Chapter 57: The Alpha King Sent Me To Prepare You For The Wedding Ceremony
Iris’s POV
Ever since Dr. Becky gave me that injection, all I did was sleep, sleep, and sleep. It was as if my body had been pulled into some forceful slumber, as if my limbs were weighed down by an invisible force. As my eyelids fluttered open, my head throbbed, a dull pulse at my temples, and my mouth felt dry, so dry that I needed to drink some water. I blinked, trying to steady my vision when suddenly my gaze landed on a woman seated beside my bed. She was perched on a cushioned chair, she looked tense, as if she’d been waiting for hours, not knowing I’d woken up.
She was stunning. Her dress spoke like luxury, as if she looked like royalty. A silver necklace that looked expensive adorned her neck too. Her hair cascaded on chestnut waves as it swept over one shoulder, and suddenly, she turned to me, her eyes were now onto mine the moment she noticed I was awake.
"Oh my child," she exclaimed worriedly, her voice feeling with anguish. She leaned forward. "Oh, sweetheart, you’re awake. I’ve been so worried. I thought..." Her voice broke, and she pressed a hand to her mouth, as if to hold back a sob. "I thought since I lost your father. I would lose you, too."
I stared at her, my mind sluggish, trying to piece together her words. My child? Her face was unfamiliar. I propped myself up on my elbows, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my side. The room spun briefly before settling. I studied her more closely and she looked like a queen, or at least the wife of someone powerful, maybe an Alpha’s mate, perhaps. Her attire screamed authority. As I tried to make sense of her words.
"Who... who are you?" I asked, my voice raspy, barely above a whisper as I let out a soft cough.
Her face softened. She reached out, placing a hand on mine. I’m your mother, Iris. I came as soon as the alpha king informed me about the fall." she said gently. "I know you don’t remember me. Not yet. But you will, in time. Your memories... they’ll come back."
My mother? The words hit me. I wanted to ask questions, but my mind was too foggy to form the words. My lips felt weak to move too but suddenly, her gaze landed on my wrist, on the black rope tied around my wrist. And immediately, her expression shifted, her lips parted slightly, her brows knitting together in irritation. "Where did you get that?" Her words came with outburst. She leaned closer, her eyes fixed on the bracelet as if it were a threat. "You shouldn’t be wearing that. It’s not... it’s not safe."
"What do you mean? It’s just a bracelet. Besides, Amelia said you gave it to us."
"Amelia?" She shook her head in disapproval, her movements quick. "No, Iris. You need to take it off." Before I could protest, she reached for my wrist, her fingers deftly working at the knot, loosening the rope. The bracelet loosened and fell into her palm, and she tucked it into the folds of her gown instantly.
Had that maid, Amelia, lied to me?
I opened my mouth to speak, but she was already moving, reaching into a small leather bag at her feet. She pulled out a glass little bottle filled with a dark liquid. I watched as she poured a small amount into a glass cup on the bedside table. "Drink this," she said.
"It’ll help you recover. You need your strength. It’s a herb."
I stared at it warily, my stomach twisting with unease. "What is it?" I asked, my voice still weak, my body too tired to resist fully.
"It’s medicine," she said, her tone softening as she offered me a reassuring smile.
"Something to help your brain heal faster. You’ve been through so much, my child. This will make you feel better, I promise."
I hesitated, my instincts screaming to push the glass away, but her eyes held mine, filled with a mother’s conviction. I didn’t want to trust her, not anyone, not when I can’t remember my past but the motherly conviction of her gaze, the way she looked at me like I was her entire world, made it hard to refuse. Reluctantly, I let her bring the glass to my lips. The liquid was cold and bitter as I swallowed. It burned slightly as it slid down my throat. I grimaced, coughing as a result of the aftertaste.
"Good girl," she murmured, setting the glass down with a satisfied nod. She brushed a strand of hair from my face, cupping my cheek for a moment longer than necessary.
"You need to get well soon, Iris. The pack is counting on you. And the triplets... your mates" Her voice softened, a wistful smile curving her lips. "They’re the heart of every woman in this pack, you know. Cade, Zane, Kael, they’re strong and everything a mate should be. I’m so glad you’ll have them to yourself."
My heart stuttered at her words. The triplets? Their names conjured images of them in my head and the names sounded quite familiar but I couldn’t actually remember anything. And the thought of marrying them felt... wrong. I didn’t understand why, only that the idea made my skin prickle with unease. Or perhaps the fall had really affected my brain and now I’m making a mess of my thoughts.
Before I could say a word to her, the door creaked open, and a young woman stepped inside. She was dressed in a simple dress, like that of that first maid Amelia. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, and in her arms, she’s carrying a luxurious looking dress and accessories. She bowed her head slightly as she spoke. "My Luna," she said, addressing me with a title that made my stomach lurch. "The alpha king sent me to prepare you for the marriage ceremony."
I blinked, my mind struggling to catch up. Marriage ceremony? The words echoed in my head. The maid stepped closer as I realized the dress was a stunning gown of silver and white diamond dress. Beside it, she placed a collection of jewelry, a pearl-encrusted tiara, a necklace with a pendant shaped like a howling wolf, and bracelets that match and also silver heels.
"Whose wedding?" The words finally left my lips.
"Yours my Luna."