His unexpected mate

Chapter four

Ryder sat beside Selena’s bed; his eyes fixed on her pale face. The nurse tended to her wounds, carefully cleaning and dressing the blisters.

“how did this happen?” Ryder’s voice was low, controlled anger simmering beneath.

“I…I don’t know sir. The maid said she only prepared the bath as instructed.”

“I’ll investigate.” Ryder said.

As the nurse finished and left, Ryder’s eyes lingered on Selena’s fragile form. He reached out, his fingers tracing the edge of a wound.

It was a brief touch, almost hesitant. But something happened.

The raw, red flesh began to knit together. The blister’s edges closed smoothing into unblemished skin.

His eyes widened, his heart racing. Hastily he withdrew his hand stunned.

What just happened?

He touched another wound, his fingers barely grazing the skin.

The same miraculous healing occurred.

Selena’s eyelids fluttered, but she remained unconscious.

Ryder’s thoughts whirled.

Was this…his doing?

Or something more?

Was there something about her?

His scrutiny locked unto Selena’s face, his emotions in turmoil.

As he watched, her chest rose and fell with steady breaths.

Color returned to her cheeks. She was healing.

Fast.

Too fast.

Her eye’s fluttered open, meeting Ryder’s intense gaze.

“you?” she whispered; confusion evident on her face. “What… what did you do to me? I was in pain; it was badly hurting”

“Shh” Ryder’s expression softened. “You’re safe now.”

As she sat up, she noticed her wounds were gone.

“How…?”

Ryder’s silence sparked curiosity.

She reached out, touching his arm. A jolt of energy coursed through her.

She felt…different, more alert.

“What happened?” she pressed.

“You were poisoned. But you’re miraculously healing fast. “Rest now. We’ll talk later.”

“Was it the maid?” she questioned.

“No, it wasn’t Agatha. I have investigated. She has been with our family for years and has an impeccable record.” Ryder replied.

Selena nodded, her mind racing.

Unanswered questions.

Unseen dangers.

By evening Selena stood by the window, watching the lawn as the sun dipped below the horizon. The sky painted with hues of crimson and gold.

Her gaze wandered, catching sight three hooded figures standing in a circle, fists clenches. The gesture seemed familiar…the same salute the men they came to the house with from the hospital had given.

She leaned in, intrigued.

The figures opened a small, hidden gate concealed by flowers and stepped through it. Beyond the gate lay a neglected garden, overgrown and wild.

Her eyes remained fixed on the spot where the figures vanished.

But they didn’t reappear. The garden seemed empty.

A faint worry crept up her spine.

She scanned the area, searching for any sign of them.

Nothing.

The gate swung gently as if beckoning her.

Her inquisitiveness ignited; she felt an overwhelming urge to investigate.

She descended the stairs, her determination to uncover the truth about the mysterious garden driving her.

As she passed the maids, her sundress swooping behind her, she didn’t bother with small talk. Their chilly demeanor hadn’t warmed since her arrival.

One maid however surprised her with a slight bow and a gentle inquiry, “are you feeling better, miss?”

Selena nodded, taken aback.

“Yes, thank you.”

She continued toward the front door, but a sudden thought made her turn back.

“Excuse me,” she said approaching the maids. “Are there many gardens on the estate?”

The maid who had spoken earlier replied, “Our master loves nature, miss. There are several green spaces.”

Selena’s eyes locked on the maid with interest. “I saw an overgrown garden beyond a small gate. Is it okay to explore?”

The maids exchanged uneasy glances.

“one of the older gardens, miss” the maid replied cautiously. “Perhaps it’s best to focus on your recovery. When you get better, master might take you on a tour.” She completed, even though she clearly saw the wounds were gone.

“Let’s get you seated for dinner, miss,” Agatha the maid who had prepared the bath interrupted, gesturing toward the dining table.

As Selena sat, she watched the maids return to the kitchen.

Their hushed whispers carried:

“It seems she doesn’t know…”

Know what?

A shiver ran down her spine as she processed what she heard. The mansion, once a symbol of luxury and refuge, now seemed to harbor secrets that she alone had no knowledge of.

