Mireya was enjoying a delicious breakfast when her phone buzzed briefly. A message had arrived. She read it immediately and her joyful expression turned to annoyance.
“How dare they disobey my orders. Damn them.”
Mireya left her breakfast. She hurried to Usher’s room and found Greisy greeting her with her head bowed.
“Forgive me, Madam. I tried to stop them, but they ignored me.”
Mireya growled. “I know. They don’t appreciate me at all,” she growled, clenching her fists. “Open the door.”
Greisy nodded and opened the door for Mireya. She gestured for Mireya to enter and at the same time she shouted.
“What are you doing, Garth?!”
Garth and Cora turned around immediately. They were surprised by Mireya’s sudden appearance.
“Mireya.”
Mireya approached with a sharp look. “Don’t you understand that Usher needs rest? He shouldn’t be disturbed by anyone.”
“I do not disturb Alpha, Mireya. Besides, I want to see his condition with my own eyes.”
“I’m sure Greisy has informed you about Usher’s condition. Is that correct?”
Garth remained silent. He said nothing even when Mireya was standing right in front of him.
“So why do you insist on entering? Can your arrival cause Usher to recover and wake up?” Mireya asked mockingly. “No, right?”
Garth took a deep breath before deciding to speak. “My arrival won’t actually heal Alpha or wake him up, but I need to know his condition personally.”
“Fine. I’m sure you got what you wanted. Don’t you? As you can see.” Mireya glanced briefly at the motionless Usher lying in the bed. “Usher is sick. He’s sleeping now, and we don’t know when he’ll wake up. So, you better leave right away. I’m sure there are many things you have to take care of, considering Usher is in an unfavorable condition right now.”
Mireya’s words contained some truth, but Garth did not see it as Mireya’s concern for Usher’s well-being. Instead, he felt that Mireya was trying to keep him from taking care of Usher.
Mireya narrowed her eyes. “Hello, are you listening?”
“You’re right,” Garth said flatly. “There are many things I have to do now. I apologize.”
Garth turned and walked away. Cora glared, then quickly followed Garth out without saying a word to Mireya.
Mireya sighed as she watched the door close behind them. Garth and Cora left, which made Mireya feel relieved.
“They are really hard to control.”
Mireya stifled her frustration and sat down on the bed. She watched Usher in silence while her mind raced.
What should I do now? Usher is sick, but I can’t completely control the situation.
Mireya pressed her fingers together. Her face became more serious and she didn’t notice Usher’s eyes moving slowly.
Usher groaned. Mireya jumped, her eyes widening.
“Usher. Are you awake?”
Usher held his heavy head. He opened his eyes and tried to focus. “Mireya.”
“Yes, Usher. It’s me,” Mireya said with a broad smile. She reached for Usher’s fingers and held them gently. “You’re finally awake. Oh, Usher. You had me so worried.”
Usher tried to push through the pain to reach out. He aimed for Mireya’s cheek and his thumb began to caress it. “Forgive me, Mireya. I’m sure you were worried.”
“Very, very worried, Usher. Suddenly you groaned in pain, banging on the ceramics until they cracked. Then you were unconscious for hours and just now woke up.”
Usher smiled weakly. “I’m fine now. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
“No, Usher. You may be awake, but I’m still worried,” Mireya said, squeezing Usher’s hand against her chest. “I told Scott to examine your blood sample. He’ll find out what’s happening to you, and in the meantime, I hope you’ll rest peacefully. I don’t want you to do anything but rest. Do you understand?”
“That is not possible, Mireya,” Usher refused, shaking his head repeatedly. Now he tried to get up, and Mireya helped him lean against the headboard. “There are many things I have to take care of, Mireya. Not only about the pack, but also the business. Frostholm Winery and Frostholm Hospitality are not in good time. I must have a meeting immediately before the situation gets worse.”
Mireya placed her index finger in front of Usher’s lips, preventing him from continuing. Usher fell silent. “I know. You have many responsibilities, but your health is my priority, Usher. You are not well, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. Do you understand my concern?”
Usher remained silent. He took a breath and nodded.
“Thank goodness you do. Now, can we agree that you will continue to rest and do nothing until you are fully recovered?”
Usher nodded. “I agree, but first I need to call Garth.”
“Garth? Why?”
“I need to instruct him to handle some things related to the pack and the business,” Usher replied, exhaling deeply. Then he felt a pain in his chest that pressed against him. “I want him to take care of everything before I recover.” Suddenly he remembered something. “By the way, did Garth come earlier?”
Mireya sighed and showed a sad face. “Actually, I didn’t want to say this, but honestly, Usher, it seems that Garth is not a responsible Beta.”
“What do you mean, Mireya?”
“Garth didn’t come to check up on you. In fact, he hasn’t even contacted The Palace to inquire about your condition.”
Usher’s expression changed. “It can’t be that Garth is like this.”
“Are you accusing me of lying?”
“No, Mireya,” Usher replied quickly. He shook his head once. “I’m not accusing you of lying, but I don’t think Garth would be like this. If he knew I was ill, he would come to The Palace to see me immediately.”
“In reality, that hasn’t happened yet, Usher. He hasn’t come, and the reason might be me.”
Usher frowned. “What do you mean, Mireya?”
“You know, right? The pack hates me. They think I am the mastermind behind everything that happened to Vione and the Munest family. So, it’s not surprising that Garth hates me too.”
“No. That’s impossible.”
Mireya’s grip on Usher’s fingers tightened. “It might be possible, Usher. I’m sure even Garth doesn’t see me as your partner.”
“No way.”
Usher continued to shake his head. He continued to deny Mireya’s words with the unshakable conviction that Garth couldn’t be like that.
Garth might still consider Vione as the Luna for the Frostholm Pack, but he should respect Usher’s decision to choose Mireya as his current partner. Whether he liked it or not, he had to accept Mireya’s presence.
Besides, Usher couldn’t understand. How could Garth not be worried about his condition? And was it true that it had something to do with Mireya’s presence?
Usher closed his eyes. The thought made his head throbbing.
“Usher? Are you okay?”
Usher tried to bear the pain. “I’m fine,” he said and opened his eyes. He saw Mireya offering him a cup of tea and accepted it with a weak smile. “Thank you.”
Mireya simply nodded. She waited for Usher to finish his tea, then placed her empty cup on the bedside table.
“It seems the decision to rest completely and not think about anything is the best choice for you right now, Usher.”
Usher nodded. “You’re right, Mireya. Oh, truly. I’m so lucky to have you. I can’t imagine what would happen to me if you weren’t here. I’m sick and even my Beta doesn’t care about me.”
“I’m glad you appreciate my presence, Usher. You know I would do anything for you,” Mireya said and cupped Usher’s face. She stared at Usher without blinking, smiling. “I wouldn’t mind helping you as long as you’re sick, Usher.”
Usher did not blink. Mireya’s look made him still. Everything seemed to disappear and there was only Mireya in his world.
For a moment, there was a rumbling in his chest. His head buzzed. Usher frowned, but Mireya’s gaze wiped everything away.
Usher asked, “Are you not opposed to helping me run the pack and the business? At least until I’m fully recovered. What do you think, Mireya? Are you willing?”
Mireya smiled contentedly, then replied, “Of course I’m willing. You know I’ll do anything for you, Usher. Even if you ask me to take care of the pack and the business.” She shifted and hugged Usher. “I’ll do it until you’re fully recovered.”
*