Chapter 77

Chapter 77 Chapter 77.

Nelly’s POV.

The sounds of the pack were distant and hazy, muffled by a blanket of silence. | could. make out the scent of Kex and Aisha, |

could tell they were sitting very close to me. But something was wrong. | couldn’t see, couldn’t move.

| tried to open my eyes, but | couldn’t move. | tried to open my mouth to call out, to scream, but nothing came out. My heart pounded.

My eyes fluttered open, and everything was a blur. | blinked hard, trying to focus, but everything was a haze of shapes and colors. | could make out several heads hovering. around me. | closed my eyes again, and when | opened them, everything was a bit clearer. There was Kex, his face filled with relief.

“Kex,” | croaked, my voice dry and scratchy.

Kex pulled me into a hug, his arms warm and comforting. | relaxed into his embrace, letting myself be held.

“Never again,” Kex said, his voice thick with emotion. “Don’t ever leave me like that again.”

I clung to him, returning his embrace. | wanted to tell him that | never meant to worry him, that | just needed some time to think.

But my throat was dry, my voice failing me. | had to settle for a silent promise, never to disappear like that again.

Aisha released Kex from the hug, and before | knew it, she was wrapping her arms around me.

“Don't ever go away for so long again,” she said, her voice trembling. “We were worried sick about you,” she said, her voice breaking.

| smiled at Aisha, grateful for her concern, but right now, | am needing water.

“Water,” | managed to croak, my voice hoarse.

Harry rushed to my side, a cup of water in his hand. | took the a of water in his hand. | took the cup from him, and gulped down the water greedily. He took the cup back from me, his face radiating relief.

“Thank you,” | said, my voice still a bit scratchy.

“You're welcome,” he replied, giving me a sideways hug. “I’m glad you're okay.”

tL [e)

My heart raced as | blurted out, “Did Astel come around again?” Aisha’s eyes widened, and she stared at me, searching my face.

And | held her gaze.

She looked away, unable to meet my gaze. My gaze followed hers to Kex, who stood in the corner, his expression unreadable.

Aisha turned to me, her brow furrowed.

“No, why do you ask?” she said, her tone curious.

“Nothing,” | replied, trying to sound casual. But inside, | felt a wave of relief wash over 1.me.

When | was unconscious, | heard voices calling Astel’s name. So | had thought he had come over. The thought of him coming over makes me think what | would have done.

upar But now, as | lay back on the bed, | felt a wave of relief wash over me. | looked up at Aisha, who was smiling, but there was something in her eyes that betrayed her true feelings.

“What happened?” | asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. Aisha sighed, as if reluctant to tell me the truth. “What is it?” |

prodded, unable to let it go.

She looked at me, and for a moment, | thought she might finally give me an honest. answer. But then she smiled, a forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Nothing,” she said, the lie plain in her voice.

But | didn’t have the strength to press the issue, and so | let it go.

As | closed my eyes, | heard the door open, and | opened them again. Kex walked out, followed by Harry. | wondered why Kex had left the room, after | had asked about Astel Since then, he had been acting cold towards me, stealing glances but not saying a word. | couldn’t figure out what he was thinking, and it was starting to make me feel uneasy. | knew something was wrong, but | was unable to put my finger on it. And the way Aisha had acted. | knew something was definitely wrong.

“Did Kex’s mate visit?” | asked, the question tumbling out of my mouth before | could stop it Aisha nodded, and | felt my heart sink. | wasn’t sure why | felt this way, why | felt so unsettled by the thought of Kex’s mate being here. Was | jealous? | felt the heat rise to cheeks as | considered the possibility. Aisha placed a hand on my forehead.

my “You feel a little warm,” she said, concern etched on her face.

“I'm fine,” | insisted, but my mind screamed, “I’m not fine!”

Why was | feeling this way? Why was | feeling jealous of Kex’s mate? | didn’t even know [e)

her, and yet the thought of her visiting Kex filled me with an emotion | couldn’t name. Was it really jealousy? Or am | being foolish?

| looked at Aisha, my heart beating, | needed to know more about her. | cleared my throat and Aisha stared at me.

“What happened when | was unconscious?” | asked, my voice soft.

“Well,” Aisha began, standing up and drawing the curtains open.

The sunlight streamed into the room, and | shielded my eyes from the glare.

“After that day you fell unconscious, Kex ordered the curtains to be dropped, we hadn't seen the sunlight in weeks. She paused, a thoughtful expression on her face. “We didn’t realize how much we missed it, how much it affected our moods.” She looked at me, a soft smile on her lips. “But now it’s back. We got to understand that an Alpha’s lady is the sun of the pack.”

| don’t quite understand what you mean by ‘Alpha’s Lady, pushing the confusion to the back of my mind..

“But | have to ask what about Kex’s mate?” | felt a pang of anxiety at the question..

“She was sitting right in front of him,” she said in a calm voice. And | felt my heart drop. My wolf winced in pain.

Suddenly, Aisha burst into laughter and | stared at her confused. “I was joking,” she said,” still laughing.

| couldn't help but laugh, despite the twisting feeling in my gut.

“How dare you,” | said, throwing a pillow at her. She laughed and dodged it, her eyes. sparkling with mischief.

“| couldn't resist,” she said, grinning.

“But seriously, his mate hasn’t arrived yet. We don’t know when she will.” | let out a breath | hadn't realized | was holding.

Aisha’s laughter died down, and she sat beside me. “Kex has been here by your side for the voice serious. “He hasn’t eaten or slept, he just stayed here Iweek,” she said, h with you.”

| looked at her, my heart pounding in my chest. “You mean... he’s been here the whole time?” | asked, my voice barely a whisper. Aisha nodded, her eyes gentle.

“He cares for you, you know,” she said, her voice soft. “More than you realize.”

12 Feb | swallowed hard, my mind reeling. “I had no idea,” | said, my voice thick with emotion.

“If you had a choice between Alpha Kex and Astel, who would you choose?” She asked.

Hf