It had been three days. Three days of total silence, and three days since I had seen her.
At this point, I was certain that she had done something to me the night of her uninvited visit. It's only been three days, and I was already losing my mind, battling the ever-growing desire to see her.
I had spent the last two nights restlessly replaying the actions of that night to try and figure out when she had the chance to drug me.
Whatever it was that had helped calm my wolf seemed to be only temporary, as I could already begin to feel the signs of the restlessness returning. Another burden to add on top of everything else I was dealing with.
"Alpha, you called for me?"
I turned my attention to the door. "Yes. Please enter."
In my desperation to cure whatever this condition was, I summoned the pack's best healer to examine me. She was an older woman who had served as a senior healer for many years and now spent most of her time teaching the younger generations.
"Ayla. Please examine me, I can tell that there's something wrong."
She walked over as her eyes darted up and down my body. She didn't say anything at first, but after a few more glances, she seemed puzzled.
"Alpha, you seem to be doing better. In fact, your complexion has improved significantly since I last saw you," she said. "Could you tell me what symptoms you're experiencing?"
I hesitated, trying to find the right words without sounding crazy or publicly revealing that the human emissary had tried to assassinate me.
"I just have this overwhelming desire to see someone. Like if I don't see them right this instant, I'll go crazy..."
She blinked a few times. "Is this person a female, by chance?"
"Yes. I have suspicions that I've been drugged."
Her lips suddenly curved up into a big smile. "Your grace, this feeling is natural. This just means that you have fallen for this female. By the sound of it, I believe that your wolf is more aware of your feelings than you are."
I shook my head. "No, it's impossible. I hardly know her, and I certainly don't like her."
"In that case, allow me to draw your blood, Alpha. I will bring it back to test it for signs of any foreign substances to help ease your mind," she said, bowing her head. "However, I must let you know that it's a relatively lengthy process. For now, why don't you try seeing her more often? It may help you get a better picture of what is happening to you."
I extended my arm to allow her to draw my blood. There was no doubt in my mind that I had been drugged, and it was only a matter of time before the truth was revealed.
"Keep this a secret, Ayla. I don't want the pack to know that I was drugged."
She bowed, "I swear to keep this a secret. Not a soul will know about it."
I nodded, allowing her to proceed with drawing a bit of my blood. The process was quick, and she left carrying a vial of my blood a few minutes later.
The tiny wound from the needle healed within a matter of seconds. I continued to sit behind my desk and focus my thoughts on the stack of paperwork in front of me, but it was impossible. Every time I picked up a document to read, all I could think about was the human woman.
'I don't even know her name. She's clearly not important to me.'
Ayla's initial diagnosis of being a lovestruck fool was utter ridiculousness, but her suggestion to see her stuck with me.
I tossed the document back on top of the desk and stood up. "I guess visiting her wouldn't hurt. Maybe today she'll be willing to talk."
The dungeon remained dark even during the day. The only difference was the increased dampness from yesterday's rain.
With long strides I made my way to the far end of the dark hallway, to her cell. There was a pang of excitement as I approached, one that I didn't want to acknowledge.
"Alpha!" Both of the stationed guards greeted me as I approached.
I nodded and signaled them to leave. They stepped aside, leaving a direct view into the cell through the iron grate.
There she was. Her piercing blue eyes gazed straight into my soul as her lips curved up into a mocking smile. The first thing I noticed was how chapped and pale her lips were.
Anger surged through me at the thought of her not having anything to drink for days. But before I could do anything about it, she let out a small laugh.
"There's no point to your visit today, Alpha. I won't tell you anything."
Her mocking laugh redirected my anger toward her.
"Tell me what you did to me!" I hissed angrily. "Tell me and I might just spare you."
If this continued, I would go insane. Looking at her now, I wanted nothing more than to rip her apart and— at the same time— pull her into an embrace. The conflicting urges were tearing me apart and I didn't know how to control them.
The irritating yet irresistible smile on her face vanished as she looked up at me with suspicion.
"Did to you?" she asked.
"What do you want? I'll consider giving it to you. A better room? Food? What?" I asked with a slight desperation. "Just tell me what you did to me!"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she took her time studying my face. Her expression was completely unreadable, yet I couldn't help but get lost in her eyes.
"Did to you?"
'No! Don't let her tricks work on you!'
I ripped my gaze away and stepped back. Only then did I realize I had been trying to fill my lungs with her scent.
'I need to keep it together. This is exactly what the humans want. To corner me and weaken me!'
It was just like them to play dirty tricks like this. They knew nothing of honor.
My heart was pounding faster than when her silver dagger was at my neck. I glanced at her one final time, seeing that she had no intention of speaking further.
"You have one day. Tomorrow I will come and personally cut each of your limbs off if you don't speak!" I hissed before storming away.