That night, Selena’s sleep was fragile, shattered by the haunting howls that ricocheted through the darkness. The sounds seemed to come from afar, yet they sent chills in her frame. She tossed and turned, as the howls grew louder, more insistent and Selena’s heart raced with every mournful cry.

As the hours dragged on, she prayed for dawn to break and the eerie sounds to cease. But the night seemed to stretch on forever.

Selena threw off the covers and approached the window, pulling back the curtains to gaze out into the darkness. She had noticed that her eyes quickly got accustomed to darkness which was odd.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a glow over the landscape. The howls seemed to emanate from the woods beyond the mansion’s grounds.

Suddenly a figure emerged from the shadows, the silhouette seeming like that of Ryder.

He stood at the edge of the forest his back to her; his look fixed on the darkness.

She wondered what he was doing there as she walked back to bed, her eyelids eventually grew heavy, and she drifted off to sleep.

In the early hours of the morning, her mind succumbed to a momentary dream. It was of her father standing in the cozy living room of their renovated cottage. His warm smile and twinkling eyes transported her back to a simpler time.

The dream faded, leaving Selena with a pang of guilt and longing, but she wasn’t ready to speak to her father yet.

She woke up to the first morning light, feeling a mix of emotions, questioning herself on why she hadn’t reached out to him.

As she swung her legs over the side of the bed, a knock at the door broke the silence.

“come in.” she called out.

“Good morning miss. Breakfast is ready. Mr. Ryder awaits you.” The maid said with a warm smile.

Selena’s heart skipped a beat.

What would today bring?

She descended the stairs after washing up, her stomach growling in anticipation of breakfast.

As she entered the dining room, she spotted Ryder already seated, his plate holding a barely cooked steak.

“Good morning,” Ryder said, as his eyes travelled down her physique.

“Morning,” she replied, taking her seat.

She gazed at Ryder’s plate, raising an eyebrow. “That’s… quite a breakfast.”

Ryder shrugged. “Fuel for the day.”

The maid, poured Selena’s coffee and presented her with a hearty breakfast spread.

“Eat quickly,” Ryder urged, slicing into his steak. “We have somewhere to be.”

Her curiosity piqued. “Where are we going?”

“To inquire about your witchcraft status. I mean, how you healed from those wounds is an enigma even to me.” He replied with a wide grin.

“Witchcraft? You’re ridiculous, the nurse’s treatment did the trick.” She said squeezing her face.

Ryder chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “Maybe, but I’ve seen inexplicable things in my life.”

“you still haven’t told me why you brought me to your home.” she said.

“All in good time Selena.”

“That’s not fair, I have been patient.”

“Really? just two days…patience is a virtue, Selena.”

Selena huffed, frustration seething. “Fine, keep secrets. But can I ask, what were you doing in the woods last night?”

Ryder’s eyebrows shot up. “What makes you think I was in the woods?”

“I saw you,” She said “From my window. I couldn’t sleep, and I saw you standing at the edge of the forest.”

“I couldn’t sleep either.” He replied.

“What where you doing?” she asked.

“Just clearing my head. He said with a low voice, his gaze drifting away.

Once they finished, Ryder pushed back his chair. “Go get dressed, and grab a jacket, it might get chilly.”

“where are we headed?” she asked again. But she got silence for a reply.

She quietly headed to her room, choosing a casual, flowered knee length dress, she dressed up and walked down to meet Ryder’s scrutinizing eye, which always looked like he had a lot to say.

They got into an old-fashioned car, unlike Ryder’s sleek vehicles. The journey seemed long, winding through rural roads and dense forests.

Eventually, Ryder parked the car at the edge of a deserted area. “we continue on foot.” He said, exiting the vehicle.

Selena followed, her sneakers sinking into the damp earth. The air thickened with the scent of wildflowers and damp soil.

As they walked, the silence between them grew. Ryder’s pace quickened, his long strides forcing her to hurry.

“Where are we?” she asked, her voice barely audible from exhaustion.

He halted, turning to face her.

“we’re here,” he said.

Before them lay a clearing, surrounded by ancient giant tress. In the center stood an old weathered cabin.

Selena’s heart skipped.

“where is this place?”

“A place of answers” a low raspy voice replied.