CHAPTER SIX
MY SAVIOR
Aria's POV
"Look who we found, Alpha Adrian," One of Adrian's men spoke, dropping me forcefully on the floor.
I could feel the blood drain from my face as I sat stiffly as a board on the floor, panting heavily. I was weak, embarrassed, and in pain, as the hardwood floor bit into my knees. The room was deathly silent, large and imposing, with dark wooden paneling and a huge, heavy table in the center. It looked like a room for meetings or gatherings. The table was surrounded by high-backed, leather chairs, and a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the walls were covered with portraits of what looked like past pack leaders.
I could feel their eyes on me. My heart pounded in my chest as I prepared for the worst. I wondered where they had brought me and what they were going to do to me.
"Blake, who's she?" He finally spoke, and his deep and commanding voice sounded in my head making me quiver.
"I have no idea, Alpha," he replied, his face displaying confusion and wariness but he had a guarded expression regardless.
Adrian rose from the throne-like seat and walked towards me, enclosing the distance between us. He squatted to reach my height on the floor. He leaned in, sniffing me repeatedly while I bent my head, avoiding eye contact with him, feeling a surge of fear. I knew he was trying to assess me, and I couldn't help but feel like a specimen under a microscope. But as he leaned in closer, I felt something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was like a force that drew me to him despite my fear. He was close enough that I could feel his breath on my skin, and I closed my eyes, trying to control my racing heart.
"You think she is a threat to us?" His voice came off, making me jolt.
"You don't think so?" Another of his men asked.
He ignored his question, turning his gaze at me once again.
"Who are you?" He asked softly.
I tried to speak but nothing came out of my mouth. I was totally exhausted, weak, and in pain. All I wanted to do was just to die peacefully but it seemed the moon goddess had a plan of making me die painfully by their hands.
Blake walked up to me, yanking my head backward. "Speak!" He commanded.
I winced at the pain I felt and sank my tongue inside my teeth.
"Tsk tsk tsk," Adrian cautioned immediately, making him let go of me.
He raised his both hands in the air as he walked to his previous position, in a gesture to surrender.
Adrian turned to me once again, he gently touched my bleeding face, lifting it.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice full of concern. I had expected him to react fiercely but to my surprise, his expression was one of concern, not anger.
I nodded my head profusely, unable to speak. Gently, he helped me to my feet.
"Take her to the chambers and send Aelar in immediately," he instructed Blake. He sluggishly took me out of the room.
The giant door guarding the chamber squeaked open and I was led in.
"You'll stay here," Blake said, walking away. I disliked him from the first time I set my eyes on him, I hated his guts. He was handsome and seemed charismatic quite alright but he was rude. I could understand that he was looking out for his Alpha and pack members but he didn't really have to be mean towards me.
I scrunched my face in disgust as I watched him leave. After a few moments, I started to feel someone's presence, his thumping feet and strong scent. He smelt like the forest on a spring morning and it made me recall Scarlett. I began to feel lonelier than I had ever felt. I wondered if she was okay. I bit my lip, trying to keep my emotions under control, I was just too exhausted to let it all out. If only she was here, I wouldn't be this lonely.
He opened the door and entered, walking purposely towards me.
"Aria, I'm here now," he said, comforting me.
I smiled weakly, gluing my eyes on him. Aelar gently touched my face, his fingers cool against the bruise on my forehead. He carefully applied a poultice made of herbs to the wound, then covered it with a soft bandage.
"The wound would heal quickly, and soon it would be as it had never happened," he spoke softly while he gathered his things into his satchel bag.
Immediately, Adrian walked in. Aelar nodded at him and left gently. Adrian walked up to me and sat beside the bed where I was lying down.
"Aria?" He called. He had never asked for my name, but he knew it. Aelar knew my name without saying a word to him about it too.
"Are you surprised?" He asked, breaking my thoughts.
I twirled my toes around, feeling awkward. I couldn't speak to him so I nodded in agreement.
"I know you were trying to escape from Alpha Lucas, his Father, and his pack,"
My face was contorted in a grimace of disgust as I heard his name. My nose wrinkled, and my brow furrowed. My mouth twisted into a frown, my lips pressed together tightly. I was totally disgusted. Lucas really hurt me.
"You loved him and he hurt you?" He asked curiously but I didn't give a reply. I didn't want to talk about how stupid I was and how blindly I was in love with him. I had hope and patience that he'd come to love me back someday, too bad he hurt me this much.
"I need to go home," I finally said.
"Why? I'm sure they're still out there looking for you," He questioned, looking puzzled.
"My father is in danger," I said hesitantly, fighting to hold back my tears.
He held my hand and tightened his grip on it, "How do you mean?"
"Alpha Lucas had planned to execute my father and pack," I replied, cleaning my tears with my index finger.
His face scrunched up in irritation, and he clenched his fist. I didn't know if he was disgusted about the fact that it had to do with Lucas but it was obvious that he hated the revelation.
"I just need to go home immediately," I forcefully, almost yelling.
He touched my band-aided forehead as he stood from where he sat beside me, "Go take a shower, your meal will be served before you come out, in my chamber. After that, get some rest, and we will figure out what to do next," He instructed, making his way out of the room.
I watched him leave, his scent fading away with him. I needed to save my father and I needed to find Scarlett as well. My stomach grumbled heavily as I lay there thinking of what to do.