88. Awakening YILEYNA I awoke with a gasp, my entire body felt heavy. My eyes flew open, my heart thundering with confusion as I looked around the room.
Where was I? What happened? I felt delirious and confused, jolting upright in bed. Where am I?
I looked around, trying to focus, and it took me a moment to realise I was in the guest room at the Alphaâs quarters... How did I get here?
It looked to be mid-afternoon outside, but from the howling wind, I could tell the weather was rough. The cold was obvious in the room too, the huge log fire was lit ablaze. I placed a hand to my head just as everything came rushing back. Theon... The Obsidian Shadow Pack... The truth... My heart pounded, and I pushed the blanket off, stumbling out of the bed. I needed to tell someone!
Suddenly the door opened, and my heart leapt seeing Charlene standing there, with a few towels and a bucket in her arms.
âYileyna! Goddess! Yileynaâs awake!â She shouted in relief as she ran to me, dropping the bucket of water and catching me before I fell to the ground as the warm water splashed over our legs. I couldnât even feel my legs... I heard footsteps before Theon appeared at the door. My heart thumped in fear as I stared at him. He pushed me.. His look of surprise changed to a deep frown as he came over quickly, taking me from Charlene.
I opened my mouth to talk but no sound came out, it felt like I had swallowed handfuls of sand. Only a weak croak left my mouth.
âBring her water!â Theon growled, carrying me to the bed as my chest heaved, staring up at him.
âYes!â Charlene nodded, her eyes full of tears of happiness as she rushed from the room.
âSo, youâre awake...â Theon said quietly, running his fingers through my hair.
Looking into his eyes for a moment, I almost thought I saw concern and worry, but it was just my imagination. I.... I needed to tell someone... Do I pretend I forgot that night?
âWhat happened to me?â I asked, feinting a look of confusion, He smirked slightly, tilting his head.
âYou donât remember?â
âNo... I donât remember anything.â I said rubbing my head, Calm down, Yileyna..
His eyes glinted as he leaned closer, tilting my chin up before he pressed his lips to mine. A ripple of pleasure rushed through me despite the fear that was consuming me.
âLies...â He whispered, making me gasp as I jerked away. âYou remember it all...â
âDad! Yileyna has awoken!â I heard Charlene say.
I needed to tell the King...
âLetâs keep that night between us, we wouldnât want anyone to lose their pretty head of ginger hair now, would we?â Theon asked softly, brushing his thumb over my lips.
Charlene...
âYou wouldnât.â I croaked out hoarsely.
He ran his fingers through my hair, raising an eyebrow, his face as emotionless as ever.
âWe both know I would.â
I stared at him, the man before me was unrecognisable but I knew what he was capable of... he was the reason my parents were dead... he had pushed me from the top floor... he would kill Charlene if I opened my mouth.
âYileyna!â
For the first time in my life, I was relieved to see the King, feeling safer with his presence around than with Theon. When he embraced me, I held on tight, I needed to give him a message...
How?
The hug didnât last long enough for me to come up with an idea, and Theon was right there sitting on the bed.
âHere, my angel.â Charlene said, passing me the glass of water as she sat beside me on the bed. I leaned into her, my heart pounding as she placed the glass to my lips, helping me drink. âThank the goddess you are awake, after that attack I was worried.â
âAttack?â I asked, looking at Theon.
He nodded.
âThat night, when I left you to go to the bathroom, I heard the sound of a scuffle, and all I saw was the figure push you off the balcony. I caught you just before you hit the ground, however, he seemed to have used some sort of poison or spell on you so that you were unable to be awoken at all.â Theon said emotionlessly. 3 So thatâs the story he fed everyone? âOh. Well, I hope heâs caught and castrated.â I spat, my chest heaving with irritation. âCareful, Little Storm, we donât want anyone getting hurt, you should rest.â âTheonâs right, you have been out for a few weeks.â âA few weeks?â I asked sharply, looking at Charlene. âItâs the full moon tonight, Leyna.â She replied with a gentle smile.
I had been unconscious for that long?
âBut itâs fine, you are awake now. Somehow the culprit got away, but we are still looking.â The King said seriously. âI have matters to attend, I will be going, Theon enjoy the evening with your fiancé.â
Charlene looked at me, about to get up but something made her change her mind and she smiled, holding me tighter. âI will stay too.â She said. âThereâs much I need to tell Yileyna.â âOf course.â I said, holding her hand tightly.
If I was able to give her a signal... I would.
But Theon was right here... He was sitting opposite us, his hand on my thigh as he leaned back on his elbow as emotionless and calm as ever.
âWhat have I missed?â I asked her, dragging my eyes from Theon.
âWell... Momâs in the cells... For treason, and no one is allowed to see her.â She said quietly.â The Obsidian Shadow pack have been sighted moving closer... We fear there will be an attack before the end of winter.â
âI see...â I said, looking at Theon.
If he had wanted to... he could have killed me... He wanted me to choose him. Maybe I could talk some sense into him...
Charlene continued, telling how two sirens were seen right up the coast last week.
âIt was strange, like they were looking for something or someone.â She shivered. 1 âWere they killed?â I asked. âI killed one, one got away.â Theon added quietly. I nodded before Charlene smiled. âIâll have someone bring you food, you two could use a moment alone.â She winked at me before pulling free.
