The Alpha King's Scarred Third Mate

Chapter EIGHT

THALIRA

I sneaked back through the back gate, praying to the moon Goddess that no one would see me coming in.

Slowly, I pushed the back door open and stepped into the house, my heart beating fast against my chest; it was thundering so loud, someone close could hear it.

I slipped off my shoes by the door and slid my feet into a pair of house slippers.

The packhouse was usually quiet. Mom and Dad must have gone out, and Lora.... oh well.

As I walked toward the hallway, movement in the living room caught my attention. I stopped walking briefly and turned towards the direction of the noise.

Lora lay sprawled across the couch, her MacBook open in front of her.

She looked up the moment she heard my footsteps. Instinctively, I adjusted my shawl, pulling it higher over the still fresh scar on my face.

A slow smile spread across her lips as she watched me, her legs dangling over the couch.

"You're healing just fine," She shook her head with a soft chuckle before returning her attention to the open MacBook. "All that tears and screaming was for......" She clicked at the keyboard lazily, "nothing."

My fingers curled into tight fists, my heart hammered against my ribs over and over again.

She closed the laptop and dropped her feet to the ground before rising to her feet. Step by step, she closed the distance between us until barely an inch separated our bodies.

"It wasn't as ruined as I wanted." She whispered.

Her eyes drifted deliberately to the scar hidden beneath my shawl, and she shrugged. "But don't worry," She leaned closer, "I still have plenty of time."

She turned and grabbed her laptop, then walked past me toward the stairs.

I stood rooted in the same position until she was long gone, my hands trembling beside me.

I stayed where I was for several more seconds, staring at the empty staircase. My chest rose and fell unevenly as my knuckles turned white.

I finally gently tapped my chin, pulling myself out of the trance I had supposedly fallen into. I lifted my trembling hand and tapped my finger under my eyes to wipe away the little balls of tears at the corner, then touched the edge of my scar beneath the shawl.

My fingertip lingered at the edge for a long time before I forced myself to lower it.

I wouldn't let her spoil my day; I already had a lot to think about and wouldn't add her to it.

*****

I watched my phone all day, waiting for a call from the Pack medical center. I couldn't stop my hands from shaking whenever a notification came in on my phone.

In the evening, a light tap on my door drew my attention away from my phone.

"Miss, dinner is ready." The maid called before withdrawing from the door.

My stomach rumbled at the promise of food, and my mouth watered.

Anxiously, I grabbed my phone from the vanity and walked towards the door.

I paused outside the dining room, forcing myself to take a slow breath before stepping inside.

The long dining table was already occupied. Father sat at the head of the table, reading something on his tablet. Mother sipped tea from her favorite golden cup. Lyander took a sip from his cup, his eyes darkening as he saw me. Meanwhile, Lora scrolled through her phone, a smile dancing on her lips as she swiped the screen.

No one looked up when I entered and took my usual seat.

The chef immediately placed a plate of grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and vegetables before me.

The aroma hits my nose, and my stomach growls loudly. Father paused his head movement, his eyes found mine as I salivated over the meal before me.

For the first time all day, I genuinely felt hungry.

I picked up my fork and knife and cut off a small piece of chicken.

Just as I lifted the fork to my mouth, the sweet aroma was coming out of the grilled chicken.

The room spun as I quickly clasped my palm over my mouth

Again?!

Mom rolled her eyes as she licked the back of her fork. Her annoyed sigh was loud as she whispered. "There she goes again."

My chair scraped loudly against the floor as I shot to my feet and ran.

I barely reached the bathroom before dropping to my knees, my grip tightening harshly as a bitter taste filled my mouth.

When the nausea finally settled, I stood up and rested my firearms on the handwash sink and stared at my reflection on the mirror.

My face looked pale; the shawl that had been covering the side of my face previously was no longer there, it must have fallen off while I was running.

Dark circles had begun forming beneath my eyes.

I swallowed harshly and shook my head while splashing some water on my face before returning to the dining.

This time, all four of them were looking at me.

Dad's eyes lingered much longer than usual. The side of his eyes wrinkled as he stared hard at me.

His gaze slowly drifted all over my body, and my heart was beating loudly as it had before, returning to my face.

The silence was deafening. Everyone held their breath as they waited for what was to come, including me.

"What exactly is wrong with you?" He asked after a stretched silence.

"I......" I forced a smile that even I didn't believe. "Might be because of something I ate earlier."

Mother clicked her tongue. She dropped her spoon on her plate before picking up a paper towel and dabbing the corner of her lips with it. She dropped the towel and glared at me.

"You said that in the morning, too."

"I'm fine," I replied quickly as I took my seat beside Lyander, who subconsciously shifted on his seat when I sat down. His brow furrowed in a deep frown as he glanced at my scar.

"Cover that up, will you? We're eating here." He grumbled.

I instinctively reached for the shawl sprawled on the floor beside me, my fingers shook as I wrapped it around the side of my face.

"Sorry," I whispered.

Lyander let out a quiet scoff and returned to his meal.

I lowered my eyes and forced myself to pick up the fork again. I cut another piece of chicken and slowly placed it into my mouth.

The juice from the grilled chicken filled my mouth tastefully, and to my relief, no nausea.

I released a silent breath and continued eating.

Across the table, Dad's gaze never left me. When our eyes met, he placed his cutlery down with deliberate calm.

"When was the last time you visited the Pack medical center?"

My hand froze halfway to my mouth, and the fork in my hand trembled as I struggled to conjure my words.

"I.... don't remember."

"Then perhaps it's time for a visit," he said and pushed back his chair, then rose, "fix whatever it is that is wrong with you as soon as possible."

Fix?

Mother folded her arms as she spoke. "She's probably trying to get attention."

Lora giggled softly and nodded her head. "Maybe she's hoping Giovanni would start worrying about her again."

My left fist tightened under the table as I forced the fork into my mouth.

"Ignore her." I thought to myself as I ate.

*****

As soon as I reached my room, I unlocked my phone and quickly checked my messages, nothing.

No missed calls either.

My thumb hovered over the number of the Pack medical center.

Should I call them?

I walked towards the bed and sat down, still pondering what to do.

Before I could decide, my phone vibrated in my hand.

My breath caught as I stared at my phone screen, as it lit up with an unknown number.

I hesitated for a bit, my fingers trembled as I finally swiped at the screen.

"Hello?" A calm female voice spoke from the other end. "Good evening, am I speaking with Miss Thalira Whitmore?"

"Yes," I mumbled.

"This is Dr Evelyn from the Pack medical center." My heart skipped, my feet tapped repeatedly on the floor, while my hands shook. "We've received the result of the test you took this afternoon."

"My result?" I whispered almost to myself.

The sound of flipping papers on the other end pulled me back. I wiped down my face with the back of my left hand; my lips trembled.

"There are a few things we need to discuss," Her voice came again, gently and soothing, almost like she was pampering me. "Would it be possible for you to come back to the hospital tomorrow?”