Chase Me Alpha (Daria and Caleb) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Daria’s POV

“I wonder what is going on with Alpha Caleb today”

55 vouchers

Those words and many more reached my ears as I tried to focus on my conversation with Raul Having reunited with my friend was a book the moon goddess had given me and I wasn’t about to waste it. However that didn’t stop the threads of murmurs around me from disturbing what would be an otherwise peaceful dinner.

I glanced once towards the door, seeing no one. But Caleb had just gone through there a while before now. I had made up my mind to ignore him and his antics. But why was it impossible to do so?

“Hey Daria.” Raul’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts once again. I turned back to look at him and smiled wanly. Suddenly the entire dining hall was too loud for me and it gave me a headache. Craving chamomile tea and a dreamless sleep.I stood slowly and began to make my excuses.

“I have to go. Today’s been a little exhausting.” I was speaking and trailed off meaningfully.

He caught the hint immediately and to my surprise stood as well It garnered us a few stares as he walked around the table and met me. Holding out his hand his lips were curled up into a charming smile and his eyes glittered with delight.

“May I walk you?” He asked and I couldn’t help my breath getting caught in my throat.

Don’t think strange thoughts, Daria. He’s just a friend trying to keep you company.

Nothing more.

With that I took the hand he offered and we walked out of the dining hall ignoring the few eyes that followed us out.

The night sky shone and a gentle cool breeze wafted in through the large arched windows. I breathed in the scent of the trees and flowers that gave off an exquisite scent.

Raul was silent beside me and when he spoke up my mind was more settled.

“So I’ve told you all about where I’ve been these past couple of years,” he started.

I smiled at recalling his animated speech about how far he’d travelled and how he had become the Beta of the Dartmouth pack. He and his parents had moved before I had even been married to Caleb so hearing all of that brought a sense of wistfulness to me.

“But what about you, hmm? What has my timid little Daria been up to?”

I snorted and shook my

head.

“I’m not that timid little girl any longer Raul,” I replied with my smile still pasted on my face. Trying to keep my mind away from the cruel and dark past I had, I thought of what to say response briefly.

“I have… been traveling. I learnt a lot about healing and chose to study.”

My words were as vague as I could make them. I didn’t want to tell Raul about my past just yet. Not today. Not everything And especially not my history with Caleb.

“Sounds interesting,” Raul replied in his usual playful tone. His hands clutched mine tighter and I let him link our fingers together. It felt intimate and a part of me wished I could pull aw

The only thing that stopped me was how painful the thought of iping that smile off Raul’s face became.

1/4

Fri, Feb 6

Chapter 10

E

Relaxing against his side I tried to carry on a conversation that didn’t have to do with the past.

༥ ཊཱི 89%1

55 vouchers

“So what exactly are you and the others here for?” I asked. “I assume it’s not for the scenery. And the full moon isn’t anytime this week. So definitely no festivals happening”

“Not yet,” he quipped wittily before sighing heavily. When he spake this time there was a sense of edge to his words. “We’ve been facing problems with rogues in the region for a while now

I stilled. Rogues in this region were a rare occurrence.

With Caleb as the most powerful alpha of the region, no one wanted to run afoul of the Wisteria Pack.

Raul continued, unaware of my dread.

“Even our patrol teams can’t work with the threats of rogues at their heels. Last week a few of our men at the border were injured. Reports of something similar happening to the Green Pack reached our ears as well. So we decided to do a little collaboration.”

I understood then.

“You came to ask Alpha Caleb for support,” I spoke while nodding. He was the best choice to ask for aid. Even if many of the other smaller neighboring packs wanted to help there was only so much they could do before they too would fall under the chaotic and deadly hands of the rogues.

Raul and I came to a stop and I raised my head to see we had reached my bedroom door already.

“Well, this is it,” he spoke and I smiled wanly as he suddenly leaned in. My eyes widened and I tensed as I felt lips on my forehead briefly.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Raul…” I wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out of my mouth.

He didn’t say anything either. Just stared at me with an imperceptible expression before smiling kindly.

“You look exhausted Daria. You should get some rest,” then he parted my head gently and I closed my eyes briefly against the feeling. It was then I realized my cheeks were warm.

“Goodnight,” I blurted out.

Without waiting for a response I opened my bedroom door and darted inside, shutting it behind me.

The silence of the bedroom couldn’t block out the loud beating of my heart in my chest.

Oh goddess, I thought with my mind whirling. Thoughts filtered in and out and I shook my head repeatedly before placing my palms over my face.

I wanted to scream.

The next morning dawned entirely too early for my liking. I woke with the sun and immediately I began my morning ablutions the door opened.

“Well well,” Sabrina’s voice made me turn to glance at her holding a basket of freshly laundered sheets. My eyes warmed Despite her not being my personal maid anymore it would see that she had taken it upon herself.

“Morning Sabrina,” I greeted as cheerfully as I could muster. “Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough. But I heard a few rumors today. And I want to corm straight from the source.”

2/4

11:44 Fri, Feb 6 GGR.

Chapter 10

Her soft tone was underlined with a seriousness.

“What rumor?”

89%1

EX 55 vouchers

“About you and Beta Raul of the Dartmouth Pack. I heard you two spent dinner together. You didn’t even talk to anyone

else.”

A sigh left my lips and I shook my head. Even though I wasn’t Luna still people couldn’t stop talking behind my back

When would this behavior end?

“It’s nothing serious.” I replied after a while. Sabrina was busy rearranging my blankets but I could tell she was listening. “He and I are just friends.”

Even as I spoke I felt my friends’ eyes shift to me. Almost as if she wanted to up and call me a liar. Could she hear the hesitation in my voice as well?

“Apparently you and he even left the dining hall together.”

“He only escorted me back to my room last night. That’s it.” I insisted, feeling a little ridiculous. “Besides. I don’t want to get Involved with anyone right now. It’s never even crossed my mind.”

And that was true.

The pain of losing a child, of being treated like I was nothing still remained in my heart.

The encounters I had had with Caleb in the past couple of days had reminded me of the awful truth: that I wasn’t anywhere near healed.

The broken bond in my chest felt like a heavy burden to bear and I placed my hand over my heart breathing deeply.

Before I could go down to breakfast, I decided to make a stop at my patient’s room.

The arrival of the delegates the previous day had made the previously peaceful mansion a little more busy this morning.

Several times I pushed myself against the wall to avoid the path of a rushing maid or dodged a face-full of warm white towels.

Reaching the corner right next to my destination I was about to turn when I heard someone speak in a low voice.

“Keeping her away is the only solution. What else do you think I should do?”

My brows furrowed and I pressed my back to the wall, ears pricked up at the sound of a voice thick with anger.

“Do Whatever it takes. She cannot stay here. Make sure she has no access to Elder Gerome longer than necessary or it will cause us problems,” the voice sounded mocking then. “Honestly It can’t be that hard. If you cannot accomplish this one simple thing then you better pray for the goddess to save you when I catch you.”

“Yes sir.”

I swallowed; this sounded serious. Who were they talking about and why was Elder Gerome, the one I was in charge of healing, involved in it?

Footsteps sounded and I froze as someone brushed past me without noticing my presence I glanced at the back of a young girl. Her uniform told me that she was a servant attached to the pha’s mansic

Who was he speaking to?

Decisively I turned the corner and found no one there.

3/4