CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX.

(Meliora’s POV)

A river of emotions flooded my head that it was hard to discern what I felt at a particular point in time. I stumbled into my cabin and into my bed, squeezing my stomach hard, hopefully to stop the butterflies who seemed to be waging a war in there.
The Lycan king was coming here? He was on his way now? The same Lycan King who had saved my life by bringing me to the hospital? Again, that sweet scent of masculine scent which had attacked my senses at the hospital permeated my nose and I had that odd feeling of comfort and safety. 
I could hardly believe I was going to meet the same man who had been my savior several months ago. Would he recognize me as the woman whom he had saved from the jaws of death? I suddenly felt embarrassed at how I had left without waiting to thank him for his generous act of kindness.
Would he accept my thanks or was it too late to give them?
I stood from my bed with a sigh and trudged to the bathroom. I still had patients to take care of at the nursery and after that, a training to attend. At least, that would keep me busy and take my mind off the arrival of the Lycan King. 
I took my bath quickly and rushed back into the village. When I arrived, everyone was busy with preparations for the arrival of the Lycan King. The roads were swept clean and I could tell that the Alpha had ordered for most of the houses to be repainted. 
The smell of fresh paint filled my nose and in them, I smelt something else, perhaps, it was the stench of anxiety that wafted from me. Although I tried not to think of it, I would still feel my heart racing in my chest and at the pit of my stomach, I had this underlying sweet feeling which filled me with hope and warmth and I could not discern why. 
I was about to cross into the path which would take me to the nursery when a body barreled into me and a hand went under my arm. I recognized the scent instantly before I heard the melodic tome of Martha’s voice. 
She seemed happier and much more content than she was yesterday and that was a good thing. 
“Where are you rushing off to?” she asked, pulling me in the opposite direction from where I was headed. 
“Well, someone looks happy.” I commented, noticing her flushed cheek and the bounce in her steps. “How was Brian when you left him?”
“Alive.” She exclaimed happily, then frowned. “Though the Alpha tore him away from my grasp too early.”
“I suppose he is recovering fast?” I said with a raised brow. Morris would never let him go if she suspected the poison was still in his system. 
“Well, Elder Morris assured me that the worst was over and I saw him healing with my eyes, if not I would not have let him go.” She pouted as we approached the assembly which was formed just outside the Alpha’s house. 
“Right now, he’s in there. The Alpha will ask him some questions before the Lycan King arrives.” She glanced at the forest behind the Alpha’s house and I sensed the tension which nestled in her heart. “I heard he sent some scouts to look out for our boundaries.” She shivered visibly. “I still cannot believe that we are under attack, Liora. These woods used to be safe.”
I rubbed her hand which gripped mine. My thoughts though we're not on the things she mentioned but on the man whom she had mentioned earlier. My heart had jumped at the mention of his name or title, why?
“Why are we here?” I asked as if seeing the crowd in front of us for the first time. 
“Apparently, the scouts which were posted at the west gate reported that they may have sighted the entourage of the Lycan King.” She whistled her excitement and pinched me in the arm. “That is why we are here. We all hope to catch a glimpse of him.”
She nudged me. I could see that she could not contain the excitement which she felt. “Aren’t you excited?” 
I shrugged. “I have never met him before.” I answered. “I don’t see the reason for all the fuse.”
She gaped at me. Obviously shocked at my flippancy regarding a werewolf of such a station. “Are you aware that this is the Lycan King we are talking about?” she reminded, pulling me closer than I would love to be to the crowd. 
“This is the most powerful werewolf in existence. You should show some sort of excitement.” 
I shrugged. The truth was that I was full of nerves but my pride would not allow me to tell her that. I too was as excited as her – if not more excited – to catch a glimpse of the one who had saved me and if possible, offer him my sincerest gratitude.
I wondered if he had come to check on me after I left? – that was very unlikely – but still, my stomach curled at the thought and my heart leapt.