saw the healers exchange looks over my head, but they didn’t stop me further.
The curtains were drawn in the room, leaving it in shadowy darkness, with only a small lamp by the bedside. Avery lay pale on the bed, her hair fanned out around her like a halo. She appeared asleep but her eyelashes were fluttering on her cheeks with the rapid eye movements of her dreams.
Every once in a while she would mutter, or twitch. She hardly appeared to be getting solid rest at all.
Her arm was bandaged, though blood was already soaking through the crisp white linen. I leaned over her and touched her other hand gently, thinking to soothe her, but her eyes flung open and she nearly leaped off the bed, fighting like a wild cat.
“Easy, easy,” I used my most calming, authoritative Alpha tone, “You’re safe p>
“You will have to kill me!” Avery groaned, and at first I thought she meant due to the pain, and was about to summon the healers, when she continued, “I will not assist you in harming Gideon. Even if he doesn’t love me.” (1
I froze as she said my name. Who did she think I was?
“I will not bear your heir!” Avery’s voice was anguished, “You may call yourself a king, but I know you are a devil! I will never betray my Alpha!” (1
She thought I was the Rogue King? She must be deep in the depths of fever.
“Avery…” I tried to speak, to reassure her that it was me, but she only thrashed in the bed, trying to draw away. Her eyes flickered open and shut, unfocused, and sweat beaded at her temples. She continued to spout nonsense, about her mother, about me, and over and over she repeated, “I will not betray him p>
“Sir, she needs rest and you’re only making it worse,” a healer appeared at my side, tone firm, though deferential.
I stared at that pale, slight form writhing on the bed as I backed out of the room, unable to look away. Even as I returned to my own quarters, I could hear Avery’s anguished voice saying, “He may not love me, but I won’t betray Gideon.” 1
There was such heartbreak in her voice, it made mine ache in return. (1
“There you are,” Dierdra huffed as I returned, “Where did you disappear to p>
1/2
Chapter 161
+25 Bonus
“I needed to check on the Luna,” I replied, “She’s very injured p>
“And am I not injured??” she protested, “Look, I have another bruise here!” She lifted the edge of her dress to show me a large bruise on her thigh, though this one looked fresh and new.
“Do you wish me to call the healer?” I offered, crossing my arms. I did not want to pull any of them away from Avery’s more serious condition. Dierdra’s request felt ridiculous. She hadn’t seen Avery the way I
had, contorting in pain.
“I don’t need a healer if I have you by my side!” Dierdra simpered, reaching out for me.
‘She offends me,’ my wolf’s voice rumbled in the back of my mind, and I was so surprised at his words that I paused in my progress towards where Dierdra sat.
‘She does?’ I said in astonishment, ‘Yet, she is your mate p>
‘I don’t feel anything towards her wolf,’ my soul companion said, and then he fell silent, leaving me reeling in bewilderment. (1)
D
Comments
Support
Share
2/2
Editorial Board
Editorial Board Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.