Freeing Starr✔️

Chapter 52 ~ Finally Free

Starr's POV

My arm was restricted. I couldn't move.

I mumbled incoherently as I regained consciousness, trying to turn in bed but finding that I couldn't. Something was restricting my arm.

Was I tied up again?

My eyes shot open at the thought, frantically looking around the room I was in. Plain white walls were what greeted me. The air reeked of herbs. I glanced at my arms and felt my body relax as I glimpsed Stacia's sleeping face.

She sat at the bedside with her head laying on the bed. My arm was tightly wrapped in hers as if she was afraid of letting me go. When I tried pulling away, she gripped tighter and mumbled in her sleep.

A helpless look crossed my face.

I wanted to get up. To know what happened after I was knocked out. Was my father really dead? Was the war over? How long had I been out? It had to be long since I was fully healed up.

Leon.

I closed my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when I felt Leon's presence. His emotions and thoughts were sealed off but I knew he was there, lurking. Waiting for me to gain consciousness.

I was right.

Not even a second passed before I felt him moving closer to me.

My eyes gazed at the door expectantly as it opened.

He was a mess.

There was stubble on his face and dark circles under his eyes. His hair was a mess and pointed all over the place.

I asked worriedly, "What happened to you?"

He didn't say a word. Instead, he simply approached me and tugged me into his tight embrace. I collided with his chest and awkwardly used my free hand to stable myself. He buried his face into my neck and inhaled my scent.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you." He murmured against my neck, causing a light giggle to escape my lips at the ticklish sensation.

I ran my hand along his broad shoulders as I reassured him. "It wasn't your fault. You weren't there and I chose to fall into that trap. It was my decision to get captured."

He pulled away with a frown. "What?"

I shrugged sheepishly. "Didn't you read my thoughts? It was obvious my father was trying to lure me into that corner. I had to go despite the risks. My father is a slippery man. He had to be dealt with before he could cause any more damage. I chose to fight."

He sighed and tightened his arms around me. "Please...
Don't do that again."

"Do what?"

"Risk your life like that. Starr, that's selfish. You know what your death means for this kingdom, don't you?"

I said nothing.

"Do you?"

"... I do."

"No, I don't think you do. You wouldn't be this careless otherwise. Thousands upon thousands of people depend on you, me being one of them. If you were to die, my health suffers and when my health suffers, the pack deteriorates and then the Kingdom will fall into chaos. You are important and you need to realize that."

He was right. I knew how important a pack was to werewolves. The mental fortitude it takes to create a link between so many people and what would happen if an Alpha's health affected that link. I couldn't refute him. I simply allowed him to get his frustrations off his chest. I could sense his agitation as he thought about what could've happened.