12




Bianca's POV

"What did you just say?"

My body turned to ice, paralyzed. The very act of chewing had slipped from my grasp, leaving me on the precipice of choking. My eyes were so vast; I'm sure they looked like they would pop out of my head. I was in utter disbelief at my stupidity. Me and my big mouth.

"Well, I suppose the wolf has finally emerged from its secretive den," April, my wolf companion, interjected with her signature wittiness, slicing through the dense fog of thoughts swirling in my mind.

A shift in Cane's stance caught my attention. His brows furrowed, and his scrunched nose accentuated the array of emotions on his face. Curiosity and confusion mingled in his eyes, flickering like flames in the depths of a vast, enigmatic forest.

I didn't know what to say. I could feel Cane's stare on me; It felt like it was burning a hole through my body. My eyes didn't leave the nearly empty bowl in front of me. I couldn't meet him. I didn't want to repeat what I had so idiotically let slip. Though I knew that wasn't fair, and I was going to give him an explanation, right now was not the right moment he did say it himself. I pondered for a moment; would he judge me if I did tell him? After all, If a regular wolf had rejected me, why would I be good enough for Cane? Another part of me was scared to tell him because then it would sink in that it was all real. But, on the other hand, I couldn't lie to him either; lying would only worsen the situation later.

'Tell him. He'll understand, Bianca. He is our mate; he'll never judge us or blame us. Especially for something that wasn't our fault.' April's words were reassuring, but I still couldn't look at Cane. 'I can tell you right now, the connection I feel on my own with his wolf is powerful, more powerful than whatever the fuck we had with Elijah's wolf.'

I battled with everything; what should my following words be? How or where would I even begin?

Brett's voice pierced through the heavy silence in the room, shattering the stillness. "Cool, you've eaten on a moose carcass before?" he quipped, his words hanging in the air. The weight of Cane's gaze intensified, his stare now fixated on Brett, eyes narrowed, conveying annoyance and frustration at the casual remark. The charged atmosphere hinted at an unspoken tension, enveloping the room in a veil of unease.

Cane's voice was commanding as he issued a stern order to Brett. "Leave," he commanded, his voice brooking no room for negotiation. Brett swiftly complied without uttering a single word in response, pushing the cart out of the room. The sound of the closing door concealed his departure, leaving me with a racing heart. There was no evading Cane's presence, and fleeing was futile; he possessed the strength to catch me should I attempt to escape. The realization weighed heavily on my mind, intensifying the knot of anxiety that had formed within me.

I felt the gentle pressure of his fingers as they delicately cradled my chin, a touch that sent sparks coursing through my body. I fought against the instinctive response, willing myself to remain composed and keep my head still. Yet, it seemed my body moved of its own accord, obediently following his lead. And then, with a gradual motion, he lifted my chin, allowing our gazes to lock. Initially, I attempted to avert my eyes, nervously darting them toward the ceiling to evade his piercing gaze.

"Please, look at me," he said, his voice tender and smooth, coaxing me to meet his gaze. Finally, my resistance waned, and I relented, turning my attention toward him. As my eyes locked with his, a surprising revelation unfolded before me. Instead of anger or frustration, his eyes reflected genuine concern and deep-seated compassion.

In my thoughts, an undeniable realization took hold: he was truly perfect. A sense of awe washed over me as I found myself melting under the tender grip of his touch. Never could I have fathomed the depth and intensity of the mate bond, its power permeating every fiber of my being. At that moment, a profound understanding blossomed within me, illuminating the extraordinary nature of our connection as mates and the limitless possibilities it held.

"I won't pressure you," he assured me, his words laced with a gentle understanding. "I know you've endured so much, and I want you to share only what you feel comfortable with in your own time. Then, once you're all healed and settled in, you can tell me everything," he continued. The patience in his voice enveloped me like a warm embrace, providing immeasurable comfort amid my inner turmoil.

