Chapter Nine: The Encounter

It was early hours of the morning when I had arrived at the pack mansion. Tired, weak and hungry, I needed to find my way to the chamber.




While making my way to the east wing, I bumped into a very much familiar face that I knew wasn't interested in seeing my face. Anna .





The look she gave almost resembled a person who had seen a ghost. She walked past me hastily and this made me wonder if there was something on my face.





When I arrived at my room, Patricia was in the wardrobes and the moment the door slammed closed I heard her gasp as I fell down to the couch to ease my breathe.




"Aurora ? Oh my goodness Aurora , where in the world have you been? The entire pack is looking for you." I couldn't speak a single word. I gestured for her to get me water and in a matter of seconds she held up a cup in my direction. Gulping down the entire content, I felt relieved once again.






"I can't remember anything." I spoke my first word since my encounter with the stranger. My entire body ached, but I knew my baby was okay.






"I am going to get the Felix ." Right before I could stop her, she was already out of the door. I sighed thinking of Felix 's reaction.

Suddenly, I felt it... A flash in memory as I stared down at the cup Patricia had brought for me to drink. It was similar to the cup I had used to drink water, while eating my meal.






Hold on a minute! The picture of leaving the room and clinging unto my stomach slowly became clear. This wasn't any form of abduction, and even if I was abducted, I had been poisoned before my abduction.







The door suddenly burst open and Felix , Liam and Patricia all stepped into the room. He rushed over to my side, grabbing my body to his own.




"What happened Aurora ? Who were the people that got you? Tell me I am willing to end them." Staring into Felix 's eyes, I noticed they were heavy; an indication that he hadn't slept.

Could my absence be the reason behind his action? I wondered.





"Felix , I suggest she takes a rest." Liam 's voice pulled my face to his own. Liam looked more surprised than everyone else and although I reckon it was the same reaction they held, Liam 's own looked distinct.





"Aurora , speak to me!" I gently pulled his hands away from mine.






"Easy Felix , I am fine." I replied and adjusted my body on the seat. "I don't know what happened, the last thing I remember was eating and leaving the room afterward clinging to my stomach." I explained.




"Who served her the meal Patricia ?" Felix questioned Patricia , who shrugged her shoulders. "You should know better than being the only trusted maid to Aurora . I don't know why you can't do your job!" Felix yelled at Patricia , whose face was down.





"Don't speak to her like that, I am certain it wasn't her fault." I defended. "Someone must have done something." I added remembering the stranger from the forest.




"We had information that someone was taken away from the mansion and I honestly thought it was you." Felix 's statement made me began to put the pieces together. It was evident the poison had induced me to become unconscious so the stranger could get me out of the mansion.





"When I woke, I found myself in the lair of the Ryker." Everyone gasped as Felix paid close attention. "The stranger who I can't still understand his motive helped me with a cup of tea to ease my headache, but I knew his intentions were shady, when I found him speaking to one of the Ryker." I explained






"How did you get here then?" Liam asked.






"I escaped. I knew it wasn't going to end well, so I had to escape." I could see the anger in the eyes of Felix .







"Liam , find me that stranger together with the pack soldiers. I want him dead or alive!" He ordered and Liam left the room- not without giving one last strange look.




"I am glad you are alright, you should get yourself cleaned up." Patricia suggested and I couldn't agree less.






"Once you are done freshing up, breakfast is going to be served for us." Felix announced as Patricia helped me up to my feet.




"Us?" I asked looking around to meet his gaze.





"Yes us Aurora . I need to know what really happened." I stared at Felix for a moment. Was he really interested in knowing what really happened or was interested in knowing if the baby was okay? Time would certainly be the judge.




The table had been set and after my long hours in the shower and a quick change into something simple, I felt completely whole again. Digging down into my meal, I noticed Felix heated stares on me. I didn't care as the meal was to sumptuous to ignore.





"What did this stranger looked like?" I sighed dropping my spoon gently and staring back at Felix .





"Look, I don't know him. He has this strange tattoos and that's basically all. He was human for a sure and all I can say is that he helped me but it wasn't a genuine help." I finished up my explanation and continued eating.









"How is the baby." The question I was waiting for him to ask, finally came out of his lips. It was obvious that was all he was concerned about.





"Your heir is okay.... at least that is the only person you care about." I replied.





"No, that is not what I mean. I am glad you are fine, but I needed to know the baby's condition." I was irritated by his comment and the one appetite I had for the meal had disappeared.





"That is all you will ever be concerned about! Your child! I spent a whole day in the lairs of a stranger, what if I had been sold? What if something would have happened to me? I am simply the pawn in your game huh? You don't care about me but the child, but it's fine...." I hissed and left the dinning table, despite his protest.





It was simply ridiculous knowing that he cared for only his heir. Deep down I needed a mate, who would love me and not only the child.... Call me selfish, but it was a desire I cannot help without.





"Aurora ?" I paused turning around to meet Liam . He seemed nervous for a second. "We need to talk." Confused for a moment, Liam and I didn't talk that much, even though we were good friends.




I ushered him into my room and while I waited for him to speak, Liam looked like he was considering what he was about to say.




"You don't have to be bothered, just say it Liam , I am all ears." I urged him, eager to hear what he has to say.





"The stranger who helped you is one of my cousins." I froze at his confession.