Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

GAEL’S POV I watched as Nia’s breath fell and rose again. She looks so beautiful, and I am happy she is safe. The last time I felt this anxious was when my mother lay on that cold floor with her lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling. My dad tried to hide the cause of her death, but I am sure a few people who worked in the pack house then might have been aware of what happened. She had swallowed a deadly poison only known to a healer. There was no way to save her. According to the doctors, she had significant depression while dealing with the grief of losing her child and her mates’ betrayal.

Hearing that Nia also consumed poison made me think I might be cursed to lose the ones that I love dearly to the cold hands of poisons. I am so grateful to the goddess for granting Nia the knowledge to prepare for the worst in every situation. If she hadn’t come across the poison antidote plant, I would be mourning right now. Sniffing back the tears that stung the back of my eyes, I caressed her hair. She stirred a bit, pouting.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

A small smile appeared, and I leaned in to kiss her. I wonder what Nia has done to me. How can I be so obsessed with someone I have barely known? It’s not even a year since she arrived at the pack house. And now it feels like she has been part of my life forever. My life feels incomplete without her. I could control it, so I thought. It must be how my parents felt for each other. I was scared of such a pleasant feeling. Even though I must admit, it almost ripped my heart apart when I saw Nia lifeless.

“Pictures will leave a lasting memory.” Nia mused, opening her eyes.

I chuckled, running my finger down her face. “Have I told you how beautiful you look in the mornings? We should keep up this routine.  You don’t have to sleep alone ever again.”

She snorted, sitting up, “I should have known your sudden niceness was a way for you to get me in bed. You don’t have any shame.”

I shrugged, smirking. “I intend to keep being shameless if it will keep you by my side.”

“I changed my mind.”

“To be by my side forever?”

“Stop fooling yourself.” She teased, her eyes smiling.

I pulled her into my chest, kissing her forehead. “I am so glad to see you breathing fine. You had me thinking of so many negative things the last time.” I paused, heaving a sigh. “Baby, why won’t you tell me the last person you met with? And I wouldn’t have to bother this much if there is CCTV in the clinic.”

She wiggled out of my hold and headed to the bathroom. “It’s not like you ever did care much about the clinic. Ezra was the one who took care of the necessary facilities mended in the clinic.”

I scratched the back of my head in guilt. “That was then. It still doesn’t mean it’s cool that your life is in danger.”

“I am out of danger now.” She mused, stepping out of the place to return to my arms. “Let it go now, Gael. Please.”

I held her away from me gently and gave her a stern look. “It’s obvious you know who the person is. But for some reason only known to you, you won’t tell me about it. Why are you keeping me in the dark?” I sensed the discomfort she tried to hide so badly.

“Alright, soothe yourself. You must know we are too early in this relationship to hide secrets. But if that is how you intend to do your thing. It’s all good.”

“Baby.” She drawled, reaching for me. “What do you think of an outdoor picnic? It’s the weekend, you know? We can go to the lake and have a good time. I have always wanted to visit the lake.”

I scoffed, staring at her in disbelief. “For real? Is this how you intend to change the topic?”

Nia sighed, “Can you just trust me this one time? I will tell you, I promise. Get dressed. I will ask for help with the picnic basket.” She sealed it with a kiss before pushing me towards the bathroom.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of her adoptive family being the culprit. But then I have no evidence against them; only Nia witnessed who had hurt her. The lake had a nice feeling as we sat on the bank, enjoying the serene environment. I didn’t realize I needed this kind of break until now.

“Gemma hasn’t been seen around the pack house for a while. Did you have her banned?” Nia asked out of the blue while staring intensely at the lake.

I tilted my head, observing her closely to be sure of how to give a response without setting off a ticking bomb. “Why would that interest you all of a sudden?”

“It doesn’t interest me much. I just heard the kitchen maids whispering among themselves how she was running after you the day the poison incident happened.”

I have always heard words travel faster than lightning in the pack house. It’s now that I am affirming it. “yes, she did come.”

“Why?”

“Baby, why are we talking about this right now? What does Gemma have to do with our nice moment?”

She had a strange look on her face when our eyes met. “You don’t think we should address it?”

I sighed tiredly, “Fine! She wanted to know why and who I dumped her for. I didn’t have the time or patience to respond to her questions. The funny thing is, she didn’t care that someone was dying. I asked her to leave, and I also instructed the guards to make sure she never sets foot here again.”

“That is so unfair.”

“I am not changing the rule I set,” I stated firmly.

Nia flipped her ponytail, causing it to bounce, leaving a dirty image in my head. “How many years has it been that you have known Gemma closely as a friend before you dated her?”

“Fifteen years,” I replied, wondering where this conversation was going.

“And why was she the only one labeled as your girlfriend and the other women in your life as concubines?”

“Baby, what’s all this?”

“Please, Gael. Just answer me.”

I huffed, chewing on my tongue. “I liked Gemma the most, and she seemed better positioned as my girlfriend. And mind you, I always told her that whatever we shared won’t lead to marriage.”

“Of course you did. You are too blunt for your good. Listen, baby. For someone who you knew for over a decade of your life. No matter how bratty and insensitive she can be. Gemma was your friend before she became your girlfriend. There is no need to end things on a rude note with her. It’s unfair that you can toss people whichever way you like. I appreciate that you desire me enough to leave your old ways behind. But that doesn’t mean you have to lose a friend. Even if you both would never be close again, you shouldn’t burn your bridges just yet. You can never tell what the future holds.”

“You are my future,” I mumbled stubbornly.

“I didn’t say I wasn’t. I want you to make things right. I know you would want that, too.” Nia said, massaging my hair while placing wet kisses on my face.

“That won’t change anything,” I grunted.

“Why?”

“You still haven’t told me who poisoned you.”

“Should we make a deal, then?” She offered.

“Why do I feel like I won’t like the deal?”

She chuckled, “Just hear it first.”

“Okay. I am all ears.”

“You have a proper discussion with Gemma, and I will tell you who hurt me.”

“Mama, come on. That’s not a fair deal.”

“It is, baby. Trust me.”

“So if I do it tomorrow, you will tell me yours tomorrow.”

“As soon as you do.”

“You won’t back out from your promise.”

“I certainly wouldn’t.” She assured, biting my lips softly.

“If you continue like this. I might lose my self-control right here in the open.”

“I would like to see you try.” Nia teased, bolting from my reach.

Holding myself up, I ran after her. She certainly knows how to exert energy.