Chapter 20
ADRIAN’S POV.
I stood there unsure of what to do or say. Hurried steps behind me sounded and I turned to look at Giselle.
“You saw that! She slapped me!” Giselle shrieked, her voice laced with wounded pride.
The hurt in Giselle eye’s was undeniable but I found myself feeling a pang of guilt for a completely different reason Tessa’s words were laced with a bitter truth that echoed in my head. “Don’t you dare shout on me neither do you have the right to question me, You wouldn’t believe me anyway”
Her cold gaze held a depth of pain and Betrayal that mirrored mine. Shame washed upon me and it was suffocating, How could I have been so blind and not seen the pain I had inflicted on her.
Giselle’s constant whining was grating on my nerves. “She’s a mere medic, how dare she?“.
I looked at Giselle lazily moving my eyes away from the spot where Tessa had stood a while ago. A part of me ached to follow her, beg her to listen and win her trust back if not her love but my legs couldn’t bring me to do it. She wouldn’t believe a word I said and the fault lay entirely with me.
With a heavy sigh, I ignored the venomous glare Giselle was staring at me with.
“It’s late. Get some rest” I said waving my hand dismissively to her, my voice devoid of it’s usual authority. The weight of Tessa’s accusation hung heavy in the air, a constant reminder of my failings
I left Giselle standing there and went straight to my room and lay down. The silence was deafening and eating at me. The plush furniture and lush decor offered no solace to my troubled heart. Restless, I turned about in bed, the image of Tessa’s tear filled eyes when I accused her, filled my brain and I groaned.
I wanted to understand better, to see things from Tessa perspective. Did she truly despise me? Would she ever let me associate with my children? What had happened during her exile?.
Memories that were long suppressed, flickered to life. Tessa’s pregnancy, Will saying that Tessa had an affair outside the marriage, Tessa crying in vain for me to believe her then the night….the night were I rejected her and banished her. They haunted my mind.
–
The guilt was a heavy burden one which I must bear alone as punishment for my actions. Tessa wouldn’t believe anything I told her. The trust we once shared had been shattered and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was the one that held the rock to smash it to pieces and now I couldn’t fix it.
Moon shadow epidemic- It seemed like a really interesting thing to discuss, it had killed people and we didn’t know if it was going to do more. Tessa seemed to be doing a great job in containing the epidemic..
Then I still had one more thing to think and smile about “sky” He had said, I was mesmerized by him and couldn’t help but wonder how it felt to hold him in my arms. We seemed to be Bonding just fine when Tessa came along and took her child away her child? He was also mine..who am I kidding. I’m not sure… I am actually. Either way, she had to save her kid from the big bad wolf which was me..
Sleep had eluded me but I had to force my eyelids down to sleep. I had a busy day ahead.
The next morning, I woke up a mess, my hair dishevelled as I went to get ready for my usual stroll round the pack house. As I wore my shirt, I couldn’t help but wonder what Tessa was doing, perhaps she was already in the med bay? My curiousity was getting the better of me.
She hated me and I had resolved to steer clear off her path to give her space but now I found myself walking to go check on
her.
I knew most of the sentinels wouldn’t have been in position and the maids would be around the kitchen so I crept towards the med bay, feeling quite confident. My movements were cautious and silent and peeking through a small crack in the doorway silently, I observed Tessa, her back to me.
1/4
00:11 Thu, 11 Apr
Chapter 20
She moved with such practice and easy grace that brought a smile to my face and I found myself grinning from where stood. Her touch was gentle and firm as she checked on a slumbering wolf, I saw her eyebrows crinkle in confusion as she spoke to them, her voice soothing and kind. The med bay seemed empty save for Tessa and a little girl medic
I admired her skills, she moved with a quiet confidence, one that didn’t fail to amaze me. I began to wonder who had taught her to such expert level, her knowledge in the art was evident in all her actions and a surge of pride quickly overshadowed by shame swelled within me.
I knew I had to leave before she noticed me and I heaved a small sigh when suddenly, a hand tugged at my sleeve, my heart caught in my chest as I whirled round, startled to find a child staring at me with wide curious eyes.
My heart ached
“Sky?” I whispered.
it was my child but I wasn’t sure which of them it was.
His wide eyes went to a lazy form as he looked at me.
“No, it’s Ty” He said loudly and I hurriedly looked inside to see if Tessa had turned around. Oh Lord, I didn’t want to run but the kid was blowing my cover.
I motioned for him to reduce his voice.
“Who are you?” He finally whispered, his voice with a tint of suspicion.
“Uh…I….uh” I fumbled for the right words, being caught spying on a medic especially by my own son who didn’t know me wasn’t the kind of image I wanted to project as an Alpha.
“Ty, what are you…” I started to whisper when he pushed past me into the med bay and shouted.
