Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Daisy
When I open my eyes, I stare up at the ceiling. “…” I don’t register where I am but I know that I failed. I touch one of my wrists and can feel the scar I left but it had long healed.
‘Hey there, Daisy. I hear Naomi’s voice in my head but I don’t respond. ‘I’m glad you’re awake! I was so worried about you!’ I feel a pang of guilt when she says this.
“I’m sorry…” I whisper and close my eyes again. I still feel dreadful mentally and physically. “I’m so sorry… I’m so useless…” I tremble and curl up. I never realized how depressed I was until Jim dismissed me. I felt that it was my only way out at the time. I didn’t think of Naomi.
‘Hey now! You’re not useless at all. Naomi tells me in a firm tone. ‘You were beaten down so much and you finally snapped. We’re out of that place now so you don’t have to worry.
I feel relieved but only for a second. “Wait… then where are we?” Panic makes my heart pound in my chest. “Naomi what did you…?” Suddenly I feel my stomach twist and I gag.
I stand up and stumble over to a bathroom just to throw up. I groan faintly and continue until I’m dry-heaving. I assume that my nerves finally got to me. Then I knock on the door. “Hey… are you ok in there?” An unfamiliar voice calls out.
My heart stops and I freeze. It was a man’s voice. My skin crawls and I start to shake. Who is that? ‘Daisy, it’s ok!’ Naomi reassures me but I’m still shaking. Where am I? Am I even safe?!
The presence in front of the door doesn’t leave. Naomi coaxes me more and finally I stand up and go over to it. I tremble as I crack the door open and peek out. A man with dark red hair stands at the door with a look of concern in his blue eyes. “W- who are you?”
He clears his throat and offers a small smile. “It’s Aiden… I met your wolf Naomi yesterday.” Yesterday? How long was I out for anyway? “You must be Daisy… are you alright? I heard you throwing up in there.”
I swallow hard and lower my eyes out of instinct. “Y-yeah… b-but why am I…?” I tense as his scent reaches
my nose and my heart pounds in my chest. I know this feeling well… I look up at him again. “Mate…” I whisper and fear runs through me. No… not again! I can’t go through this again. “P-please don’t…” I try and shut the door but he stops me with his foot.
Aiden clears his throat again and speaks. “I, Aiden Rivers, Alpha of Crimson Moon pack…” No! Not again! Why another Alpha? I whimper and brace myself for the rejection pain. “… accept you, Daisy, as my mate and Luna.”
I pause and stare at him blankly. He accepts me? A useless Omega? I let go of the door without realizing and it opens all the way but Aiden doesn’t move. Instead, he takes a step back and smiles warmly. Is this a dream? How can this be? “R-really? Y- you don’t… you don’t reject me?” I stammer out in a faint whisper.
Aiden’s eyes soften and he shakes his head. “I will never reject you. I’m willing to wait until you accept me too, Daisy.” He holds out a hand to me and I flinch expecting a hit but it never comes. “I wish to love you and be the best mate I can be. You’re my second chance as well, Daisy.”
What? I watch him and feel like I’m shaking like a leaf. I’m his second chance mate too? Why? “I-I am? W-what happened…?” I speak without thinking and pale when his smile fades. A flash of grief makes me feel guilty and I stammer, “N-no. You don’t… I’m sorry…”
Aiden smiles gently and I watch those kind eyes. This is more than I deserve. Am I dreaming? “I’ll tell you when I’m ready… but just know that I’ve been waiting to meet you for a long time. Now… is it alright if I call for someone? I want to make sure you’re not sick.”
How can someone be so kind? No one other than the other Omegas has treated me this way before. I hesitate and look at his hand. Never once has he taken it back and he keeps that kind smile on his face. Finally, I reach out and take it. It’s so warm…
“O-ok…” I finally ask and look up at him. He’s so much taller than me.
1/2
“Let me take you downstairs,” Aiden says sounding relieved, and leads the way. I take in my surroundings and this house to be well… homey. It wasn’t over or under-decorated and everything is placed with care.
Once we get into the living room, he sits in a chair after I take the couch. I bring my knees to my chest and stay still. Feeling eyes on me, I look over to Aiden and see worry written all over his face. I look back down quickly and sigh.
I’ll be fine right? I mean I don’t feel anything wrong with me… I jump hearing a knock on the door and Aiden goes to answer. When he comes back, a woman is behind him. She has light brown hair and gray eyes.
“Hello there, miss. My name is Olivia and I’m going to check you over. Is that ok with you?” She asks calmly. She must be the pack doctor here. I hesitate before nodding shyly. She smiles and walks over.
After a long list of questions, Olivia feels my pulse and concern appears on my face. She looks at Aiden and then at me. “It appears that you’re pregnant, miss. Do you know how long?”
My ears start to ring and I feel my breathing quicken. No… no way… I can’t be pregnant! Aiden rushes over to my side. “Daisy? Daisy!” He pulls me into a hug and I cry out. He keeps me close as I squirm and at first, I panic not knowing why he’s doing this.
‘Daisy! Take in his scent! Calm down!’ Naomi instructs me and I whimper fearfully. She continues to coax me as I start to breathe in Aiden’s scent. It reminds me of oak and coconut. I feel myself start to calm and I lean into him feeling safe.
I stay silent and hear Aiden explaining something to Olivia. “She was abused and raped in her last pack. That’s why she’s panicking. Are you sure she’s pregnant?” I vaguely hear Olivia, but I tune her out focusing completely on Aiden.
Is it true? Am I really pregnant? Tears run down my cheeks slowly. I don’t even know who the father is. Should I keep it? Will I be able to love it? I don’t even know how long it’s been since that day.
Something else makes my tears turn into sobs. What if Aiden hates me now that he knows I’m ruined? What if this makes him reject me instead? He holds me close while I cry into his chest and hums soothingly. I don’t want to be hated anymore. I just want to be loved for once. Please don’t let this ruin everything!
