Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Chapter 26

TESSA’S POV

ADRIAN’S POV

An unsettling silence washed over the hall. My decision hung heavy in the air, no one questioned it but no one supported it yet — I didn’t need their approval, my decision was final anyway. Every eye in the room was fixed on me, eyes wide with belief and disapproval but I only cared for one- Tessa, her gaze was different. She held a gaze that had a flicker of something for a while- perhaps approval, perhaps a flicker of gratitude. It was short but it was something that warmed my

heart.

“Pamela should be taken to the med bay” I declared, my voice tiem and authoritative. “She needs care after the shock she just went through” I said.

A low murmur rippled through the crowd. The elders held their faces tight together, disapproval etched on it, they exchanged disgruntled glances. Tessa stepped forward slowly.

“Thank you Alpha Adrian” she said giving a polite nod. I’ll see to Pamela’s health”

Gabe who had been a silent piller beside Tessa throughout the ordeal, gave a curt nod

Together, they helped a tearful Pamela to her feet, her body trembled with relief and grief. As they led her out of the hall. I couldn’t help but steal a last glance at Tessa. I admired her and I wanted her to see that.

Once they were gone, I cleared my throat to break the thick silence in the hall.

“Will,” I said, my voice echoing slightly.

Will straightened up, his face devoid of emotions.

Yes, Alpha Adrian?” he said bowing stillly.

“I thought I made it clear that your presence in the med bay wasn’t needed?” I said. “Another trip to the med bay and you’ll have yourself to blame I warned.

Will inclined his head in a shallow bow.

“My apologies, I will do as you have said, Alpha Adrian” He said but I knew he hesitates before saying that.

He bowed again, turned around and left without another word.

The meeting dissolved in a flurry of m uffled discussions. The elders as though on cue came to me, their eyes and voices laced with distrust and disagreement while they questioned me but I had other important things to think about so I brushed

them aside.

Exhaustion gnawed at me-physically, emotionally and men tally. With a dismissive wave of my hand, I dismissed the remaining elders. As the hall emptied the silence returned, thicker and more oppressive than before

I stood up to leave when I felt slim hands hold me back.

“Adrian, we need to talk!” Giselle said, her eyes blazing fire I knew what she wanted to say but I didn’t want to hear it

“Not now Giselle I need some rest, it’s late” I said twisting away from her grip and walking off

As I walked through the hallways, I felt a fleeting urge to go check up on Tessa but i quelled it and made my way to my chambers instead.

Getting inside my chamber, I collapsed on the bed. The plush figs that adorned the bed offered a luxurious welcome but my mind was far from the comfort it provided, I didn’t bother with the formality of discarding my garments. I simply pushed them aside.

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My mind was in a turmoil-images flickered Inside my closed eyelids. Tessa’s tear streaked face when Thomas died. The flicker of gratitude, Giselle’s icy glare. Gabe arrival, the accusing stares of the elders. The tangled web of emotions- Doubt, anger, worry, frustration, confusion, jealousy, swirled within me like a storm

The door to my chambers was pushed open and someone walked in abruptly, I quickly sat up wondering who dared to barge in Giselle. Just great!

“Why, Adrian?! What was the meaning of that in the hall?” She asked her voice like chips of ice,

I scrunched up my face in exhaustion

“What?”

Her eyes hardened and she pointed a finger at me.

“Why did you side with her?! Don’t forget who your wife is! You embarrassed me” She almost yelled at me.

Honestly, I don’t know why I put up with her shenanigans, I was calm person now and I tried to let go of everything she said

I met her gaze unflinchingly. “I didn’t side with her, it was the right thing to do” I replied, my voice leaving no room for argument but Giselle pressed on.

“The right thing?” She scoffed. “You let a murderer walk free because Tessa whimpered a little?”

I felt my jaw clench

“Pamela wasn’t a murderer” I countered, my voice hardening “she was a victim manipulated by someone”.

“And who might that be, pray tell?” She challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm” I don’t know why you are allowing that…man stay in the pack”

“And what exactly do you want me to do?” I asked tired.

“I saw your eyes. Adrian. You were jealous, why?!” She finally yelled, a stream of spit flying from her open mouth.

I didn’t answer I didn’t have an answer because I also had no explanation as to why I was jealous.

“Why?! Answer me!” She yelled.

She was testing my patience and I stood up to look at her.

“What exactly do you want me to say, Giselle?” I asked trying to keep my temper in check.

Her eyes mistened and I sighed inwardly here we go again, another pity party.

“Do you…do..you still…like her?” Giselle asked sobbing silently.

I stopped in my tracks at her words – Yes, I did. If even slow witted Giselle could see that I still liked Tessa, why did see it?

“Answer me” Her voice had dropped down.

I kept mute, she looked at me angrily and wiped off her tears, an ugly smile spreading her lips.

“Seriously? Adrian? I didn’t expect this from you, don’t forget that I’m your second chance mate, she is nothing but a low life wannabe” She spat to my face.

