The Alpha's Cinderella

Chapter 58

Serena

"I'm so freakin' bored," I complained silently, the echo of my frustration bouncing around the quiet corners of my mind. Remus, my spirit wolf, responded to my whine, surprising me because he rarely let me hear his thoughts.

"Why not take a walk through the camp, Serena? Sometimes, a change of scenery can lift the spirits," Remus suggested.

I sighed, sensing his presence in my thoughts. "I guess you're right, Remus. Let's take a walk," I agreed. After informing Ryan of my plans, he directed me to the safer western part of the camp and let me be.

My pregnancy had kept me from training, and others, maybe out of concern, were unwilling to let me help with the daily tasks within the camp. It left me feeling restless and useless, wanting to contribute somehow but unable to.

"I wish there was something more interesting to do," I shared with Remus.

He responded with a soft growl, a sign of understanding. "Who knows, Serena? Maybe we could encounter something interesting today," he reassured, his words carrying a comforting weight.

"Everything feels so dull," I complained quietly to Remus. The landscape seemed monotonous as I walked, reflecting my own feelings of stagnation.

"Patience, Serena. Sometimes, the unexpected is just around the corner," my wolf responded.

From where I stood, I saw another person sitting on the ground. The older lady's right foot was caught in a tree root. Without thinking too much, I walked over and offered my help.

"Are you okay, ma'am? I hope you didn't get hurt," I asked, worry showing on my face as I helped the lady free her foot from the tangled root.

She caught her breath and nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for helping me. I'm fine, just a bit startled. It happens more often than I'd like to admit," she admitted, her mysterious eyes holding a mix of gratitude and intrigue.

That was when I noticed the burn scar at the side of her face. Unable to ignore my curiosity, I couldn’t help but stare at her scar. She seemed to have noticed it.

"It's a long story, my dear, one that involves both adventure and misfortune," she replied cryptically. "But let's not dwell on that. My name is Alicia, by the way. And you?"

"I'm Serena," I replied with a warm smile. "If you don't mind, let me help you with these vegetables and fruits. Your injured foot seems to be making it difficult for you to carry them."

Alicia nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Serena. I'm grateful for your kindness. Not many would take the time to lend a hand, especially when you are living on your own at this age."

As we continued our walk, our conversation flowed naturally, weaving an unexpected connection between us. The camp, which had felt monotonous, now held the promise of companionship and shared moments, all sparked by a chance encounter with a woman entangled in the roots of a tree.

Finally, we reached her humble abode.

“Welcome to my shabby hut. Make yourself at home.”

The inside of the small dwelling looked quite worn, with old walls and basic furnishings. The air carried a strong scent of burning herbs, but the place appeared a bit tired. The flickering candlelight did its best to light up the aged wooden walls, which bore marks of time and use.

Alicia gestured for me to sit on a chair that looked a bit rickety as if it had seen better days in this humble abode. And then, she offered me something to drink. The liquid looked green and smelled like dried tree bark and some dried unknown leaves.

"What kind of drink is this?" I asked softly.

"This, my dear, is a mixture of herbs passed down through generations. I am sure you will like the taste more than what it smells like.”

I looked at the strange drink with doubt. "I don’t mean to be rude, but is it… safe?" I asked.

Smiling, Alicia said, "Safer than most things in this world. And it's also good for the little one you're carrying."

Surprise showed in my eyes.

"How did you...?" I started, but Alicia interrupted.

"I see more than what you can see, child. The spirits tell me their secrets."

Now sitting, I took a careful sip. The taste was surprisingly sweet and with flowery notes, leaving a warm feeling and joy inside. Alicia watched me with awe, her eyes looking like they understood more than usual.

Thankfulness grew inside me. “You gotta teach me how to make it. This is so good!”

Alicia leaned closer, and her eyes steadied.

"I sense a thread in your destiny, dear. Do you want to know what it says?"

Curious and a bit worried, my forehead creased. “Like fortune-telling?”

“You can call it that way,” she confirmed. “A little gift for what you did for me earlier. I didn’t say anything, but I think Alicia read what was on my mind.

She stood up from the chair and got something from her bed. She spread an old cloth on the table, showing cards that seemed very old. With careful moves, she shuffled the cards, each move feeling important. I watched closely as Alicia placed the cards in a pattern, creating pictures that seemed to hold energy from the stars.

"Your future has been laid out on this table. Are you ready to hear them?” I swallowed hard hearing her say this. The throbbing heart inside my ribcage was enough to prove my anticipation and anxiety about what would happen next.