Chapter 8
Aaliyah
Lightheadedness and dizziness swept through me, and I feared I would faint. The rawness in my back ached, and I collapsed into Tristan's arms. I couldn't see clearly as he lifted me, walking downstairs.
A tall, beautiful woman appeared, descending the staircase, and she paused when she saw Tristan. A smirk appeared on her face as she studied me. She was stunning. Just like Tristan, who looked like he was in his late twenties, she seemed a few years younger than him.
She had long red hair and forest-green eyes that matched the necklace around her neck.
"Brother?" She looked at Tristan with a raised brow. Were they siblings?
"Would you please get out of my way, Hayley, or shall I make you?" Tristan asked.
Hayley frowned, leaning casually against the railing, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Oh, come on, Brother, don't be so dramatic," she said, glancing briefly at me. "I wasn't aware you suddenly had the authority to order me around. You might be the ruthless King of Lycans, but I'm still the Princess."
Tristan exhaled sharply. "Hayley, don't make this more difficult than it needs to be. Move now."
Hayley let out a laugh, throwing her head back. "Move? You're asking me to leave after everything you did?"
"Hayley—"
"You stand here having fun with your night fling, pretending like you deserve this while... while you left mine to die!"
My eyes widened as I stared at both the siblings.
Hayley stepped forward, her eyes burning with anger.
"Not now, Hayley," Tristan said. "You can come to my room later, and we'll discuss things like family."
"Family? You are not my family, Tristan. Not after what you did." Hayley scoffed. "I saw a future with my mate Collins, and you took him away from me."
Her breathing hitched, and she shook her head, pushing back tears.
"You let him die! You stood there and ordered your filthy guards to impale him on the fence."
My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Tristan.
My breath caught in my throat, and I tried to pull away from Tristan's grip, but he held me tight.
"He tried to kill me, Hayley. Why don't you understand that? Why can't you see I'm the only one who truly loves you?"
"Don't you dare, Tristan! Don't you dare stand there and act like you haven't been waiting for this moment to take Collins away from me. You've wanted him dead for months. You never approved of our relationship," Hayley said. "And let me not remind you of what you did to Ryker."
"Ryker cheated on you," Tristan said. "Like I said, sister, no one loves you as much as I do."
"No... no, you never cared. All you ever wanted was to rip happiness away from me. Now that you've won, with your flings by your side, I hope you're happy."
Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she stormed downstairs in a rage.
"Tris—"
"She'll be fine by tomorrow and come running back to me," Tristan said. "Don't let that disturb you."
"You killed her mate."
"You saw what he did to me. He tried to kill me too."
"I know, but—"
"No buts, love." Tristan smiled before continuing to walk upstairs. He entered a room and placed me on the bed.
"You should rest," he said. "I will..."
A knock on the door interrupted him, and a young woman with pale skin and black hair walked in.
"Your Grace," she said, bowing slightly.
"Piper, help Aaliyah with her basic needs," Tristan said, stepping away. "Make sure she has food and a bath before she rests."
The desire to tell him that I could manage on my own died on the tip of my tongue.
"Of course, Your Grace," Piper said.
Tristan turned, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead before leaving.
The ache in my back intensified.
Piper turned to me, flashing a smile. "Would you prefer a bath or a shower?"
"A bath. And I will do it myself. Thank you," I said.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "It looks like you're wounded."
I managed to stand up from the bed, looking around, my eyes falling on the wardrobe. I narrowed my eyes, turning to Piper.
"Does this room belong to Hayley?" I asked, not wanting to use her space. She'd already be angry enough, considering her mate was impaled on the fence.
"No," Piper shook her head. "The King had this room prepared for you."
"He knew I was coming?" I asked.
"He sent word to us before arriving in California to prepare a room for you."
"Interesting," I nodded slowly, looking around the room.
"Everything you need is in the bathroom," Piper said. "I should go and get your food ready."
"You prepare the food yourself?" I asked. "Sorry for asking so many questions, but are there no maids?"
"No," she shook her head. "Tristan handles everything himself. He lives alone."
"Why? No maids? Just guards?" I asked. Even though I was a janitor in the Crescent pack, there were always maids to cook and clean parts of the pack house. I was a bit surprised that a powerful king like Tristan would manage everything himself.
"The King likes his solitude. Besides, it wouldn't be safe for anyone here."
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean by 'it wouldn't be safe'?"
"You see, the King is unpredictable. One minute he's calm, the next he's holding a knife to your throat," she laughed lightly, and I narrowed my eyes. "No... no, I wasn't talking about you. Of course, it's safe for you to be here. It's just that it's been years, and everyone's..."
"Continue."
"I don't think I should be saying this to you," Piper smiled nervously. "I should get to the kitchen."
I sighed.
"So this is it."
"Do you not like the room, little mouse?" At the sound of his voice, I gasped, turning to find Tristan standing just inches away from me.