My heart thudded as I watched her leave, shutting the door behind herself.
âWhat are you planning to do?â I asked him. âNothing at all, you werenât supposed to wake up for at least another week... I was told that the enchantment was strong enough to keep an Alpha out for a month.â He replied, frowning coldly. âLast chance Yileyna, think this over... We both know Andres is not the best king-â 1 âI donât care! Deceit, lies, and framing my parents? You are worse than him.â I shot back resentfully. His eyes darkened as he looked at his wrist. âAs you wish.â He said, glancing out at the sky. âDo you know what tonight is, Yileyna?â âThe Full Moon, Charlene just told me.â I spat. I didnât want to talk to him. It hurt far too much.
âThe last Full Moon of winter. Tonight will be a cold night, I guess we will have to keep the fires burning...â He didnât explain what he meant as I watched him stare at the tattoo on his wrist, massaging it slowly with his thumb.
I didnât reply, not knowing what to say to someone who had betrayed and played me.
Theon had told me the Obsidian Shadow Pack will attack soon... I needed to warn the King about Theon, somehow.
â
â
Night had fallen and Theon had left, telling me Charlene would die if I so much as tried anything. I didnât see her after that, and I felt worried. I had showered and eaten, but I still felt exhausted. Where was Charlene?
I needed her safe... It took me a while to realise that not even a servant was left to attend to me. I was entirely alone. How strange.
I left my bedroom, finding it odd that no one was around. The entire Alpha quarters were empty... Perhaps everyone was busy with something or other. I left the wing, the guards at the door were missing too. The castle felt too silent...
My heart skipped a beat as I looked down the dark halls.
Something was wrong.
I broke into a run. The castle always had someone walking around. Surely Iâd bump into someone. I kept running, but I didnât run into anyone. The entire castle was as silent as death itself.
Chariene, where was she?!
The kitchens! Thereâs always someone in the kitchens!
I ran down the steps, my bare feet padding on the cold stone as I took them two at a time. I neared the kitchens, slowing down, but I didnât hear the hustle and bustle that usually fills these lower halls. I inched closer, I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare.
I pushed open the kitchen door, the door creaking horrifyingly loudly, making me close my eves before I peered into the darkness. Empty.
What on Kaeladia...
âAttack! Thereâs an attack!â The faint shouting made my stomach sink. I ran to the doors that led outside just as the night sky was suddenly lit ablaze with fire. Then the ground shook violently, throwing me off my feet.
I got up, my heart pounding as I made to rush out, when suddenly someone grabbed me by my arm. I turned with a gasp to see Theon standing there, he was dressed all in black, right down to the cloak that was draped around him.
âYou really need to learn to stay put.â Theon growled, dragging me back inside.
âTheon! We are under attack! Let me go! Itâs them isnât it?!â
He didnât respond, pulling me down towards the dungeons. My eyes widened as I stared at the cells as we passed them. Each one was full of guards and the castle staff. âYou... Charlene!â I gasped, spotting her red hair lying in the pile on the ground of one of the cells, but he pulled me away to the far end.
âBe grateful I didnât kill them.â He said coldly, pulling open the door and pushing me inside. I spun around, lunging at the door, but he slammed it shut, locking it before I could reach it.
âNo, Theon... donât do this.â I pleaded, grabbing the silver bars and shaking them violently. Barely noticing the slight sting of the silver. âWe can stop this war. Together.â The sound echoed off the walls, but Theon didnât seem to care that I was making noise.
âWar is already here and we canât stop it, this is far bigger than us.â He said quietly, walking toward me. An emotion I couldnât comprehend in his eyes. âI never wanted you caught up in this but... The time has come... Two years of waiting for this moment...â He turned his head, glancing towards the small windows at the top of the cells.
The full moon shone through the window as Theon closed his eyes, pressing his wrist and whispering a word. A brilliant amber glow surrounded him, intense green runes weaved through the amber. I felt an immense surge of energy roll off him and I realised he was breaking a seal, a seal that had been suppressing his alpha aura. An aura so vast that it made my heart pound as I backed away from the bars.
His eyes blazed gold as he flexed his hands, as if relishing in the power that he had suppressed for so long âGoddess...â I whispered, fear and worry growing within me.
He tilted his head as he looked at me and our eyes met.
I realised in that moment that it was no longer Theon of Westerfell who was standing before me, not the man who used to get angry at our pranks, not the one who used to scold and mock us or protect us... but Theon Hale of the Obsidian Shadow Pack. A man who seemed to hold no emotion at all.
A man that I truly did not know...
âOne final time Yileyna, stand by my side and I will protect you.â I shook my head.
âI will never... never stand by the Obsidian Shadow Pack.â I said, my heart heaving as I glared at him. âPlease donât do this Theon, we donât have to do this...â âIâm afraid I do... the time for vengeance is here... This will be goodbye.â He said quietly, our eyes met, and confusion flitted through me. 1 Goodbye?
But with a sudden cold awakening I realised what he meant. His gaze became colder, his eyes blazing with hatred and vengeance. 1 I was losing the Theon I knew. 1 Forever.
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