Found By The Lycan King novel Chapter 16

ADRIANA’S POV

I didn’t see much of Alpha Xander after the incident with Donovan. Daciana assured me he was busy with pack work and general work, mentioning he was always like that. I slipped into bed and could have sworn I felt someone come into the room when I was sleeping, I couldn’t o be sure so I just passed it off as a dream.

I woke up the next morning, slightly feeling better and stronger. I dressed in a simple sundress I’d found on my bed when I walked out. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who kept it there. Then I went and had breakfast with Daciana and Donavan in the dining room, I had barely slept at all. I was too nervous and anxious, my mind racing with thoughts of Donavan's occasional glares that carried a lot of fearful prospects and messages. When I finally returned to my chambers and crawled into bed, I was exhausted. I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep almost immediately, my body and mind finally at rest.

I jerked up to the sound of someone knocking on my door. I groggily sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes and trying to shake off the remnants of a sleep.

"Adriana," a voice called from outside the door. "It's Daciana. Can I come in?" I hesitated for a moment, still feeling disoriented.

"Come in," I called out, pushing the covers aside and getting out of bed.

Daciana opened the door and stepped into the room, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, I heard you were taking a nap. I didn’t wake you, did I?," she said, her voice cheerful. I shook my head letting her know it was fine. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded, feeling a little self-conscious. "Yes, thank you," I said, smoothing down my rumpled clothes. "Is everything okay?" Daciana nodded, her smile never wavering. "Yes, everything's fine," she said. "I just wanted to come and see if you'd like to take a walk with me. It's a beautiful day outside, and I thought it might do you some good to get some fresh air."

I hesitated for a moment, still feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened. But Daciana's bright smile was infectious, and I found myself smiling back.

"Sure," I said, forcing my lips to lift into a smile. "That sounds nice."

Daciana grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Great," she announced, looping her arm through mine. "Let's go." Daciana said, taking my hand and pulling me out of my room. "I want to show you around the pack. There's so much to see, and I think you'll really enjoy it."

"Okay," I said, taking a deep breath and following her out the door. We walked through the corridors of the pack house, the morning sun shining through the windows. Daciana chatted happily as we walked, telling me all about the pack and its history. I listened intently, feeling grateful for her kindness. Daciana was the only person who had been truly nice to me since I arrived at the pack, and I knew that I couldn't have made it through this difficult time without her. We stepped outside into the fresh air, and I took a deep breath, feeling my spirits lift. The gardens were beautiful, with rows of colorful flowers and towering trees.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Daciana said, gesturing around at the gardens. "I always feel so much better when I'm out here."

She introduced me to some members of the pack when we started roaming the lands. Unlike yesterday, she told me all about the history and traditions of the wolf shifters as we passed by some monuments. I was fascinated, and I found myself listening intently as she spoke. Daciana was a wealth of knowledge, and I felt myself drawn to her warmth and kindness. But even as I enjoyed my tour of the pack, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. I kept thinking about the warrior, Aiden, and wondering if he was okay. I didn't know why I found myself worrying over him suddenly. It unnerved me a lot that I would sometimes find myself staring vacantly into space.

"Daciana," the words just sputtered out of my mouth and since it was already out, I decided to just go for it. I turned to her and let the words free themselves from my throat. "Have you heard anything about the warrior, Aiden? Is he okay?" I slapped myself mentally, realizing I had made a mistake and I should have clamped my mouth shut. She had asked me to not worry and talk about him, but I had just blurted something out because of him.

Daciana hesitated for a moment, and then sighed, probably disappointed. "I'm sorry, Adriana," she said. "I can't tell you anything about that. You'll have to ask Xander but you know what will happen if you do."

I nodded, feeling a sense of dread wash over me. I had to see Aiden, to know if he was ok. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and wondering if he was okay. But even as I worried about him, I knew that I had to be strong.

"Take me back to my room," I said sharply, turning to Daciana. I realized how it sounded and added. "I need a moment."

Daciana stopped for a second, and then nodded. "Okay," she said, taking my hand and leading me back.

I took a deep breath and followed her back to my room, determined to face whatever challenges came my way.

We were walking back through the gardens, our hands linked together, when we heard the sound of shouting in the distance. I turned towards the noise, my heart racing as I tried to figure out what was going on.

"What's that?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear.

A gasp left my lips and grabbed my coat, not stopping to think about the consequences. I had to help him, no matter what the cost. I raced out of my chambers and down the corridors, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get to Aiden, and I had to help him. I had to do something, anything. I couldn't just sit there and do nothing while Aiden was dragged off to the gallows.

I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest. I knew that I was going against Daciana's orders, I couldn't let that stop me. I had to do what I knew was right.

My footsteps were light in the carpeted hallway, almost gluing myself to the wall so I can remain in the shadows, trying as much as I could to not be noticed or draw any attention to myself. I needed to be careful if I didn’t want to get caught before I even make it out.

As I walked, the only thing on my mind was Aiden, how he was innocent. The thought of him being locked up for something he didn't do made me feel like I couldn’t breathe. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happened to him. I would do whatever it took to say. Sitting there and watching him suffer was not an option.

I took a deep breath and stepped out of the shadows, determined to do whatever it took to help Aiden. I followed the secret route that Daciana had shown me, my heart racing with excitement and fear. I was taking a huge risk by leaving my chambers and going outside. I didn’t let myself think of what Xander could–would–do to me.

The secret route was narrow and winding, and I had to be careful not to make any noise. My pulse pounded in my ears as I made my way through the passage, trying to stay as hidden as possible. People didn’t use it but my luck wasn’t exactly stellar. Finally, I reached the outside. I took a deep breath of the fresh air, relieved to be out of the stuffy corridors of the Packhouse. I looked around, trying to get my bearings. I had never been outside alone before, and everything was new and unfamiliar to me. Almost too big in my eyes, or did I just feel too small?

The gardens stretched out before me, the trees and flowers a blur of green and color. The birds sang in the distance, oblivious to the turmoil I was going through.

I turned the corner and saw him being dragged towards a door. His face was pale, and his eyes were closed. I calmed down immediately, seeing that he wasn't going to be killed.

Discreetly, I walked through the crowd and followed the guards to the dungeons. I walked through the dark, damp corridors of the dungeon, ignoring the sense of dread washed over me. The air was thick with the smell of mold and rot, the sound of dripping water echoing off the walls. The cells were small and cramped, the walls made of rough, cold stone. I could see the prisoners inside, their faces gaunt and haggard, their eyes filled with despair. Some growled as I passed by them, others not having the energy to do that.

I shuddered at the thought of being locked up in such a place, and I could feel my heart racing with fear and anxiety. I shut the feeling down and kept going. I had to see Aiden, no matter what the cost. I inhaled a deep shuddering breath and continued down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Finally, I reached Aiden's cell.