Alpha's Regretful Mate

The strange man

My eyes opened slowly, I still couldn't see properly even as light streamed through a window. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, there was this aroma of something sweet and savory, like someone was cooking.

I blinked a few times, to get my senses to come back to life. I realized that I wasn’t outside anymore. The annoying cold of the forest was gone, it was replaced by the comfort of a cozy room.

My body felt strange but cared for. A soft blanket covered I, and I could feel the smooth texture of clean clothes against my skin. I remember that the attackers tore my clothes and left me naked. The sting of my injuries had reduced greatly, and a faint smell of herbs were all around the room.

Someone had treated my wounds, carefully and thoroughly. I wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or worried. I remembered the person who saved me from those men and wondered if he was the same one that healed me.

My stomach growled loudly, the smell of food brought me back to reality. It reminded me of the fragile state I was in, and worse, of the child growing inside her. My child was nine weeks today, and those men had already put her baby at risk. My hand covered my belly, I needed assurance about the baby. Was the baby still okay? I had to know.

I tried to sit up, but my body resisted. A heavy force pressed me down, almost as if strong invisible hands were pinning me to the bed. I immediately started to panic. I gritted her teeth as I used my strength tried to push harder, but the force was unrelenting. It wasn’t weakness. It was something else, something unnatural.

My panicked state immediately turned into an angry one. “Hey! Is anyone here?” I yelled at the top of my voice trying to make sure that I got heard. “Let me out of here!”

My shouts must have echoed through the house. A moment later, I heard the sound of footsteps hurrying in from the outside. The door creaked open, revealing a man with wild, dark hair and piercing brown eyes. He looked startled, almost as if he hadn’t expected me to wake up so soon. This is bad.

“You’re awake? Wow.” he said, stepping into the room. His voice was deep and calm, he sounded very surprised.

“Who are you?” I demanded. “And why can’t I move?”

The man raised his hands, palms up, as if to show he meant no harm. “My name is Reed.” he said. “I found you in the woods. You were in bad shape. I brought you here to heal.”

I eyed him suspiciously, he looked nothing like the wolf who killed those men which means that I can’t trust him. “Heal? Then why can’t I get up? What have you done to me?”

Reed frowned, he seemed offended. “The healers placed a spell on you,” he explained. “It’s meant to keep you from moving until your body is fully healed. You’ve been through a lot.”

“A spell?” I was in disbelief and I was definitely anger. “I didn’t ask for this! I can decide for myself when I’m healed.”

Reed sighed, pulling a chair closer to the bed and sitting down. “Look, I understand how you feel, but you were on the verge of death when I found you. You need to rest. The spell is there for your own good.”

I clenched my fists, I was starting to get very frustrated. “I don’t care! I need to leave. Now.”

He tilted his head, studying me. “If you were truly healed, the spell wouldn’t hold you down. It’s not me keeping you here, it’s your body telling you it’s not ready.”

“That’s nonsense.” I snapped. I refused to believe that I was powerless by a spell on my own body. I gritted my teeth and pushed again, straining against the magical force. “I’m not staying here.”

Reed leaned back, watching me struggle. I don’t know if I amused him but he was smiling stupidly and that made me want to snap. “It’s pointless, I've been in the same position severally before and I couldn't break out.” he said. “The spell is—”

Before he could finish, I managed to shift my legs and sit up. My breathing was ragged because I practically used up all my strength, I looked at him triumphantly.

Reed’s jaw dropped. “How—how did you do that?”

“I told you,” I said while smiling sheepishly, “I’m fine.”

Reed stood up, his eyes darting between me and the bed. He ran a hand over the wooden frame, muttering to himself. “The charm… it shouldn’t have broken. You’re not fully healed.” He glanced at my bandaged arm, where a faint stain of blood had begun to show through the fabric. “You’re still injured.”

I didn’t wait for him to figure it out. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, wobbling slightly as I stood. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I forced herself to ignore it.

“Wait!” Reed called out, reaching for my arm. “You can’t just—”

But Lily was already moving, her steps uneven. She stumbled toward the door, gripping the wall for support. Reed caught up to her, blocking her path.

“You’re not strong enough to leave,” he said firmly. “You’ll hurt yourself even more.”

“I’ll take my chances,” Lily shot back, glaring at him. “I don’t trust you. For all I know, you’re one of them.”

Reed’s face darkened. “One of who?”

Lily hesitated, her heart pounding. She didn’t know if she could trust him with the truth. “The people who attacked me,” she said finally. “How do I know you’re not working with them?”

Reed’s expression softened again. “Because if I were, you wouldn’t be alive right now, plus, they are all dead now.”

His words made her pause, but she didn’t let her guard down. “That doesn’t mean I’m staying.”

“Fine,” Reed said, stepping aside. “Go ahead. But when you collapse before you reach the door, don’t blame me.”

Lily took a shaky step forward, her knees buckling. She caught herself against the wall, cursing under her breath.

Reed stayed where he was, watching her with concern.

“You’re stubborn,” he said, folding his arms. “I’ll give you that.”

“I don’t need your opinion,” Lily snapped. She took another step, then another. Her vision blurred, and her head felt light, but she refused to stop. She reached the hallway, her breathing was very heavy.

Reed followed her, keeping a careful distance. “At least let me help you.” he said. “You can hate me all you want, but you’re in no condition to do this alone.”

Lily ignored him, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. But her strength was leaving her fast. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor with a loud and painful thud.

Reed was beside her in an instant. “See? I told you,” he said, his voice sounded more concerned that mocking. “You’re not ready.”

Lily glared at him, tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t need your help,” she said weakly.

“Maybe not,” Reed said, gently lifting her off the ground. “But you’re getting it anyway.”

Lily wanted to fight him, to push him away, but her body refused to cooperate. He carried her back to the room, placing her carefully on the bed. She turned her face away, ashamed of her helplessness. The magic immediately started to work again, pulling her down and healing her. She could feel it.

“I’m not your enemy,” Reed said softly, sitting in the chair beside her. “Whoever hurt you, they’re not here. You’re safe.”

Lily didn’t respond. She stared at the wall, different thoughts in her mind. Could she really trust him? Or was this all just another trap?

Reed stood up, heading for the door. “Rest,” he said over his shoulder. “We’ll talk when you’re ready.”

Immediately the door closed behind him, Lily let out a shaky breath, she was scared. She didn’t know what to think, but one thing was certain, she couldn’t afford to stay this weak for for long. She noticed that she didn't feel hungry, instead she felt relaxed. She didn't know when she slept off.

Evening time had come already, the sky was nearly dark. Lily knew that this was the perfect time for her to make a move if she was going to. This time, it was harder for her to get up, harder than before.

A voice startled her as was trying to escape. " I had the healers come to make their charms stronger. If you want to get healed and to go to wherever you want to, stay here."

"No." Lily said. Reed looked frustrated. "I will not stay."

"Why are so stubborn? And who is Lily? You kept yelling the name." Reed asked.

"That's my name."

"You yell your own name in your sleep. Huh. Weirdo." He whispered the last statement, but Lily heard him.

Lily struggled against the magic and escaped from it again. This time, Reed couldn't believe his eyes.

"How do you keep doing that? Do you have healers magic or something. " He was still examining the bed when Lily took off.