A new day has begun. Golden threads of morning light transform her night dreaming into an ambient. She could hear the songs of nature from where she laid lazily on the hospital bed. Every day, this was the routine. For a man with a family, he would wake up to the song of the family.
For Lila, she woke up to the sounds of beeping machines and the smell of medicine. It was nauseating. Yet, she didn't mind. She stretched her svelte body like a cat that just awoke from a long slumber. Looking at her wrist, there was no watch. It must have come off when she encountered those humans.
She couldn't help but silently curse at them. If she gets her hands on them, she will make them pay for the pain they made her suffer. As her mind recalled the massacre she witnessed, she involuntarily shivered. She has heard of the slayers before. They were known to be merciless in their missions.
She just wasn't ready to encounter such a bloody scene. Her fists clenched in anger. Her silver orbs looked blank and empty. The initial warmth that came with the rising of the sun was nowhere to be found on her face. Despite how unfeeling she looked, one couldn't help but wonder where she came from.
Her slender body looked like a piece of wood, sculpted by a sculptor. The best of them. It was mesmerizing. This was the sight Ian walked into. Beauty with a fragile body and eyes as clear as glass, yet no specific emotion was portrayed therein.
He had left her alone to go and freshen up. Who would have known that he would be treated to such a delicious view? It wasn't all pleasing though. He preferred the dimpled smile that she had blinded them with the previous day. This lifeless look in her eyes made him shudder.
Was she perhaps thinking about the massacre? If that was the case, she must have been traumatized by the smell of blood and the monstrosity that she witnessed. "Good morning, angel. I feel delighted to see you up already. I was worried about you. Thank the heavens you are alright."
Ian had a smile on his lips. He once heard somewhere that if you walk towards a person with a smile on your face, they will end up smiling back at you. He wanted to see her smile again. Unfortunately, the glassy look in her gaze didn't disappear as he expected. He felt a pang of sadness overwhelm his heart.
He pulled out a stool and sat beside the bed. He had thought of bringing food for her but he wasn't sure she would have the appetite to eat. Lila watched him silently. The man had handsome features. His body was well proportioned and masculine in all the right places.
She deduced as much from his well-fitting pants and turtleneck shirt. Despite his frame, his face was warm and welcoming. If she was in a better mood, she would probably pinch his cheeks to taste his charm.
Sky blue soft bright orbs stared into her own cold silver eyes. The contrast between their eyes married each other like the sky would the moon. Just looking into his eyes made her feel like the silvery moon. She could always shine brightly in them while he provided the vastness she needed to showcase her beauty.
Ian said nothing. He wanted her to show any emotion. He was ready to comfort her if she cried, or listen to her complaints if she wanted to complain. He preferred anything over the lifeless look she had on. Sure enough, his warmth started thawing her icy glare. Soon, the unfeeling gaze filled to the brim with water.
The first tear fell out of her eyes. She blinked and more tears fell. He wasted no time to hold her hand. Ian wished to embrace her. He wanted so much to tell her that everything was alright. That she was safe and alive. Yet, for the life of him, he couldn't.
He was afraid that his touch would trigger those awful memories. He was Kai's right hand for a reason. While Kai was a good leader and the best warrior there was, he wasn't accustomed to comforting people nor was he sensitive to their feelings. Contrary to Kai, Ian was the social butterfly.
He had mastered the art of reading people's moods and emotions. It was his specialty. Hence why he was known as the therapist. He comforted victims and coaxed prisoners to trust him. So far, his ways have worked many miracles. He had a way of earning people's trust without using any violence.
As he held the girl's fragile hand while she wept, he didn't have any bad intention towards her. Surprisingly, he had the sudden urge to protect her. He wished to be her benefactor. Whatever she had seen wasn't something an ordinary wolf could handle. She must have suffered a lot. How she survived the attack was still a miracle, considering how much she was hurt before they left her behind.
He tried to assess her personality. From how she struggled to sob in silence, she must be a proud person. He could deduce that she didn't trust people easily from how she shut her eyes tight to keep her emotions private. Her hesitant grip on his hand was another thing. She was unsure about his intention.
The more he studied her body language, the more intrigued he felt. She ought to be a very interesting person to get along with. She wasn't much of a talker either. The excited words she had said to them might be the effect of the anesthesia. He was tempted to laugh at his thought but that would be insensitive of him.
Instead, he let her cry until she was done. It was one way of relieving her pain. As long as she didn't spot that glassy look in her eyes again, he was fine with her silent cries. He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that. He even forgot why he was there and started daydreaming.
