Alpha’s Rue: His Shunned Luna (Athena Enchanted) novel Chapter 371

Nurse Evelyn returns a few moments later, carrying what seems to be children’s colouring pages with crayons, I’m guessing one for her and the other for Aeliana. Her interest in learning what my mate likes gives me some hope. I know nobody can take care of her as well as I can, but it’s they’ll try. I’m paying them extremely well to do it too.

Out in the garden, I see a familiar figure sitting on a bench, her back to me and wearing all pink. “Luna Aeliana, I’m back.” Nurse Evelyn cheerfully announces before we reach her.

Aeliana doesn’t turn around, but I know she heard her. The nurse has a peculiar voice, one that can’t be ignored. “Come on, you could at least turn around.” She whines, “I brought someone to see you.” She says, reaching for her shoulder. “Luna Aeliana.”

I grab her hand and shake my head, “I’ve got it,” I whisper.

I walk to the front, and still, she doesn’t move. I’m obstructing whatever view she had earlier, but she doesn’t complain, it makes me realise she’s zoned out. “Siren,” I coo, crouching in front of her.

She blinks, life returning to her eyes with tears. “King?” She mouths, the word soundless.

I nod, cupping her face in my hands. “Hi Ellie bear, how are you?”

“You-you came,” she whispers, the sound hoarse and tired. Her lips curve into a smile when I nod, “You came back for me. I knew you’d come back,” she sniffs, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Take me home now, I don’t want to be here anymore, even the grass smells medicated.”

“Wow,” Nurse Evelyn gasps. “So you can talk, Luna Aeliana.”

“Her too,” Aeliana pouts. “She doesn’t shut up, she’s sickenly kind.”

That comment makes all three of us smile. Warmth flares in my chest. It's been so long since I’ve seen her smile, I feel undeserving, it’s like a prize I haven’t earned, one I love earning. “Are you okay?”

She nods, “I’m fine now that you’ve come for me.”

“Are they treating you well?” I ask, to which she nods again. I’ve read plenty of horror stories about the way some patients live, but Maddox assured me she would be safe and taken care of here. It's the best mental institution in all of Mooncrest and across neighbouring packs. “Why didn’t you eat? You need to eat, Siren, you look pale right now,” I tell her, gently stroking her cheek, cherishing the moment. “You’re losing weight.”

She shrugs, “Free weight loss plan.”

“I’ve missed you so much, baby.” I kiss her hand, inhaling her scent. She smells like home even when she’s far from it. If there were a way for me to be here with her every second, I would take that chance. I will take it, from today, I’ll see her every day, I’ll keep her company and eat with her.

“I’ve been paged,” I hear nurse Evelyn say. “I’ll be back in—”

“Go,” she grins, putting her hands in her lap. She looks so happy, so excited. I don’t know if I can tell her she’s staying. I don’t want to do it. “I can’t stay here anymore, I’m going to really lose it if I do.” She growls, “I mean, look around, people here have real problems.” Her brows knitt together, pointing somewhere to her right. “Look at her, she’s been cradling that blanket all of today, she’s even giving it kisses.” Her voice drops, even in this situation, she doesn't fail to notice the pain of others. It makes me sick that I couldn’t recognise hers, that I fell for the masks she put on for my sake. “Honey, it is so sad here.”

“That's not true,” I swallow, looking away from the woman who appears convinced that the blanket in her hands is a child. “There's plenty of activities here, I read the brochures a few days ago, and look..” I point over her shoulder. “Over there, there is a fountain, you love fountains, right?” I force a smile, now naming all the things that brought me comfort, knowing they were around her. “And gardens? They have a pretty one. Isn’t it nice?”

“I prefer our garden at home,” she shrugs. “Please go and sign my discharge papers. I don’t want to stay, I’ve been here too long already.” She pouts.

I’m speechless.

I don’t know what to say.

She's so hopeful, so confident that I came here to take her back home. “What?” She pauses, her eyes searching mine. “King, what is it?” She gulps, the glint of hope in her eyes slowly fading away.

“I’m sorry.” I choke out, my voice strangled.

She swallows, her gaze unfocused now. “Wha-What?” She stutters.