4: Aiden

ADRIANA’S POV

A small sound escaped from my lips, and I blinked a few times, trying to wake myself up. I felt sore everywhere, my feet were burning, my thighs were on fire too. What happened?

I got up with a start, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I looked around, trying to make sense of where I was. I couldn't remember coming here. My memories slowly started coming back as I looked around the unfamiliar place. It was a room, small from the looks of it, there were strange decorations on the wall, and it had a musty smell. Like it wasnt frequented.

My head hurts as multiple thoughts come to me, all at once.  

Ball, my father, dark aura and a large man with a black stare…The lycan king!

I’d been running and I remember falling. What the hell happened? How did I end up here? Could it be that my father or alpha Xander found me? Please let it be a no. I think I would take anyone but them right now.

I was terrified, wondering if Alpha Xander's guards had caught me and brought me to his pack. I looked around the room, taking in the oddities of the space. The walls were a sickly green color, and there were strange symbols etched into the stone. A single window high up on the wall let in a small amount of light, but it was dim and barely illuminated the room. There was a door on the far side of the room, but it was closed and that renewed my fear.

I moved back on what I assumed was a makeshift mattress, it seemed to be made of a few leaves or something I didn't know. I placed my hand on my chest, trying to steady my breathing.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up, everything in me telling me to get the hell out of there. I swayed on my feet, my vision going blank for a few moments. I was still dizzy, good to note.

I made my way over to the door, my heart pounding in my chest. I ignored the pain shooting through every crevice of my body, especially my legs. When I reached the locked door, I lifted my hands up, ready to rap my knuckles on it. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should just stay put and wait for someone to come to me. But I couldn't stand the thought of being there for a moment longer.

The fact that I was detained or anything told me it couldn't be my father’s people or Xander’s that found me. So I had to find a way out and get as far away from here as possible. They would so easily catch up with me and I can't have that.

I took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob, deciding to try that first before alerting whoever it was that brought me here of my consciousness. It turned easily in my hand, and I slowly pushed the door open, peering out into the hallway beyond. It was empty and quiet, with doors lining either side. I stepped out, my bare feet making no noise on the cold stone floor.

I started down the hallway, my senses on high alert as I searched for a way out. As I walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. It was as if the very walls were watching my every move

Just as I was about to make my way over to the door, I began to hear footsteps coming from a hallway down the corridor. It was followed by a heated discussion between two people. I ran back into the room and lay on the bed, my heart pounding and my eyes wide awake with fear. 

The loud footsteps continued to approach until they stopped in front of the door. The person hesitated before the door creaked open and a man walked in. His eyes lit upon seeing I was awake.

“Hey,” he greeted, keeping his voice soft. I curled into myself, trying to appear as small as possible. “Are you ok?” He asked, trying to come close but I quickly sat up and backed away, glaring at him. He smelled like a lycan and that wasn’t good. It couldn’t be!

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked, moving back until my back could touch the wall. My heart continued to race in its frantic rhythm.

“My name is Aiden. I'm a pack warrior. I found you in the woods, where you had fainted. I brought you here to my house and had you treated. How are you feeling, are you-”I cut off his long speech.

“How...how did you find me? And why did you bring me here?” My words are ridden with stutters.

“I was patrolling the woods when I came across you. You were hurt and I thought you needed help,” he replied easily. I nodded, but I didn't fully believe him.

“Where exactly am I? Did he send you to catch me? Please let me go!” I begged, fidgeting as I looked around the room. I spotted my bag lying on one side of the room, beside a stove. I looked back at him before making a move to run but he quickly grabbed me and took me back on the bed.

“Let me go!” I struggled but he keeps on holding me tight until I stop struggling.

He was very huge, standing at 6’7 or so, with a strong and muscular build that exuded confidence. He had the body of a warrior, almost like the men Xander had come with. That didn't make me feel any better. There was a very high chance he either worked for him or was somehow related to the pack. Lycans were not found littering near wolf territories. Or have I gotten far from my father’s pack? That didn't make me as happy as I thought I would be. Only made my nerves skyrocket, because now I had no idea where to go.

The large man bent towards me and I moved further back, there was no more space for me to move too but I kept pushing into the way, like it would open to accommodate my body. He didn't come any closer when he saw what I was doing, but his eyes swept down my body in violating scrutiny.

“I want you to calm down and talk to me. You’re safe here and nobody is after you, I promise.” Despite the dangerous aura he exuded, mostly familiar with warriors, his aura was different from Xander’s, more peaceful I guess.

“Who are you? Which pack do you belong to?” I asked him as my breath came out harshly. Lycans didn't have small packs because of their small numbers. They mostly just follow one leader, which means there is a very high chance he is one of Xander’s warriors.

“I told you, I'm Aiden and I don't belong to a pack as of now. I used to be a warrior but my pack was destroyed. I’ve been renting this property for a while.” He said, his soft gaze all over my face. There was something gentle in his face that urged me to believe him, but I was still cautious.

I nodded and tried to calm my breathing. I slowly let myself move from the wall, stretching my legs out. I peeked at the lone window and saw a bit of light, the sun was slowly dipping into the horizon. The sky was ablaze with fiery orange and pink hues as if the sun was trying to put on one last spectacular show before it said goodbye for the day.

I got up, keeping my eyes on Aiden, as he said his name was. I stood to my full height and headed to the position of the window. I couldn't see much from here, just a dense wall of trees, their branches twisted, stretching out in every direction. We were surrounded by a sea of brown and green. We were somewhere in the middle of the woods but I knew my Pack wasn’t far away from here. And I needed to run.

I couldn’t let my father catch me, never.

