Chapter 04 Obliviously Sweet

~Anna~

Bright light hit my face and warmth covered me. It felt so nice and I wanted to sleep more but the strong smell of antiseptic wouldn’t let me. Opening my eyes, I found myself staring not at the usual dark ceiling.

My chest felt constricted and when I placed a hand on it, felt that it was wrapped in bandages. Memories of last night came crashing into my mind and my heart immediately ached.

Are you happy now, Flynn?

Is this what you wanted?

Is this the Alpha that you wanted to be?

I didn’t want to know the answer, to continue to feel sympathy towards him. He hurt me. And last night, he showed me that he’d go to great lengths to prove his point.

Wasn’t he hurting too?

Didn’t Farrel fight for you?

Stop!

This is exhausting. I wish my brain and heart would quit insisting on their own take on the matter.

There was no denying that my sin was heavy, and my life was insignificant to theirs. But before it happened, we were the best of friends. We grew up together, trained together, and fought together.

I was his mate – had he changed so much that he was no longer the Flynn that I knew?

No. I refused to believe it. The slight opening that Farrel took advantage of last night was proof.

It’s not too late yet, Alpha. For you, I will try one last time. Then I will leave. I will make him remember – he will not taint your blood and legacy.

My palms dug into the soft mattress as I sat up and scanned the room. The cream-colored walls held no decorations and traveling bags were scattered on the floor as if they were just thrown there. The only furniture besides the king-sized bed was the couch and coffee table that sat at the center of the room facing the glass windows to my right, and the bedside table to my left.

The room gave off an air of seclusion, of loneliness, like it was made for a person who had lost hope of something that belonged to the outside world. But the one aesthetic in the room contradicted this assumption. Displayed on a drinking glass half-filled with water, reflecting the sun’s yellow rays, was a fully blossomed red rose. Its stem still had its thorns, a supposed mechanism to protect itself but was futile in the hands of its gardener, so now it clung to life, from the necessities it was provided. It showed breathtaking elegance, but I knew that it was suffering a slow death in the make-shift vase.

I took my sight off the dying beauty and pushed the sheets aside.

I have to get out of here.

My eyes widened in shock at what I uncovered – a problem. I had no pants on!

Whoever saved me last night didn’t touch me, I was sure since it didn’t hurt down there. I understood the shirtless situation, I was wrapped in bandages.

But why take my pants off?

Looking around the room once more, my eyes fell on the bags. As I contemplated whether to “borrow” clothing, the door swung open and my gaze shifted to the person who entered. Her dark auburn hair was tied in a messy bun and there were dark circles under her eyes.

When she gave me a small smile, her blue eyes sparked kindness and I inwardly cursed at myself for my ungratefulness. I hastily covered myself with the covers, embarrassed to show her the scars that bore testament to my repentance. She noticed but acted like she didn’t and for that, I was thankful.

She sat beside me and in the softest voice I’ve ever heard said, “I’m glad you’re finally awake. How are you feeling?”

Unsure on how to reply, I kept my head down and said, “Uhm... good. Thank you for last night.”

“I’m sorry we couldn’t aid you sooner,” she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

“No… Uhm… thank you for helping me.”

“I’m Lexy, head healer of the Red Claw Pack. What’s your name?”

My mind cautioned me to use a fake name, but I couldn’t, not after what she has done for me. “Anna. Call me Anna,” I replied.

She lightly placed a hand on mine and I would’ve retracted it upon contact. But her hand gave mine a gentle squeeze and it oozed of genuine compassion. It took all in me to not break down in tears as memories replayed in my head.

She’d never see me again after this, but she’d always remain in my memories. I raised my head to see her still smiling at me.

“You’ll be alright now, Anna. We’re still at your pack’s but you’re safe now, with us.”

My eyebrows furrowed at the mention of “us”.

Wait, didn’t she say she was from the Red Claw Pack!

Sensing my alarm, she held my hands in hers, her smile unfaltering.

“Our Alpha found you last night. He’s working on how to get you out of here. You can come with us then decide what you want to do afterward.” She squeezed my hands gently.” We won’t force you to leave but frankly, I don’t see any reason why you should stay,” she said in a serious tone.

My otherwise placid expression contorted to that of shock. I slowly shook my head; I must’ve heard wrong.

That psychopath saved me? What would he know about helping – all he does is take!

“I know you’ve heard the rumors about our pack, and I won’t ask you to change your views about us, but I promise that you will be safe. No one will hurt you there.”

I shook my head faster this time, denying her words.

I’m not leaving, especially with the Red Claw Pack. I have something to settle here.

She held my head to stop me and said, “I promise. We saved you, didn’t we?”

I’m sorry, Lexy but I can’t.

I nodded and curved my lips up a little. She held my hands again; her warmth was comforting.

“It’s alright now. You can ask anything from us, we’ll try to do what we can. I’m sure our Alpha can arrange things by tonight. Will you give me your answer then?” she asked. I nodded.

Her blue eyes lit up in response, happy with my lie.

When she leaves, I’m walking out that door.

That was what I thought but then I yawned, my body heavy all of a sudden, my eyes droopy.

“It’s alright. You still need rest. Sleep, Anna. No one will hurt you,” she said, as she lowered my head on a fluffy pillow, but I could barely hear her for I was slipping away.

When I awakened, the sun was in the midst of retiring. Questions popped into my mind as I considered my options.

Who am I kidding? There is only one path for me.

Lexy had left and I have a plan to execute. Time to leave.

My clothes were neatly folded atop the bedside table, presumably left there by Lexy. I sat up and threw my legs over the edge of the bed when the door opened slightly.

A man walked in slowly, his black chambray shirt outlining a well-built frame. His mere presence radiated dominance stronger than Alpha Flynn’s and I instantly knew who he was.

Leader of the most feared pack, the blood-thirsty Alpha, Liam Rose.

His name was associated with every pack massacred within the region and rumors said that even rogues steered clear of his territory.

He stood still and his barrel chest heaved as he took a deep inhale of air which somehow sent chills down my spine. Then his gaze fell upon me and my body shook involuntarily. Emotions danced in his eyes that I couldn’t decipher. He looked at me with burning intensity like I was guilty of something. Then he walked towards me and I know I reeked of fear.