Chase Me Alpha (Daria and Caleb) novel Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Caleb’s POV

I woke up, sweat beading on my brows.

Fuck.

I cursed over and over again, feeling my chest ache with a strange heat that was painful, to say the least.

What the hell was that?

I had barely gotten any rest the night before, and now, waiting for Daria to wake, it has been only because my body needed. it that I forced myself back to my bedroom to sleep. But this dream…

I recalled the details, it had been far too clear. The forest. At first it had been normal, then I swore I heard Daria’s screaming. I couldn’t let go of it, of that broken sound. It hurt me tk no end Then I found her. She had fallen into my arms. And she felt so fucking real.

I stood, padding across the floor towards the bathroom. Standing over the bathroom sink I turned on the tap and splashed water over my face. It wet my hair, the water cool and refreshing, washing away the thoughts of that dream.

It was just a dream, I thought, leaving the bathroom. I wandered over to the bed, but couldn’t bring myself to lay down. In the dark night, only the moon, bright and glowing, shone a light that streamed in through the window. My eyes remained fixed on the moonlight, my body stiff as I sat on the edge of my bed. The full moon was coming soon, in less than a week. Despite dawn being so close, the moon hadn’t disappeared into the horizon yet, and I was glad for it, as it gave me something to keep me grounded in my unmoored state.

It was a knock, hurried and sudden, that knocked me back to reality. I stood, walking over to unlock and open the door. I had expected to find a maid, or perhaps a guard waiting to report something. But what I didn’t expect was to see a panting young man, wearing the uniform of the Pack doctor’s apprentices, confirming his indenting with a few words.

“Alpha Caleb,” he barely managed to catch his breath. “The Pack doctor told me to inform you that the Luna is awake.”

What?

My heart skipped, mind barely processing those words.

I nodded and grabbed a shirt in a hurry, tugging it on before facing the pale boy.

“Let’s go,” I ordered.

My steps were hurried and I left the apprentice behind, trailing slowly after me. I barged into the pack clinic, rushing down the hallway to where Daria was. The Pack doctor met me halfway, still dressed in his pajamas, and wearing round framed spectacles balanced on his nose bridge.

“How is she?” I demanded without a preamble.

The pack doctor replied, wearily.

“She is awake, but tired. I believe you may see her now, but only for a moment. I am yet to finish checking her vital signs and that of the child’s.”

I nodded, and we walked side by side in the corridor. I reached my hand out to open the door, stepping in before the Pack doctor and his apprentice that followed two steps behind us.

The scent of disinfectant and bleach was very strong, yet there was a far more pleasant scent that made every trace of discomfort bleed away.

Daria sat up, her shoulders slumped. Her back rested against the pillow and she was gazing out the window with a blank expression on her face, almost like she wasn’t present at all.

“Lady Daria.” The pack doctor greeted. I noticed how she froze visibly before turning to look at us. As soon as her eyes met mine I saw a spark of life in those blue orbs.

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

“Doctor.” I told him, signalling for him to get a move on in the checkup.

Meanwhile I crossed over to the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. Her eyes followed mine, and I detected the faint hur of a flush on her cheeks.

“C-Caleb? Is…. is this real?” She asked softly, her eyes blinking slowly as the doctor grabbed one of his instruments.

I squeezed her hand. Her skin felt cold to the touch, but I didn’t care. As long as she was here, alive and with me, nothing else mattered.

“It is real,” I assured her, wondering what could have spooked her in such a way. She still didn’t seem to believe me, her expression not changing. But she slowly, tremblingly, squeezed back.

I relaxed, taking a seat and watching the doctor continue with his work.

“Now,” he handed Daria a small bottle of dark liquid. Uncorking the lid, he gently tilted it against her mouth, ordering, “Drink. It’s just a small tincture to boost your energy levels. We almost lost your pulse there, Lady Daria. I believe this is what they call a close call. Thank the Goddess, both you and the child are perfectly safe.”

“What do you want me to say?” her voice was much colder than had expected. I froze, a strange unpleasant emotion rising from my gut. It was suddenly difficult to stay in this room. Her words forced all the air from my lungs, making it difficult to inhale. It was suffocating.

I stood abruptly, the chair legs scraping the floor with a sound that travelled through the room, louder than expected.

Daria turned to look at me, and I found I wasn’t able to meet her gaze this time.

Why?

That single word question echoed in my mind as I walked over to the window, letting the cool breeze hit my face, trying to distract myself from the pain.

Why did it feel like everything was always going to go wrong with us?

How could I make things better?

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there it felt like hours. I tried to think of something else, anything else, but it was impossible.

‘What do you want me to do?’she had asked, while I had nearly lost my mind at the thought of losing her.

Did she know that?

Did she know that I would rather she stay alive, rather keep my distance as long as she was happy with it? All I needed was for her to smile, to not bear the pain and worries alone.

Whatever she wanted her future to be, if she didn’t want me in it. then I would have no choice but to leave her be..

I heard a soft, keening sound behind me, and turned to see Daria wiping her eyes, trying to appear unruffled. But I caught it, the glimmer of tears in her eyes, the flush of red on her cheeks, the sound of her sniffling.

Then she asked softly, “D-Do you really mean that?”

I was briefly confused by that question, my brows furrowing, until I realized what she meant. Had she heard my thoughts again?