Mute

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As I sat in my room, shirtless and bathed in the dim light of the moon filtering through the window, I clenched my teeth against the searing pain that shot through my body with each stitch. The needle pierced my skin with a sharp, biting sensation, but I refused to flinch, unwilling to show any sign of weakness.

I had forbidden the pack doctors from coming anywhere near me, determined to tend to my wounds alone. It was a ritual I performed whenever I found myself consumed by rage, a way to punish myself for my own perceived failures. And after what had transpired yesterday, I was filled with a burning sense of self-loathing that demanded retribution.

The events of the previous day played over and over in my mind like a relentless nightmare, each moment etched into my memory with painful clarity. Aria’s willingness to sacrifice herself for her innocence had struck me to my core, reminding me of the depth of her courage and the fragility she had in her.

When Brent had ordered his men to attack her, it felt as though the very air had been sucked from my lungs, leaving me gasping for breath in a world gone dark. In that moment, I had made a silent vow to myself-I would protect Aria at all costs, even if it meant laying down my life in the process.

The realization of my own vulnerability terrified me, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed walls I had built around my heart. As an Alpha, I had always prided myself on my strength and power, but now, faced with the thought of losing everything I held dear, I found myself questioning whether I was truly capable of protecting those I loved.

Letting out a ragged breath I tightened the final stitch, the sharp pain of the needle biting into my flesh serving as a harsh reminder of my own mortality. But despite the agony that radiated from my wounds, I knew that the physical pain was nothing compared to the torment of my own conscience.

As I surveyed the jagged lines of thread crisscrossing my skin, I felt a sense of bitter satisfaction wash over me. This was my punishment, my penance for failing to keep Aria when she needed me most.

As an Alpha, I knew my body possessed a remarkable ability to heal, but facing wounds inflicted by another Alpha meant the process would take longer than usual. Twenty- four hours was the standard healing time for injuries sustained in a typical altercation, but when the one causing harm was of the same status, that time doubled.

With a heavy sigh, I set aside the needle and thread, my hands trembling slightly from the strain of the task. The ache in my body was a constant reminder of the fierce battle I had waged against Brent, the wounds he had inflicted upon me matched only by the ones I had returned in kind.

Pouring myself a measure of vodka, I tossed back the glass in a single gulp, relishing the burn as it seared its way down my throat. The alcohol provided a fleeting respite from the pain, a temporary escape from the flashbacks that threatened to consume me.

But even as I sought solace in the numbing embrace of the liquor, my thoughts returned, unbidden, to the events of the previous day. I had won the fight with Brent, sparing his life when I easily could have ended it.

My decision had been a calculated one, born of a desire to protect Aria at all costs. When I saw her bleeding and vulnerable, my instincts had kicked in, driving me to her side in a desperate bid to ensure her safety. But fate had intervened, and she had slipped into unconsciousness before I could reach her.

With a heavy heart, I recalled the sight of her limp form cradled in my arms as I carried her back to the safety of my pack.

The door burst open without my permission and my beta, Elijah’s voice cut through the silence, breaking the stillness of the room. “Ellen is here to see you,” he announced, his tone carrying a note of urgency.

Before Elijah could even finish his sentence, the door swung open and Ellen rushed in, her eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. Her breath came in short, rapid gasps as she took in the sight of me, injured and vulnerable.

“So this is why you’ve been avoiding me, huh?” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. “You’re injured, and you refused to let me know.”

I didn’t turn to face her, my gaze fixed in front of me as I replied, “I don’t want you to see me like this.”

But Ellen was unmoved by my response, she strode forward until she was standing directly in front of me. Tears welled up in her honey brown eyes as she spoke, her voice filled with conviction. “I don’t care. I want to see you anyway. You’re my Alpha, my lord, my husband to be.”

Her words struck something within me, stirring something deep within my heart. I could see the sincerity in her eyes, the love and devotion she held for me. And yet, despite her heartfelt plea, I couldn’t shake the feeling of longing for another. Her eyes were what I had always admired but now, myself and my wolf wanted to see another, a pair of hazel eyes.

12:29 Wed, Aug 14 t W

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For a moment, I remained silent, lost in contemplation as I studied Ellen’s face. At least, she deserved honesty from me, even if it meant revealing the truth I had been trying to conceal. Finally, I spoke, my voice soft but firm. “I know you would worry. That’s why I was trying not to let you in.”

As I spoke, I could sense the weight of her concern lifting from her shoulders, replaced by a sense of understanding. And though I couldn’t deny the bond that existed between us, I couldn’t help but feel the ache of longing for the one whose absence I felt most keenly.

As Ellen took my bruised hands in hers, her gaze pleading, I could feel the weight of her concern pressing down on me. “Don’t shut me out, Caspian,” she urged softly, her voice filled with sincerity. “Tell me everything.”

I let out a low breath, torn between the desire to confide in her and the need to protect her from the truth. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about Aria, not when she already suspected something between us. And besides, Ellen didn’t know that Aria was back in the castle.

“I just need to rest,” I replied, my voice strained. Before Ellen could protest further, Elijah appeared at the door once more, interrupting our conversation. “The doctor has something to tell you,” he stated, turning to me. “Since you’re busy, can he pass the message to me, and then I relay it to you?”

“No, let him in,” I responded immediately, my attention already focused on the doctor’s arrival.

As the doctor entered the room, he greeted both Ellen and me with respect before delivering his message. “Alpha Caspian, I am here to tell you that Aria is awake.”

At the mention of Aria’s name, all sense of reservation fled from me. I turned away from Ellen, my mind consumed with thoughts of Aria’s well-being. Was she in pain? Hungry? Did she need anything?

I could sense Ellen staring at me with wide eyes, disbelief written all over her face. “Aria, the mute omega?” she exclaimed, her voice laced with disgust and incredulity.

No one responded to her except for the doctor, who affirmed, “Yes, My Luna. Alpha Caspian rescued her last night and brought her back to the pack for treatment.”