Avalyn
There was something wrong with my wolf. I knew it. I could feel it in my gut.
Nikolai was scared. Scared for me. But his strength gave me strength. Moments like these made me remember how much he cares for me, how much he loves me.
Normally, I would have been hurt and upset and angry that he killed two people to protect me. But now, I felt safe. I was proud to have a strong man by my side that can fight for me. And Nikolai has always fought for me. From the second he bought me. I understood him so much better now. I understood his need to protect me. I would kill to protect him too. I will kill in cold blood if it means protecting Nik and my family.
“Ava?” Nik called.
I looked up, tearing my eyes away from the huge diamond ring on my finger that Nik had gifted me a while ago just because he wanted to see me smile.
“One more healer has arrived.” I didn’t want to meet any healer. They hurt me. And they ended up dying. I might like Nik killing for me but I didn’t necessarily like people dying.
“I’ll be fine, Nik. I don’t feel like seeing anyone.” I bit my lip.
Nik caressed my lip with his thumb before he leaned in for a soft kiss. “Please. For me?”
It didn’t leave my attention at how free Nik had gotten with words like please, sorry and thank you.
“Okay,” I relented.
“Come in.” Nik called and Dimitri, along with Nat and a young woman stepped in.
“Her name is Allie.” Dimitri said. “She is… safe.”
Nik looked at her sceptically before nodded.
Allie smiled at me kindly and I smiled back.
“Beta Dimitri has already briefed me up on the situation but I still need to do a normal checkup before I begin.” Allie said. “I need you to lie down, hands on your sides and and eyes closed.”
Taking a deep breath, I did as she said. I felt her soft hand on my forehead and I relaxed instantly.
“Hello Avalyn.” The lady with silver hair greeted me.
All the pain I was feeling, the tiredness, the empty space inside me because of the absence of my wolf evaporated.
“Hi.” I smiled widely. It had been a very long time since I had seen her. And it was all the more better because she always made me feel at peace.
It felt so good.
“You have done a wonderful job, Ava. I’m so proud of you.” Her eyes were light with happiness and warmth filled me.
“I have done nothing, really.” I blushed.
She only smiled in reply. “You have been unwell.” She looked upset about it.
“Nik says I’ll be fine soon.”
“That you will. I want you to do something for me Avalyn. Will you do it?” She asked.
“Ask me anything.” I trusted her.
“When you wake up, I want you to find ‘the tree’ before sunrise and have exactly one fruit from it.”
“Which tree?” I asked.
Again, she just gave me a smile. “You will be given the gift of life and when the time comes, live.” She said, confusing me with her words. What did that mean? Am I not already living?
“Until then,
Stay strong,
Brighten the darkness,
The time is coming.”
And then she disappeared, slowly and then all at once.
My eyes flickered open. All the pain, the tiredness and emptiness came crashing back. It hurt. But I was feeling more positive and energetic than before. I saw Allie take her hand away from my forehead. She looked troubled.
Her alarmed eyes snapped to Nik.
He instantly tensed. “What is it?”
“May I talk to you alone, King Nikolai?” She asked, her voice thick. I instantly knew something was seriously wrong with me.
“Follow me.” Nikolai said and walked out of the bedroom with Allie following after him.
Dimitri and Nat took a seat next to me.
“You will be fine, Avalyn.” Dimitri reassured but it didn’t look like he believed it too much.
“Yes. We won’t let anything happen to you.” Nat said, sounding very sure about herself.
I wasn’t convinced.