The Omega Healer

TO PROTECT MYSELF

CHELSIE

“What just happened?” I asked myself as I went back to my room, suddenly feeling dumbfounded.

I sat on the bed, still questioning reality. I even pinched my arm just to prove to myself that this wasn’t one of those odd dreams that somehow felt too real.

Rain really kissed me, my mate who loathed my entire being and tried to kill me a number of times, kissed me. I touched my lips, suddenly flustered as reality dawned on me.

“That was my first kiss…” I murmured, recalling how it happened, and only flustered myself even more. My instincts practically took over, and I responded to him so eagerly.

I slightly shook my head. “Snap out of it, Chelsie. He must be just fooling around.” I convinced myself, even though it wasn’t what I felt when our lips touched. It felt real, even though it only lasted for a few seconds.

Why did he even pull me out of the celebration? I genuinely did nothing embarrassing, and I even started to become more comfortable conversing with others. It was a huge step for me as I’ve barely held a decent conversation with anyone in years.

My eyes landed on the mirror, looking at myself intently before heaving a sigh. It’s the best I’ve looked in years, even better than my own wedding. Not that it’s the only thing that mattered, but it’s also the first time I felt like I was seen and wasn’t treated like trash they couldn’t discard.

I knew they only treated me like that because they were also trying to win my favor, that they wanted something from me, but it still felt nice to be treated decently once in a while.

“I guess that was a little fun till it lasted…” I muttered and started to carefully remove the accessories they made me wear, undoing my hair and changing my clothes. I carefully placed the accessories back in the jewelry box they had left in the room, and kept the shoes and dress in the closet for the meantime.

I also washed and finally went back to my regular clothes. I didn’t bother looking at the windows again, knowing that I’d only feel envy for the people outside. Maybe I’d have another chance next time…

“For what even?” I mumbled as I sat back on the bed.

After everything that happened, what exactly do I want now? Do I want to escape like I originally planned, or do I want to stay and try to make our marriage work?

Earlier should have been a chance. I could secretly propose a deal to one of the visiting alphas. I’m sure Rain didn’t tell exactly how I could heal someone. I could use that to my advantage, lie to them, and strike a deal where I will be able to set my terms after they have taken me away from this place. It wasn’t a surefire way out, but at least I made some progress. It’s not like I was expecting any of this to be easier once I’m out of here anyway.

But I couldn’t do it earlier. Not because I was afraid of being caught, but because of that single look of guilt I saw on his face when he told me about my assumption being right with that beta’s daughter being poisoned with wolfsbane.

It’s pathetic, being bound to a mate bond and rekindled feelings, to a person I should be hating to the same degree as his hate. A part of me just wanted to run and vanish before he had another chance to break me further. But on the other hand, the foolish and yearning part clung to the memory of the past and saw it again, even for just a glimpse.

“Why can’t I just hate you completely?” I murmured to myself. It would make things easier, make my decisions more logical.

My stream of thoughts cut off when the door creaked open. I jolted in slight surprise, nearly tripping when I got up.

“Alpha Rain?” I called in surprise.

He stood there in the doorway, entering slowly. His usual sharp composure was replaced with clumsy steps, and when I managed to look at him better, I realized that he was a mess. His hair is slightly disheveled, eyes absent of the usual anger, as it was now glazed and unfocused.

My nose crinkled at the scent of liquor wafting from him. He’s definitely drunk, but it takes a lot for a werewolf to be this drunk, especially an Alpha like him. I know it was a celebration, but it’s not in his character to drink this carelessly. He might have invited the other packs as a sign of goodwill and possible alliance, but I doubt he would trust them enough that he would let down his guard like this.

What if someone made him like this, spiked his drink or something?

“Or maybe I’m overthinking things.” I mumbled to myself before turning back to Rain, “Alpha, are you okay? You’re drunk. Did you drink a lot?” I tried communicating with him, but got nothing.

Rain didn’t answer and just stared at me. I couldn’t read his expression, and there’s not much I could get from our bond, but there’s something dangerous at the way he looked at me… like he wanted to devour me whole.

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat, but before I could speak again, he suddenly closed the space between us in two long strides.

“Alpha-”

I gasped when his hand suddenly slammed against the wall beside my head, pinning me there. His other hand caught my wrists and pressed them firmly against the wall.

“W-What are you doing?” I panicked, trying to make sense of his actions, but it all faded when he leaned closer. His breath brushed against my cheek. I could smell the liquor on him, but also his scent wafting and appealing to my senses and instincts.

“Rain, you’re drunk,” I managed to say, though my voice trembled. I tried to break free, but it was a feeble attempt.

His gaze grew darker, hungrier. Rain leaned closer, and right after I closed my eyes, I felt his lips crashing into mine. My hands remained in his hold, leaving me completely defenseless.

It was different from his kisses earlier, which were a little possessive. This time, it was too overwhelming, charging, and I felt like I was being devoured whole. I felt dizzy, as if getting drunk, too.

Rain’s hand moved to my jaw, almost roughly, though his hands were trembling a bit. I thought he would stop, but he only deepened the kiss, lifting me as if it was the easiest thing in the world and bringing me to the bed.

I should be panicking when he hastily removed his vest while still kissing me, but I was already drawn into this unknown pleasure to care. I clung to him, almost too desperately.

My back arched from the bed as he slid his hand inside my shirt. Shivers ran down my spine when his hand brushed my skin. He pushed my shirt up, removing my garment, and kissed me again with so much intensity that it made me gasp.

Rain’s expression only darkened at the sight of my reaction. His touch became more forward. A part of me still questions the situation, still wonders if he was even aware of what he was doing, but his expression seemed so aware and full of desire.

“Rain,” I called breathlessly.

His kisses went down my neck, and I could feel his canines grazing my skin. My wolf was already rejoicing, happy that our mate was intending to mark us. Everything in me wanted to be marked by my mate, too, but I quickly covered my neck instead.

Rain looked at me with confusion and frustration, growling under his breath.

“Please, not now.” I pleaded, wanting to protect myself in some way.