I felt my fist clench tightly. Her words had struck a raw nerve. The emotions deep within me were threatening to spill over. I took a deep breath trying to control the surge of anger I felt.

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“Stop it Giselle” I warned clenching my fists.

OU%

“Don’t tell me to stop!” She countered. “Are you so blind not to see her plan? She hasn’t changed…she’s still the same sl ut.” I didn’t let her finish.

The air cra ckled with tension, my vision narrowed and for a terrifying moment, I saw red. The urge to silence her and stop the st upid things she was saying took hold of me. My hand shot out, fingers curling into a fist just mere inches away from her face.

Giselle

gave a slight scream and flinched back, her eyes wide with shock and a hint of fear. Just as quickly, The urge to hit her receded, replaced by a wave of shame. I couldn’t hit her. I could actually. I wouldn’t.

Her breathing was shaky as she stared at me clenched fist still hanging in air.

“Did you want to… she croaked her voice shaky.

“D amn it!” I cussed bringing down my hand and looked at her, calm returning to my eyes.

“I don’t hit women” I said going back to lay on the bed.

She gave a slight sniffle and I felt guilty.

“I was just….worried that you’ll leave me alone, I love you Adrian She said.

I felt nothing at her words, it repulsed me.

“Adrian, say something” she pleaded.

I looked at her.

“Giselle, I have nothing to say, it’s been a busy day” I said

She bit her lip hard.

I rubbed my face with my palm and licked my lips.

Where’s Derek?” I asked.

Derek was her child and the person I had wanted to make the next alpha but the triplets arrival changed things.

He’s been playing around for a while” She said

“I rarely see him, let him see me tomorrow” I said.

She kept mute

“Ciselle, you can go to your quarters for tonight, I want to be alone” I said waving her off

Giselle’s lips pressed into a thin line but she didn’t push it further. With a final, lingering glare in my direction, she swept our of the chamber, her red dress billowing behind her like a storm cloud.

Immediately I heard her footsteps receding in the distance, I spring up and left the room, a destination in mind – The med bay

I wanted to see how Tessa was faring, I wanted to hold her in my arms and let her feel comfortable.

–

As I rushed unnoticed to the med bay, I pushed the door open and was greeted by the sight of two medics and him – Gabe

But no Tessa.

The two medics quickly rose up and bowed, the lady curtsied, her eyes to the ground.

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“Greetings, Alpha. What brings you by this night?” The woman asked, tremor in her voice.

Cabe was watching me with an amused expression from where he sat, he hadn’t bothered to get up and bow.

“Where’s Pamela?” I asked.

He leaned forward

“Resting” He replied simply

I bit my lip and peeked far into the dim med bay.

“Where’s Tessa?” I asked

Gabe smirked like he was expecting me to ask that

“Please, may I see you outside for a moment, Alpha Adrian?” Gabe asked standing up and going out.

I looked at him and followed him out.

“What is it?” I asked, irritation in my voice, I still had second thoughts about him.

Gabe met my gaze with a calm demeanor, unfazed by my hostility. “I know what you’re thinking” he said, his voice a bit low.

I felt my heart do a backflip

“What do you mean?” I asked

He crossed his arms, his eyes watching me.

“Tessa and I are like family. Don’t make assumptions” He said, his voice steady and smooth.

I bristled at his words, jealousy still in my veins. “You can’t tell me what to do” I retorted.

Gabe’s expression didn’t change as he continued “I won’t allow anyone hurt Tessa again, least of all, you.” He said his voice. firm.

“You don’t know anything about my past relationship with Tessa I countered angrily.

He scoffed.

“I know enough to understand that you didn’t believe a word she said and threw her out and now you want her back. I let it happen untill you prove yourself” He said firmly

I felt a pang of guilt – he was defending Tessa, something I failed to do. The memories came back and I bit my lips.

“I’m a changed man. I know I messed up, I…I want a second chance” I said my voice low with guilt as Lstared at him.

Gabe’s expression didn’t soften one bit, there was skepticism in his eyes as he looked me over

“Action speaks louder than words, alpha Adrian” He said cryptically before turning to leave.

Twa tched him go, a sense of unease lingering in the air. Despite the efforts to calm my heart, I couldn’t shake the feeling of doubts that washed over me. He was right? Actions did speak louder than words.

Gabe was right – I had failed her but I didn’t want to lessen my efforts to win her trust back, I had sca ttered my family with my own hands six years ago and now I was trying to mend it back. It seemed so easy to break it to pieces but so delicate to fix back. Maybe I wasn’t worth Tessa, she deserved someone better. No, I pushed it away.

As 1 turned to leave, I bumped into someone in the bend at the hallway, almost knocking a tray out of their hands. My heart stopped for a second. The goddess was on my side tonight.

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“Tessa.” I said, my breath seizing and I stopped in my tracks, the shock in my face a match for her wide eyes and shocked expression

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