Chapter 34: Don't Be Foolish
{"No matter what, promise me you'll live. Even without a purpose, you must live your life...okay? promise me that."}
Who's that? My eyes wandered to my surroundings. It was vague and sullen. Then I realized I was back at the house that I was very familiar with in the past.
As I turned around, I finally saw myself as a child and my diseased mother beside her.
{"If I promise, would you be okay?"} the child sobs. {"I'm sorry mom, I can only heal physical wounds."}
{"Don't worry. Mommy would be at peace. If you promise me, I'll promise you I'll always watch over you."}
{"Okay, I promise."}
Raising my palms, I confusedly gazed at it. I still couldn't believe that I was dreaming. How long was it since I last dreamt so vividly like this?
To my surprise, words that I hadn't even heard before echoed around my ears. A forgotten statement that she had long told me before.
With grief evident plastered on her face, she sobs. {"Venus... forgive me. If i had known such cruel fate awaits you. Then I shouldn't have wished for your life."}
What is she talking about? I don't understand. My mother's cries even became violent as she caressed me around her arms. Everything around us started to blur, my mother was saying something, but I couldn't hear it. All I could see was how my child self quivered in fear.
Why did i looked so scared?
Yet before everything could disappear, my mother's eyes met mine. She says as she spits blood, {"Please... don't ever fall in love, my child. It's for your own good."}
"Venus!"
As soon as i heard my name, my body automatically defended itself. I grabbed his collar before slamming him down the bed, I growled viciously and placed a dagger against his neck. "Who are you?!"
"It's me." He whispers carefully. "Are you blind?"
There's no one else who has this kind of voice, so Derek's voice came into mind, and when my vision finally adjusted to the dim light, i was able to confirm it.
I pulled the dagger away, "Derek? What are you... doing in my room?"
"First... could you get off me?" He coughs uncomfortably.
Doing what he said, I got off him and settled beside the edge of the bed. There, I hid the dagger once again. I looked at the clock, and it was only 3 am in the morning. He said to wake up by two hours from
now.
Isn't he too early to be awake?
"I'll ask again, what are you doing in my room Derek? Is this some sort of seduction strategy?"
He sat up, "Stop joking. Are you alright?"
"What do you mean? Why wouldn't I be alright?"
He stares at me. The long awkward silence started to surround us. Neither of us spoke. Only his gaze filled with worry gave context to why he was here.
I frowned, "Did i... do something weird?"
Surprisingly, he took my hand to his and showed it to me. My eyes widened, my hand was shaking uncontrollably. The remnants of fear surrounding it- but me? Fear? That couldn't be it.
Then I remembered the dream that I had. The child was also shaking like this.
I pulled my hand back, "It's nothing to be worried about. This is nothing."
As if he didn't hear me, he pulled my hand again and this time, the back of his hand gently rubbed against the sides of my face. I didn't understand why he did that, but as I felt something wet between his touch, I realized that it was tears.
He was wiping off my tears.
"How is this nothing? What kind of nightmare did you see to look his vulnerable?"
What kind of sorcery is this? How did I even cry when I couldn't feel it? There's was no other answer than to blame the weak kid in my dreams.
"N...No. This wasn't me. It was that child-"
He pulls me into a hug, his hand gently patting on my back. I couldn't explain what I was feeling, but I knew that it was a moment that I shouldn't complain about. His touch was enough as my essence started to come through me once again.
"Do you know how surprised I was?
You were screaming in your sleep. You wouldn't wake up no matter
what I did. If you hadn't woken up et
from the nightmare, I would've, called a witch to pull you from that situation." He says, his voice Vibrating as my ears were securely resting on his firm chest.
Me? Screaming? How ridiculous is that?
I stayed silent.
"Just in case, i called a witch to inspect you right now. She should be coming in any minute now."
I gasped. He called a witch?! Though
I never encountered any witches in
my entire life, I knew how
knowledgeable they can be. What if they're immune to my mother's artifact? If they see through my facade, they'll report me to Derek! After all, mother was also a witch.
I pulled away, "No! I don't want a witch! I'm fine now, aren't I?"
He pulls me back again, "Stop moving around. Can't you see that you're still shaking?"
I groaned in irritation, "If you don't withdraw your order to that witch, i'll claw your face."
He chuckles, though I couldn't see the stupid grin on his face since he was hugging me too securely in his arms. He says, "Fine. I'll withdraw it, is this treatment more than enough for you?"
I nodded.
"Good girl, then I won't call for a witch anymore."
I sighed in relief. Fortunately, Derek was in a good mood not to suspect me. It was obvious that he enjoyed staying at this position, so I just went along with him.
I asked, "You're not angry anymore?"
Look at him being so considerate. After our little fight yesterday who knew he'll accept defeat so easily like this? He's an alpha, so shouldn't he be more overbearing?
He let out a sigh, "I want to be angrier. Maybe that way you'll listen to me. But I can't help it when you're in this condition, I don't care anymore."
"You're weird,"
"Why?"
"For someone who hated me so much in the past, don't you find it ridiculous that you're suddenly so warm like this? You said you don't trust me, but you don't act like it. Did I mistake your character? Were you usually so foolish like this?"
It was concerning. Derek was changing differently from what I had expected. I didn't think that he'd give in to my plans so easily. I didn't have to beg him to touch me anymore. It's like he needed it more than I
did.
"Don't you want me to be foolish?"
"No," I replied sternly, "You shouldn't lower your guard down. Don't trust others so easily. You lead a pack. Being an alpha is a great responsibility, so don't take it lightly."
Why? I frowned. Why am I telling him not to trust me? To think the foolish one was actually me, I did everything in my power so that my plan could work, yet why does it all feel so wrong?☐☐