The Commander of Orion ✔️

Chapter 8

My eyes fluttered open, pulling myself away from the vivid dreams of Kaelon. The pits of my stomach sunk as an overwhelming feeling of dread washed over me.

My door swayed open, revealing an older female wolf. She was short and round around her stomach. She trodded in with a walking stick in hand.

Her grey eyes looked at me, taking in my state. "You've been asleep for two days Commander Edrei," she told me as she sat down on the bed. She grasped my hand with hers, "No need to worry, I've given you a concoction to help your body in healing itself. Do you feel any soreness or pain?"

I shook my head, realising my body felt brand new. Not a single muscle, tendon or bone ached.

"Good, good," the woman smiled. "Oh, forgive me," she continued. "My name is Mae. I'm the pack's most experienced healer."

"Thank you for looking after me Mae," I praised, squeezing her hand. A smile danced on her lips.

"You must be thirsty," she stated, "I apologise for not bring you anything to drink, I can barely walk in my current state."

Softening my eyes, I returned her smile. "It's alright, I can walk down to the kitchen myself," I replied.

Mae pushed herself off the bed, grunting as she found her balance again. I held her arm, giving her the much-needed support to walk down the stairs and into the common room.

The common room was slightly busy, having only about a quarter of the room filled up. I made sure she was comfortably sitting before leaving her to walk into the kitchen.

Eyes gazed over to me as I walked past the room and into the kitchen. I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious. What were they all looking at? I wondered before disappearing out of sight.

"Edrei," I heard Irina say as I dunked my cup into the large tub of fresh drinking water. I took a sip, drinking away the dryness in my throat before I turned to her.

Her eyes were full of sympathy as she watched me with intensity. She stepped into my personal space. Arms up thinking she was about to attack, I was surprised when she encased me in a tight hug.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice calm and soothing. "I know how hard it is... having no one by your side."

My eyes shot up in surprise. I've never heard Irina apologise to anyone. "What are you talking about?" I asked, confusion lathered in my voice.

Irina stepped back, eyes looking at me with a different lens. "Oh," she blurted before she glanced around the empty kitchen as if she was looking for a way out.

We both turned to Zazel when her shrieking echoed into the kitchen. Irina breathed out a sigh of relief as the little pup ran towards us.

"Ed- I mean Commander Edrei," Zazel's squeaky voice echoed into the kitchen as she closed the distance between her and me. She slid against the slippery stone floor, before trying to compose herself. "Commander Edrei," Zazel bowed to me, using my title because of Irina's presence. "Alpha Kaelon told me to tell you that he needs to see you in the study right away!"

I winked at her. "Thanks. I'll go right now," I told her before putting down my cup. I couldn't help but give Irina a confused smile as I walked past her and out of the kitchen.

The door to the study appeared in front of me before long. I knocked twice before opening the large slabs of wood.

Kaelon, Zoron, and Edrik were all present in the study, crowding over the middle table. They all turned to me as I entered.