Chapter 14 — "Almost Seen"
1042 Words
Chapter 14 — "Almost Seen"
Ava's POV…
I pulled away from Alpha Kyran, my heart thudding way harder than it should. He looked at me for a second longer than normal, like something was clicking in his brain.
Maybe now he noticed the bond.
Maybe.
But honestly, why should I even care anymore?
I forced a smile onto my face and met his eyes. "Maybe it’s the fever messing with your head," I said casually, even though inside I felt like a soda can about to explode. "You’re probably just confused. Anyway, since you’re now showing signs of getting better anytime soon, I think it’s time I leave."
His forehead wrinkled, and he opened his mouth to say something, but I didn’t wait. I spun on my heel, ready to walk away, ready to breathe again.
But then he spoke.
"wait—"
His voice was rough, a little broken. I didn’t turn, not right away. I felt his presence shift, his body moving until he was standing again, one hand pressed over his chest like it hurt him to even move. He came a little closer, and my chest tightened.
"Who are you, really?" he asked quietly. "I swear, I feel like... I’ve seen you before."
I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab him and shake him and yell, Yeah, you have! You abandon me, remember? But that would be pointless. Stupid. And way too much like I still cared.
I inhaled a slow breath and turned back toward him, pasting a polite smile across my face like it didn’t cost me everything.
"You should rest," I said, my voice way steadier than I felt. "You’ve got bigger things to worry about. Your pack. Your Luna. They’re worried sick about you. I’m just a rogue healer, nothing more."
I shrugged a little, trying to make it seem like I didn’t care at all.
"My place here was to heal you. That’s it. And now that you’re getting better, it’s time for me to go."
I started to move again, but his hand caught mine. His grip was warm and strong, and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
I turned slowly, locking eyes with him. "Do you still need something?" I asked, keeping my voice light even though everything inside me was twisting and breaking.
He didn’t let go. If anything, he held on tighter, stepping even closer so that barely an inch separated us.
"Even if you’re a rogue," he said, his voice low, "why would you help me?"
I blinked at him, stunned for a second.
Seriously?
Of all the questions he could ask, it had to be that one?
I pulled my hand free and tucked it behind my back so he wouldn’t see it shaking. "Not all rogues are wild or whatever you think," I said. "Some of us still believe in doing the right thing. And I’m a healer. It’s literally my job to help people who need it."
His brows pulled together like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. "That’s it? That’s the only reason?"
I rolled my eyes, even though inside it hurt. "What, you want me to say I’m here because of some big secret mission or something?" I asked, a little too sharply. "I told you the truth. Take it or leave it."
The room got super quiet for a second. Like, hold-your-breath quiet.
Finally, he sighed and shook his head a little.
"Alright," he said. "I’ll stop asking after this. One last thing."
I waited, arms crossed even though my knees felt like jelly.
"Were you always a rogue?" he asked. "Or... did you belong to a pack before?"
For a second, I almost laughed. It was the kind of laugh that would’ve been ugly and bitter and probably ended with me bawling like a baby.
I swallowed it down and shrugged like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I belonged to a pack," I said. "Once."
He stared at me like he could see something I didn’t want him to. "What happened?"
The memories crashed into me so hard I almost stumbled.
I saw myself being dragged through the village.
Tied to a horse.
People pointing.
Whispering.
Laughing.
I didn’t even notice the tear sliding down my cheek until Kyran lifted his hand like he was going to wipe it away.
I flinched back before he could touch me, scrubbing at my own face.
"I’m fine," I said, voice a little rough. "I don’t need help."
He looked like he wanted to argue, but I pushed through before he could.
"You wanna know what happened?" I said, folding my arms tight over my chest. "Fine. The man I saved—the man I loved—never even looked at me as a mate. Instead, he chose my step-sister. Picked her over me like it was nothing. Like I was nothing."
I laughed under my breath, but it wasn’t funny at all.
"And when my wolf couldn’t show itself properly because it was weak? He couldn’t even recognize me. Not even a little."
I sniffed and looked him straight in the eye, daring him to say something stupid.
"And now that same man needs my help to survive. And here I am. Helping him anyway."
I shook my head and turned around, my chest burning.
"You don't get it," I muttered under my breath. "You’ll never get it."
Kyran didn’t say a word. He just stood there, staring at me like he couldn’t figure out if I was real or not.
I didn’t wait for him to snap out of it.
I yanked open the door and stepped out, the stupid tears still blurring my vision.
I didn’t even get a full step before someone collapsed right in front of me.
"What the—?" I gasped, jumping back.
It was my step mom. She clutched at her chest like she couldn’t breathe.
I knelt down immediately, instincts kicking in even though my heart was still a wreck.
"Hey—hey, are you okay?" I said, my hands hovering uselessly.
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a second, I thought maybe she didn’t still even recognize me. But then she gasped, her voice a hoarse whisper.
"Ava…?"
- Writer
