The Alpha And Her Tinkerer

6_Her Heart Is Frozen

Hayden POV

I know it is weird for me to react so passionately about a stranger. A perfect, strong, beautiful stranger, but a stranger, nonetheless. I cannot explain it, nor do I understand, but I am feeling all my feelings intensely.

“How can you tell?” I ask when I finally find my voice again.

“Her womb is weeping,” Greta replies, rubbing the oil on Reeva’s belly.

I try not to look, but it is becoming impossible. So, I do my best to keep my eyes on Greta’s hands and not on Reeva’s body.

“Her wo … what the f**k, Greta?” I frown, nervously rubbing my neck. “Is that some kind of witch’s lingo I don’t understand?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snorts. “Witch lingo. I never heard something so stupid.”

“Well, explain it then,” I reply.

“I can sense the energy,” Great patiently explains. “Our bodies are more than just blood and organs. It’s vibrating with energy, and I can feel it. She was pregnant recently.”

“Did she have a miscarriage?” I ask, intrigued by Greta’s finding.

“Miscarriage, stillborn or maybe the child was born and taken from her,” she replies, her hands moving up Reeva’s rib cage, and I look away before she reaches her breasts. “I don’t know, but her womb is mourning the loss of a child.”

A profound pity nestles in my gut. I do not know the story, but losing a child in any way must be terrible.

“Hayden,” Greta’s voice is stern, and I look at her. “Whatever you do, don’t fall in love with her.”

“Wh … what? Why?” I stutter like a fool. “Why would you say that? I mean, I don’t love her. We’re not even friends. We just met, and …”

“Shut up, and listen,” she silences me. “Her heart is frozen.”

“Do you mean literally or metaphorically?” I chuckle sheepishly, unsure if I should believe her. Over the years, Greta has given me plenty of potions and remedies when I was sick, but it was never weird like this.

“Obviously, metaphorically,” she snaps, clicking her tongue. “She’s alive, isn’t she? I’m telling you her heart has hardened. Whatever happened before you found her hurt her deeply. Her heart’s closed off. You’ll only get hurt if you develop feelings for her, because she’s incapable of reciprocation.”

“Okay, sure, no problem,” I reply, fighting the sour disappointment in my gut. For the life of me, I do not understand why I feel this way. So, she is attractive, so what? That does not mean anything. Besides, even without trauma, a woman like her would never fall for a guy like me.

“She still has a wolf,” Greta continues as if I had not said a word. “But her wolf’s dormant. Poor girl, whatever happened, it devastated her.”

“So, why did she faint?” I ask.

“Overexertion,” she replies, picking up a blanket and covering Reeva. “Even though she has no physical injuries, her spirit is weak. Fighting so soon after regaining consciousness was a mistake. She needs rest, and her spirit must heal.”

“So, she’ll be okay?” I double-check. Greta has said many things, and I find all of them confusing.

“With ample rest, yes,” she nods, walks to the basin and washes her hands. “Well, physically, at least.”

“Okay, thanks,” I nod, turn around and walk outside.

I sit on the ground under an oak tree. Reeva had a baby. Has a baby. Has or had? I do not know. Anyway, is it something I should discuss with her? Should I tell her I know?

No, I decide. We do not know each other well enough for that type of conversation. She can tell when she is ready, or if she wants to.

Reeva POV

I am completely disoriented when I wake up. I look at the strange room with its orange, red and yellow décor. I do not like it; it is too busy, and it smells strange.

I sit up, realise I am naked, and cling to the blanket. Is this my life now? Losing consciousness and then waking up confused as f**k in a strange room. In the process, I catch a whiff of myself and realise I am the one smelling, not the room.

“How are you feeling?” Hayden asks, and my head jerks towards the corner.

He is sitting on a deep sofa, and his hair stands in every direction. I do not know this man from Adam. Why is he babysitting me? Or are his plans with me more sinister?

“Did you undress me?” I growl, glaring at him suspiciously, and he nervously sits up.

“No, no,” he protests. “The w … healer did. A she, I mean, a woman. She undressed you, and … and she rubbed a healing oil on you.”

I glare at him until he squirms in his seat before I am satisfied; he is telling the truth.

“Fine,” I clear my throat. “Is this her place?”

“Yes,” he replies. “Her name is Greta. You’ll meet her tomorrow. She went to bed already.”

“Oh,” I nod absentmindedly.

This day has been incredibly odd. I do not know if it is thanks to the healer, but I do feel a little better. I am still angry and filled with hatred and grief, but I do feel calmer.

“I’ll get you something to eat,” Hayden says, standing up. “Greta made a stew.”

“I’m not hungry,” I reply, shaking my head.

“Too bad,” he shrugs. “It’s Greta’s orders. You’re eating. It would be impolite to refuse after she went through all the trouble.”

I want to argue, but I bite my tongue. I am naked in a good Samaritan’s bed; the least I can do is to be polite. Besides, I do not even know where I am and have no place to go anyway.

“Here you go,” he announces after a while and hands me a tray.

“May I have some clothes?” I ask, raising my eyebrows. “It’s tricky holding up the blanket and eating at the same time.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry, I forgot,” he replies, handing me the tray.

He turns around, walks to the dresser, but he trips on the carpet and lands on his hands and knees. I roll my eyes as he quickly gets up and dusts himself off. Some men might find clumsy girls cute and adorable, but it is just stupid when it is a grown man.

“Do you fall often?” I ask dryly when he hands me a shirt.

“Hey, I’m not the one in bed because I fainted,” he chuckles sheepishly.

“I defended you,” I protest, irritated that he is referring to my very uncomfortable situation.

“I didn’t ask you to,” he replies, the laughter out of his voice. “I’ve been taking care of myself for years.”

“In other words, you’ve been beaten up for years,” I snort.

Silently, he looks at me. His mesmerising grey-blue eyes pierced into mine. I have the decency to feel bad for only a split second before I shove it back. I was simply stating a fact.

“Good night, Reeva,” his voice is icy as he turns around and leaves.