Chapter 7

• Maliyla's POV
• The tingles his touch sent through my body awakened every fiber within me. The touch of his hand was gentle, and the tone of his voice was soothing. Immediately, I felt myself melting into him. Feeling his warmth and protection made me want to stay in his embrace forever. The feeling of homeliness was overwhelming to me. Leaving was no longer an option. Opening my eyes, I realized those weren't my thoughts, and my mind was suddenly a blur. After pulling away from Hector's embrace, I scooted to the edge of the bed and winced as the pain from the rogue attack struck me. Hector ran over to assist me, and I winced again.
• "What are you doing?" Hector whispered.
• I shook my head and mumbled, "I can't stay here. I need to leave."
• As I stood up, he grabbed my arm and asked, "Please, just tell me what's wrong."
• Looking into his eyes, I answered, "I'm sorry, I can't." A part of me wanted to get away from him, but his hold on me was intense.
• While holding my arm, Hector asked, "Where will you go?"
• With tears streaming down my cheeks, I yelled at him, "I don't have anywhere to go. The Alpha who rejected me for my best friend kicked me out of our pack!" Hector stared at me with an unreadable expression on his face. I took a breath and continued, "Two nights ago, I was asked to leave. That's why I was out in the forest. I was trying to get some sleep for the night, and in the morning, I was going to try to find a new pack, but then I was attacked, and you reused me, and I ended up here." I cried as I dropped to my knees and let the tears fall.
• These tears had been in my heart for six months but had not been released. Clutching my hand to my heart and taking a few deep breaths, I said, "I apologize for any trouble I have caused you, and I will repay you for the medical treatments as well." I sobbed.
• After wiping my face, I noticed Hector's expression had changed to anger, and I braced myself for whatever would come next when he asked.
• "You said the Alpha of your pack rejected you six months ago? During the Wolf's Moon?" his voice was low and menacing.
• "Yes," I responded, my voice barely above a whisper. I felt my heart pounding as I waited for Hector's response. A nervous rush coursed through my body as I realized what my answer meant.
• Rather than responding, Hector just nodded and kneeled next to me. "Come," Hector cooed as he gently lifted my hand, helped me to my feet, and slowly encircled me in his arms. "Let's get you a warm bath; I'll have Jeanie assist you."
• I felt tingles shoot through my body as his hands touched me. Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around his neck and whispered, "Thank you," as I looked up at him.
• After guiding me to the restroom, he gently placed me on the vanity seat. Seeing his eyes glaze over, I knew he was mind-linking someone. When his eyes cleared, Hector asked, "Is there anything you need that you weren't able to pack?"
• There were several things I hadn't brought, and it wasn't like I could have packed everything. I had only packed three changes of clothes and my essential items. In response, I shook my head and whispered, "No."
• Hector smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll ensure you have everything you need," he told me.
• My eyes lowered to the ground, unsure of what to say, when a knock on the bathroom door was heard, and Jeanie stepped in. "You asked for my help, Alpha?" she asked.
• Hector nodded in acknowledgment, "Yes, please take care of Maliyla; ensure she has whatever she requires. I want her to be comfortable."
• Jeanie nodded as she walked to the bathtub, ran the water, and grabbed towels. Sitting on the vanity seat, my mind was blank when suddenly I felt Hector's hand on my shoulder, and he called my name, "Maliyla."
• Raising my eyes to meet his, I responded, "Hmm."
• "What is the name of the pack you were kicked out of?" Hector growled.
• "Blood Rose Pack," I muttered.
• He nodded, reached out, and touched my arm. "You don't have to be afraid anymore. You're safe here." Hector assured, pausing before adding, "You're safe with me."
• As I stared at him, my eyes filled with tears. It had been a long time since I felt safe or loved. After I nodded, Hector smiled, gently squeezing my arm and stepping away to give me privacy. After he left, Jeanie helped me into the bathtub. There was a look of curiosity in her eyes as she stared at me.
• "What is it?" I asked. Jeanie shook her head, but I knew there was something she wanted to ask.
• "It's okay. You can ask me anything, and it will stay between us," I reassured.
• Jeanie hesitantly asked, "Are you really from the Blood Rose Pack?"
• "That's right," I said firmly, "I'm from the Blood Rose Pack, or I should say I was."
• Jeanie's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly composed herself. "It must have been difficult to leave," she whispered.
• I nodded in response; Jeanie and I remained silent while I bathed before she aided me out of the tub and into a bathrobe. Jeanie helped me walk back to the bedroom, where I found a pair of black sweats and a white T-shirt laid out on the bed. While Jeanie helped me with the bandages, I asked about Hector, "Jeanie, are the rumors about Alpha Hector true?"
• Jeanie stared at me confused. "What rumors?" she asked.
• Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, "Several people believe he murdered his mate long ago; others believe the goddess is punishing him; some even think he is gay."
• As Jeanie laughed, she asked, "Really? Why do they say such things?"
• "As far as I know, Crystal Blood attends no ceremonies, including the Wolf's Moon Gala." Jeanie stared at me momentarily, almost contemplating what she would say. The response she gave was different from what I expected.
• "If the rumors about Alpha Hector are true, then they must be true about what they say about the Blood Rose Pack, right?" she winked.
• With a puzzled look on my face, I asked her, "What rumors?"
• Jeanie smiled at me as she headed out of the bedroom, leaving me to wonder what the rumors about my former pack were.