TESSA’S POV
Hours passed and my mind was all over the place, over thinking those accidents that I encountered ever since I came here in Crimson Shadows Pack. Cohen was right beside me, doing his best to comfort me with sweet words. But it did not help to wash away all my worries.
Being targeted by something or someone powerful was getting me anxious. I could hardly process everything; only the questions and fear remained and to be honest, it was sucking up my sanity.
“It doesn’t matter,” Cohen said as he tried to get my attention. I wasn’t paying attention to every word he said. All I heard was incoherent statements as my mind was busy pondering. “Whoever did this will be punished accordingly. I’ll catch it with my own hands. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
“Lots of things happened after the mating season,” I said softly when it all made sense to me.
It was possible that someone might have hated me after the mating season, probably because two powerful werewolves were claiming to be my mate. I was not exactly sure, but that was the only reason I could think of. Or was I only assuming?
“I will send some warrior wolves to secure your house until we get to identify who’s been trying to harm you,” Atlas uttered in a serious manner. I glanced his way and our gaze met. “You need to be extra careful, Tessa.”
“Thank you.” I offered him a thin smile.
“I can go there during the night to guard you too,” Cohen added. “For sure Alice will like that idea too.”
I looked at Cohen and saw that he was determined to get my approval on his suggestion. While I didn’t find anything wrong about it, I just felt that having the warrior wolves would actually a lot better. They were trained enough to handle too many circumstances that involved fights. But I couldn’t just turn Cohen down, most especially if he was trying to be helpful.
I breathed in heavily and smiled at him too. “Thank you, Cohen.”
He smiled wildly at me. “I’m excited…”
I heard Atlas click his tongue. When I glanced back at him, he only shook his head as he gazed at Cohen. Julie stepped forward that caught my attention. She then tapped my back as she sighed.
“As much as I wanted to stay here, but I need to go home now to do some things for my abuela,” she said.
“Not a problem, Jul.” I held her hand and tapped it. “Thank you for your concern.”
“Sure,” she uttered and leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I hope you get well fast, Tessa.”
“I appreciate you, Julie.”
She cupped my cheeks and then bid her goodbye afterward. I was smiling as my gaze followed her all the way to the door, and when she was gone I glanced at Atlas, only to see him looking at the door too with furrowed brows. Somehow, I felt a sting inside my chest.
Was still he affected by Julie’s presence?
***
I put the last set of clothes I folded into the cabinet. Wiping off the sweats that were formed on my forehead, I looked around the living room, trying to think if there was anything I’d left to do.
It had been a week since the incident that happened at the university. Even though I healed so fast from the injury I got, my vampire guardians requested for a two-week leave of absence as they wanted to ensure that I’d be well enough and safe from someone who tried to harm me.
Warrior wolves had been securing our place for a week now. Atlas was true to his words when he said that he’d make sure that the entire place would be surrounded by top-notch warriors. Even Cohen stayed at the house during the night to keep an eye at the surrounding. I sometimes felt bad he had to do it, but he’d always tell me that he wanted to protect me.
During the past week, I was able to examine my feelings toward the two werewolves too. At first, I was confused but now I could tell that my feelings were clear as the blue sky.
I had gotten to like Atlas over the short period of time, while my feelings for Cohen had slowly subsided into something I could consider as friendship. I was aware that it would hurt him once I told him about it, and so I had to hide it temporarily until the mate bond washed upon me. By that time, I would be able to choose and regardless of what I felt, I’d willingly respect the bond.
Atlas would come to visit me during day light. He’d help my uncle with some physical works outside and I’d watch them through the balcony. We’d be glancing at each other, smiling secretly and I’d feel lost with the overwhelming feeling inside my chest. That became my routine.
Only this day, no Atlas came.
Cohen wouldn’t be around too.
Today would be a special day for the two, as the role of being Alpha and Beta would be passed to them. Everyone in the pack was so busy, and here I was getting myself busied with all the household chores just to keep myself from getting bored.
“I told you to stay in your room!” Aunt Alice groaned behind me.
“But I’m tired staying in my room, Aunt,” I said as I looked at her and then smiled. “Should we cook lunch together?”
“Come on, Tessa. You’ve been through another accident. Why not take a break and enjoy snuggling in your pillow?”
“I can’t.” My shoulders sagged and I pouted. “You see, I’m getting better. Thanks to whatever water the pack doctor had me drink.”
Aunt Alice folded her arms and eyed me suspiciously. “You’re anxious. I wonder why.”
“I-I’m not.” I frowned, and looked away.
“You can’t hide anything from me, sweetheart.”
Aunt Alice really could tell almost all of the feelings I had within. I wondered when it ever be that I’d be able to hide such things from her-especially those I wanted to keep to myself.
“Is it because of the coronation that will happen tonight?”
I sighed in defeat and gazed back at her. “Probably.”
She then shook her head. “You don’t need to concern yourself in that matter.”
“B-But I…” I bit my lower lip, wincing. “I want to come and see them accept their positions.”
“You know that Luna Serene sees you as an eye sore, Tess.”
“I know,” I said and lowered my head. “But still, I want to witness it…”
“Fine.” Her voice softened. “We can take a look, but we’re not going to stay long in that event as I want to prioritize your safety.”
My face brightened with what Aunt Alice said. I immediately embraced her and said, “Thank you, Aunt!”
She chuckled as she caressed my hair, and I could not help but smile.
“What choice do I have? The mate bond hasn’t kicked in to your system but you have gotten closer to them. It’s not like you’re child who I could still prevent from wanting something.”