Avalyn
My eyes fluttered open and I looked around the darkness. Nik wasn’t here but he had closed the drapes. I sat up and a wave of dizziness crashed against my head. I sat still, taking deep breaths until it passed. When I finally felt better, I stood up. I was still feeling a little light headed but I knew it was because of dehydration and because I hadn’t had food.
I walked out of my bedroom only to find Eliyah standing guard besides the door. He immediately turned to look at me. His eyes searched my face for signs of distress before he met my eyes, “are you feeling okay?”
“I feel better than I did yesterday, thank you for asking.” I smiled and then asked, “why are you standing here?” We didn’t need guards. He knew about the powers of our palace. There was never going to be a problem of intruders.
“So that you don’t keep wandering out when you should be resting. Go back inside and rest. What do you want? I’ll get it,” he demanded. It amused me to see him care about me so much that he was ordering me to take care of myself. “Mistress.” He added after a second thought.
“I feel fine, Eli.” I smiled. “I need something to eat and water.”
“I’ll get it. Don’t get out of your bed.” He opened the door for me, motioning me to get in. “Go rest.”
“I’ll go crazy if I rest more. But I might rest in a chair in the dining room.” I said and he narrowed his eyes at me in annoyance but nodded anyways. I walked towards the dining room and he followed. I could feel his burning gaze. He was looking for any small sign which could indicate that I would collapse so he could catch me before I did. It was endearing. “What time is it?”
“Four pm.” He replied. Wow. I was asleep for a long time.
Tessa was carrying the laundry when she saw me and immediately rushed to my side.
“Go get her food and water. Dining room. Now.” He ordered Tessa, making her frown. I gave him a look.
“Please.” He added.
Tessa ignored him and looked at me, “you look better than yesterday, Mistress. I’ll ask the cooks to whip up some porridge quickly. Alpha ordered me to do so.”
“I’d like something solid please. I’m famished. Something spicy and something sweet.”
She looked doubtful but she nodded anyways, “right away, Mistress. Please go have a seat. I’ll be there shortly.” She took out a phone from her pocket and dialled a number while I kept walking forward.
When I entered the dining room, a porridge was waiting for me at the head of the table and Dimitri was in his usual seat with a full bowl in front of him as well.
Why is he here?
I took Nikolai’s seat and instantly dug in. I almost gagged. It tasted horrible.
Dimitri snickered. “It’s porridge. Sick people’s food. Tastes like elephant shit, I tried it.” Eliyah sat on my other side which was usually my seat and silently laughed with Dimitri.
“Do I have to eat it?” I whined. It was chunky.
“Yup. Doctor’s orders backed up by Nikolai’s. Only then you’ll get your solid food.” He said and I groaned but started eat and drinking it.
“Doctors orders?”
“Nikolai had the pack doctor came in the morning to check up on you. You were sleeping like a dead log but he did his thing.” He said and a maid came in and placed chicken nuggets in front on him. I looked at it with hunger.
He covered his food from my gaze with a taunting smirk. “Eat your own.”
“Ass.” I grumbled but did as he said. How can something that tastes so bad be good for you? “I hate being sick. What did the doctor say anyways?”
“He said your wolf is weak. Basically you need eat, sleep, repeat.” He said, licking his fingers clean after he ate his nuggets.
I was half way done with my porridge when the maid came in with Indian curry and rice. My mouth watered. I pushed the porridge away to make space for delicious food. I ate so fast that I was practically inhaling it. I hadn’t had anything in almost one entre day and my stomach was about to eat itself up.
Dimitri and Eli waited patiently till I finished everything and was finally full. The maids came in with a choco lava cake which I also finished.
I looked up to see an amused Dimitri and Eli. I glared at them, “problem?”
Both of them quickly shook their heads. Smart.
“Anyways, I’m here with important information.” Dimitri said. “The nuggets were simply an added bonus.”
“And here I thought that you wanted to enjoy my unparalleled company.” I joked.
“That too,” he winked. “Nikolai is boring. He doesn’t joke and nor does he flirt back.”
“I can’t promise if I’ll flirt back either, Dimitri.” I laughed lightly. He is such a man child.
“But that’s fine, I’ll know I’m the only man in your heart.” He winked and then grinned, “also, congratulations.”
“Why?” Did something happen? What had I done?
“You are bestowed with the honour of having me as your Beta. I’m officially the Hand of the Queen.” He said cheekily.
My eyes widened and I grinned. “Really?”
He placed his hand over his heart, “I swear on Nikolai’s life. Let him die if I’m lying.”
“Don’t joke about that!” I smacked his arm and he chuckled. “Sorry. But honest to goddess, Avalyn. The kingdom has grown a lot and so have the responsibilities. So it was decided to have two betas. Nat is Nikolai’s.”
I smiled. I knew she was secretly training for this since a long time and I was extremely proud of her. She finally accomplished her goal.
“Wait, when did this happen?” Where was I?
“So yesterday evening we had a meeting. The council men are chosen.”
Realisation struck. “Wait. Meeting. A meeting with the Alphas is about to happen right now!” I just remembered and he nodded, “Nikolai said that it’s okay if you don’t attend. You’re sick and that you can be officially excused.”
“But I want to attend.” I stood up. I had talked to them on the phone multiple times and I wanted to put a face to the name too.