The Alpha's Dark Revenge novel Chapter 35

Annalise's POV

I had a gut feeling that the slight change I was noticing in Nikolai had something to do with that prisoner girl. I wondered if I was the only one who noticed that he began to talk more, maybe not a lot, but now he said at least two sentences in a day. It was strange but comforting. And whatever the reason was, I hoped it would keep being there.

Sometimes I wondered if I was just overthinking or overanalyzing everything. He was still a big fat meanie to everyone, and he yelled even when it was necessary. But I knew Nikolai almost more than I knew myself, considering the fact that we grew up together. So I could definitely tell that something was different. The only other person that could see reason with my analysis was Andrew. But he had been gone on that business trip for quite a while.

Deciding that I would just watch and see how everything played out, I proceeded to the kitchen to pick up what I needed. Getting there, I packed up the cake, pudding and fruits into a tray and made my way to the prisoner's room. I had been shocked when Nikolai had asked for her to be moved from the dungeon. But when I found out it was for reasons involving the business, I understood why. I couldn't help but laugh at how that girl always accidentally put herself in the middle of everything. It might have been annoying if it wasn't so funny.

The door of her room was open so I just took myself in. I saw her get up in a flash when she saw me. She stood back a few steps away from me and bowed, placing her hands behind her back. I instantly felt bad as I knew I was the reason for all the fear she felt around me. I had been so overbearing and mean to her that she could not be comfortable around me.

"Hey, there's no need to do that. This is your room, sit," I smiled.

It had the opposite effect as she immediately took a seat on command. I didn't know what else to do so I did nothing.

Gesturing to the tray, I said, "I brought you something to eat. I'm sure you're hungry?"

"Well...I, I don't know..."

"Hey," I tried again. "It's okay, you can be comfortable with me."

I watched her carefully as she forced a nod. I pushed the tray towards her and tried to hide my smile when she hurriedly placed a piece of cake in her mouth. "Thank you."

I nodded. There was something about her... I hadn't figured it out yet. But I knew she was soft and sweet, and I could swear I had never met anyone so shy and innocent. Sometimes I wondered if she was truly of the Monhowl pack. She was nothing like them.

"I never thanked you for saving Jeremy," I spoke up after a while.

She frowned. "Jeremy?"

"That's my little boy, the one you healed the other day."

Her eyes widened. "Oh. How is he doing? Is he fine now? I always wanted to ask but... I wasn't sure how.."

Guilt pinched me hard in the chest once more. "He's fine."

"I'm glad," She nodded, lowering her head awkwardly and looking anywhere else but my face. I had never felt like such a terrible person.

"What?"

I laughed in disbelief. "We kidnapped you, tortured you, starved you, made you even less than a slave. But you healed two of us and saved another despite all of this, when you could have easily let them suffer. Why?"

It puzzled and annoyed me all at once. Of course I was grateful for their lives but I was a big believer in revenge. And I knew that if I was in the same position, I would never do something like that. If I had a chance to help those who had hurt me, I would look away and let it slide. Which was why I couldn't help but admire her. How do you put all that away, let it slide and still be good to them?

I watched her give a bitter laugh. "I guess... I'm not sure. My nanny says I'm too nice."

"Well, I agree with her," I deadpanned. "Sometimes we all need to toughen up."

I expected her to take offence but instead she laughed. "I'll try."

Suddenly remembering something, I asked, "What's your name?"

She stared at me in shock for a few moments. I assumed she was contemplating on whether to tell me or not.

"Eloise," She finally said.