Chapter 7
1128 Words
Chapter 7
AVALINE
The walk back to my quarters felt like an eternity. Every step sent shooting pains through my battered body, and I was acutely aware of how I must look – disheveled, bruised, and broken. The brothers had escorted me part of the way before disappearing, no doubt to prepare for their father's return and the dinner that would follow.
As I pushed open the door to my small room, I was greeted by a sight that made my heart clench with both joy and guilt. Aida was there, her small form bent over as she attempted to make my bed with sheets that were far too large for her tiny hands. She had clearly been trying to tidy the room, probably worried about me during my absence.
She looked so much better than she had when I'd left her in the healing chambers. Her color had returned, and though she still seemed a bit weak, the fever had clearly broken completely. Elder Mira had done excellent work, as always.
The moment Aida turned around and saw me, her entire face lit up with a radiant smile that could have powered the entire pack house. "Mummy!" she exclaimed, taking a step toward me with pure joy radiating from her small frame.
But then something shifted in her expression. The happiness flickered and died, replaced by a look of panic and fear that broke my heart. She took a hasty step backward, her hands clasping together nervously in front of her.
"I mean... Miss Cross," she corrected herself quickly, her voice small and uncertain. "I'm sorry, Miss Cross. I meant to say Miss Cross."
The formal address hit me like a physical blow. In my previous life, I had trained her to address me this way through harsh corrections and punishments. I had been so desperate to appear professional and worthy in front of Dion and Alistar that I had forbidden this innocent child from calling me by the only name that felt natural to her.
I remembered the countless times I had scolded her for slipping up, the way I had made her stand in the corner for hours when she forgot, the spankings I had administered when she persisted in calling me "Mummy" despite my rules. The only times she had dared to use the forbidden word was when she was sick or drowsy, when her defenses were down and she forgot to be afraid.
The memory of my own cruelty made me sick to my stomach. How could I have been so heartless to someone who loved me so unconditionally?
"Aida," I said softly, opening my arms to her. "Come here, sweetheart."
She hesitated, clearly confused by the gentleness in my voice. In the past, any slip-up like this would have earned her punishment. She was probably expecting me to be angry, to scold her for the mistake.
Instead, I moved toward her slowly, as if approaching a frightened animal. When I was close enough, I gently pulled her into my arms, holding her small body against mine. She stiffened immediately, her muscles tensing as if she expected me to hurt her.
"It's okay," I whispered into her dark hair. "You can call me Mummy. That's what I am to you, isn't it?"
She pulled back slightly to look at me, her eyes wide with confusion and hope. "Really? You won't get mad?"
"Never again," I promised, my voice fierce with conviction. "And I promise you something else, little one. I will never let anyone bully you again. No matter what it costs me, no matter who tries to hurt you, I will protect you."
The dam broke then. Aida burst into tears, throwing her small arms around my neck and clinging to me as if I might disappear. Her tiny body shook with sobs that seemed too big for her small frame.
"I missed you so much, Mummy," she cried. "I was so scared. They said you were taking care of pack business, but I knew something was wrong. I could feel it."
I held her tightly, my own tears threatening to fall as I stroked her hair. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry I left you. It won't happen again."
As I held her, I made a silent vow to myself and to the Moon Goddess who had given me this second chance. I would not let Aida die for me again. I would not let her sacrifice herself trying to save someone who hadn't deserved her love. This time, I would be the one to protect her.
But first, I had to protect myself. And that meant preparing for what was coming.
"Aida," I said gently, pulling back to look at her tear-stained face. "I need you to listen to me very carefully. In a few days, it's going to be my birthday. I'm going to turn eighteen."
She nodded, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I know. I've been counting."
"There might be some... changes when that happens," I continued, choosing my words carefully. "Some people might act differently toward me. But no matter what happens, I need you to remember that I love you, and I will always fight to come back to you."
She frowned, clearly not understanding the full implications but sensing the seriousness in my tone. "Are you going away again?"
"I hope not," I said honestly. "But if I do, it won't be because I want to. And I will find a way back to you, I promise."
After settling Aida with some simple tasks that would keep her busy, I made my way to the healing chambers. The corridors were bustling with activity as the pack prepared for Alpha Monroe's return and the formal dinner that would follow. Servants rushed back and forth carrying linens and dishes, while guards took up their positions at strategic points throughout the pack house.
I moved through the chaos like a ghost, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone who might recognize me. The last thing I needed was questions about my appearance or my recent absence.
Elder Mira was alone in the healing chambers when I arrived, organizing her supplies for the evening. She looked up as I entered, her kind eyes immediately assessing my condition.
"Avaline," she said softly, noting the bruises that had darkened on my face and arms. "Are you alright?"
"I need suppressants," I said without preamble. "The strongest ones you have."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "Suppressants? For what purpose?"
"To hide my scent," I explained, my voice low and urgent. "I'm turning eighteen in less than a week, and I need to make sure that no one can detect any... changes in my scent profile."
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