Chapter 2: Lies
Vida's POV
“You weren’t supposed to survive last night, you should be grateful and stay away from Akira.”
My blood ran cold, as his words hit me and I hated his tone and who the heck is he to tell me what to do.
“What do you mean I wasn’t supposed to survive? And who the heck are you to tell me what to do? You don't own Akira nor do you own me to push me around.” I snapped at him, my voice cracking under the weight of confusion, dread, and anger. My fingers clutched the edge of the wall to steady myself as the nurse backed out of the room, clearly wanting to be anywhere but not here. Something was fishy because I know that nurse wanted to say something before her eyes flickered white, she is a werewolf I guess.
Meredith didn’t move. His jaw clenched, and his eyes darted to the doorway, as if he were debating whether to answer or flee and I could see his eyes were on Austin.
"Answer me and don't you dare mindlink in front of me," I snapped at the both of them, Austin tried to hold me, as my legs was almost giving me away but Meredith grip me, to steady me, pulling me from Austin, as he try to bring me back to the bed, I pushed him away.
"Stay the fuck away, I am not some handicapped," I heard Austin chortle, my eyes snapped to him, while Meredith glared at him.
"I didn't say you are one and I really don't..."
“Oh please, I am not asking you to care about me,” I snapped, pushing his hand off me completely. “Tell me what’s going on. Where’s Akira? What happened to her and the Alpha?” he takes a step back still not answering me, "Austin..." I called suddenly and the young man's eyes went to me, looking confused. "Can you tell me what is going on, if this punk of a beta wouldn't?"
Austin parted his lips before he shook his head, "I am sorry but it's not my story to tell, I think Meredith is in a better position to do that." Saying that he turned and left the room without saying a word.
"Go on..."
His gaze finally met mine, and this time, he didn’t look indifferent, he looked haunted. “There was an ambush,” he muttered. “Last night in the woods. You were targeted. Not her. You.”
My brows furrowed, that wasn't what my memory was telling me, although I didn't remember anything apart from the fact that, Akira was in danger, I didn't think anyone would target me. “What? Why? That doesn’t make sense. I’m no one important. I am just some ordinary orphan human girl.”
He shook his head. “Someone knew what you are...”
“What am I?” I repeated, heart pounding. “I’m the best friend to your future Luna and the Shan princess, I have nothing, while would anyone want to target me?”
“Exactly,” he said bitterly. “That’s what we all thought. But you survived a binding spell, a rogue attack, and a hit that killed you. You woke up miraculously… and here you are still asking dumb questions.”
I stilled. My breath caught.
Killed me...
Did I die?
But if I died how did I wake up?
Nothing makes sense, something in me just can't believe what this man is saying, I stare at him.
"You don't believe me?" He asked still having that stoic expression.
"Why would I believe you when you just lied about the mate Bond that I felt nothing which only you claimed you felt? How am I sure you are not tricking me?"
"Stop being dramatic, I didn't lie to you."
"Then why aren't you looking at me when you cook up this story?" His eyes snapped to me with a surprised rake of his eyes, before he lowered his eyes. "It's obvious you are lying, aren't you?" I taunted, his breath became unstable and his gaze didn't behold mine, "just..."
He interrupted me, "If you think I am lying then you should ask Akira..." He point to Akira that was been pushed here by Roe, she was in a wheelchair but I think she is fine, because she looks health but the expression on her face was that of shock, like she was put on the spot and Meredith turned to Akira backing me, "Luna Akira, tell your friend what happened to her?"
Akira's eyes bulged, staring at Meredith, that look on Akira's face was enough to show that she was surprised and whatever she was going to say was all a lie. "Akira ignore him, tell me are you okay?" I ask, she nods, while her tears drop. "What is it? You can tell me, is Wolfie fine?" She nodded as well, "and the..." My eyes fell to her tummy, without asking she nodded again, and I wondered what was making her sad. "Everyone is okay then why are you sad? Do you also believe that I died yesterday? He said I died but here I am so don't cry." I raised my hand and wiped the tears falling from her eyes, while she held my hand.
"It's all my fault..." her voice breaking.
"Stop talking nonsense, you did nothing wrong and you shouldn't believe this man, he kept talking nonsense that I was attacked by a rogue, it was you who was in danger not me, and.."
"I am sorry..." Her voice came out weak, her hands were trembling, and she opened her mouth but nothing came out. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated, her voice barely above a breath. “I… I didn’t know how to tell you.”
I leaned in, worry etched on her face. “Tell me what?”
A thousand thoughts crashed through my mind, but none sounded right, none made sense.
She blinked back her tears, forcing a shaky smile as she took my hand. “I shouldn’t have called you,” Akira whispered, grabbing my arms and intertwining her fingers with mine, as she pressed kisses on them, “all of these wouldn't have happened if...” she paused as her sob turned into hiccups, I stared at her confused, as Roe caressed her hair.
“You are not making sense Akira," My voice trembled, as fear began to crawl into me but I forced myself to keep going. “Whatever this is, we can fight it. We always fight together.”
Akira smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “But we’re not together anymore. Something changed three nights ago. You gave up something… and I got something in return.”
My brows furrow. “What did I give up?”
"Akira..." Meredith called clearing his throat, his voice cold, snapping Akira to look at him before she lowered her gaze.
"Whatever Meredith told you was the truth, you got into trouble because..." She paused, before pulling me into a hug. "I am glad you are safe, I am happy that you are still here..."
"And the tears?" I asked.
"Tears of joy..." she mouthed pressing soft kisses on the back of my palm that was intertwined with hers. "I am sorry..."
Akira always acted like this when she was lying and something was troubling her.
It was a lie. One that was not carefully chosen.
This man should have chosen someone else to lie for him, I know he wanted me to believe whatever he is saying but the truth his, asking Akira for help was the worst mistake.
I frowned, confusion flickering in my eyes. “Are you sure? I felt..”
“I’m sure,” she cut in too quickly, guilt piercing through her words like glass. “Please. Just rest.”
She looked away, unable to meet my eyes she had always been honest with me. Each apology she had muttered before the lie now rang hollow in my ears.
I turned my gaze to Meredith, he was still not looking at me, his eyes were everywhere but not on me, this bloody monster of a man is turning my friend against me, he is making my friend lie to me but what are they hiding, "Vida..." Roe's voice snapped my gaze from Meredith, I let out a forced smile even though he is the man, I wanted to see, "How are you?"
"I am fine now, I think I am ready to go back to work..." My words stop when my phone pings, "excuse me..." I grabbed and read, the message, It was a message from the HR department, my nostrils flared as my jaw tightened. I glared at Meredith. "This is your doing right?" I threw my phone to him, he was fast enough to catch it, "I hate you with everything within me..."