2. Tired and Bruised

[Erica]

She blinked several times to convince herself that these were indeed people and not just her hallucination. However, she felt extremely awkward with them kneeling like that. 

"Uh...can you not kneel like that? I mean, I am not a queen as you all are saying," she mumbled, shifting her weight from one foot to another. 

"You are a queen whether or not you have been officially crowned", Elias said cryptically, then he turned to the group and said authoritatively, "Rise". All of them rose at once. Erica swept a glance over them. There were people of her age as well as her grandfather's age, probably. Maybe older, who knows. One face, in particular, stood out. There was something familiar in his features or his eyes, but she couldn't recall why it felt so familiar. He appeared to be in his late 60s or early 70s. The man, too, was staring at her, but not curiously. His gaze contained surprise and maybe pride? However, Elias' voice distracted her from interpreting further.

"I have arranged a room for you. Would you like to rest before bombarding me with your queries or do you wish to start now?" Elias asked teasingly. Erica gave him a small smile, "Resting sounds wonderful". 

Elias returned her smile, "Alright then", his gaze landed on the same man at whom Erica was looking earlier, "Lucien, could you please show her to her room?" The man - Lucien seemed surprised at being addressed to so suddenly. He gave a jerky nod. Erica hesitated for a moment before following the man. 

The mansion was well kept despite its intimidating and foreboding outer look. The long corridor was well-lit but empty. They walked in silence for a while. When they came to a halt in front of a room, Erica mumbled, "Thanks," and was about to go inside when Lucien suddenly said, "I...well, I just wanted you to know that we are I mean all of us, here, are with you". 

His words sounded sincere, Erica nodded in acknowledgement, "I am thankful", Lucien nodded back before wishing her goodnight and walking away. Erica's gaze was trained on him as she wondered the reason behind such a jarring sense of familiarity. She shook her head and decided to not dwell on it too much and went inside the room. It was spacious and smelled of varnished wood. Except for a bed and a dresser, there wasn't anything else. She also noticed another door and guessed it to be the ensuite washroom. 

She dawdled for some time, unable to decide whether to freshen up or just go to bed, when she heard a knock on the door. When she opened the door, she saw a girl standing with a pile of clothes. She peered at Erica, "Uh...Elias said to give these to you," Erica took them from her. The girl hastily bowed before scurrying away, leaving Erica a little confounded. 

~~~~

Sleep evaded her. She stared blankly at the ceiling. The single window on the right did not let in any light. The dim night-lamp threw a soft glow on the ceiling, creating a net of shadow and light. Her thoughts turned towards her family, towards Xavier. What must they be thinking of her right now? That she is a traitor? She hoped that Tristan was alright. A lone tear rolls down and disappears into the pillow. Her throat constricts as she thinks about her mate. 

What if he hates her now? The thought itself was enough to make her gasp in pain. A broken sob slipped out of her mouth, fresh tears falling unhindered. She cried her heart out, her sorrow knowing no bounds. How did all this happen to her? For one selfish and vulnerable moment she blamed everyone, for changing her life, she blames Fate for making her life miserable and almost wishes that she had never gone to Ravenwood university. 

~*~*~

[Xavier]

"No sign of her in the nearby towns as well, Alpha," Arnold mumbled, his head bowed in submission. Xavier nodded wordlessly before dismissing him. His heart clenched painfully. His eyes felt dry and itchy, the prickly sensation behind them and the dull throbbing pain has been his companion ever since. 

They had brought back Tristan and Ava had almost fainted when she saw her mate. Thankfully, she was a strong woman who had recovered quickly and had immediately taken the task of rejuvenating her mate back to health. His mother had gone ballistic at her elder son's appearance. His father was constantly by Tristan's side, even though the latter is still unconscious. Everyone seemed happy, except for Xavier. He felt tired and bruised. Leikos had gone mum after he had transformed, probably mourning the loss. Everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells around him as if one wrong word, one wrong move will make him explode. 

That was the reason why he had locked himself up in the room. No one forced him to come out, and he was thankful for it. It had only been a day since the rejection. He did not wish to think about how the rest of them will be. Massaging his tired eyes, he leaned back against the headboard; the laptop propped open on his lap. He was about to reply to another mindless and unimportant email when he heard the sound of the door creak open. 

He looked up to find Mathilda enter with a food tray. She placed the tray on his desk and sat beside him, "Mom made your favourite dishes". 

"And that's supposed to me make me hungry?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Mathilda sighed, "Xav, I know how-"

"No, you don't. You don't have any idea how I feel right now," his voice trembled a little. He turned his gaze back to the screen, staring at it blankly. He felt his sister's hand on his forearm, "Xav, I did not mean it like that. I...everyone in this house is saddened by the turn of events. We cannot bear to see you like this".

Xavier chuckled humourlessly, "I don't think so". 

He cleared his throat to ease the dull pain, "When is her parents arriving?" He couldn't pronounce her name, take her name without letting the emotions crumble and wreck him. He swallowed thickly and looked at his sister. Mathilda looked at him, her gaze filled with sadness. 

"Today," she replied. Xavier nodded. 

Mathilda gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, "It's okay, Xav. It's okay to cry". Xavier returned her concerning look with a rueful one, "Wish I could". He wished he could, but no tears would come out of his eyes, no matter how hard he tried. It was as if these very emotions were eating him from inside out. 

Mathilda was about to say something when the door burst open. Arnold was panting. Mathilda was immediately by his side. He hurriedly said, "Alpha Tristan is awake, and he wants to meet you". 

***A/N***

Hi all, so this book is going to be updated thrice a week (3 chapters every week, that is).

Hope you enjoy reading. 

Asmita :)