Alpha’s Regret: My Rejected Mate Is A Healer novel Chapter 38

Ella stood quietly in the doorway, her eyes sweeping over the room Dorian had led her to. It wasn’t grand or extravagant; its simplicity was striking. The walls were bare, painted in muted gray, and the single bed in the corner was dressed in plain white sheets. A modest wooden chair and a small table completed the sparse furnishings.

She sighed, stepping inside and running her fingers over the edge of the table. It wasn’t much, but it was clean, far better than the damp, dark cell she’d been confined to at the hideout.

Dorian, who stood just outside the door, cleared his throat. “You’ll be staying here for now. Someone will bring your meal shortly.” His tone was curt, almost hurried, as though he wanted to leave as soon as possible. Before she could respond, he turned on his heel and disappeared down the hallway, the sound of his boots fading into the distance.

Ella closed the door with a soft click, leaning against it as a long breath escaped her lips. “Well,” she muttered to herself, “at least there’s a nice bed this time. And food.”

Her stomach growled loudly at the mention of food, a sharp reminder of how little she’d been given to eat since the vampires had captured her. The scraps they’d provided had been just enough to keep her alive, and she was tired of the constant gnawing hunger. Now the idea of an actual meal made her mouth water.

She wrinkled her nose, a sudden thought crossing her mind. “Wait… vampires don’t eat regular food.” A grimace formed on her face. “What if they try to feed me… blood?” The very idea made her stomach churn.

Spanking her forehead lightly, she shook off the thought. “Don’t be ridiculous, Ella,” she whispered to herself. “This is Devil City, sure, but it doesn’t mean humans don’t exist here. There has to be real food.”

With that thought comforting her, she crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. Testing the mattress with her hand, she smiled faintly. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was soft enough. She lay back, hands resting over her growling stomach, and stared at the ceiling.

The events in the study replayed vividly in her mind. The man—the vampire-had been unlike anything she’d ever encountered. His power was overwhelming, his presence suffocating, but it wasn’t just fear she’d felt in his presence. There was… something else.

Her cheeks burned as she remembered the magnetic pull of his crimson eyes and the way her body had reacted. “What’s wrong with me?” she whispered, turning onto her side. Even Derek, her mate, hadn’t stirred such intense heat within her.

What was the vampire’s interest in her? And why did his presence stir something deep within her, something she couldn’t explain?

She bolted upright suddenly, shaking her head as if to dispel the thoughts. “Get a grip, Ella. He’s a vampire. A predator. And you’re his prey.”

But even as she spoke the words, she couldn’t ignore the truth: he hadn’t hurt her. He could have crushed her with a single flick of his hand, but he hadn’t. Why?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door.

“Miss, your food is here,” came a gentle voice.

Ella hurried to the door, her heart racing. When she opened it, relief washed over her at the sight of a young human maid holding a tray of food. The girl looked nervous, her eyes darting down the hallway.

“Thank you,” Ella said softly, taking the tray from her. The maid nodded quickly and scurried away without another word.

Closing the door, Ella placed the tray on the table and uncovered the food. Her stomach growled again as the delicious aroma hit her. On the plate were roasted vegetables, a steaming bowl of broth, and a small loaf of bread.

“Real food,” she whispered, almost in disbelief, her stomach growled louder, urging her to eat. She sat down on the wooden chair, picking up the bread and taking a tentative bite. It was warm and soft, and the taste flooded her senses.

She ate quickly, savoring each bite as if it might be her last. Moving to the broth, the rich, savory flavor warmed her from the inside out, and the vegetables was perfectly seasoned. For the first time in days, she felt somewhat normal.

But as she ate, her mind couldn’t help but wandered back to the study and the man’s overwhelming aura. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her presence here was no accident. The vampires had gone to great lengths to capture her, and she needed to figure out why.

For now, she had no answers. But one thing was clear: she needed to stay alive long enough to find them.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden wave of dizziness. She gripped the edge of the table, her vision blurring for a moment. A faint hum echoed in her ears, growing louder, filling her head. She squeezed her eyes shut, her breathing shallow.

And then, she felt it—a spark.

A sudden, faint voice made her freeze.

“Ella…”

Tears welled in her eyes as she sank back onto the bed, clutching her chest. For the first time in what felt like forever, hope flickered within her.

She wasn’t alone anymore.

“Lila, I… I don’t know what to do,” she admitted. “This place… there’s this vampire…”

“I know, Ella. Even though I have been silent, I have always been with you”.

“But I couldn’t feel your presence” Ella replied.

“Yes, that’s because I was weakened and my connection to you was broken, my hands were tied but I had never left”.

Ella exhaled shakily, her hand clutching her chest. The bond wasn’t strong yet, but it was there-proof that she wasn’t as alone as she’d thought.

A small, hopeful smile spread across Ella’s face. Whatever came next, she wasn’t entirely powerless anymore.

“Lila, there’s something more about that Vampire. I can feel it.” Ella whispered, afraid someone might be listening. “Yes, I know. That’s actually why I’m here”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying Lila” Ella said feeling uncomfortable where this conversation was headed.

“He’s our Mate” Lila dropped the bomb.

“What!…..?”