We're in a Contract Marriage, But I've Imprinted - Chapter 96
Before leaving his room, Ian checked for the small box he had left behind. Noticing its gone, a gentle smile formed on his lips.
“As expected, three days was too much to ask for.”
Exiting his room in light attire, Ian was about to hasten his steps when he inadvertently glanced towards the annex. Through the main house’s windows, he saw the annex brightly lit and was bustling with many servants moving in and out.
His steps slowed, an inexplicable sense of unease climbed up his spine. After hesitating for a moment, Ian then descended the stairs at a tremendous pace and headed straight for the annex.
Yet, he paused where he usually stopped and looked up at the balcony. He had hoped to hear ‘thank you for your hard work today’ from his omega, who for the first time, didn’t appear. She had been used to her stubbornly coming out despite his advice, so the creeping unease grew stronger.
To shake off this unfounded anxiety, he entered the annex, only to be struck by the scent of blood.
Maids carrying linens and hot water bowed hastily upon spotting Ian, but he barely noticed them, rushing upstairs.
The sight that met him through the open door was devastating.
“….Mel?”
His omega lay on a bed drenched in red. It was as if someone had splashed bright red paint on a white canvas.
“Young Lord!”
Henry, who was assisting the doctor, belatedly noticed Ian and attempted to approach, but Ian raised a hand to stop him.
“Talk later. Just save her.”
He commanded in a low growl, and Henry, along with the doctor, resumed their work.
Ian approached his omega’s side with heavy steps. Amidst the overwhelming red, Melissa’s face was pale without any color.
Seeing her looking as if she would disappear, he was unable to find words. Ian barely managed to whisper after licking his lips meaninglessly.
“Mel, I’m back.”
He had hoped she would greet him with a bright smile, but that wish remained unfulfilled.
Despite his greetings, she lay motionless. Blood still seeping between her slender legs and staining the bed further.
Beneath his feet, the bright red rose petals remained scattered. It was crushed under his advancing steps towards his omega, creating a trail of red.
* * *
I woke up in a familiar and dearly missed place, I found myself in the small cabin deep in the woods where I had lived alone with my Mom as a child.
I jumped from bed.
“Mom?”
I instinctively called out to my Mom. But the house was empty. So, I stepped outside the cabin, expecting to find Mom either gathering fruits or collecting wood for fire.
I thought I had to help so I went eagerly. But I saw my Mom standing right at the door.
“Mom!”
Although we should have seen each other every day, her face brought a surge of longing and sadness.
“Mel, my sweet honey.”
Her familiar nickname strangely brought tears to my eyes. As I moved towards her, tears fell silently. But Mom shook her head with a firm face.
“Mom?”
I looked confused by her reaction. Mom then extended something wrapped in a swaddle towards me. Without understanding what it was, I took it as if compelled.
“Ah…”
Wrapped tightly in the cloth like a cocoon was a very, very small baby. The baby with curled black hair was too young and tiny to even open its eyes.
I didn’t think to ask who the baby was. I just felt an instinctive need to protect and hold it closer.
Mom watched me for a moment before reaching out. Her cold fingertips touched the nape of my neck. She tenderly stroked an old scar there.
While I soothed the baby, she focused on my scar and then spoke slowly.
“I’m sorry, Mel.”
“Why, Mom?”
I asked, wide-eyed at her sudden apology. Mom smiled faintly, a look I’d seen often, and caressed the scar again. She said this.
“If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have hurt you…”
Her words were hard to understand and followed by a sudden, painful grip on my shoulder.
“Uht, Mom?”
I clutched the baby tighter in surprise. I tried to pull away. Her once gentle expression had turned icy cold.
Behind Mom, fierce lightning began to strike. When it flashed, darkness enveloped us like pitch black.
“Return to where you belong, Mel.”
Before Mom’s words could fully reach me, I was pushed back. As I fell backwards, I was unable to call out to her. I enveloped the baby with my entire body ensuring it wasn’t startled or hurt.
As I struggled against the sensation of falling, I prayed fervently.
“…please, just the baby.”
I held out one arm while begging if anyone would save this poor baby. I hoped for anything to grasp, even a rotten rope.
Then, a strong and warm hand appeared and gripped mine firmly. Clinging to it as if it were a lifeline, I cried out.
“The baby, someone, please save my baby… Don’t take my baby away!”
The moments before my collapse flashed and then faded as my consciousness surfaced. As I gasped harshly in a struggle, I was tightly embraced, as if being restrained.
“Shh… it’s okay, Mel. I’m here.”
“Haaa.”
With Ian’s presence that has almost entirely gone, the void was filled with Alpha’s pheromones like waves. Instinctively, I desperately inhaled his pheromones.
Barely able to open my eyes, gasping for air without uttering a word, a large hand gently caressed my shoulder and head.
I pressed my face into the sturdy palm, slowly rubbing against it.