CHAPTER SIXTY
ROXANNE
I shook my head vigorously as the voice spoke into my mind. “It's you.”
The image of Kara's lifeless body falling out of my wardrobe with her head crushed open and her eyes open, flashed in my mind. Blood on my hands. The tears slipped down my cheeks, cold and silent.
Ryker slowly wrapped his arms around me, but I felt cold. The blanket wasn't doing any good. I shivered uncontrollably. "It's my fault, Ryker," I sobbed, wriggling out of his embrace. "I should never have pressured her. It's my fault she's dead.”
Ryker disagreed. He cupped my face, his eyes full of concern and determination. "Roxanne, it's not your fault. You didn't kill Kara.”
"But I did," I insisted, my voice trembling. "I told her really hurtful words– I said mean things. If she hadn't listened to me, she would still be alive.”
Ryker's grip tightened, his thumbs brushing away my tears. "You were trying to protect her, Roxanne. Whoever did this, they are the ones responsible. Not you.”
I wanted to believe him, but the guilt weighed heavily on my heart. "I feel so responsible. I feel like I pushed her to her death.”
He pulled me into a gentle embrace, his warmth trying to soothe my wounded soul. "You need to rest," he said softly. "The shock is too much right now. Let me handle the investigation. We will find out who did this, and we will make sure they pay.”
I nodded, my energy drained. I allowed him to lead me to his bedroom. My own room was sealed off for investigation. The thought of stepping foot in there again made me shudder.
I lay in Ryker's bed, covering myself with a thick blanket. The sun was scorching outside, but I felt an unbearable chill. I pulled the blanket tighter around me, trying to fend off the cold that seeped into my bones.
As I lay there, thoughts raced through my mind. Whoever had killed Kara was from this pack. They knew she was going to expose them. That could only mean one thing.
They would come for me too.
Again.
I turned and tossed restlessly in bed, afraid to close my eyes in sleep. My eyes hurt from crying and I wanted to keep them closed but my mind replayed the gruesome image of Kara's lifeless body over and over. The fear that gripped me was paralysing. They had come for Kara to silence her. I was next on their list.
This pack was beginning to be my safe haven, but now, someone within it wanted me dead. The realisation was terrifying.
Who could want me dead? What had I done that made them want me? But the more I thought about it, the more I realised; sometimes you don't have to do things to people before they want you dead.
What scared me was the fact they came for Kara. If they couldn't get me, would they come for who I love?
I forced myself to take deep breaths, trying to calm the rising panic. Ryker had promised to protect me, to find the killer. But doubt gnawed at my insides. Could he truly keep me safe from an enemy we couldn't see?
I thought about Kara, her laughter, her kindness. I felt a fresh wave of sorrow wash over me. Her death was a brutal reminder of the danger that lurked within the dark.
‘You'll hurt everyone’
“Shut up,” I screamed out and covered my ear with the pillows.
‘Everything is happening because of you.’
The tears flowed freely now. They were uncontrollable. The voices spoke into my head, loud and clear. I wasn't imagining it.
‘And many more will die if you don't stop’
“Stop what? I called out into the silence. My voice was cracked and wounded. I was hurt. But the voice never responded. It was gone. Like always.
I was frustrated. Was this really happening because of me? Maybe it was. Maybe if I hadn't said those bad words and forced Kara to tell me. Maybe she would still be here.
I needed to be strong. For Kara, for myself, and for those who cared about me. But at that moment, strength felt like an elusive dream.
I curled up tighter, my eyes burning with unshed tears. The fear of the unknown, of what might happen next, loomed greatly over me. But deep down, a spark of resolve began to form. I would find out who was responsible for this. I would uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
And I would make sure that Kara's death was not in vain.
***
The sounds of cricket invaded my senses and my eyes parted open. I stared into the darkness and fear seeped into my bones. The night crept in slowly, bringing with it a semblance of calm. The sounds of the pack's activities faded, leaving the room in silence. I lay there, wide awake, my mind restless and alert.
A knock at the door startled me. "Roxanne," Ryker's voice came softly from the other side.
"Come in," I replied, sitting up and pulling the blanket tighter around me.
Ryker entered, his expression a mix of worry and determination. "I’ve set up extra guards around the house. No one will get to you. I promise.”
There were guards at my door the first time I got attacked. Guards are always at the door and it didn't stop me from being in grave danger. The person always found a way. I wanted to tell him thòsose words but I didn't.
I nodded, appreciating his effort, though the fear still lingered. "Thank you, Ryker.”
He sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes searching mine. "We will get through this, Roxanne. Together.”
His words offered a small comfort. I took a deep breath, trying to find some strength within me. "I hope so," I whispered. “I'm worried about you though. You look stressed.”
“No one will hurt me and even if they do, they'll get to me last,” he assures.
I shook my head. “I don't want them to hurt you. I'm so scared.”
“My crybaby,” he said and chuckled lightly.
I pursed my lips and eyed him. “I'm sad but I'll still curse at you.”
“I don't mind,” he said.
I leaned back on the headrest of the bed. “Do you think we'll be able to find who did this? I mean, they're not so dumb as to leave clues around. They'll want to be careful,” I reminded.
Ryker's face was etched with worry as he looked at me. "We're still investigating," he said softly, the strain clear in his voice.
I frowned, sensing something was off. "Have you found anything yet?" I asked, hoping for some news.
He shook his head, the lines on his forehead deepening. "Not yet.”
I studied his face, trying to understand his attitude. "What's wrong, Alpha? Why do you look so worried?”
"It's nothing," he replied quickly, but I didn't believe him.
He walked to the cupboard and took out a bottle of milk and a cup. Pouring some milk into the cup, he handed it to me. My hands trembled as I reached for it, and the milk spilled over the bed.
"Oh no!" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet. "I'm so sorry, Alpha.”
"It's okay, Roxanne," he said, his voice calm.
"I'll clean it up." He took a towel and cleaned the mess efficiently. Then he handed me an ice pack. "Here, place this on your eyes. They're swollen.”
"Thank you," I murmured, holding the ice pack against my eyes. The coolness was a relief.
Ryker cupped my face gently, his touch soothing. "Stop crying, Roxanne. If you continue, your eyes will hurt even more.”
I nodded, feeling the warmth of his concern. He placed a soft kiss on my cheek, a gesture that made my heart flutter despite the turmoil.
But I couldn't ignore the shift in his mood. "Why do you look so confused?" I asked quietly.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm wondering why someone would kill Kara and then hide her body in your wardrobe.”
The thought made my blood run cold. "Maybe they were trying to scare me," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Ryker nodded slowly, but his eyes remained troubled. "That could be it. But it feels like there's more to it.”
I shivered, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "I can't help but think about Kara's last moments. She must have been so scared.”
Ryker pulled me into a comforting embrace. "We'll find out who did this.I will make sure to make them beg for their death.”
I sighed.“I just hope we can figure it out before anyone else gets hurt."
"We will," he assured me, his voice firm. "For now, get some rest. You need to recover your strength. “I'll be right outside if you need anything.”
I squeezed his hand gently.“Be careful, okay?”
“I will,” he assured and got on his feet.
As he left the room, I lay back down, staring at the ceiling. The silence of the night was both a comfort and a reminder of the danger. At any time, anything could go wrong and whatever it was, I wasn't prepared for it.
I inhaled deeply. If only there was a clue. Even if it was a tiny one. I would grasp it.
I knew that sleep would not come easily. But for now, I had to try and gather myself. There was so much that I couldn't let it slip away.