Aiden didn’t know who I was. I haven't heard of any lycan packs being destroyed so he couldn't be from here. That renewed my fear as I realized I probably wasn't that far out from my pack, which meant I needed to get away from here.

I rushed to where my backpack lay and grabbed it then I turned to the man who had been silently watching me and told him in clear terms. “Thank you for your help and I'm sorry I have nothing to repay you with but I have to leave right now.” I tried to keep the information I was giving him to a minimum. You know, in case he wasn't telling the truth.

“Why are you in a rush? Is someone after you?” he gave me a look that said to tell him the truth, it wouldn't be hard to find me out.

I breathed and shook my head. I couldn't tell him, so I decided. He may have helped me but that didn't mean I should readily trust him. “If I know, maybe I can help you.”

That made me look at him with my brows raised and he nodded. A voice in my head told me I couldn't be serious when I exhaled, and reached a conclusion almost immediately.

“The Alpha of my Pack wants to marry me to a man who isn’t my mate. A very evil man, and they must be looking for me by now. I have to get away.” I made sure he heard the urgency in my voice. It wasn't hard to get since I was actually very desperate. And it wasn't a complete lie, I only hid my real identity. What if he knew a way to contact Xander and he turns me in to save himself. I couldn't risk that.

“I understand what you're saying, but just sit down and relax. There are rogues out there that will kill you once they set their eyes on you and you’re still exhausted.” he said, taking my bag off my shoulders gently.

“No, I…I,” I swallowed, unable to form any word. I felt like I was giving in too easily.

“At least, eat something. You can leave after that.” I nodded when he said that. I guess it wouldn't hurt to stay and eat something. He was right, I should at least rest before setting out again. 

I moved back and sat on the bed again, doing as he said. Seeing I was willing to comply, he nodded and walked out of the room, leaving me to myself and my thoughts.

I reflected on the last few hours, or maybe a day ago, since it’s evening again now. I had been running from a life that I knew was going to be nothing but pain, running from my family that has never treated me like their own, and now I was being offered protection by a stranger. 

Beggars couldn't really be choosers and my only option right now was to trust Aiden and hope that he was telling the truth.

Aiden returned a few minutes later with a pitcher of water and a cup. He poured it in and handed it to me, I looked a little unsure and he stretched his arm further.

“You must be thirsty after all the running you obviously did, and you haven't had anything to drink.'' What he was saying made sense but I was still unsure. He sighed and set the pitcher down by my feet and the cup beside it. “I have no intention of hurting you, I promise.” His eyes were soft. I only nodded but still made no move to touch the water. 

“I understand why you must be skeptical, but see,” he picked the water and drank half of it. “There is nothing wrong with it.” he spoke after. I nodded, a bit more convinced this time. He handed the cup back to me and I took it eagerly, drowning the rest of the water in it in one gulp.

“Thank you,” I muttered, my cheeks heating when I saw how he was watching me. 

“You must be hungry, would you like something to eat?” My stomach growled, answering his question and he chuckled. “Okay, I'll get you something right now.” I nodded eagerly. I wasn’t hungry, I was starving. “You can rest before I have it ready,” he pointed to the bed before walking toward the door again.

I did as he instructed and laid back on the bed, but I couldn't sleep even after he left. I scanned the room, now that I was more awake, I saw that in addition to the weird writings on the wall, they were adorned with various weapons and battle gear, the smell of metal and aged blood permeated the room.

I gave up on sleep and got up, making my way over to a bench in the corner, I sat down and took a deep breath. My head was still spinning from the fainting spiel I had suffered earlier. I haven't fully regained my strength after the distance I ran, not to mention the multiple injuries I suffered. I didn't have fast healing abilities like normal wolves, so the wounds would take a while to heal which was a downside for me right now.

There was a knock on the door and Aiden walked back in, he had a tray in his hand and the scent of food made my stomach grumble in complaint.

He kept the tray in front of me but I made no move to touch it, he sighed seeing my hesitation and cut a piece of the roasted meat. He shoved it in his mouth and chewed, then he swallowed. He showed me his tongue, I didn't know when a smile made its way to my face.

“It is safe, I promise.” I took his word for it and eagerly dug in.

He provided a bottle seemingly out of nowhere and kept it beside me. I looked up at him confused, stopping my chewing. “It’s a potion,” he motioned to my legs that were matted with dried blood. I had multiple cuts there. “To help you heal. I noticed you weren't healing.”

I nodded and swallowed. “You can take it now or after you’re done eating, either is okay.”

I picked it but stopped before drowning the contents, Aiden nodded in encouragement and I closed my eyes before throwing the whole thing in my mouth. It honestly tasted like shit and I gagged which made Aiden snicker.

“It has a foul taste but you’ll feel better.” I grimaced, the after taste still in my mouth. I tore another piece of the meat and put it in my mouth, hoping it would overpower the first one.

I ate some more, loving the well cooked texture of the meat. I would honestly find anything delicious with the way I was starving.

I felt more relaxed the  more I ate. 

“See, it’s already working.” Aiden said with a smile and I nodded, giving him one of mine.

The effect of the potion was really good, I could feel my head clear, and my energy began to return.

"Thank you," I said looking up at Aiden who had kept himself busy with watching the engravings on the wall. "I feel much better now."

"You're welcome, Princess," he replied with a smile. I didn't say anything at the nickname, since I didn't tell him my name, I guess I couldn't complain. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I’ll allow you to rest. When you feel stronger we can talk about getting you out of here.”

I nodded, feeling too tired to open my mouth and talk. Almost immediately, the tension in my muscles melted away, and I found myself drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

I felt someone picking me up but I was already too sleepy to even understand what was happening, panic started settling in my bones but I felt too weak to do anything but let the sleep take over. My eyes closed before I could really make out what was happening.