Inhaling the deep country air, I was grateful for the cool breeze that tousled my hair and the soothing calm sounds from swaying stalks of wheat as they danced to the wind.
Breathing in, I let my mind wander off to Emily. It had been weeks since I'd seen her last, my brows furrowed as I remembered my promise to myself. Silently cursing, I wiped my forehead with my palms and sighed.
I had little knowledge about her health status at the moment. It was one of those things Emily didn't like talking about, and because of that, she promised me not to ask about it except when we met face to face.
Slouching against my seat, I stared up at the white ceiling, wondering what was taking the doctor so long. I'd arrived at home about two minutes ago and was told I couldn't see Emily right away because she was being examined.
Trying to reduce my restlessness, which was a result of so many things, but one in particular, my dad's order for me to leave Emily...it was impossible, what he was asking for. Because of that, I'd made special arrangements for her to be brought to my house in the countryside, away from his many eyes.
My dad's threat still continued to live rent-free in my mind, but I managed to push it aside. As serious as he sounded, I didn't really think he meant most of what he said. It had to be a spur-of-the-moment talk. He wanted me to leave Emily, and that was asking for the impossible, especially now that her health condition was gradually worsening.
Shuffling my feet, a low sigh escaped my lips while my thoughts continued to roam about. My father was a tough man on the outside, but on the inside, he wasn't as tough. I hoped he would change his mind. He cared too much for the pack to make any rash decisions.
As the door opened, I sat up immediately as my eyes fell on Dr. Fisher in the distance, a file in his left hand and a stethoscope dangling around his neck as he walked towards me hurriedly in his usual fashion.
"Good day, Mason," he said, his tired eyes looking up at me.
I answered his greeting with a nod. "How's she?" I asked.
He let out a sigh and adjusted his glasses. "She's quite okay. You just need to keep a close eye on her. Take good care of her. If her mind is at ease, so would her body."
"Are you sure? No major things we should be concerned about?" I asked, almost not believing my ears. To be honest, I felt relieved.
"No, not at all. I've told her everything she has to do," was his simple reply.
"I'm positively sure. If you'll excuse me, I have to attend to other patients. See you around, Mason." Dr. Fisher patted my back before walking away.
Running my hands through my hair, I headed towards the door. Emily was one strange person. She'd never let me send the royal doctor to check up on her. We'd even had several rows on various occasions when I mentioned the services of the royal doctor. She preferred her family doctor to treat her.
My hands slowly turned the doorknob quietly, just in case she was asleep. She wasn't asleep; she looked very much awake, but her face was pale. She smiled weakly when she saw me, her blue eyes sparkling when she did so.
"Hello, stranger," Emily said, her eyes still holding their usual mischievous expression.
"Hey, goddess." I smiled, bending down my head. I placed a kiss on her lips and then on her forehead.
"Where have you been?" Emily pulled herself into a sitting position, a stack of pillows propping her slender frame.
"To my dad's," I found myself saying. I didn't want her to know; I don't know why I told her, but as soon as I did, I regretted it.
"Oh," she mouthed. "Did you meet the doctor?"
"Yes," I said dryly, hoping she wouldn't begin one of her long talks about her doctor's efficiency and how he was better than the royal doctor. It was one of those things I secretly agreed with her about; something about the whole pack knowing about her health condition once the royal doctor started attending to her.
"You really didn't have to, you know," she said icily, her hands now folded under her breasts. She was now upset that I'd insisted her doctor perform a checkup on her.
"Not everything has to go your way," I deadpanned.
"You know I don't want everyone knowing about me. I don't want their pity party or snide comments, but thankfully you had the sense to follow my wish... partially." She looked cross as she glared at me.
"They'll know at some point. Besides, the doctor said you'll be okay, that I just need to keep a close eye on you. Besides, you're my responsibility, and I'll do what is best for you."
Her face softened, and she made a small whimpering sound. "You already have a lot on your shoulders, Adrian. You have the pack to bother about and now your dad. Really, I'm fine." A light squeeze on my hand from her was enough to tell me she didn't mind.
Looking at her veiny hands, I knew her demand was impossible. I couldn't bring myself to put her at the end of my priorities.
"Look, Emily, I've not been there for you lately like I should, so don't come at me with this martyr shit. If I'm not here for you, then what good am I?" I wondered aloud.
Looking straight into her eyes, she looked away. Her face was pulled into a frown I chose to ignore. This time, I squeezed her hand. I was about to tell her I loved her when my phone beeped.
"One second." Checking my screen, the bright light showed "message from Reynold" four times. Rolling my eyes, I looked back at Emily, who was staring expectantly at me. Reynold never texted me more than twice, making me wonder what could be so urgent.
Tapping on the first message, I felt my chest tighten, my heart beating wildly as my palm began to sweat, my eyes wide open as I stared at my phone in horror. A dead body followed with "We found her."
Shit!