Page 40 of The Alpha's Fallen Spell
I stare at her, truly seeing her for perhaps the first time. Not just the frail, damaged girl I rescued, but the warrior who survived unimaginable horrors. Who escaped her captors by her own strength. Who continues to fight even as her body betrays her.
“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met,” I say quietly.
The words seem to surprise her. She blinks, momentarily thrown off balance. Then, her expression hardens again. “Flattery won’t change anything.”
“It’s not flattery. It’s the truth.” I take a step back, giving her the space she plainly needs. “I won’t intrude on your time with Maya. But know this: the rumors will stop today. No one will speak against you in this palace or anywhere in this kingdom. Not while I draw breath.”
She studies me, her gray eyes inscrutable. “Why? Why does it matter to you now?”
I could lie. I could claim it’s simply my duty to protect everyone at the palace. But she deserves better than that. So, I remain silent.
Her shoulders slump slightly with fatigue. She studies me for a moment and then says, “You’ve rejected me, right? Does that mean you wouldn’t have a problem with me finding someone else as a mate?”
The thought startles me and enrages my wolf, who instantly begins to growl. It’s hard to answer without betraying my animal’s roaring fury. “No, but do you—Have you met someone?”
When she doesn’t reply immediately, I feel a ball of dread form in the pit of my stomach. Is it one of the soldiers? They’ve been the ones paying the most attention to her. How could she have met someone so soon? She’s still healing from her time in captivity. She can’t be ready for any sort of relationship yet.
“No.” Her response stops my train of thought in its tracks, and relief follows.
“I don’t think you’re ready for—”
“I just wanted to be sure,” she says quietly. “Good. That’s good.”
The pleased look in her eyes makes me uneasy. “What’s good?” I ask, feeling tense. “Why did you ask me that?”
She doesn’t answer my question, instead saying, “I need to go. Maya is waiting for me.”
“Let me walk you back,” I offer, seeing how unsteady she is on her feet.
“I can manage,” she says, though her posture betrays her exhaustion.
I ignore her and take her by the arm, my touch careful. How is it possible that she has become even more delicate? It feels like a breeze could knock her down.
Guilt eats at me. Is it all because of my rejection of our bond? Have I reduced her to this? For the first time, I find myself questioning my own actions. Maybe I was too hasty. I didn’t want her to get sick like this.
We walk back toward the palace in silence, my pace deliberately slow to accommodate her weaker state.
She pauses at the palace entrance, and I begin, “Fiona—”
“I need to go,” she quickly states, her voice firm despite its faintness.
I nod, sensing that pushing more would only drive her further away. “If you need anything—”
“I won’t,” she cuts me off, a flash of that fighting spirit returning. “Not from you. But thank you.”
I watch as she walks away, each step measured and careful. Her back remains straight, her head held high despite the obvious effort it costs her. Pride and strength radiate from her even as her body fails her.
When she disappears around a corner, I turn toward Griffin’s study. We need to talk about these rumors, about the nobles’ concerns, about everything that is happening to Fiona.
My wolf whines, torn between following her scent and respecting her wishes. For once, we’re in agreement about what matters most: her well-being, regardless of what happens between us.
Chapter 7
Fiona
There’s been an odd sensation in my chest, a feeling of shame and guilt, ever since Erik found me in the palace woods four days ago. I had seen him in the training grounds before then. I had heard the argument he was having.
“What if she’s a mole? She could be part of the Silver Ring. She might be spying on us!”
