Chapter 8
1249 Words
Chapter 8
AVALINE
Elder Mira's expression grew serious when she heard those words from my mouth. After all she was old enough and experienced enough to understand exactly what I was asking for. This wasn't an easy thing to ask of, especially when it was a step away from being forbidden completely from the pack.
Suppressants were dangerous drugs that could mask the scent changes that occurred when a werewolf found their mate. They were typically used by wolves who wanted to delay bonding for a lot of reasons, that were worth it but the downside was that it carried a lot of risks as well and shouldn't be taken lightly.
"Avaline," she said carefully, trying to discourage me from taking such drugs, which she seemed was too drastic, "those drugs are not to be used lightly. They can cause permanent damage to your wolf if used incorrectly, and they're incredibly painful. The side effects include nausea, migraines, and in some cases, temporary loss of your wolf abilities."
"I understand the risks," I said firmly. "But I need them."
She studied me for a long moment, clearly weighing her options if she should give it to me or withhold them from me. These were the only places I could get what I wanted. If she disagreed, then I was indeed doomed.
Finally, she moved to a locked cabinet and withdrew a small vial filled with dark liquid.
"This is a three-day dose," she said, handing it to me reluctantly. "You take one drop under your tongue each morning. It will completely mask your scent for twenty-four hours, but Avaline..." She grabbed my wrist gently. "If you use this for more than a week, it could kill you."
I tucked the vial into my pocket, feeling its weight like a small stone. "I understand."
"And if your mate bond is particularly strong, it might not work at all," she added. "Some bonds are too powerful to be suppressed by artificial means."
Before I could respond, the door to the healing chambers burst open. Alistar walked in confidently, his golden hair perfectly styled and his clothes immaculate. Behind him, Solaya followed with a pink flush on her cheeks and her hand clasped tightly in his.
The sight of them together sent a familiar pang of pain through my chest, though it was much duller than it had been in my previous life. I was beginning to understand that what I had felt for the brothers wasn't really love – it was obsession, desperation, and a deep-seated need for validation.
"Elder Mira," Alistar said, his voice carrying the casual authority he always used with pack members he considered beneath him. "Solaya needs some birth control. The kind that won't interfere with her other medications."
Solaya's blush deepened, and she squeezed Alistar's hand as if drawing strength from his presence. "I hope that's not too much trouble," she said softly.
Elder Mira nodded professionally. "Of course. I'll prepare something immediately."
It was only then that they noticed me standing in the corner of the room. Alistar's eyes narrowed as he took in my appearance, clearly noting the bruises and the way I was favoring my left side.
"Avaline," he said, his voice carefully neutral. "What are you doing here?"
Solaya seemed to shrink closer to his side, her eyes wide with what appeared to be concern. "Oh, Avaline, you look terrible. Are you alright?"
I had to admire her performance. Even now, even after everything that had happened, she was still playing the role of the caring friend. But I could see the calculation in her eyes, the way she was already planning how to use this encounter to her advantage.
"I just needed some ointment for my bruises," I said, making sure to keep my voice steady. "Alpha Monroe isn't blind. He'll notice them at dinner tonight and ask questions."
The threat was subtle but clear. If their father saw evidence of my beating, there would be consequences. Alistar's jaw tightened as he understood the implication.
"What bruises?" Solaya asked innocently, though her eyes were sharp with interest. "How did you get hurt?"
Before I could answer, Alistar stepped forward and grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into the tender flesh where one of the guards had struck me. I winced despite myself, and his grip tightened.
"What are you up to?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What game are you playing?"
I met his gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated by him any longer as I held his gaze and replied.
"I'm not playing any game, Alistar. I'm just trying to survive."
"Don't lie to me," he snarled, his Alpha aura pressing down on me like a physical weight, trying to force me to submit under his pheromones.
"You've been acting strange ever since that night in the healing chambers. What's changed?"
I could feel the vial of suppressants in my pocket, if he discovered what I was really doing here, if he realized that I was preparing to hide my mate's scent, the consequences would be catastrophic for me as they would use this to their advantage.
"Nothing has changed," I said, my voice calm despite the fear churning in my stomach. "I'm exactly the same person I've always been."
Solaya, apparently sensing the tension between us, chose that moment to intervene. She took a step forward, but somehow managed to catch her foot on absolutely nothing. With a small cry of pain, she stumbled and would have fallen if Alistar hadn't caught her.
"Ow!" she gasped, clutching her ankle. "I think I sprained it!"
Alistar immediately shifted his attention to her, his hands gentle as he helped her to a chair. "What happened? Are you hurt?"
"It's Avaline's fault," Solaya said, tears glistening in her eyes. "She bumped into me when you grabbed her arm. I think she did it on purpose."
I stared at her in disbelief. I had been standing perfectly still, and was clearly well out of her reach, even if 8 stretched my hand or leg, I wouldn't be able to come to half of the distance between us. She had deliberately injured herself just to redirect Alistar's attention on her when she noticed that he was giving me attention, despite the fact that it was with anger and make me look guilty in his eyes.
"I didn't touch her," I said, but I could already see that it was useless, trying to defend myself when Solaya was the one who was accusing me. Alistar was already checking Solaya's ankle, his face dark with fury.
"You just can't help yourself, can you?" he snarled at me. "You have to hurt everyone around you."
The accusation was so absurd, that I couldn't help myself. I laughed.
"You're right," I said, shaking my head in amazement. "I can't help myself. I'm obviously such a dangerous threat that I can injure people just by existing in the same room as them."
Alistar's face flushed with anger, but before he could respond, I was already moving toward the door.
"I'll see you at dinner," I said over my shoulder, my voice carrying just enough mockery to make him seethe.
As I walked away, I could hear Solaya's soft whimpers and Alistar's soothing murmurs. They deserved each other, I realized. Both of them were so caught up in their own drama and manipulations that they couldn't see the truth even when it was staring them in the face.
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