Chapter 139

• Ayla POV
• My head is buzzing; all I can hear is a low humming noise, but the sound is deep and resonates in my bones, making my body feel like it’s shaking. My body feels like someone has replaced my blood with acid, and my skin itches so bad, it feels like I have insects crawling just beneath the surface. I’ve not left Callan’s bedroom for the last couple of days; I can see the worry in his eyes every time he comes to check on me, but he has more important things to worry about than a stupid virus that will be over soon. Callan’s touch and sleep seem to be the only release I get from the pain, but I don’t want Callan to drop everything just so he can stay with me. Lately, my dreams have become demented; as soon as I close my eyes, all I see is women being hunted by Runduc, pain and brutish force inflicted upon these innocent women that I feel so connected to. I can feel their torment and pain as if it were my own, and the people I love lay slaughtered by his feet. I hear their screams of agony and heartbreak ringing in my ears even when I’m awake.
• I stumble down the hallway, making my way toward Callan’s office; my legs don’t seem to hold my body up anymore, so I lean against the wall, using it for support. Ever since his father's trial, Callan has been busy securing the land surrounding the house and organising his Alpha’s ceremony, which is tomorrow. My sense of smell seems to be heightened at the moment, at least when it comes to Callan; his aftershave is more intense to me. Every time I smell him, my mouth fills with saliva, and naughty thoughts fill my head.