Chapter 8

• Maliyla's POV
• As the day went on, it passed slowly. The only visitors I had were Doctor Neal, who came to check my vitals and change the bandages, and Jeanie, who brought me lunch. Dr. Neal informed me that the wounds should be fully healed in two days. Meanwhile, I was advised to take it easy and relax. The only comfort I saw in that was that I could stay here longer and develop a game plan for my next move. Although in the back of my mind, I honestly didn't want to leave. Something about this place just felt right, and of course, Hector was easy on the eyes.
• Upon returning to the bedroom from the restroom, I heard voices.
• A man I didn't know asked, "What will you do?"
• "She can stay here for now. I'll figure out how to tell her eventually. The rejection hurt her wolf, but she will return with time." Hector replied.
• "What about the Blood Rose Pack?" the other voice asked.
• "It won't be easy, but I will devise a plan. I refuse to let her suffer longer than she has," Hector growled.
• "I understand and don't worry, I will do whatever it takes to help," the other voice said.
• A short silence followed before the sound of a door opening and closing caught my attention. I was just about to step out from behind the door when it suddenly slammed right into me, making me fall back on the floor. I yelled out in pain and rubbed my forehead; I looked up only to see it was none other than Hector, who stood in the doorway grinning.
• "Did you know that eavesdropping on other people's conversations is an invasion of privacy?" he asked, crossing his arms. As I stood, I glared at him.
• "Did you know? A door hitting someone intentionally is assault," I replied. Hector gasped as if I had just said something outrageous; a loud laugh erupted as he exclaimed, "Well, I never!"
• A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I gave him the finger and walked away, knowing I had made my point. As I headed toward the bed, I noticed a tray.
• "I had Jeanie bring dinner to the room for us," Hector smiled as he walked past me. The grin on his face suggested he already knew what I would reply.
• My brows furrowed at his choice of words, "US?" I repeated.
• "Yes, I thought you'd prefer company rather than eating alone. If not, I can leave, and you can dine by yourself if you wish." Hector teased, knowing I had already been in this room for two days.
• As he removed the cover from the tray, I limped back to my bed and sat down in deafening silence. I watched as he pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, his gaze never leaving my face. The warmth in his eyes softened my heart, and my anger melted away. I lowered my gaze and mumbled a quiet, "Thank you."
• "You're welcome," Hector murmured, a tender smile playing at the corners of his lips as he handed me a plate of food.
• There was nothing not to like about the food. It was a perfect meal with sirloin steak and steamed vegetables. Hector's face was filled with contentment as he watched me eat.
• A sly smile spread across his face as he asked, "Tell me about the books you read?"
• As soon as my books were mentioned, I felt my face flush. What could I say about the books? Even my parents didn't understand my fascination with them. I smiled shyly,
• "Um, what would you like to know about them?" I asked.
• "Well, tell me what they are about?" Hector replied as he stood up and grabbed one of the books off the nightstand. "What about this one?" he asked, holding up Alec, the Lycan King, who was my ultimate love.
• I took a breath as my face flushed before I began explaining the book as quickly as possible.
• "Umm, it's basically 50 Shades of Gray meets Twilight," I sighed as I shrugged my shoulders.
• Hector looked at me perplexed; it was obvious that he was not understanding what I was saying.
• I smiled and said, "It's a romantic fantasy novel full of drama, sex, and suspense."
• "So porn basically, and about werewolves interesting," Hector chuckled as he placed the book down.
• "Whatever," I replied, rolling my eyes as I took a bite of my steak. Then I tilted my head to the side and decided to ask him a personal question as well. "Is it true?" I asked.
• Hector's brows furrowed. "Can you be vaguer?" he replied.
• I chuckled at his reply, "Are the rumors about you true?" I responded.
• His eyes narrowed as he frowned. "It depends on the rumor. Tell me, and I'll let you know if it is true," he answered.
• "Well, I've heard you killed your mate. Some say you're being punished for past sins, and some believe you're gay." I feigned a couch at the end.
• Hector stared at me for a few moments before he laughed. "The rumors are false," he said. "I'm not being punished, and I'm definitely not gay."
• In response, I asked, "Well, if you're not being punished, why don't you let your pack attend any of the other packs' ceremonies?"
• "Who said we didn't attend?" Hector challenged.
• "Well, I've never seen you at any events before, so I assumed everyone wasn't allowed," I muttered.
• In response, Hector smiled and said, "Well, they are free to attend, but I choose not to."
• "What about your mate?" I mumbled.
• As he looked at me, he asked, "What about her?"
• "Do you not have one?" I asked.
• A smirk spread across his face. He responded, "Who said I didn't have a mate?"
• Having no idea what to say, I remained silent. As Hector stepped closer to me, he smiled.
• "I have a mate. The only problem is, I'm not sure if she knows we are mates," he said as he leaned closer to me, just inches from my face.
• I stared into his eyes, feeling a connection I could not explain.
• He gently brushed a strand of hair from my face and whispered, "Maybe she'll find out soon." He stepped back, and I blushed, realizing what he had just insinuated.