Lydia's POV
"Ah!" I shouted in pain and crouched down, looking at my bleeding foot, the pain biting. I raised my head and looked at the woman, who looked like she was in her thirties, and she glared at me.
"Can't you see properly?" she spoke in anger, causing me to stare at her in awe. She's the one who's faulty, yet she wants to pin it on me.
"Clean this mess!" she commanded, and I glared at her angrily. She didn't look normal at all I guessed she used some kind of magic, because why would the tray suddenly shock me like I touched a naked wire?
"What is wrong?" Pack Hand 3 walked towards us and asked, looking at my pitiable state.
"She threw the tray on the floor, saying she won't serve meals," the woman lied, earning gasps from the other girls around. She glared at them, causing them to look away in fear.
"Ma'am, I didn't do such a thing. How can I do something that'll hurt me?" I defended myself. But the saying 'a slave cannot be right when their master says they're wrong' just took over as the Pack Hand gave me a deep stare. Seeing her like that, I could sense disbelief in her gaze, which made me lower my head in anger. I closed my eyes, trying to do something stupid, but Delia interfered, her voice calm and soothing.
"Lydia, don't… the outcome will be bad." I rolled my eyes at her words.
"Stay out of this, don't lecture me. This is my body, not yours," I muttered under my breath and raised my head, only to meet the woman's face. It held a light grin that disappeared before I could even think of anything , like she never did it.
"Help her out," Pack Hand 3 gave an order to the two girls who were close to me, and they assisted me to the clinic, where my leg was disinfected and bandaged with a clean cloth.
The same woman who told me about the blood shock was the one who tended to my wounds, but she spoke no word to me, making everything strange for me.
"I-I…" I wanted to talk, but she cut me off.
"You have to be careful," she spoke, her face expressionless. "The chef that attacked you is a hybrid witch," she added and sat close to me. I sighed. What have I done to receive ill treatment, huh? Some people are just cruel, I muttered under my breath in frustration.
"Remember I told you not to tell anyone about the blood shock?" she asked, looking at me strangely, which gave me chills, and then she laughed.
"Don't be scared, it's just for your safety," she added as a small smile tugged at her lips.
"But I didn't tell anyone about it. Why is she attacking me?" I raised my brow in question and sighed.
"I guess she sensed something in you," she spoke, her tone serious, and then she looked around, checking if no one was watching, before removing a shiny necklace from her cloth and handing it over to me.
"Wear this for the meantime to disguise your inner wolf from being checked by any witch in the pack," she said with seriousness. But I was scared. Can I even trust this woman? She behaves strangely and wants me to take something from her?
What if she's the true villain after me? Thousands of questions popped into my head. I took a look at the necklace, which had a tiny heart-shaped pendant, almost unnoticeable. It glowed crimson for a while before stopping.
"Sorry, I don't think I can take this," I said with an awkward smile, handing it back to the woman. Immediately, her face turned sour. She gave me a threatening look, her gaze fierce like I'd be ripped apart if she kept looking at me like that for long.
I smiled awkwardly and took the necklace from her hand. "I-I think I'll take it back," I spoke, coupled with a weird laugh, and she smiled devilishly.
"Good, now wear it," she spoke in a commanding tone. I was hesitant, but her scary gaze landed on me and, like I was being compelled, I put the necklace on. I felt a light discomfort on my neck for some seconds before everything became normal. I touched my neck, trying to find the necklace, but it wasn't there anymore.
"What?" I exclaimed in surprise, looking at her as she smiled.
"The necklace is now part of you," she spoke with a smile.
"You can go now. I promise you will be safe," she reassured me, and I had to act like I believed her. She waved her hand, sending me off. I limped outside the clinic, still touching my neck, and I saw Felisha.
"Hey!" she spoke and helped me lean on her shoulder. "I am sorry you're going through all these things," she added, taking all the blame like she orchestrated everything, making me laugh.
"You don't have to be sorry, Felisha. I guess fate is just not on my side," I replied, clearly frustrated.
"Don't be sad, everything will be okay," she reassured me, and I nodded in reply.
"Let me take you somewhere," she said, and I nodded. She assisted me to a lonely place filled with flowers, and the environment was serene and soothing. We both sat under the tree for some minutes without talking, only enjoying the atmosphere.
"Lydia…" she called. This time I was a bit shocked, because she called me by my name instead of adding the sickening 'obryn' title to it. Looking at her, I noticed her eyes were teary, making me surprised.
"Are you okay?" I asked in concern.
"No…" she said, her tears now falling freely.
"What's wrong?" I asked again, feeling sad for her.
"They killed them…" she started, her voice tremulous. "They killed my family," she added, causing me to gasp in surprise. A tear slid down my eyes as the fear of losing my own family came upon me. I don't know where my mother and sister are, or even if they are alive.
"I am so sorry for that," I spoke and pulled her into an embrace. She sobbed in my arms for a while before calming down.
"L-Lydia, you are my only family now," she spoke. I could clearly see the pain in her eyes.
"I am here for you," I said, comforting her, and she smiled, making me feel better.
"About your mother and sister…" she started and looked at me.
"How about them?" I asked, my heart racing.
"I think they are alive," she spoke, and I sighed in relief. I was happy, but I didn't show it much so she wouldn't feel bad.
"Lydia… let's look out for each other, okay?" she said, and I nodded in agreement. I think she can address me by my name when we are alone so that it won't attract punishment.
We went quiet for a while before we heard footsteps on the leaves, and we both turned toward the direction, only to find a handsome guy in a soldier uniform looking blankly at us. At first, I found it strange, but when I observed, I realized he was looking at Felisha.
"What's wrong with him?"
I asked Felisha, and then I heard an unexpected word from the guy's mouth.
"Mate."