~JASMINE~
The chef was done setting the table for breakfast when I suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Thalia had not come down. It wasn't like her to take so long in the morning, let alone when breakfast was waiting.
After a few minutes Alpha Cassian entered the room fully dressed in a suit so smart I swear not a hair was out of place on him. And still no Thalia.
"Where's Thalia?" he asked, glancing up with his normally impassive gaze.
My heart stopped beating for a second, "She hasn't come down." I answered quickly.
I wanted to ask him why he hadn't woken her, since they shared a room but then I remembered Alpha slept in the second room downstairs.
He raised an eyebrow at me, "It's nearly 8:45am. Does she usually wake up late?"
"No." I said quickly, "She goes to bed early and wakes up early."
He only looked at me briefly before returning to his meal, and a deep unease began to grow in my stomach.
How I wished I could ask him what he did to her last night. Because Thalia never came out of his room.
I found myself focusing on my meal, though it didn't quite do the job. Something felt wrong; I knew Thalia well enough to know she never slept in this long without reason.
I secretly dialed her number and found that it was switched off. Maybe she forgot to charge it due to Alpha Cassian's temper?
When Alpha was nearly finishing his breakfast, I braved it and asked him, "Should I go and wake her?"
He stopped eating and the space between us was almost palpable. Then he replied, with no warmth whatsoever, "No need. If she's hungry she'll come."
And without another word, he stood up and left the dining room. My chest tightened; if only I could say something but I didn't want to get Thalia into any more trouble than she already was in, because of me.
But in all honesty I did not dare go and see her despite my burning desire to check on her because she was in Alpha's personal room and I didn't want to trespass.
Thalia was no longer the random little wolf I picked up in the street. She was Alpha's woman now.
At noon, lunch was almost ready, and Thalia still hadn't come down. The worry in my stomach turned to a gnawing pain I couldn't ignore.
I got up and went upstairs.
I didn't care if I was trespassing anymore, she was the only family that cared about me and that was all that mattered.
I stopped at the door and gave a small knock, "Thally?"
There was no reply.
I knocked louder this time, "Thally, are you there?"
No reply again.
My heart pounded and I took a deep breath to brace myself. Slowly I twisted the doorknob.
The room was dark, the curtains shut tight. The air was thick and hot; I could feel what went on last night from the scent lingering in the room. I closed my eyes and took a breath then walked into the room.
My eyes adjusted and I walked towards the window, pulling it slightly open by a bit for light. It revealed everything. My stomach clenched.
I could see her. Lying on the bed completely still.
Her black hair sprawled around the pillow, slightly damp and sticking to her face. My heart broke. The hickeys on her neck...
"Thally?" I called softly, my hand shaking as I reached her bed.
No reply.
"Thally, can you hear me?" I called again louder this time.
Still no reply.
A sick feeling entered my stomach and I knew for a fact Thalia was asleep when I touched her to check if she was breathing.
Yes, she was still breathing, but her skin was burning.
I took a deep breath; I wanted to call an ambulance immediately, but I then paused. The hickeys; it could attract attention if they were seen. It would only bring more rumors and they would be directed at Thalia who was still young and vulnerable.
I needed to find a solution, for the meantime.
I quickly got a basin and filled it with cool water. I added some peppermint oil into it; it helped relieve fever.
Carefully, I soaked the towel and gently put it on her forehead. I could feel her heart beating like a tiny hummingbird under my fingers. Oh, how I felt for her at that moment.
"It's alright Thally, I'm here." I whispered to myself and began pacing around her bed.
But still, she didn't stir.
