Chapter 7 FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
AURORA
Stepping out of the room, my chest felt unbearably tight. Trisha walked ahead of me in silence, her steps were calm and measured, which left me even more worried when she ignored my question and reminded me that dinner was getting cold.
And now, as she led me through the halls, the silence between us heavily weighed on my shoulder.
Multiple thoughts plunged into my head, questions I didn't have the answers to.
Did she believe my words?
Does she believe I am sick and making this up?
Will she help me…
.... Or tell Nathan what I just told her.
A nervous knot twisted in my stomach. The dining room doors opened before I could think of any solution.
Nathan sat alone at the long table, dressed in a dark grey shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
The dim chandelier above cast shadows across his sharp features, making him look more intimidating than the first moment I saw him.
His eyes immediately lifted to me, and he stood up, hurrying to my side. He took my hand and led me to the spot where he had been sitting, drawing out a chair closer to his for me to sit.
As I settled into my seat, I noticed Trisha bowing before she excused herself. Just like that she was gone, not a word said.
The tightness in my chest released just a little bit, but she not spilling anything to Nathan now didn't guarantee the future.
“Is something wrong?” Nathan's voice plunging into my ears made me pull my gaze away from the door to look at him.
I forced a smile, “No. It's nothing, I am just hungry.”
Nathan snapped his fingers and almost instantly, the maids on standby moved forward, carefully placing dishes in front of me.
The smell alone should have made me hungry, roasted meat, warm bread, creamy soup rich with herbs.
But the fear in my heart made even food unappealing to me. This feeling was different, because if it comes to Nathan's knowledge that I am not his wife, I may lose the second chance the Goddess had blessed me with. And I cannot leave this world for the second time without destroying Carl and John.
Nathan must have noticed my hesitation as his hand found mine, snapping me back to reality. My eyes found him, and his expression was soft.
“The food was tasted beforehand,” he said calmly. “You don't have to be afraid to eat.”
Afraid?
I swallowed and sighed. He was partially right. I am afraid, funny how quickly fear becomes a permanent part of you after dying once.
“I know,” I murmured, picking up my spoon and digging into the food.
I forced myself to eat slowly despite the heaviness sitting in my chest. Every bite was more difficult than the last, but I couldn't afford to look suspicious.
Nathan watched me a few times during dinner, barely touching his own food.
The silence wasn't entirely uncomfortable, but it wasn't warm either. I still didn't know who this man was, or where I was, and what would happen to me if I didn't find out soon.
“How are you feeling?” he suddenly asked, catching me off guard. Within seconds I had forgotten I was his wife, recovering from a bear death experience.
“I am fine,” I lied automatically.
His eyes narrowed faintly, as he knew better, but he didn't press further.
“You need all the rest in the world, Hera,” he said instead. “The doctor said your body is still recovering.”
“I will,” I said, genuinely hoping I would be able to.
Thankfully, the dinner eventually ended, and Nathan stood up first, extending a hand toward me.
“I'll walk you upstairs.”
I placed my hand in his, and was instantly greeted with the warmth that surrounded him. It was dangerously comforting.
We walked through the quiet hallways together, in a much-needed silence. At first, I didn't pay attention to where we were going, until I recognized the corridor.
It was the path that led to Nathan's room.
My steps halted instantly. “I don't want to stay there tonight,” I blurted before I could stop myself.
Nathan turned to face, his expression remaining calm.
“In my room?” he asked gently.
I nodded quickly. “I… I would rather stay in my own room for now.” I replied, a lump forming in my throat.
A brief silence followed, before he finally spoke. “I understand.”
Relief rushed through me so fast my knees nearly weakened.
Without another word, Nathan turned and guided me down a different hallway until we reached Hera's room.
He opened the door for me before following me inside.
“You should sleep,” he said quietly.
I climbed onto the bed stiffly while he pulled the blanket over me with surprising care.
The gesture felt so intimate that it almost made me uncomfortable. He brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face before leaning down.
His lips pressed softly against my forehead.
“Goodnight, Hera.”
My throat tightened.
“Goodnight,” I whispered back.
A few seconds later, the door clicked shut behind him and the moment I was sure he was gone, I threw the blanket aside and climbed out of bed.
My heart pounded wildly as I began pacing the room.
This was bad…very bad.
Trisha hadn't reacted the way I hoped, she hadn't agreed to help me, and she hadn't even spoken.
What if she were informing Nathan right now?
What if guards stormed in at any moment?
I dragged my fingers through my damp hair, anxiety clawing at my chest.
“I shouldn't have told her,” I muttered under my breath. “That was stupid, Aurora. So stupid.”
But I had no one else to tell, or trust with this information. Nathan leaving me with Trisha meant he trusted her with Hera.
“Oh Goddess…” I let out a long sigh, moving towards the door with the thought of finding Trisha myself.
Before I could decide, a sudden knock echoed through the room. My breath caught in my throat.
Another knock came, softer this time.
“Luna?” Trisha's voice whispered carefully from outside.
Shock flashed through me and in a flash I was by the door, pulling it open. Trisha slipped inside quickly before shutting the door behind her.
Then she turned toward me, no fear or judgment in her gaze. “Fine, I will help you.”
Thirty minutes later, I was done explaining everything that happened from my discovery of Carl's betrayal,to the point of my death.
Trisha lowered her gaze to her finger, as if taking a moment to digest everything I had just revealed to her.
Then she raised her head to look at me, “ I am so sorry Aurora. You didn't deserve to suffer that way.”
“This is why I need to get justice for myself. I can't let them go scot-free. And I am worried my sister-in-law will be next in line.”
“How can I help?” She asked about my greatest relief.
“I need to know everything about this pack, about Nathan, and Hera. Once I understand where I am, I will begin my plans to exact revenge on my ex-husband.”
“Well, the first thing I would like you to know is that you aren't that far from home. You are in the Crimson Pack, Alpha Nathaniel Bridge is the leading Alpha of this pack.”
My breath heightened at the revelation. I knew Nathan looked familiar, I just couldn't place my mind on where I had seen him and now I understand.
Nathan Bridge, the Alpha of all the Alphas, is leading with the largest pack ever known to our realm. A mysterious figure whose name was only spoken, yet carried enough power to make a thousand men bow.
I had never seen him at gatherings, only his acquaintance who brought messages or simply their presence. And to top it all, Carl had been obsessed with this man and was even so desperate to be in just his presence alone.
“But the Alpha never had a wife. How come?”
Trisha sighed ,and continued, “Luna Hera was…” She paused, clearing her throat.
“....His hidden wife.”
“What?”
“Calm down.” Trisha quickly suggested. “She wasn't hidden for terrible reasons. It was for her own good.”
“After their marriage, Luna Hera was faced with multiple assassination attempts from unknown enemies who were desperate to see the Alpha crumble. For her safety, he announced to the world that Luna Hera was no longer his Wife and vowed never to take any other because of the dangers that came with it. The poison attempt on her life wasn't the first,it was simply the one that struck.” Trisha revealed, her eyes glistening with tears.
“And now…when we thought she had returned…” she completely breaks down, sobbing heavily into her palm.
“I am so sorry…” I whispered, even when I knew it wouldn't help. Now I partly knew the Goddess brought me back not just for my own revenge, but Hera’s as well.
