Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

NIA’S POV

“Why do you look so pale?” Perry asked in a worried tone. “It’s okay if you don’t want to meet with her anymore. We can always reschedule or forget about everything.”

I stared at my pale face in the mirror. I look like someone who has seen a ghost or is about to. I couldn’t sleep a wink all night after I finally decided to meet. I have had so many negative thoughts so far, wondering if she might have had a particular picture of me in her head, and she ended up getting disappointed. Or, probably, I am the one who ends up breaking into a run. For someone driving from New Haven to see me, I believe she would have some expectations. I don’t want to ruin it for her, so I must keep face.

I shake my head, feeling woozy. My body hasn’t been in the right state for days now, and I think it is my lack of sleep. “If I don’t meet her today, I might pass out. I have been too anxious for this moment. I must get it over with.”

Perry sighed, making her way towards me. She massaged my shoulders slowly. “Don’t let yourself be bothered too much. Remember we talked about this? You don’t have to do anything if you feel pressured. Just know that you will always have a home here.”

I held her gaze in the mirror. I don’t know what I did to deserve Perry. She has consistently proven herself to be my guardian angel. I wonder what would have become of me without her and her brother. Turning around quickly, I embraced her tightly.

“What are you doing?” She asked, chuckling.

“Thank you so much, Perry. I don’t know what I would have done without you. Your love for me is surreal. I am extremely grateful.”

“Ewww, get off me.” She drawled, holding me back. “haven’t you heard that I don’t like hugs?”

I snickered and held her to myself again. She laughed in my hold. “Do I look like I care about your rules?”

“I should have known loving you would lead me into trouble. It would help if you got going now. I heard the car horn. Your ride is here.”

I inhaled deeply. “How do I look?” I asked, feeling very nervous.

“Beautiful,” Perry stated.

Picking up my bag, I stepped out of the house quickly before I changed my mind and ended up going back to bed. Throughout the ride, I tried to compose the right words to say. Nothing came to my head. I hope I won’t flop. The chosen restaurant seemed very classy. I don’t think my monthly pay as a healer would be enough to cover it. It’s a perfect five-star space. Stepping in, I realized that there weren’t any other people to sit aside, two women and the waiters. Did these people reserve the entire space? That would be unbelievable. Just then, the younger one among the women hurried towards me. I can tell that she is Kylia.

“Nia? Is this you?” She exclaimed, lifting me off the ground to my amazement. “oh, my God, mama. She looks so much like Omar.”

The older woman, who appears to be in her sixties, walked towards us. She had kind eyes, and I could see my father in them. “My beautiful baby. I am so sorry it took us this long.” She mumbled, teary-eyed.

My words seem to have gotten stuck in my throat. Nothing came out in response. That didn’t faze them, as they only ushered me towards the table.

“Did you reserve the entire space?” The first sentence I would make was to satisfy my curious mind. Every so often, I say the wrongest things ever.

Kylia chuckled lightly, “Well, technically, I guess. My husband owns this place, and he didn’t mind that we had our little family reunion here. I hope you are comfortable with it?”

I nodded slowly. “Pardon my manners, please. I am Nia Hayes.”

“Forgive us, too, for coming at you like that. I am Kylia Reeds, and this is your grandmother, Catelyn Reeds. It is so nice to see you, Nia. I never thought we would be able to see this day.” Kylia said.

Catelyn reached for my hand and patted it lovingly. “I know you have many questions to ask us. Please take your time. We aren’t in a rush, and I hope you are not too. It is like a dream come true. Seeing you right now feels like I am seeing my son again. When I didn’t hear from him for over a decade, I knew something was wrong. Even though we knew where the pack was, we couldn’t just barge into the hostile environment. Omar warned us to stay clear. I wish I had never listened to him and searched for you sooner.”

“You tried to find us?” I questioned in shock.

She nodded, “Yes, after I didn’t hear anything from your father for a year, through the help of a close friend from the sunset pack. We got to ask around about your family. We learned about your mother’s demise and how you left the pack with your father. We searched everywhere, but nobody claimed to have seen you both.”

Kylia chipped in. “We only thought it was best to follow his heart. Maybe we should have refused his love interest. Your father was so crazy about your mother that he was on the verge of breaking ties with us before our mother decided her son’s happiness mattered the most. Also, when we met your mother, we had no other choice. She was such a sweet soul.”

“Elaina sure made our boy happy,” Catelyn added.

“He had always been reckless, so we weren’t surprised that he left the family’s holistic medicine production business to study archeology. But when he found your mother, everything changed. It was weird that his lifetime mate was a werewolf. Things went smoothly over the years, especially when you were born.  For some reason known to the both of them alone, we couldn’t see them individually. Instead, we had your baby pictures to feed on. That seemed fair enough. Until everything went south, we didn’t hear from any of you again until this very moment.” Her eyes watered. Kylia handed her a tissue to dab at the tears.

I feel very clueless about how to respond to them. The information doesn’t feel enough, but I know it is explicit. Maybe I wanted to hear them say they abandoned me so I could yell angrily at them. They didn’t do anything wrong to me, and I intend to blame them so severely. I have mixed feelings. Nothing seems to make sense, and my breathing is becoming quite uncomfortable.

My wolf kept struggling to the surface like something in my body chased it away. I coughed in discomfort. “can you please excuse me for a minute? I will visit the restroom.” I said, hurrying to get away. But I didn’t make it far before collapsing against the table behind me unintentionally, and my body went limp. I felt Kylia’s arms around me as she helped me up. “oh, my goodness. Are you alright?” She asked with a worried look on her face.

“Please help her back to the chair.” Catelyn joined in, too.

