Chapter 7

• Nora's POV
• It had been up to a month since I saw my supposed mate. What a mate he was! All these past weeks he never laid his eyes on me. The last time we saw was the time he ran some checkups on me and ever since then, I hadn’t seen him again.
• For the past month, I had been cooped up in my room being catered for by his maid and a doctor. Each day, the maid would arrive with a tray of nourishing meals and fruits. She would sit by my bedside, patiently encouraging me to eat with genuine concern. If I struggled to finish a dish, she would simply smile and offer an alternative, never once making me feel like a burden.
• But the maid's care extended far beyond just the physical. She would often sit with me and try to start a conversation, but I wouldn’t let her in.
• And then there was the doctor. With a steady hand, he would check the progress of my healing, adjusting the bandages and administering the prescribed medications. His touch was gentle and his stare attentive, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance in his presence.
• Though our interactions had been brief, I found myself drawn to the doctor's calm demeanour and the way he seemed to anticipate my needs before I could even voice them.
• As I contemplated the care and attention I had received from both the maid and the doctor, I couldn't help but wonder about the whereabouts of Maverick, my supposed mate. Why had he not been the one to see to my needs and to ensure my well-being during this vulnerable time? I remembered how I always asked the maid about him and she’d say he was busy. It kept being a consistent reply and I just stopped. The distance between us deepened my uncertainty of our bond.
• After reminiscing about the past month, I stood up from my bed and walked towards the mirror, fixing my gaze at my reflection. I stood there for minutes studying how I had transformed from the scrunchy maid at Dark Heart pack to this new and improved Nora. A thought about how Alpha Maverick treated me also crossed my mind. I tried to not let it bother me but I couldn’t. It was then my wolf spoke to me.
• “Nora” she called out with a concerned tone. “I can sense your distress, what’s the problem?” My wolf was the only friend and companion I had. I could count on her anytime.
• I sighed as my fingers ran through the faint scars that still marred my skin. “It’s Alpha Maverick” I confessed with a voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I made the right decision accepting this madness. He doesn’t check up on me, he acts like as if we didn’t have sex the first time we met at the club while I was drunk. It’s like all of a sudden he doesn’t want anything to do with me” I complained.
• “I know you made the right decision leaving Dark Heart pack. You got rejected on the spot by Jackson. For goodness sakes he chose Chloe over you, Chloe? That life you had at your former pack isn’t worth regretting being married to Maverick for” Aria encouraged.
• “Do you…do you think he loves me? Am I not his type?” I asked Aria. She always hated it when I make belittling statements like this.
• “Nora” she said. I could sense the displeasure in her voice. “Alpha Maverick seems might be cold and maybe cruel but he cares about you. If he didn’t , he wouldn’t have sent a maid and a doctor to look after you. Just be patient with him. He’ll turn around” Aria advised calmly. She always knew the right words to say and her words made me feel slightly better.
• “Now that you’re feeling quite better, I don’t want you to confine yourself in this room” she declared as I chuckled. To be honest, I was comfortable with the way I lived. Staying in my room all day, waiting for the maid and my doctor to visit but of course now that I felt a bit better, I couldn’t hide away forever.
• “What do you suggest?” I asked with enthusiasm.
• “Explore his mansion. You’re his Luna. Meet people around. After all, you were once a maid like them” Aria suggested. I nodded like I had found a newfound sense of purpose.
• “Thank you Aria. I’ve been cooped up in this room recovering from my treatment. I think it’s time I finally stepped out. Besides, it’s been far too long since I felt the sun on my skin” I added.
• Aria was right and exploring his mansion was what I needed to do. Feeling the stirrings of anticipation within me, I moved towards my wardrobe. My fingers skimmed through the delicate fabrics of the dresses that were hung neatly inside by the maid. My eyes settled on a gown of soft, flowing material – a deep, rich colour that I knew would complement my features.
• Consequently, I slipped the dress over my head and I adjusted the quite complicated lacing at the back. I couldn't help but admire the way the garment accentuated my curves. The subtle elegance of the dress gave me some kind of confidence.
• Turning towards the mirror, I studied my reflection. My fingers gently brushed through the wayward strands of my hair. I took great care in arranging them, sweeping them back in a manner that revealed my delicate features.
• I sighed as I straightened my posture. My shoulders were squared as I looked into the mirror. I was ready to come out of the confinements of my room.
• Standing in front of my door, I couldn’t help but feel a quiver down my spine as I stared at Alpha Mavericks room opposite mine, just across the hall. Pushing past the fear, I moved forward greeting servants I encountered along the way. To my surprise, many of them recognised me as his luna seeing as they bowed out of respect and welcomed me warmly. Those who didn’t, greeted me casually and I found myself engaging in short conversations, eager to connect with them.
• “Are you new here?” One of the servants asked curiously.
• “Yes I am” I replied, offering her a friendly smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you”
• As I continued on my way, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit of excitement. I felt better and thanks to Aria, I was able to move past Alpha Maverick’s cold treatments. Then I decided to step outside and see how it was like. I wasn’t aware that a man who seemed quite familiar was riding his bicycle towards my direction. He was fast enough to hold the breaks but it didn’t stop the both of us from falling to the ground.