“Mama, there’s a weird man outside looking for you‘ He announced, oblivious to my plight and predicament, his innocent declaration had sent a surge of panic through me.
Knowing I couldn’t run away, I braced myself and walked in, looking as calm as possible.
Tessa’s head whipped round to face the door, her eyes narrowing as they fell on me. Her expression was cold and devoid of any warmth or emotion.
The medic girl hurriedly stood and curtsied to me while Tessa stared at me
“Good morning, Alpha…” A weak voice from the patient she was tending to, rang out.
I smiled as much as my faltering lips would allow and looked at Tessa.
“Please medic, step outside for a moment” I said trying to act composed when my nerves were far from it, I walked out waiting for her and in a minute, she joined me, shutting the door behind her..
The playful, loving woman I once knew was now a ghost, replaced by this steely, hardened woman. Shame burned in my throat knowing I was the one that changed her.
“Tessa…I” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, the words had caught in my throat and I didn’t know how to say it.
“What do you want?” Her question hung in the air, a challenge rather than a question or inquiry.
The lie I had practiced crumbled under the intensity of her gaze.
“I just wanted to see how you were handling the patients” I said feeling foolish.
“You’re not supposed to be here during my rounds here, it’s a distraction. No one is to be here” She reminded.
I scratched my neck embarrassed.
00:11 Thu, 11 Apr
Chapter 20
“I actually also wanted to check on you too” I mumbled.
She raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. “Spying on a medic? Is that what the Alpha of Silvermoon has resorted to?” The sarcasm in her voice cut deep.
I winced feeling a wave of heat flush my cheeks.
“No, it’s not like that” I hurriedly said. The pathetic excuse even felt flat in my own ears.
I opened my mouth to apologize when she cut me off with a gesture.
“Save it” She said simply.
Taking a well deserved breath, I forced myself to meet her scrutinizing gaze.
“Look, Tessa. I know I messed up by not believing you those years ago, I’m really sorry. I don’t deserve your trust but please forgive me, I can’t sleep, I’m haunted by your every words….please” I pleaded.
There was no change in her stance.
“Understanding you messed up doesn’t change the past. Just….what exactly do you want?” she asked, her tone dismissive.
Her question caught me off guard. “What am I looking for?” I repeated, confused.
“Yes, you wouldn’t be lurking in the shadows like a rogue unless you needed something else, what is it?” She asked.
Your forgiveness but I couldn’t tell her that again. She was right though, there was another thing I had in mind.
I hesitated, unsure of how to phrase my request. “I’m looking for ways to help the pack recover from the tragedy of the plague” I said
A cynical smile played on her small lips. “How noble, the Alpha wakes up to his responsibility“.
“That’s…” my voice rose in sheer frustration.
“Isn’t that what you do? Abandon people when they need you?” She asked.
The anger in her voice was understandable but it was also like a shield to keep me at bay. I couldn’t blame her, I couldn’t trust me either.
“We need your help, Tessa” I finally said.
She gestured to the med bay.
“You already got it” She reminded.
I wiped sweats of perspiration off my brow
“Tessa, you’re the best medic as far as I know. Along with someone called Gabe. You may think I forgot about you but I did try to keep tabs on you to see if you were safe after leaving the pack”
She stared for long at me, her expression unreadable. Finally she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper ” Well, was 1?”
The question hung in the air heavily.
“I don’t know” I admitted frustrated.
Silence descended upon us again, thick like a fog when she spoke up.
“The offer to help the pack….” She began.
00:11 Thu, 11 Apr
Chapter 20
“It’s a contract “I hurriedly said.
“Explain” She said crossing her arms.
70%
“Ok so, you stay here for two years and be our medic. You can teach the medics here your ways while helping us but in this two years, you’re not allowed to visit and treat other packs, just us” I said looking at her.
She was silent and brooding.
“What’s in it for me?” She finally asked.
“Whatever you want. We need you, Tessa” I said nervously.
She seemed to scrutinize me.
“Alright but if I were to help, it wouldn’t be for you, it would be for the pack” She finally said.
To say I was surprised was an understatement, I hadn’t expected her to agree.
“I understand, the pack comes first, always” I said, my voice thick with emotion.
“There are conditions” She said, her tone left no room for argument.
My shoulders slumped slightly.
“First, I have full access to the patients and wherever I want to go”
I nodded
“Second, you keep Will away. I don’t want him here at all, I don’t care if he’s the medic but I’m not working with him”
I opened my mouth to say something then shut it again.
“Third, no one will boss me around. Not even you or your Luna. No one at all. My children will be treated fair and not be harmed under any circumstances”
That would be easy.
“Lastly, I pull out of this whenever I want” She finally said.
I bit my lip.
“Deal!”
