Chapter 5
1312 Words
SELENE'S POV
"Step away from her, all of you! Out!"
The voice spoke once more, and even though I couldn't see what was happening, I could hear the sounds of their retreating footsteps as they walked out of the room.
I let out a shaky breath as I heard another footstep slowly approaching, and I tightened my arms around myself as I shifted closer to the wall.
I wanted to tell them to stop. Whoever they were, I didn't want them anywhere near me. I didn't want anyone to touch me. But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to speak. The words were on my mind, but I was too afraid to let them out. And so I kept quiet as the footsteps continued to grow closer. With the sound of every step, I found myself tearing up even more. Until they stopped in front of me.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. It's okay now, you can look up."
I almost jumped out of my skin as I heard the voice speak, deep and cold, instantly bringing me back to that night.
It was him. The man from last night. The one who offered me his hand when I tripped and fell in the woods. So he did save me after all.
"It's okay. It's alright. You can look up. You're safe."
The man spoke again, and I hesitated for a while longer before slowly lifting my head to look at him.
My breath caught in my throat as my eyes landed on him.
He's...big. Even squatting down in front of me, he was still a lot taller than I would have expected. His broad too. But with his size, however, came the unmistakable air and aura of power and authority, one I'm quite familiar with.
There's no doubt in my mind that this man in front of me is an alpha. That discovery alone had me wanting to run for the hills. I wanted to retreat so far into the walls until I was completely buried in it, away from the world. Away from this man and his imposing aura.
Suddenly, I felt my heart start to beat faster and faster, and not in a good way. The events of last night had me more than a little shaken up, so much so that I would prefer to live out the rest of my life without seeing anyone ever again.
Just knowing that this man was also an alpha filled my head with a lot of scary thoughts. I found myself immediately flinching away and shutting my eyes the moment I saw him lift a hand. In my mind, I thought he was about to hit me. I didn't mean to, but I just couldn't help it. No one could be trusted. If anyone had told me that Thorin would one day turn out like this, I would never have believed it. And yet here we are.
I slowly opened my eyes when the hit I had been bracing for didn't come, and I suddenly felt ashamed of my reaction.
I wanted to apologize, to tell him that I was sorry. But once again, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. And so I settled for hanging my head low, making sure to keep my eyes on the floor and away from him.
I heard him let out a sigh before he spoke again.
"Come."
He said simply as he held out a hand in my direction, but I slowly shook my head. I didn't want to take it. I didn't want him to touch me.
"I promise I won't hurt you. No one will. You're safe here. I just need the doctors to carry out a check-up on you just to be sure you're okay."
He said, but I shook my head once again. I didn't want that either. I just wanted to be left alone. I wished I could make everyone around me disappear so I could have my peace. I didn't want them here.
I didn't want to anger him. Whoever this man was, I had a feeling I didn't want to get on his bad side. I was afraid I might have done that already, considering the fact that he'd been quiet for a few minutes now. He hadn't said another word since I refused to go through the check-up.
I held my breath as I tensely waited for what he would do next. I didn't have to wait long as his voice soon met my ears.
"What's your name?"
He asked, but I remained silent, not sure if I wanted to answer that question. I understood he'd saved my life, and
I was eternally grateful for that. But still, I didn't know him. I didn't know what he wanted with me.
As if sensing the direction of my thoughts, he spoke again.
"You can call me Aldric. What are you called?"
He asked, and I couldn't help but wonder. That name, it sounds kind of familiar. Somehow I can't help feeling like I've heard somewhere before today. But where?
I hesitated for a moment longer before reluctantly deciding to answer his question. At first, I opted for giving him a fake name just in case. I was trying to play it as safe as I possibly could. But then, as soon as I lifted my head and my eyes met his, I couldn't bring myself to compose a proper lie to tell him. He just looked so powerful and intimidating even squatting before me that I completely lost control of my words as soon as I opened my mouth, and my real name was falling out before I could even stop myself. I only realized my mistake when the deed was already done. By then, it was already too late. He already knew my name, and there was nothing I could do about it.
"Selene."
He tested the name on his tongue and I found myself trembling for reasons I don't know.
"Well, Selene, you don't want to get checked?"
The man I now knew as Aldric asked, and I immediately shook my head.
"Why not?"
He asked, but I kept silent this time around. I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't risk saying anything that might anger him and then get me in more trouble than I probably already am.
I heard him let out a sigh after a few minutes of silence before he nodded.
"Very well then. Come. It's time to go."
He said as he started to get up.
"Wh—where are you taking me?"
I asked in a low voice that was barely above a whisper, causing him to turn back around to face me as he answered.
"Home. I'm taking you to my place Selene. You'll be safe there."
I wasn't sure what he meant by that. He already said I was safe here, didn't he? So why do I have to leave? And why does it have to be to his house?
I considered his words for a moment, trying to figure out what to do. But then I soon realized that I didn't really have other options here. I'm still not sure what's going on, but I at least know he was the one who saved me from whatever it was that Thorin and Kira had planned for me. So, in the end, I figured he was my best bet, at least for the time being, until I can find my way out of here.
Having settled on that decision, I got up to my feet, wiped my face clean of tears, and slowly walked over to him. I could only pray to the moon goddess to keep me safe as I followed him out of the room and then the hospital building.
Whatever happens from now on, I know I'm on my own.
- Writer