As his words resonated within me, my brain waged a fierce battle against my body's desires. Every fiber of my being yearned to lean in and taste the sweetness of a kiss. Yet, against all odds, my brain's resistance began to wane, succumbing to the overwhelming pull of attraction and affection. In one fluid motion, I reached up as high as I could and wrapped my arms around his chest, burying my face into it.

Sweet relief...somewhat.

"Thank you." Those were the only words that left my lips, and I muffled them repeatedly against his chest. His scent engulfed me; it was powerful and woody. I felt as if everything had evaporated around me.

I could sense the muscles in his arms tensing as he instinctively enveloped me in a secure embrace. The electrifying sparks ignited a cascade of sensations, threatening to send me into a dizzying euphoria. Instead, the intensity of our connection manifested in every touch, every shared breath.

"Cane," the words escaped my lips, slightly muffled against his chest. "You smell so good." He let out a gentle hum. As our bodies pressed together, I became acutely aware of his rapid heartbeat, a rhythmic symphony that resonated against my ear. Held in his firm and protective embrace, I felt an overwhelming sense of safety and security. In his arms, the world outside ceased to exist, leaving me once more cocooned in a sanctuary of warmth and solace.

He lowered his head, allowing it to hover just above mine, creating a tender proximity that ignited a fluttering sensation within me. I could feel the softness of his cheek gently nuzzling against the top of my head, a tender gesture that conveyed an overwhelming sense of affection. As I glanced up at him, our eyes locked in an intimate exchange of emotions.

I'm so happy I finally found you," he whispered. He leaned in and planted a soft, lingering kiss on my forehead. The touch of his lips against my skin sent electrifying shockwaves coursing throughout my body, a testament to our connection's depth and his profound impact on me.

I let out a soft whine. "I'm so happy I found you too."

We stayed in each other's arms for a while, just enjoying the feeling of one another. When we finally let go, Cane placed another kiss on my forehead.

"Are you still hungry?" he inquired, his touch tender as his thumb traced a gentle path along my cheek. "I can let Brett know, and he'll bring more."

I gazed at the nearly empty bowl of soup, contemplating his offer. "Yes, please," I responded with gratitude, "and if you could ask for some bread as well. I think I'll be able to eat it if I soak it in the both." A smile adorned my face, an expression of anticipation and appreciation for his care.

"I will let him know," he assured me, a hint of relief lacing his words. "I'm glad you can eat without trouble; it should help speed the healing process." However, as Cane spoke, his demeanor abruptly shifted. His once expressive face turned blank, devoid of any emotion. Something had caught his attention, and he became lost in his thoughts, his gaze fixed on a distant point.

It became clear that Cane had engaged the pack mind link, connecting with another packmate. His focus was elsewhere, drawn into a conversation or exchange beyond my perception. At that moment, I could only watch. My eyes remained locked on Cane, keenly attuned to the subtle shifts in his expression. Each flicker of emotion, every furrow of his brow, held significance that couldn't be ignored.

In the depth of his gaze, I could sense a surge of thoughts and emotions swirling beneath the surface. His features contorted, his eyes narrowed, as if grappling with a profound realization or an internal struggle. Nevertheless, it was clear that something significant had captured his attention.

Turning his gaze back to me, Cane's voice carried a calm reassurance as he spoke, "I have to step away for a moment, but I'll return shortly. In the meantime, I'll have Brett bring you more food, and I'll arrange for another nurse to come in and complete your check-up."

I nodded, acknowledging his need to attend to matters that demanded his immediate attention. Yet, despite the brief separation, I found solace in his promise to return promptly.

I nodded, "Is everything okay?" I asked curiously. He gave me a nod in response but didn't say anything. As he moved towards the door, I couldn't help but feel a mix of gratitude and anticipation. His unwavering presence had become an anchor in my journey to recovery, and the prospect of his imminent return filled me with a sense of reassurance.