The loud growl coming from her stomach startled him out of his thought. This time, he chuckled out loud. To his disbelief, he watched her cheeks turn crimson red from embarrassment." You must be hungry. Is it alright if I get you food?"
She nodded at him. "Any preference?" he asked again. She shook her head no. Of course, she had no preference. Once you have been left to fend for yourself, you will consume anything to stay alive. She was no different. Ian stood up and gently released her hand. He wiped away the wetness from her cheek and walked away after giving her a gentle smile.
Her gaze followed him unconsciously. He made her feel funny inside. She was uncertain of who he was. But she didn't feel any dangerous vibe from him as of yet. Should she trust him?
She wouldn't know better unless she gave him a chance. Lila decided to give him the benefit of doubt.
She closed her eyes trying to will the horrible images out of her head. She hated how much this incident affected her. Meanwhile, Ian who was returning to the ward with a tray of food in hand was halted midway by Kai.
The werewolf king called for a maid to take the tray to the ward as he pulled Ian away. He didn't say much until the two men were in the confines of his private office. He left the door open for Ian to get inside as he strode towards his desk. Ian watched Kai silently.
He wasn't sure why he was pulled inside but he was sure about something. Kai had a thing for the little girl. Funny how his lame prediction came to be. He sat down, making himself comfortable. He wasn't going to say anything unless he was asked a question.
Kai felt annoyed at his best friend. Ian knew him too well. He hated it sometimes though it proved to be very useful most of the time. He clenched his jaws tightly and fisted his hands into a ball. Swallowing his pride, he managed to ask the question that was disturbing his mind the entire night.
"How is she? Did she tell you anything? Did you get any useful information?" He ended up asking more formal questions rather than the private ones he had. Like was her voice as sweet as it had been yesterday? Was she smiling again when she woke up? He couldn't get the image of her dimpled smile out of his head.
It drove his wolf crazy. Damn! It made him feel obsessed. No matter how much of a distance he wanted to keep away from her, he couldn't help but want to see her again. If he wasn't responsible for an entire nation, he would have thrown caution to the wind and went charging in.
He would have freely told her how much he was attracted to her. He would have stayed by her side and taken care of her with his own hands. He would have waited to see that glass-shattering smile again. Alas! All that could only be done in his dreams.
In his current position, he was only going to put her in danger. Ian's cough broke his reverie.
"She woke up with an emotionless look in her eyes. I am guessing that the experience she had impacted her more than she wants to let on. Somehow, I managed to get her to release her pain. She just finished crying a few minutes ago. "
Kai let his guard down, willingly allowing Ian to decipher his emotions. He never had to tell his friend about his thoughts. Ian saw through him. "Take good care of her." Was all he said,Instead of "I want to protect her."
Once again, Ian understood. "Bro, I have a request to make. Is it alright if I place her under my protection? She looks like an antisocial person. I am yet to know her better. Yet, I feel the need to protect her. Maybe it has something to do with you. Just looking at her, my protective instinct is evoked."
Kai's eyes furrowed in a questioning manner. "Whoa! Hold on bro. don't get me wrong. She is beautiful alright. The most beautiful woman I have seen to date. Albeit her ethereal features, I don't have any romantic feelings towards her. I feel responsible for her like an older brother would. That's all. Wow! Bro. You got it bad."
"Shut up!" Kai grumbled ears beginning to turn red. Ian's eyes widened in shock as he burst into a boisterous laugh. His friend was so whipped for the little girl. He couldn't wait to go watch the show once she starts attracting people's attention.
Ignoring his impudence, Kai spoke." Your request is granted. I want her to work in my main manor once she is healthy again. I would like to have her closer. In case you are not around, I can protect her on your behalf. Preferably, she should work in the kitchen. She looks too weak to work in other parts of the manor."
The beta's eyes bulge out. The audacity of his friend. Please. Protect her in his stead? Who was he cheating? Because it certainly wasn't him. Even so, he kept mum and nodded with a teasing smile. As he stood to leave, he looked back at Kai and left some final golden words.
"I will make sure to give you a daily report on her, my lord. Rest assured. She is in safe hands. As for your instructions, your wish is my command." Sarcasm was dripping from each word he uttered. The final nail was hammered into the coffin when he exaggerated a curtsey before running out of the room.
Kai wanted to chase after him and knock him out. He didn't. He had more self-control than that. But heavens! Why was his best friend always getting on his nerves? It felt as though that was Ian's main duty as his best friend and partner. He rolled his eyes as a rare gentle smile formed on his lips.
He was happy and assured to know that his annoying best friend got his back. Now, he can get back to work without any distractions. He couldn't wait to have her around his manor. What would it be like to have the person you have a crush on near you?