Dahlia's POV
I couldn't speak. I couldn't move and could only watch as he carefully made his way into the room, his eyes everywhere but my face.
A smile crept up my face when he produced a single red rose flower from beneath his tunic and then he smiled at me. "Dahlia, how do you do?"
But my throat felt constricted, stuck tightly together. I moved my lips to the words I wanted to say– to tell him that I was fine and that I was thankful he took proper care of Amara– but they just wouldn't come out. I sighed.
"I understand," he muttered, his voice soft. "And I'm glad you're finally awake. These two younglings were sick with worry." He added, gazing down at Amara and Tiffany who instantly beamed at me.
But something about this felt wrong.
Something about all of these made me feel like I was playing with a wild fire, and that I was only a few steps away from getting burnt.
I coughed, clearing my throat and when I spoke up,I didn't sound like me. I sounded lost… distant… even to my own ears. I whispered; "thank you, Beta Orion."
Maybe I was imagining it but as soon as the words escaped my lips, he visibly relaxed. The small frown creasing his forehead smoothened out and a small smile danced across his lips. Even his beautiful eyes shone now with a fierceness that was barely there moments ago.
He smiled. "You never have to thank me."
"You took care of Amara–" I argued but he clucked his tongue at me, shaking his head.
"And she kept Tiffany and I company. In fact, her presence in the house has been… uplifting. And that's all that matters."
His words made warmth spread across my chest. I leaned down to pat Amara's and Tiffany's heads lovingly and then I smiled up at him,now more comfortable than I was moments ago. "I learned from the Alpha and doc Ava that I've been out for two days…?"
Beta Orion chuckled. "Yeah."
"Really? How? Was it that bad?" I rasped incredulously, still finding the whole scenario pretty difficult to believe.
He nodded. "Yes."
Something akin to discomfort flashed across his features and I noticed the way he glanced away from me. His reaction made me uncomfortable but before I could muster the courage to ask him about it, he dropped his gaze to Tiffany and Amara, and then he muttered; "Hey princesses, could you both give us adults a moment to talk, please?"
They both giggled, probably flattered at the prospect of being called princesses. But as they skipped out of the room with smiles as bright as the sun, I couldn't help but become jittery. A large rock like bile settled at the base of my stomach and when I looked up at Beta Orion to find him already staring pointedly at me, I broke into sweat.
"Do you know who did this to you?" He said. This time, all traces of playfulness in his voice was gone, replaced instead by a deep drawl and I couldn't help but wonder if this was how scary he could be when he discusses matters concerning the pack.
I shook my head.
"Do you suspect anyone?"
For a minute, I wondered if I could tell him about my suspicions, but when the image of him and Ms Jennifer cozying up to each other the other day fleeted past my mind, I decided against it. She was an untouchable force. One I had no power against.
And I may be dumb sometimes but I knew I couldn't speak against her without concrete evidence. Not when she had everyone within her grasp.
"I don't. I haven't had any issues with anyone since my arrival here… so I don't suspect anyone."
Beta Orion didn't believe me. It was clear as day but surprisingly, he didn't push further.
The air crackled with tension as an uncomfortable silence descended between us. I had even begun to think that this was the end of our conversation when suddenly, he turned to me again, now with softer eyes and voice. He said;
"Would you consider marrying me now?"
I froze.
"Dahlia, your daughter needs you… alive… and now it's pretty obvious that someone here wants you dead."
"Beta–"
"I cannot protect you if you remain a servant to the pack." he continued, interrupting me. "And I certainly cannot assure you that you'll be safe if you continue to work there."
I wanted to point out to him that even Amara that was under his care wasn't safe enough but I didn't do that. I couldn't, as that meant pointing accusatory fingers at Ms Jennifer. And I could never risk doing that… especially not now.
So I said instead; "But I am not a pack servant. I am the Alpha's servant."
Silence.
That seemed to get him thinking for a few minutes but then he shrugged. "We can do something about that. Zarek is not as difficult as you think he is."
But he is! Beta Orion just doesn't know that…
"Dahlia, let me help you…" he muttered, snapping me out of my reverie.
And I agreed that I would. That I would let him help me even if it meant buying time until Amara and I could flee from here.
"Okay Beta," I replied, bowing curtly even as the action sent another wave of pain wracking through my entire body. "Please talk to Alpha Zarek, and if he agrees, I'll marry you." I said.
I saw the way a bright smile almost cracked his face in half. He was obviously pleased with my answer but deep down, I knew. I knew that Alpha Zarek would never agree to this. I knew that he would never easily give me away to anyone, not even his Beta.
If he wanted to, he would've done so a long time ago. If he wanted to, he would have rejected me long before we shared our first kiss.
But he hasn't.
And Beta Orion doesn't know this yet, but I was his Alpha's mate… not just his servant.