I waved a dismissive hand, holding onto the top of the chair. “No, I am sorry to have scared you. I missed a foot.” I lied. My heartbeat has gone up to a scary height. I don’t know what happened, but it seems like there is something strange going on in my body.

Kylia didn’t look convinced as she still held me in place. “are you sure? You look too pale. Do you need to get to the hospital?”

I raised my shaky hands and patted my face. “Oh, don’t mind my face. I appear pale when I am excited. Just give me a minute.” I said hurriedly and limped my way towards the restroom. From the way my leg hurts. I must have hit it against the table.

Opening the restroom door, it felt like pure bliss. I have never been this delighted to be in the four walls of a restroom before. I walked gingerly towards the wash basin and stared at myself in the mirror. I do look like an acting ghost ready to be cast. Turning on the faucet, I splashed the water on my face.

When I looked up, it was still the same. I have been feeling different for almost two weeks now. And my breathing had doubled, and I felt tired in no time after getting involved in a task. It’s almost like my body is weakening as each day passes.

Smacking my lips, I inhaled profoundly, reminiscing on the things my supposed aunt and grandmother just told me. I don’t know how I feel about all of this yet and from how my body is acting. There is no assurance that I will be able to keep up with whatever they still have in store to say. Even though the most thoughtful thing to do is wait until we have exchanged all the past happenings in each of our lives. But I am too fagged to continue. I think it is best to leave it until another day.

I paused abruptly again. I can’t just up and leave. The ladies drove down here from miles away. No matter what, I have no choice but to sit still and be as polite as possible.

I stared down at my hand, and the skin looked light like no life was in it. I need to get myself checked. It is so shameful that, as a healer, I can’t figure out what is going on with my body. It might be how my mother must have been feeling when she fell ill. Dabbing at my face again as a bit of color returned to it. I eased myself quickly and returned to the table. The two women had a distressed look on their faces.

“My dear, are you alright?” Catelyn asked.

“I must have said something to upset you. Forgive me, please. I sometimes run my mouth without knowing.”

Mumbling an apology, I gulped down the water in the glass before me. Humming in satisfaction, I chuckled lightly. “I promise, Mrs Kylia, you didn’t say anything wrong. It is just unfortunate that I am feeling a bit down. My body feels different, and it is acting up. Let’s continue.”

“No, that won’t be happening. Your body needs rest.” Catelyn said.

“Oh, no. It’s fine. I will be fine. You both came from a far distance, and It would be unfair to have it all go to waste.” I insisted.

Kylie smiled gently. “You are such a sweet girl. Don’t worry, honey. We don’t mind staying back here for another week. Whenever you are ready to see us, we will be too. Let me drop you at home.”

I sighed, feeling bad. “I am sorry this had to end like this. You don’t have to drive me home. I will fare just fine.”

Catelyn shook her head, “Well, I am sure your aunt will insist. So you have no choice but to agree to it. Moreover, that will let Kylia know where you are staying, and I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course, I don’t,” I replied, relieved they were not offended.

The drive home was lovely, and it felt like I had known Kylia for a very long time. She is a good conversationalist, too. She always has something to talk about. I was surprised to meet Perry at home. She would have left for an exhibition or go on her usual outings.

“I didn’t expect you to be back so soon.” She said upon my entry.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you at home.” I retorted.

“Well, I guess our expectations are both wrong.” She joked.

I laughed weakly, settling my heavy self on the couch. “you have got jokes. Is there something to eat? For some odd reason, I am feeling starving.”

Perry snickered, making her way to the kitchen. “I ordered a burger. Would you like to have it?”

Making a cute face, I nodded slowly. “I would love to.”

She handed it to me and placed a water bottle next to me. “Why aren’t you saying anything? I expect you will have many things to tell me about your outing.”

I held my breath as I chewed. Swallowing hard, I let it out at the same time. “I wish I had something to share. The woman just gave me the tea when I felt hazy, and we had to reschedule. I think I might be sick. At the same time, maybe I was just anxious.”

Perry stayed quiet and kept her eyes on me. “Truth be told, you have been looking very different for a week now. Not only does the paleness of your skin seem absurd, but also you eat quite a load of food. Are you pregnant?”

My eyes rounded like saucers as a loose lettuce stuck in my throat. I coughed out in discomfort, gulping down the water hurriedly. “Do you plan to kill me?” I inquired in a coarse voice.

She folded her arms, not taking her eyes off mine. “you act like there isn’t a chance you might be. All we have to do is check to be sure you aren’t. It’s no big deal.”

My racing heart began again, and now I am bothered. I have tried not to think about Gael and accept that he is one of those who were fated to hurt me. Having a whole piece of him for the rest of my life sounds very scary. I don’t know what I might do if that is the case. I shake my head stubbornly.

“There is no need for that. I am sure this is probably just my reaction to the new environment. I will be fine in no time.” I said.

She didn’t say anything and went into the room. Perry returned in less than a minute, handing me a small long packet. “here, open it up and pee on it.”

“What is this?” I asked, reading the content. “A pregnancy test kit?”

“Yes. There is no harm in checking. We need to know on time, just in case you need a doctor for any health issue.” She said. I let out a hot breath and stared long at it. “Don’t worry, I will be with you in the bathroom.”

Swallowing hard, I gave the test kit one last look. It won’t kill me to try, so I might as well do it now. Standing determined, I headed to the bathroom with Perry on my tail. Taking out the kit, I peed on it as instructed and waited patiently. She announced the time was up and held it for a few long seconds.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Perry thinned her lips and stared softly at me. “You are pregnant, Nia!” She announced.