Chapter 3

LIANA

"Liana."

My lashes fluttered open. The first thing I saw was the familiar white ceiling above me.

The pack hospital. I've been here many times, more than I could count.

Then I felt sometimes warm against my leg, I slowly turned and for a moment, I thought I was dreaming.

Lucien's head lay on my legs, brown hair spilling over his face.

His left hands were on my other legs, slowly massaging the stiff muscles.

"Lucien?"

His head snapped up, stormy grey eyes landing on me. "You are awake."

"What happened?" I croaked out, the last thing I remembered was someone calling my name.

"A warrior found you passed out in front of the door." He said, hands still busy, eyes flashing with guilt.

Why was he feeling guilty, wasn't this what he has always wanted?

A strange ache spread through my chest, my nose burning as I lowered my head.

Before, seeing him like this would make me extremely happy, I would have forgotten every cruel word that he had said to me, and thanked him for it. But now...

I simply pulled my leg away from his hands. Lucien froze, staring at his empty hands.

"Thank you, but I think you need to go." I sniffed.

"What do you mean?"

"Vivian is waiting for you at the packhouse, what if she is scared?"

Lucien scoffed. "You are my mate. Not Vivian."

I clenched my fists, body trembling.

"Wait?, are you jealous of Vivian?"

I looked away, my lashes fluttering. Let him believe whatever he wants to believe.

"Ridiculous. I might have feelings for Vivian but that doesn't mean she will take your place as my mate. Is that why you poisoned and hurt her."

"I never poisoned her and I will never hurt her. Just leave," I fired back at him

He stared at me silently. "Fine. Mindlink me when you are back to your senses." Then he walked out.

A few minutes later, a nurse walked in, it was nurse Gianna.

"Hi." I flashed her a strained smile but she just glared at me.

"How stubborn can you be? You still haven't recovered fully from the surgery and here you are letting yourself catch a cold."

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, I knew that she was clearly looking out for me.

"Humph. I don't want to see you in this place again, if something happens to you, the werewolf association of apothecaries will have our heads."

Her words elicited a chuckle from me. "Don't be scared, no one is hurting anyone."

Once she was done administering the medications, she scribbled on her folder. "Your fever has broken, I will help your process for discharge."

"Thank you."

She flashed me a smile and walked towards the door, just as she opened it, we both saw Lucien standing in front of the door.

His lips were pursed together, remorse blatantly written all over his face.

Nurse Gianna looked at the two of us, then walked out, closing the door gently.

Lucien looked at me. "I'll drive you home."

I nodded softly, pushing myself up from the bed as I glanced at him.

He probably heard our conversation, but who cares. He definitely wishes that I was dead.

...

The instant we drove into the familiar driveway, I unbuckled my seat belt and got down from the car.

"Are you feeling okay?" Lucien asked for the umpteenth time.

"Yes I am," I answered back.

Without looking back, I stridded towards the entrance, without giving Vivian a glance, I walked back to my room.

Once I was inside, I locked the door and sprawled on the bed, my eyes snapping shut.

Gianna said that I was good to go but the truth was that I didn't feel so considering the fact that my head was still throbbing.

The comfy bed lulled me to sleep, my vision blurring.

Just as I was about to sleep off, I heard a commotion from outside the door.

"Force it open even if you have to."

My eyes snapped open, I walked towards the door and unlocked it.

Someone pushed it open, the wood slamming into me as I stumbled back.

"What's going on?"

Lucien stormed in, following behind him was Vivian and three warriors I didn't recognise.

"Vivian is looking for her ring," Lucien gritted out.

I rubbed my brows. "Then she should go find it."

Vivian took a hesitant step forward. "The thing is..." she bit her lips. "The ring was on the dining table before I went to keep my dishes and when I came back, it wasn't there anymore."

"And?"

Vivian peeked at me. "Liana, I didn't say that you took it but If you have it please return it. It's a really important family heirloom."

"What?" My mouth fell open. "Why do you think I will steal your ring?"

"No need for long talks, we will only know if we investigate." Lucien said in a cold tone, then he turned towards the warriors. "Search her room."

I blocked them with my frail figure, my body trembling. "Never. You can't come here and accuse me of theft then intrude on my privacy just like that."

Lucien sneered. "Why are you so guilty if you didn't do it? And to think that I was feeling guilty earlier for your predicament."

Vivian walked forward and took my arms. "Please Lia, don't be stubborn. Just let the warriors search so that you can prove your innocence."

I glared at her and shook her hands off.

Vivian cried out and stumbled back, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Why do you hate me so much?"

Lucien stretched out his hands and shoved me. "How dare you hurt Vivian again?"

I stumbled, my arms flailing wildly as I tried to balance my body but I was too weak.

A gasp escaped from my lips as I fell, my back slamming into the nearly wooden table beside my bed before I crashed to the floor.

A sharp cry escaped from my lips as something tore into my arms.

It was glass fragments from a broken photo frame.

I froze, breath caught in my throat. The table had somehow fallen over while I was trying to catch myself.

Everything on it had fallen including my most treasured photo.

It was the only photo of Lucien and I. We were both smiling happily, a time before Vivian came into our lives... again.

"No..."

I pushed myself up, ignoring the pain burning in my chest as the tears fell in torrents.

My fingers trembled as I reached for it.

Lucien snatched the photo from me and tore it, a sneer on his lips. "You don't deserve to hold onto things like this."

Just then, the door burst open as a maid walked in.

"Miss Vivian, it's been found. We found it."

Everyone, including The warriors turned towards her.

The maid had an excited smile on her lips. "Your ring has been found. Apparently, someone mistakenly trashed it with the leftover fruits."

Vivian beamed happily, she didn't even spare me a glance as she skipped out of the room, following behind the maid.

The warriors bowed too and then walked out, leaving just me and Lucien in the room.

With tears in my eyes, I glanced at the broken object on the floor, then at Lucien.

"Hope you are satisfied now."