With Cane's departure, I shifted my attention back to the remaining food on the tray. The red cylinder-shaped jello cup caught my eye, its vibrant color beckoning me. I took a small spoonful, savoring the sweetness that danced on my tongue. The smooth texture slid effortlessly, bringing a momentary respite from the lingering pain and discomfort.

A gentle knock resonated from the other side of the door, interrupting the solitude of the room. "Come in," I called out.

Brett reentered the room as the door swung open; in his hands, he balanced a tray laden with another steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup. The aroma filled the air, tantalizing my senses and coaxing my appetite to life again. Alongside the savory soup, a loaf of bread, already sliced into thin, inviting pieces. The crust glistened under the soft glow of the room, hinting at the warm, fluffy interior within. Seeing it brought a surge of anticipation, knowing that its smooth texture would complement the soup's comforting broth and delicate flavors.

With gratitude, I acknowledged Brett's, "Thank you so much." My eyes lingered on the spread before me, the remnants of the previous meal already a distant memory. The promise of a fresh batch of soup and the warm embrace of freshly baked bread filled me with a renewed sense of satisfaction and nourishment.

As Brett carefully set the tray down, the room was again filled with the comforting scents of home-cooked food.

I couldn't contain my curiosity as I watched Brett set the tray down, the enticing aroma of the soup swirling around us. My spoon eagerly dipped into the steaming liquid, craving its comforting warmth, overwhelming my senses. As I took a sip, the rich flavors danced on my tongue, soothing my body and soul.

Between mouthfuls, I managed to utter the question tugging at my thoughts. "How did you get here so fast?" My voice blended surprise and gratitude, mingling with a genuine hunger for knowledge.

Brett's eyes sparkled with amusement and satisfaction as he began to explain, his words blending seamlessly with the clinking of cutlery and my contented slurping. "Well," he began, a hint of playfulness lacing his voice, "let's just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to delivering timely meals to famished patients like yourself, and when Alpha Cane tells you something, you just gotta do it by any means possible." He laughed.

"So Cane is the alpha of this royal pack?" I asked, wanting clarification.

Brett scratched his head, "Technically, he's acting alpha now. He hasn't been given alpha or king title yet." Brett explained.

"I don't understand," I said blatantly as I opened another silver pop-tart package. "Why? He's old enough."

Brett shrugged, "I'm not sure he wants the title, to be honest. He already made it clear to us here in the pack he doesn't like to be referred to as the king. But I would ask him; you are his mate after all; he'll tell you everything and more than he'd ever tell anyone else, especially me."

"So, his father is the king?" I asked.

"Yes, Cane's dad, Charles, is still king," Brett explained. "Don't you learn this in school?"

"Well," I said awkwardly. "We learn about the founding of the royal pack in history, and we learned about Charles Blackwood in history, but I paid little attention to royalty," I confessed. "I never thought I'd be in a situation where I'd have to use that information, just like math."

He let out a laugh. "Well, I'm sure that's gonna change now, little Luna." He teased playfully.

I cringed at his words.

Little luna...

Truthfully I never imagined myself as a Luna. The title of Luna itself is deemed the mother of the pack; it's an immense amount of responsibility and obligation, and I never thought of myself as motherly. I knew that one day, once I found my mate, I would settle down and have my children, but I honestly never could envision it.

I was bred and raised as a warrior. Both my parents were esteemed pack warriors, and it was ingrained in me to follow in their footsteps. So I embraced my role as a warrior, knowing that it was my duty and an honorable position to safeguard our pack's well-being. But the notion of becoming a Luna, with all its maternal duties, seemed to be a different kind of burden altogether.

"Well, little Luna. I have to head out now. If you need anything, feel free to call; press the little button on the bed." He gestured to a remote that hung on the side of the bed. I hadn't noticed it until now. "A nurse should be coming to get you ready to be dispatched. Cane wants you to be moved into the castle so you'll be more comfortable for your recovery."

My face scrunched in confusion, "The castle?"

Brett smiled, "Yes, little Luna, the castle." He said with a chuckle walking towards the door.

"Bianca is just fine, please."

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top