Jace’s POV
I was woken up by beautiful soft humming. A wet cloth was covering my forehead, and the amazing scent of my mate filled the room.
The tingles that were spreading throughout my entire body made the pain I had experienced disappear.
I looked to my side and smiled when I saw her looking at the book on her lap while humming. Her hand was holding mine, and that made my heart pick up.
She was sitting on a chair with her hair covering her beautiful face. Something about her made me feel at peace and at ease. Sadly, I couldn’t bring myself to let her know that I was awake.
I had a feeling if I did, she would instantly act up, either by getting angry with me or distancing herself from me.
I was truly a coward who didn’t want to leave her side. The moment she ordered me to drink wolfsbane, I was terrified. Not because of death, but because of letting her go.
If I was to die, I would leave her alone for another man or be forgotten, which I didn’t want. I wanted to die for her but not right now, for now, I wanted to be with her a little longer and atone for my sins.
When she looked up and met my gaze, I quickly tried to shut my eyes but stopped when I saw that it was Lillian who was in full control.
She gasped loudly and then pulled her hand away.
“I’m sorry, Alpha,” she muttered as she stood up and took a few steps back.
I slowly sat upright and frowned deeply when she lowered her gaze to the floor.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered again.
Without much thought, I got to my feet and rushed to embrace her in relief.
The respect she was giving me was the same as back then, and that was a relief. Not that I wanted her as a servant or slave, but as a mate. And mates were meant to give each other respect.
When I felt her body tremble in my arms, I slowly pulled back and looked at her carefully, wondering if I had hurt her.
“Hey,” I whispered softly, making her look up.
I lifted my hand to touch her cheek when she closed her eyes and flinched.
“I’m sorry, please don’t hit me. I won’t do it again, I promise!” She screamed as I froze.
Hearing her words was like having her claws pierce my chest all over again, and it brought tears to my eyes.
I now understood why her wolf wanted me dead or in pain. I was the very person that caused trauma to her human, yet she couldn’t bring herself to let me die.
I knew Lillian wasn’t capable of wanting me dead, but if she did, I was still going to take my chances. But first, I needed to sincerely apologize to her before she would want nothing to do with me.
I knelt down with tears running down my cheeks and touched her feet, leaning forward to kiss them. What I was doing was rarely done by anyone high up, and it was unheard of when it came to an Alpha doing it.
It was an act that showed total submission from a slave to the person being kissed as his or her master.
She opened her eyes and widened them.
“Alpha,” she called in a cracked voice.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered huskily as a lump formed in my throat.
“I don’t deserve to be alive, that I know. I am a coward who is selfish to die, and I know very well that I don’t deserve you, but please have mercy. I was wrong, Lillian, so wrong for hurting and treating you badly. Please don’t reject me, I will do better, I swear. Hurt me as much as you want, but don’t reject me. “I was wrong,” I sobbed loudly as I lowered my gaze to the floor.
“Alpha,” she called in a pained voice, then fell to her knees and grabbed my shoulder.
“Look at me, please,” she whispered as I slowly did.
She was in tears and smiling genuinely for the first time since she came back to life.
“I won’t reject or hurt you in any way. Maila may be my wolf, but I am not her,” she answered as I smiled and then pulled her into my embrace.
“Thank you,” I whispered softly.
“But that doesn’t mean I want you to be with me,” she said as I pulled back and looked at her in fear.
“Please continue treating me like you did in the past when I was invisible. I know rejection at times may lead one to go rogue and sometimes to lose their mind. If not, they die because it’s very rare to find a second chance mate. That’s why I can’t reject you no matter what, it’s out of the question,” she said as I hit my chest for a second to ease the pain.
“So does it mean, if there was no death or going rogue after a rejection you would have rejected me?” I asked softly, trying to ignore my heartache.
She wiped away her tears and then looked at me with a deadly gaze for the first time.
“Yes, I hate your very existence, Alpha, but I can’t be so selfish and have you die, leaving the whole pack behind. We as a pack would all fall apart after my rejection. Despite this place being a hellhole for me, I wouldn’t want the children and other few pack members who are innocent and were kind to me to suffer,” she answered seriously as she felt powerless.
Right, what made me think she would share different emotions from Maila when they felt the same way?
Her words were painful, yet they were the assurance I needed. Losing her would kill me; I felt it. But if she was willing to still be a part of this pack and tolerate me, then I had a chance to redeem myself.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to touch you without consent,” I said huskily, then got to my feet, trying so hard not to show how weak I felt.
“As of today, this room is officially yours. Maila took it by force, but I’m assuming that would make you feel uncomfortable to sleep freely. That’s why I am giving it to you and telling you to rest easy,” I said as she stood upright and gave a low bow.
She was an Alpha who had a stronger wolf than mine, yet she was still showing me respect.
But it was out of fear, I guess, because there was no way anyone would respect their tormentor after becoming stronger than them.
“If you feel uncomfortable going out, then don’t. All you have to do is mind-link Flora, and she will happily bring you anything,” I said as she smiled.
“You like it very much, don’t you?” I asked as her smile faded.
“No,” she answered coldly.
I could see it on her face that she was lying. Her facial expression easily gave her away.
“Okay, I thought you did. I wanted to give her a room which would be close to yours. That way you could see her easily, but since she’s not someone you like, it won’t be worth it,” I said while I slowly walked towards the door.
“What exactly do you want in return when you do that for me, Alpha?” she asked.
“Nothing, I want nothing from you,” I answered and then touched the door handle.
“Please give her a room,” she said in a very low tone. If not for my enhanced hearing, I wouldn’t have heard her voice.
“Of course, as long as it makes you happy,” I answered and then walked out.
The place where Flora and the other Omegas lay was very simple and lacking. But the room I was going to give her was not only comfortable but appealing to the eyes.
All I wanted was to see my mate take a step towards her happiness, even if it was with a little act.