The Lycan's Slave

Chapter Six

Aria's POV

My eyes felt heavy like they had been sealed shut for an eternity. With great effort, I pried them open and slowly glanced around, taking in the room around me with a creased brow.

My eyes caught sight of a figure of someone sitting at the edge of the bed I laid and I squinted at the person, trying to make out who it was.

My breath hitched in my throat as I recognized who it was and I blinked profusely hoping I was seeing wrong. Fear gnawed inside of me as I realized it wasn’t a dream or an illusion.

It was Imelda in flesh!

Imelda sat there, staring at me with an expressionless face. Why was she here - scratch that - how was I here?

I had thought the man in the forest would have taken my life. It was his intention, he had beaten me up like a rag doll after which he injected me with something I thought would have killed me instantly.

I remember the scene like it was a moment ago. The pain was so excruciating, I thought I would die but here I was once again, face to face with another person who might also take my life.

Imelda's expression turned to that of contempt as she carefully stood up from her position.

My breath hitched as I watched her draw close to me. What does she want now? Was she going to strangle me to death?

Many questions swirled in my head and my breathing got heavy as I watched her every step with curiosity.

I wanted to hide from her, I wanted to run away from her but strangely, I could not feel my legs nor could I move my lower body.

Something was wrong with me! I could feel it but I didn’t know what it was. A panicked whimper left my lips as I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting the worst from her.

Surprise etched on my features when I felt her plop down on top of me and instead of hitting or strangling the life out of me, she gave me a tight hug, startling the heck out of me.

My eyes widened in horror as I tried to make out what was going on. Was she drunk?

The door pushed open and Imelda slowly lifted herself off my body and sighed in relief.

"I'm so glad you're awake. You were in such a critical condition, I was so scared," she whined and carefully took my hand, happy tears glistening in her eyes.

"Thank you for coming back to us, Aria. I'm so relieved to have you here again."

I couldn't believe my ears, did something I wasn't aware of happen? Perhaps she had amnesia and can't remember how much she detested me.

I peered into her face, and my shock further deepened as I saw the small friendly smile on her lips and the so much concern her eyes held for me.

This was definitely the calm before the storm because it was unlike her. Imelda had never liked or showed kindness to me, so witnessing this from her was like a nightmare and It confused me so much.

"Do you know the man behind this?" Someone suddenly asked, jolting me out of my reverie.

I shivered in fear as the familiar voice reverberated around the space. My eyes traveled toward the door and landed on the Lycan King who had just walked into the room.

I sucked in air and shut my eyes, avoiding his gaze.

"I said, do you know the man behind this?" He repeated his question, taking slow, steady steps towards me.

My heartbeat quickened causing my breathing to become labored as he got closer. I was filled with fear and whimpered, my eyes pleading with Imelda for help.

I knew I had committed a great crime by running away from the cell. My actions would have only solidified the accusations made against me. I was scared of what he might do to me now that I was right in front of him.

As he got to my bed, the door opened revealing the doctor and the nurses who rushed into the room and headed straight for my bed.

The doctor took my hand in his tenderly and turned around to face the Lycan king and Imelda. "Please give her space. She is having a panic attack."

"Miss, are you okay? Just try to breathe. Breathe slowly," He said, in concern.

Sebastian also entered the room and glanced around in curiosity. "Did something happen?" He demanded and Imelda shook her head.

The doctor lowered himself again so that our eyes were mirroring each other. He took my hand once more and rubbed it soothingly.

"Don't be afraid, Miss, you are safe now," he assured me with a smile. "Do you feel better now?" He asked but all I could do was stare at him blankly, unable to make a sound.

He smiled warmly. "You're doing fine, you don't need to worry anymore."

He gave my hand one last squeeze before proceeding to check my vitals and dictating to the nurses what to write in my file.

He stood upright after doing the necessary checkups and faced the Lycan King. "She's okay now, your highness. She just needs more time to rest and recover more."

Once again, Imelda walked towards my bed, a smile dancing on her lips as she settled beside me.

"Do you need anything, Ari?" She asked in a calm voice.

Ari? I stared at her in surprise, shocked at the nickname.

Her eyes were gleaming in anticipation as she stared at me, waiting for my reply. I kept staring at her blankly, not making a sound.

She raised a brow. “I asked if you needed anything, Aria," she repeated sternly but I still kept mute.

She turned to the doctor, with a frustrated expression on her face. "Doctor, are you sure everything is okay with her?" She asked in a high-pitched voice.

"Of course, Luna, she is fine."

"Then why is she just moping at me and not talking?"

The doctor's forehead creased as he approached me once again. Holding me by the shoulders, he gazed into my eyes. "Can you hear me, Miss?" He asked and I slowly nodded my head.

"Can you try saying your name? I'm Doctor Carlo, what's your name?"

I tried to reply but all that left my lips were whimpers, I couldn't say a word.

The doctor sighed and stood upright. "I think the trauma she went through has affected her speech. She's temporarily mute, I'm sorry," he explained.

Imelda let out a disdainful scoff and glanced at me with disgust in her eyes.

"I thought as much, she’s completely useless now," she said in disdain and stood up from the bed. She walked towards Sebastian and pulled him out of the room.