The Omega Healer

THE BOY BURIED BENEATH

CHELSIE

“Thank you,” I reluctantly said to Axena after she set the food on the table, “also for yesterday, for bringing me to bed.”

Given how they treat me, that was already a rare, kind gesture. I’m still thankful.

She gave me a confused look while arching her brows. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Just eat already. Stop yammering.”

I flinched at her words, and before I could ask anything else, she had already left the room. My shoulders dropped in confusion. It’s impossible that Axena didn’t know if it was the omegas that found me. But who else would do that for me? The guards wouldn’t step into the Luna’s wing out of nowhere.

Could it possibly…?

I slightly shook my head. No, it’s impossible that Rain would have done that, especially since he was furious with what I did. I didn’t regret it, though. If he’d use me to heal people, might as well do it properly. Maybe one of the servants found me, felt bad, and then dragged me back to bed without telling anyone.

I just hope that girl is fine. Heck, I wouldn’t even mind if I was wrong with my assumption. If she’s already fully healed with what I did, then I’d be thankful. The beta seemed reasonable. I made sure to tell him that I wasn’t sure about it, though I was almost certain it was the case.

I started eating, still wondering if the girl was okay. I know I shouldn’t have time thinking about someone else, but I couldn’t help it.

With a small sigh, I scolded myself. “This is why you get in trouble, Chelsie. You care so much.”

I wouldn’t be caught if I hadn’t healed Rain. By now, I could have been out of this pack, probably running away from something.

“But if I hadn’t done anything… There was a huge chance he wouldn’t survive.” I muttered, sighing again.

Despite everything, I still couldn’t bring myself to hate Rain because, before all of this, we were good friends, and I still remember the boy who used to protect me. I’m well aware he had forgotten all about it, that all he had now is repugnance and anger towards me. But I still cling to the kindness of the boy I used to know.

My stream of thought was cut when the door of my room suddenly opened, revealing Rain, who looked calmer but was still frowning like usual. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile in years, aside from the sadistic smile he shows when he’s about to do something to make my life harder than it already is.

I quickly set the tray aside and stood, “Wh-what is it, Alpha?”

My heart jumped in fear as I asked, hoping and praying that he wasn’t here to tell me I have another person to heal. I’m still trying to recover from last time.

He avoided my gaze, as if too annoyed that he had to admit something. “You were right about your assumption.”

I looked at him blankly, mind buffering with his remark.

Rain clicked his tongue. “About the girl you healed last time. She was being poisoned with very small amounts of wolfsbane, so it was barely noticeable. I just received a letter from the neighboring pack. It’s been going on for a while. He caught the person in the act.”

I gasped, already feeling bad for them. Whoever it was, it’s definitely a pack member. The trust was broken just like that.

“Why do you act so surprised? You already knew the truth. You should feel good that you’re right and you didn’t shame me for acting like a know-it-all.” Rain suddenly pointed out.

I met his gaze this time, not pleased with his words, “Alpha, with all due respect, knowing that I was right wouldn’t make me feel good about it. I felt her pain. I almost couldn’t believe she endured that for so long.”

There was guilt in his eyes. For the first time in a good while, I’ve seen emotions in his eyes that weren’t just anger and repugnance.

“And it wasn’t only that,” I added, “It’s with the thought that one of the people they trust has betrayed them. It’s so awful.”

I was answered by silence before he broke into sarcastic laughter. “Goodness I almost fell for it.”

I looked at him in confusion. “W-what?”

“You have the audacity to talk about betrayal?” Rain’s voice dropped with his question as he stepped closer. His glares made me feel so small. “How ironic, Chelsie. Those words coming from you, when it was your parents’ betrayal that ruined this pack and killed mine.”

My breath caught in my throat with his remark. Tears stung my eyes, but I swallowed them down. He wasn’t wrong. At least, not entirely. That’s what everyone believed and what was forced for me to believe, too.

“I…” I stuttered, feeling so small with how he looked at me, “You’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, Alpha.” I admitted.

He growled at me, eyes still blazing with the usual anger I see whenever he looks at me. For a moment, the silence between us screamed louder than any insult he’d ever thrown at me.

My hands formed into fists, suddenly gaining the guts to speak up. I’m not sure if it’s the exhaustion or the desperation to be heard, but I decided to speak up. I lifted my gaze and forced the words out.

“I apologize for unconsciously bringing it up, but I’m not my parents, Alpha. Whatever they did, it shouldn’t reflect on me. You know full well that I have nothing to do with it. I’m already paying for my parents’ sins with my life. Isn’t that enough for you?” I couldn’t stop myself anymore.

For the first time ever, I defended myself. It didn’t make me feel good, but at least I was able to speak up. My wolf trembled inside my mind, but carried the same courage. For a second, Rain looked taken aback. His eyes widened slightly after hearing me speak up, but it didn’t last at all.

Rain grabbed my chin, forcing me to face him. “Nowhere near enough. You will pay for everything they have done for the entirety of your life. I don’t care if you have to absorb all the pain in the world. You will do it, till I tell you so.”

He promptly let go and walked towards the door, but paused just to have a final say, “Don’t ever forget your place, Chelsie. I’m keeping you alive because you have a use for me. Don’t ever mistake that for anything else.”

I watched him leave right after slamming the door, making me flinch. I thought I’d tear up being berated for the nth time, but strangely, I just felt hopeful. Despite his words, I saw guilt in his eyes, even just for a few seconds, I saw reasoning in his eyes.

Maybe… maybe there’s hope. Maybe I didn’t have to escape and instead, find reasoning in him. Was it too naïve of me to think that the boy I once knew was still in there, buried beneath the hatred and grief?

I sat back on the edge of my bed, still pondering over his words and the sudden silence.

“You will pay for everything they have done for the entirety of your life.”

My chest tightened. I suddenly didn’t know what was worse. Rain’s hatred or the glimpse of the man he could’ve been if things had been different.

“How much longer do I have to pay for sins that aren’t mine?”