Alice and The Rogue Wolf

Chapter 3

Alice

Even though the sun was yet to attain full ascent, its beam was enough to guide me as I made my way steadily to the slightly parted door of my room, my eyes flying about the dim room aimlessly. The nightmare was still stuck replaying in my head and the fear of the hazel-eyed man made me dread spending another second on my sweat-soaked sheets. Besides, my eyes were squished out of sleep, and I decided that perhaps a blast of the early hour dew on my face would slow my rapid pulse.

As I groped around the little hallway, I could feel my movements getting better. I mean, it wasn't perfect, but the long hours of sleep seemed to pay off as most of my agility was restored. My steps were faster and more firm and what was left of my once-pounding headache was negligible. I let my fingernails nibble at an itch on my neck as I kept my movement as stealth as possible, not wanting to wake anyone else up. But it seemed I failed.

"Hey, Alice! Where are you headed to? You have to be resting," My mother inquired, stifling a yawn with her palm. I must have missed her lying figure on my way past the living room.

"Mom, Good morning! I'm okay, mom. I just want to clear my head outside for a bit." I greeted, joining her on the couch. As she sat up, my eyes caught the swollen eye bags beneath her eyelids. "Mom, have you been crying?"

A sigh left her lips. My mother rarely slept anywhere apart from the comfort of her bed. Well, at least my dad never let her spend the night away from him. He is the overprotective lover who could never give my mother enough of his. Speaking of my dad, I am yet to see him.

"I haven't been crying Alice, I just slept too late," my mother defended, but it was no use. I could see through her lie as always but decided not to press on about it. "Your doctor will be arriving soon, so you better get back and get ready."

"Alright Mom, " I replied, rolling my eyes playfully. In any other instance, I'd still go for my walk but my mother seemed to be burdened by so much, and I decided against causing her any more worry so I got up to head back. "By the way, I haven't seen dad around. Isn't he back yet?"

My question earned me an alarmed but worried gaze from my mother. She shifted uneasily on the couch and I could almost hear her heart explode in her chest as she stuttered what was meant as an answer.

"Uhm… yeah!" She hastily replied, getting up. "He isn't back yet."

By now I was panicking. My mind was filled with thoughts but my heart screamed a silent prayer to the goddess to banish them from being a reality. All I could do was hope he was okay.

"Mom, dad never stays out late, never misses dinner, never lets you out of his grasp at night. Never! What is going on? Is there anything you should hide from me? Please let me know cause this silence is causing me to worry. " I half yelled. The frustration was too much and I couldn't help it.

Sulking impatiently with hands akimbo, I stood watching my mom, residing back on the couch. As she tucked the loose strands of her silk brunette hair, which she never ceased tending to, behind her ears, I could see the stream of hot tears on her cheeks. As much as this hurt me, she seemed to be distressed even more. She sniffled and let out a loud sigh before beckoning me to join her.

"Alice, you're father was murdered two weeks ago. I'm sorry."

I parted my lips but the words seemed stuck in my throat. How? When? Who would dare to murder the alpha male of the pack? Why? My father was the most kind-hearted man I had ever known. All his decisions and actions favored the general well-being and growth of the pack. He was a selfless ruler who had a mindset that all deserved to be treated fairly. So why would one connive against such a leader? These questions ran through my head seeking answers but all to no avail.

"Dad is dead? How?" I finally asked when my tongue regained its life. I opened their cage and the tears escaped freely.

"Yes, the Rogues murdered him the day before you lost your consciousness. I was afraid to tell you because I didn't think you were strong enough yet. I know you probably recall nothing much about him but I can assure you he loved you dearly. " By the time my mother was done explaining, her shaky voice had turned into a full-blown sob. I knew her husband's death was a cause of great hurt and to top it all my amnesia. There was a longing in my heart to comfort her but I was yet to get over the shock myself.

Mother clasped her arms around me and I fell weakly into her embrace. I shut my eyes partly to keep out the scattered sun rays that had pierced through the exposed window and partly to better enjoy the brief trip down my memory lane, more precisely a moment with my father I had and could remember.

Everywhere was hazy and a bit dim, but through the dark veil of the dark room, I could feel a rough hand stroking my hair gently. It appeared that he was tucking me in bed before whispering what I couldn't quite make sense of. Slowly, he lowered his face but just as he was about to land a peck on my forehead, I felt a loud shrill resound in my head.

"Mom!" I yelped, clasping my ears in an attempt to muffle the pain in my head. I could feel my mom lay me back on the couch with a worried look plastered on her face, and her mouth calling out to me repeatedly.

"Alice?" I heard her voice which sounded distant as I felt a distressing weakness all over my body. I lay on the soft cushion and I could feel my sight go blurry as well as my hearing. I was slowly losing my grip on reality and after a few claps of my eyelids, I completely blacked out, oblivious of the figure that came rushing in towards me.

****

I jerked up noisily from the surface I lay on. I looked around the well-lit room and once my eyes fell on the pots of succulents on my window sill, I was convinced I was in my room. But still, I was unaware of what had happened, and I needed answers. My eyes scanned the room for any clue of what had happened but all I could pick was a masculine figure snuggled up on a couch in a corner of my room. I took a closer look and found out it was Johnathan so I called out his name.

He twirled in his sleep and after he realized his environment he jostled over to the bed and clasped my hand into mine gazing at me with weary eyes.

"How are you feeling?" He asked about my temperature.

"Well, until now, I have been trying to conquer this migraine but apart from that, I'm alright. What happened?" I asked, allowing his strong arms to lay me back on the bed.

"Well, you passed out this morning and your mom fletched for me to look after you while she fixed you something to eat, " he replied, showing concern. "I better go fetch your mother, she instructed me to alert her once you wake up. Just relax and don't move!"

An appreciative smile appeared across my lips as I watched him clutter out the door. I heard two voices converse outside and after a strained silence two pairs of footsteps approached the door.

"Alice, how're you feeling? I just called the doctor. He's coming. Does your head still hurt? Should I get you water?" My mother rushed me with questions as she joined me on the bed.

"Mom, one question at a time," I replied, staring at the tray that Johnathan now had balanced on his palm. "I'm fine. I just need to drink some water."

As usual, she placed the rim of the glass on my lips as I took a sip. She sniffled back some tears when she placed back the empty glass on the ashtray and I couldn't help hugging her warmly and whispering a "thank you" while I was at it.

"I'm sorry about dad. I wish I wasn't a burden too," I muttered, whimpering. She hugged me tighter, assuring me that she understood how I felt and was glad I was doing better.

After the whole emotional scene ended, Johnathan begged to be alone with his fiancee and after laughing at the look of helpless affection on the alpha male's face, she left them and headed back to check up on their steaming pot of breakfast.