Chapter 4
1189 Words
_Lyla's POV_
I woke up to the sharp smell of antiseptic. The air around me felt cold and sterile. My body ached everywhere, and my head felt heavy, as though it had been stuffed with cotton. Blinking, I took in my surroundings—a small, white hospital room with machines softly beeping nearby. The faint morning light filtered through the curtains.
I felt disoriented. Where was I? How did I get here? Panic started to rise in my chest, but a soft, steady voice broke through my thoughts.
“You’re finally awake. I was so worried about you.”
I turned my head slowly, wincing at the pain. A pair of piercing blue eyes met mine. It was him—the man from the inn. The one who had saved me. Memories of the fight came rushing back. The rogues. The pain. The blood. And then my wolf’s voice—Mate.
He sat beside me, his broad shoulders slightly hunched as he leaned forward. His brown hair caught the light, and his eyes held an intensity that made my breath catch.
“You’re safe now,” he said gently, his voice soothing. “You were hurt badly, but you’re going to be okay.”
I tried to speak, but my throat felt dry and scratchy. All I could manage was a weak croak. Seeing my struggle, he reached for a glass of water on the bedside table.
“Here, let me help you.”
He held the glass to my lips, his hand steady but gentle. The cool water eased the dryness in my throat, and I managed a small sip.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
A small smile tugged at his lips. “There’s no need to thank me. I couldn’t just leave you there.”
Before I could reply, the door opened, and a doctor walked in. He was an older man with kind eyes and a clipboard in his hands.
“You’re a lucky one,” the doctor said, addressing me. “If the Alpha hadn’t brought you in when he did, you wouldn’t have made it. The blood loss was severe, but you’re strong. You’ll recover with time and rest.”
Alpha? I glanced at the man sitting beside me. He gave me a small nod, confirming what the doctor had just said.
“She’ll get all the rest she needs,” the man said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.”
The doctor smiled. “I’m sure you will, Alpha Aaron. I have prescribed some painkillers and other medicines. She’ll need plenty of rest, so make sure she doesn’t try to do too much too soon.”
Aaron nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll take care of her.”
Satisfied, the doctor excused himself, leaving the room. The silence that followed felt heavy, but not uncomfortable. I turned to look at Aaron again, and his eyes softened as they met mine.
“You scared me back there,” he admitted, his voice quiet. “I thought I was going to lose you.”
His words sent a strange warmth through me. I didn’t know what to say. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from my face. The touch was light, but it sent tingles through my skin, and I felt butterflies stir in my stomach.
“You’re my mate,” he said softly, almost like he couldn’t believe it himself. “I’m Aaron, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. And you…” His lips curved into a smile. “You’re my mate.”
My heart skipped a beat. My wolf stirred inside me, her voice excited. “He’s ours,” she whispered.
Before I could respond, Aaron leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss across my forehead. The sparks that followed made my skin tingle, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks.
“You’re blushing,” he teased, his blue eyes sparkling with amusement.
I looked away, embarrassed. I wasn’t used to this kind of attention, and the mate bond only made everything more intense.
“It seems that my mate is shy with me,” he said, his tone playful. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll give you time to get used to me.”
His words made me glance back at him. He was smiling, but there was a sincerity in his eyes that caught me off guard. He truly meant what he said.
“Oh,” he said suddenly, as though he had just remembered something. “I forgot to ask your name. What is it?”
“Lyla,” I said quietly.
“Lyla,” he repeated, as if testing how it sounded. “It suits you. You’re beautiful, Lyla. I am glad to have you as my mate.”
My cheeks flushed again, but his next words wiped away the warmth.
“You don’t seem happy about it, though. Did I not meet your expectations? Don’t you find me handsome enough?”
His teasing tone made me feel flustered, and I shook my head quickly. “No, that’s not it!” I said, my voice louder than I intended.
He raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to explain.
“The problem is…” I hesitated, unsure how to put it into words. “I’m an omega, and you’re an Alpha. We wouldn’t make a good pair. You need a strong Luna, not someone like me.”
His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought I had offended him. But then he spoke, his voice firm.
“Stop talking nonsense,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an omega or a Beta or anything else. You’re my mate, and that’s all that matters. You’ll be my Luna, and I’ll make sure the pack respects you.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could say anything, the door opened again. A man with black hair and sharp black eyes stepped in, his expression serious.
“Forgive me for interrupting, Alpha,” he said, bowing slightly. “But there has been a rogue attack near the western border.”
Aaron’s jaw tightened, and he stood quickly. “Thank you for informing me, Jason. I’m coming.”
He turned back to me, his expression softening. “I’ll be back soon, Lyla. Rest and recover, alright?”
Before I could reply, he leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek. The sparks from the touch made my heart race, and I watched as he left the room, his presence leaving a strange emptiness behind.
I lay back against the pillows, my mind spinning. Aaron was my mate. My second chance. And yet, I couldn’t help but feel uncertain. Could an omega like me really be a good Luna? Could I truly belong in his world?
My wolf’s voice was firm. “He’s ours, Lyla. Trust the bond.”
But as I stared at the ceiling, doubt lingered in my heart. The mate bond was strong, but was it strong enough to overcome the barriers between us?
- Writer
