CHAPTER FOUR

As the Alpha Prince escorted me back to my room in silence, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion swirling within me. Questions buzzed in my mind like a swarm of bees, each one more pressing than the last. Why was he in the forest in the first place? What had compelled him to help me? Why had he not said a word?

As we reached the door to my chamber, I turned to face him, my gaze searching his face for any sign of answers. But his expression remained unreadable, his eyes guarded as he met my gaze with a silent intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Wait," I blurted out before I could stop myself. "Why did you help me? What were you doing in the forest?"

For a moment, he seemed to hesitate, his features flickering with an emotion I couldn't quite place. But then, with a curt nod, he turned away, his posture rigid as he strode down the corridor without a backward glance.

I watched him go until he was out of sight and then as I stepped into my room and closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the pit of my stomach. Something about the Alpha Prince's actions didn't sit right with me.

But at least he saved me.

As I limped back to my room, my leg throbbing with pain, I sank onto the edge of my bed with a grimace. Every movement sent a jolt of agony through my body, and I couldn't help but curse my misfortune.

Just as I was beginning to contemplate how I would manage to tend to my injuries alone, a faint knock sounded at my door, interrupting my thoughts. With a furrowed brow, I asked, "Who is it?"

"The prince sent us to yiu, Miss Janelle," came the reply from the other side of the door.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise at the unexpected visitor. What could the Alpha Prince possibly want with me now?

"Okay, enter."

The door creaked open, and in walked a group of medics, their faces serious and focused as they took in the sight of me sitting on the bed, my leg cradled in my hands.

My brows furrowed even deeper.

"Miss Janelle, we're here on behalf of the Alpha Prince, he sent us go attend to your wound." one of them announced, stepping forward with a small medical kit in hand.

I blinked in disbelief at the mention of the Alpha Prince's name. Why would he send his medical team to tend to my injuries?

I gave te medic team a hesitant nod a hey approached me, begining to work on my leg.

The lead medic, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, offered me a reassuring smile as she knelt down beside me, her hands deftly examining my injured leg. I winced slightly as she probed the tender flesh, but her touch was gentle.

Meanwhile, the other members of the team busied themselves with unpacking their medical supplies. The medic began to clean and dress my wound.

My gaze kept shifting between them and the door, half-expecting the Alpha Prince to appear at any moment.

But he never did.

….

Two weeks had passed and my injury had begun healing. However, the alpha Prince had not made any effort to check on my progress. At all.

I figured that we were not entirely on bad terms anymore, being that he had helped me that night. And moreover, I hadn't thanked him yet.

I should.

So, I got up on my feet and made my way to the Alpha Prince's chambers, my heart pounding in my chest as I approached the imposing door.

As I raised my hand to knock, I halted — may the gods forbid that I saw him in the arms of another woman or I might lose it.

And then with a sigh, I laid a knock on the door, I waited anxiously for a response, my breath catching in my throat as the seconds ticked by. But there was no answer, no indication that anyone was inside.

Just as I was about to knock again, a guard nearby caught my eye, his expression stern as he approached.

"Is everything alright?" he inquired.

"I...I was just hoping to speak with the Alpha Prince," I replied.

The guard shook his head. "I'm afraid he's not around at the moment," he explained. "He is outside, in the garden having quiet time."

I nodded, "Thank you." And with that, I hurried to the garden. Pushing through the foliage, I spotted him sitting on a stone bench, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Alpha Prince," I called out, my voice wavering slightly with nerves. He turned his head away, refusing to meet my gaze.

"Please, I need to speak with you," I persisted, taking a step closer. But he remained silent, his jaw clenched with barely restrained anger.

Feeling a surge of frustration, I took another step forward, my hands trembling at my sides. "I won't leave until you listen to me," I insisted, my voice growing stronger with each word.

But still, he refused to acknowledge my presence, his expression unreadable as he stared off into the distance.

"Why did you save me from the bear trap?" I asked. For a moment, there was only silence as he remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Then, at last, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bear the pain," he admitted.

Surprised by his unexpected response, I took a cautious step closer, my heart pounding in my chest. "What pain?" I pressed.

But before I could utter another word, he cut me off with a dismissive gesture.

"It doesn't matter," he replied curtly, his tone final. "You should go."

Feeling a surge of frustration and disappointment, I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died on my lips as I realized the futility of arguing with him further.

With a heavy sigh, I turned away once more. As I walked away, I couldn't help but wonder about the pain he had alluded to.

And still, why had he saved me from the bear trap if he wanted nothing to do with me?

Lost in my thoughts, I wandered aimlessly through the garden and replayed the encounter in my mind.

I needed to know about the true meaning behind his cryptic words. Had he saved me out of genuine concern, or was there some ulterior motive driving his actions? And what did his pain have to do with me?