Chapter 80
Iris
“Arghh,” I groaned as my eyes fluttered open.
I blinked incessantly until I got used to the brightness of the room then I passed a cursory glance around it. Relief washed over me when I noticed that I was alone.
Loneliness was a luxury I craved because I wanted to have some time to myself and make plans on what to do next after what had happened.
The memories came rushing like a flood into my memory and a dull ache gnawed in my chest. I couldn’t believe that I was almost stoned to death like a common criminal without being tried.
And Gradel, he allowed it to happen. I didn’t know who saved me and I didn’t want to know. They should have left me to die, after all, this kind of situation was likely to repeat itself.
My body ached for a stretch so I indulged myself and raised my hands. And then it occurred to me that my limbs weren’t hurting as they should and the pains that had spread all over my body from that attack had vanished.
I touched my forehead, clearly remembering that it took a hit and blood had gushed heavily from the opening, but not even a cut was there.
Saying that I was surprised was an understatement, I was marveled. Awestruck, even. Now I needed to speak to anyone so that I could calculate how long it took me to heal this fast.
‘Hello, friend. It’s nice meeting with you.’ I heard a shrill voice within me and jolted from the bed.
My heart raced in a frenzy and I clutched onto my chest. A realization that made me want to tear down the roof with my scream dawned on me.
My wolf had woken up. I had become a full werewolf.
My joy knew no bounds as I jumped around excitedly, clapping and flinging my hands in the air at the same time. I couldn’t believe this.
Who could have thought that I’d have a wolf after escaping death? That explained my speedy recovery.
However, my joy was short-lived the moment Gradel appeared in the room. All the excitement in me died down and bitterness sprang in.
His eyes brightened with a smile and he hoisted me up, planting kisses all over my face. I should have been happy that he was acting all lovely-dovey with me, but after what happened, I wanted nothing more but to be away from him.
“Let me go,” I said breathily, my expression void of warmth.
The smile on his face disappeared and he brought me down with a questioning gaze. “What’s the matter? Are you still hurting?” He asked tenderly and my heart almost melted.
I had to think properly before giving a response so I played safe and deflected. “For how long have I been out?” I tucked my hair behind my ear.
His shoulders slumped in resignation and he tucked his hands into his pocket. “Less than a day.”
I lowered my lashes and settled on the bed. Suddenly, my eyes were becoming drowsy, possibly an after-effect of the drugs that were administered to me.
“Alright then,” I responded and pulled the duvet over my head.
I expected him to ask for forgiveness, but I doubted that I’d forgive him after everything.
“I’m sorry, Iris,” His voice sounded so close and when I peeped through a little opening between the duvet and the bed, I saw that he was kneeling.
A snort left my throat before I could suppress it and I sighed. He wasn’t supposed to get a reaction from me so I kept quiet, fighting the urge to sleep.
My wolf and I needed to have a long conversation, but not with Gradel kneeling before me.
I pulled down the duvet and straightened my body. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone,” My voice was terse and gave no room for further argument, but with the kind of man he was, I was just wasting my time.
He shook his head vigorously and grabbed my hands. “I’m sorry, sweetheart, but I can’t do that… How do you expect me to leave you alone in this condition?”
My temper was beginning to simmer and I snatched my hands from his grip.
“You’ve done far worse so why do you feel the need to make up for it today, huh? I was stoned, reaching the point of death because you couldn’t protect the woman you claimed to be your mate. You doubted me from the first day that my reputation became awry and threw me to the wolves. I even wished for death because to me, there was no reason to be alive, but the moon goddess didn’t listen and she brought me back to life. Now you want to act like everything is fine?” I spat, my breaths erratic.
“How dare you do that to me, Gradel?” I croaked.
Fury took over me and my fists continuously landed on his chest until I was spent. He didn’t stop me, he just watched me hit him, knowing that my punches were weak and misdirected.
He fell on his knees, his eyes misty and red but I wasn’t ready for anything he had to say so I left the room.
Elda was standing by the door when I got out, with worry plastered on his face. His eyes lit up as soon as he saw me.
“Are you alright, ma’am? You should be resting,”
“I’m good,” I responded weakly. “And thank you for what you did,”
His lips curved into a beautiful smile. “Anything for you, My Lady,”
I furrowed my brows, wondering if my ears were playing tricks on me or if he sounded rather intimate. But I didn’t give it much thought, he was my bodyguard after all and he was meant to have my back.
The serenity of the pond calmed the raging storm within me while I watched the ducks dance around the bank. Exhilarating scents from different flowers drifted to my nostrils and I inhaled deeply, enjoying my time alone with my wolf.
How good it felt to finally have a wolf. I couldn’t wait to go for a run and experience the freedom that being a full werewolf brought.
I was still basking in that euphoria when I sensed a presence behind me, one that didn’t belong to my mate.
Turning around, my eyes met with the last person I’d expected to see.