Word Count: 1545

~Kezziah

I have no idea what to say.

Alden is staring at me as if I have committed a crime. Maybe I have to. It wasn't like I had a choice what was done to me by Time. The marking...The everything. How the bond between us works, I'm not sure. However, when he touched me, I felt nothing. No sparks, no feeling other then angry and hatred.

"He's not my mate," I say carefully. I believe that, within me. I believe there is someone out there who is, but it's not Time.

I'm not sure why Alden looks so offended by this notion. Perhaps he is surprised he came across Time's mate. She's sitting right in front of him. Even if I don't believe we are true mates. But that doesn't mean Alden will.

"But he marked you, didn't he?" Alden questioned.

I snatch my shirt and bra up from where I had balled them up next to me. Alden walks back behind me as I quickly clip my bra around me and toss the shirt over me. When I turn around, Alden is sitting back in his chair, staring at the sketch. He hasn't done too much before he got distracted by this revelation.

"I'm not sure. I don't feel anything, he's not my mate," I insist, folding my arms over my chest. "I don't know why he did this to me."

Alden sits there, considering that. Seeing how much this bothers him, I'm glad I'm sitting here. He's going to find out what happened and why. He's the Alpha of Wisdom. I have nothing but spite left for Time. No fear.

"It's doctored," he mutters. "This isn't a real mark. It's a deeper brand. A claim."

Those words trigger a shiver, a chill settling over me. I want to demand Alden tell me why, but it is clear he hasn't got all the answers yet either. I watch him rake his fingers through his hair. The thick, dark waves muss around his forehead. He's handsome...What am I thinking?

"He went through a lot to do this. I can't see why he would go to the trouble," I say nervously, watching him pace back and forth.

"I think it's a message," Alden says, halting. "To me."

I'm stunned, for moment, having to take a full moment to absorb that idea. Nothing Time has ever said gave me that impression, but at the same time, it seemed likely, somehow. By branding me, Time was telling Alden he couldn't get to him. That he would always have the upperhand, and he can't take the bond away.

I just don't know why he chose me. Of course, it could be because of what he did, in the beginning, or perhaps because of how I rebelled. Either way, I'm confused and uneasy, unsure of what to think.

"We need to get rid of it," I say frantically, getting to my feet too. "Like right now. Right this second we need to get rid of the bond."

Alden steps toward me, calming down dramatically. So much so, I find myself matching him, taking in a deep breath. I should have begged Time not to mark me like that. To choose someone else other than me.

"It's okay, we will. It just takes time," Alden says carefully.

I look up at him, finding solace in his eyes. Sometimes they seem so expressive. Other times, they tell me nothing. It's a tactic, I assume, to keep his personal life to himself. This is just an operation that only has a small amount to do with me. But regardless, he has beautiful eyes. In fact, the entirety of him is beautiful.

That's a dangerous thought, though. One I won't dwell on too long, otherwise I'll develop a foolish crush that will only hurt me.

"How much time?"

"I need a few more hours sketching to get all of the brand. It's bigger than anyone else's. Once I'm done, I'll study it. I'll figure it out, don't worry," he assures me, voice soft and soothing, stopping me from panicking.

It takes a big part of me to muster up this up. "Thank you, Alden."

As much as in the beginning I couldn't see why he was doing this, I no longer feel the need to resist. I need to seperate myself from Time, and I will do anything to. Even if that means siding with Alden, who at first, I didn't trust. I suppose I still don't trust him, but I trust Time a lot less.

"You should get back to Sermon," Alden says lightly, crushing whatever I had felt in between us. "Your medication awaits."

***

The way Sermon stared when I returned from my room told me everything.

I strolled in, taking a seat on my chair while she lingers near the doorway. When we meet gazes, she quickly looks away. I know she's curious, but I'm not giving her an inch. She is hopeless at hiding how obsessed with the Alpha she is. I see straight through her, the way she blushes when he's mentioned. How she gushes over his name. It's pathetic, really.

I feel foolish saying that, though, as if I've never looked twice at Alden. Never considered how handsome he is. How his eyes strip you bare, how his expression is like planned perfection, nothing ever seeming out of place. I shake those thoughts out of my head.

"Well?" I say, as two nurses walk into the room. "What's on the agenda today? Another form of medication that might kill me?"

Sermon narrows her eyes at me, snapping back into reality.

Of course, the green eyed nurse is back, never meeting my gaze, never speaking a word. I'm still dumbfounded as to why she helped me that day. And why she seemed so suspicious and uneasy talking to me. With everything else going on, I haven't been able to think much about her. But every time I see her, I feel uneasy.

Why did she feel the need to help me? And more importantly, how do I get into her mind to find out what she is keeping from me.

"The Alpha made sure I gave you this medication today. To remove the bond," Sermon tells me, strolling over in those ridiculously high heels. I wonder everyday how she manages to walk in them so gracefully.

I know it won't remove the bond immediately, but it's hope.

The drug came in the form of a small dropper. It's bright pink, like a blooming flower. Aptly called, Carnation. The liquid would be placed in my eyes; only a few drops. I'm nervous about how pigmented the colour is, wondering if it would sting. However, when I was told to tip my head back, I did so accordingly. I want this bond gone.

"Keep your eyes open," the green eyed nurse murmurs. I stare at her, hoping she could see how desperate I am to know who she is. "And don't blink until I tell you to."

It was a foolish demand, because the moment she dropped one in, I blinked rapidly. It stings. Badly. She quickly does the other eyes and back off, letting me curse and protest. Sermon comes over, gripping my wrist to get my attention.

"This will hopefully access directly to your brain, where your bond with Time will have the biggest hold," I hear her say.

"Hopefully," I growl. "You don't sound confident."

Sermon says no more, presumably rejoicing in my pain. At least it seems to mitigate, settling down enough for me to open my eyes. But everything is blurry, my vision surrounded by a pale pink vignette. I shiver uneasily, Sermon only a quivering dark figure standing in front of me.

"Good luck," she chirps, slipping a folded piece of paper into my hand.

Unfolding it, I look down. At the words on the page swim in front of my eyes. Great, now I can't even read what the symptoms to follow will be. Going partially blind must be one of them, because it doesn't seem the wavering text is clearing before my eyes,

It takes me a moment, but I slowly figure it out.

Type D Name: Carnation

Application: Apply one to two drops in both eyes

Discontinue use if symptoms persist:
Dizziness
Depression
Swelling
Bleeding
Convulsions

Symptoms likely to persist:
Eye discomfort
Migraine
Fever
Lighthead
Momentary vision loss

Use only with the intention to remove the bond.

I set the paper on my lap, sighing deeply. My vision seems to be clearly, but only slowly. I'm not looking forward to the migraine.

Regardless, I lie back in my seat, closing my eyes. This is to free me. I will get back to Avia, and Alden will help me. I hope. It's hard to trust him, after the lengths he went to to get me here.

But I have to trust him. There's no other way.

🖤••❤️

If you guys want more of Alden, the rest of available now on Radish (:

Sinful's own story is up now on Radish! I wanted to make it apart of the Seven Sins series (which will have stories involving Cian and other characters you've seen before)

Hope you like (:

Instagram: Sophie_Midika

~Midika 💜🐼