Chapter 13
Lina's POV
For a moment, I genuinely thought my ears were playing tricks on me.
"What?" I asked slowly, blinking at her. "What do you mean by that?"
She stiffened immediately, like she hadn't meant to say it out loud. Her eyes widened just slightly before she looked away from me, her fingers curling into the fabric of her torn clothes.
"Who's your mistress?" I asked again, my voice more careful this time. Wolves weren't supposed to smell alike unless they were connected somehow, so I found what she just said to be impossible..she must be mistaken..
"My mistress is…" she started, then stopped. Her lips parted, then pressed together tightly. I could almost see the battle going on inside her head. "I can't say now."
She lifted her gaze again, and when she spoke, her voice was softer and more sincere. "But I truly am grateful you saved me. I don't know how to explain it properly, but… thank you." She hesitated, then added, "How can I repay you?"
I let out a short breath. "You don't have to repay me. I didn't do it for that."
She looked relieved, and equally greaful..
"What pack are you from?" I asked, wanting to know more of how she'd ended up in this situation. "Who were those wolves chasing you? And why?"
She didn't answer immediately. She sat down slowly on a nearby rock, leaning to relax against it..then she sighed tiredly.
"They're from the Banewolf pack," she said finally. "That's also where I come from."
Banewolf pack. I'd heard some things about them, their pack was a lot more chaotic compared to ours. And a lot bigger and stronger too. The dark witches came from there, which was the reason they were most feared and respected among all the packs.
"I was framed," she continued in a strained voice. "Wrongly accused and imprisoned for something I didn't do." Her hands clenched on her lap. "My mistress was poisoned. She fell into a coma not long after."
Damn, that was a lot.
"I escaped because I had no choice," she continued. "I need to find the antidote. That's the only way to save her… and the only way I can prove my innocence."
I studied her face closely. I could sense fear, but also determination. She wasn't lying, and I could tell was really loyal too.
"You're a dark witch," I said after a moment. "How were those wolves able to overpower you?"
Her shoulders tensed a moment, like she was surprised I knew she was a dark witch, but then they relaxed. "My powers were sealed," she admitted quietly. "A long time ago."
I stiffened. "Sealed?" I echoed. "Who would even be able to do that? And why?"
She stood up abruptly, clearly uncomfortable with where the conversation was heading. "It's nothing."
"That doesn't sound like nothing," I said, my voice sharper than I intended.
She winced slightly, then took a slow breath. "I really need to go," she said. "My mistress doesn't have much time left."
"But you're barely standing," I protested, stepping closer. "You can't just leave like this."
She shook her head. "I'll be fine. Truly. Don't worry about me." Then, almost as if she felt the need to explain herself, she added, "Even though my dark powers are sealed, I still have my witch abilities. I can manage from here."
I wanted to persist, afraid she might end up in the hands of those wolves again, but I didn't want to seem weird and intruding...so I just sighed, my shoulders dropping. "Fine," I said reluctantly.
She hesitated, then looked at me again. "Can I know your name?" she asked. "Fate has a strange way of bringing people back together. We might make again."
I snorted lightly. "You really believe that?"
She smiled faintly. "I do."
"Lina," I said. "That's my name."
Her eyes lit up slightly. "Rosalie," she replied. "That's mine."
She studied me again, slower this time, like she was trying to memorize my face.
"I still can't get over how similar you are to my mistress," Rosalie said. "It's almost unsettling. it feels like you could be sisters."
I let out a dry laugh, that was impossible. "No chance. I already have a sister." My tone darkened unintentionally. "Although I wouldn't really call her that.
Rosalie noticed. I could tell from the way her expression softened.
She stepped forward suddenly and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug.
I froze at first, surprised by the sudden closeness, then slowly relaxed. She smelled like blood, herbs, and something faintly familiar I couldn't place. It was the first time in so long I'd been hugged this way, my eyes almost teared up.
"It was nice meeting you, Lina," she said sincerely.
She pulled back, then leaned in slightly and sniffed my hair again, her brows furrowing deeply like she was trying to confirm something. I smiled as her watched her amused expression, she was beautiful.
"It's really just a coincidence." I said with a soft chuckle. "I've lived here my whole life with my parents."
"Alright then...but if you ever need help," she said, "come find me at the Banewolf pack. I hope I would've proven my innocence by then. My mistress would gladly welcome you.
She hesitated, then added quietly, "I can tell you're not treated well in this pack."
Her eyes widened immediately after, afraid I might be offended she brought that up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
"It's fine," I interrupted, giving her a small, tired smile. "You're not wrong."
We talked a bit, and she finally bid farewell and left. As soon as she did, the emptiness and loneliness I previously felt came rushing back.
Shaking my head, I finally turned back toward the palace.
By the time I reached my room, my legs ached and my mind felt heavy. I was about to push the door open when I noticed it wasn't fully closed.
My heart skipped. Had someone come in while I was away?
I rushed inside, but stopped short when I saw who it was.
Vivian was sitting on my bed, her legs crossed as she leaned backwards, looking completely nonchalant. Till now, I still wonder...how a teenager could carry such charisma. She was effortlessly charming but also equally evil.
"What the hell are you doing in my room?" I requested coldly.
She didn't look surprised to see me. It was obvious she'd been waiting for me.
"Oh," she said lazily, "You're finally here...I've been waiting for you,Big sis." The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know. She was here for trouble.