ALPHA

"What sense of morality do you have, Marcus? You’re even more spineless than I could have imagined." I turned my head and met Cassidy’s gaze. She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Finally! Tears that meant nothing to me. My heart grew cold and dark. I focused my attention back on Marcus and asked again: "Who ruined her hair and then sent it to me?"

I waited, enjoying the collective dance of horror, fear, panic, and anxiety unfolding before me.

"I don’t like waiting, Marcus. I thought you knew that, since you’re my friend," I said emotionlessly, and he swallowed, horror reflected in his cold blue eyes.

I snapped my fingers, and Hades stepped forward with an electric razor. He pressed the button, turning it on, and an electric whirring sound filled the air.

"Make sure she sees all this. Because they’ll do the same to her." I pointed the buzzing razor at Cassidy.

He nodded quickly and came up behind her. Grabbing her head, he told her to watch if she didn’t want the same fate.

Then I got to work. Bringing the razor down on his head, I began not only cutting off his hair but also leaving bruises on his scalp.

Marcus tried to move his head, screaming at the top of his lungs, but my other hand grabbed him by the throat, holding him in place.

"Now you’ll feel every ounce of pain Zara felt," I breathed, pressing hard enough for the blade to dig deep.

Red liquid oozed out, mixing with his hair. It splashed and fell on my hands, face, and shirt.

I didn’t care; I only cared about causing this pathetic excuse for a human being as much pain as possible and making an example out of him.

If you dare hurt my mate or me, this is what will happen to you.

The session with Marcus, when I not only cut off his hair but also severely damaged his scalp and the back of his head so that he would feel every prick, every sting, brought me a completely different satisfaction.

"Leave him alive, I’ll come back for him later." I turned off the electric razor and focused my gaze on the trembling, writhing Cassidy.

This was only a small part of what awaited them.

Hades released her and took the razor from me. I wanted to continue, but I had been away from the hospital for too long.

I needed to change and return to the hospital. What if she called for me again? I had to be there.

"Not a single hair on her head," I commanded before casually leaving, a feeling of satisfaction filling my heart.

On the way home, I changed, took a bath, and put on clean clothes before leaving.

I called Asbela. "Where is Brandon?"

"he’s sleeping," she answered carefully, and I nodded. She didn’t move and asked worriedly,

"Alpha! How is Luna?"

"She’s recovering. Maybe one day I’ll be able to take her home," I said hopefully, but my heart was clenching with pain. My words sounded too hesitant.

"She’ll come, Alpha," Asbela lowered her head and said shyly, fiddling with her hands. "She loves you."

A faint smile appeared on my lips, and I nodded before getting into the car. Miranda called me on the way to the hospital and told me they’d visited Zara. I knew their visit must have lifted her spirits.

"Thank you, Miranda." On the way, I bought everything Zara loved. From strawberries to chocolate, a teddy bear, and blue roses. But the question was, how would I get it all to her?

"I should have taken Brandon with me," I thought, descending the stairs and heading toward the hospital’s waiting room.

Her father was just leaving. The man literally hated me to the core and tolerated my presence, Goddess only knows how.

"Dad, you need to sleep. Sophia and I will stay here while you rest for a few hours. She’s feeling better." Ryan took his hand and tried to lead him away.

The stubborn old man seemed to finally listen to his son. When we parted, he looked at me with a withering gaze.

"My daughter is recovering now, and she’s made it clear she doesn’t want to see you. Why do you keep coming back?"

Ryan shook his head next to her father, but I remained adamant.

"I’m not leaving until she’s discharged or says she doesn’t want to see me."

His jaw clenched so tightly I thought he was about to break a tooth or even burst a vein in his temple.

If this had been a fantasy setting, an electric charge would have sparked between us, separating us.

"Dad, let’s go." Ryan gave his father an anxious look.

He practically dragged his father away, leaving Sophia and me behind.

"Make sure he doesn’t go into her room..." I heard him say to Ryan as the door slammed behind them.

I wanted to shake my head.

"Does she matter to you, or is this just an act, like when you made her your mate?" Sophia asked, forcing my attention to her.

She placed her hands on her waist, a question in her piercing eyes. This was a girl who meant business.

"Yes, very much so," I replied, sitting down on a chair and crossing my legs as she stared at me.

In my opinion, it was the best decision, but I didn’t say it out loud. There was no need to provoke this angry woman. If I wanted any chance, I needed to win over Zara’s best friend.

I knew Zara’s family knew my secret, and if it were revealed, it would be devastating to my reputation.

"Please don’t make this secret public."

Sphia narrowed her eyes at me. "Then you better behave yourself around my friend. If you ever hurt her again, it will be all over the media."

My lips tightened at her threat, but I needed to be a good Alpha. "You have my word." I placed my hand over my heart, showing my sincerity.

Before she could respond, a male voice interrupted her.

"Sophia!"

I turned my head to see who had entered. It was a well-dressed man holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Govinda! You’re here." Sophia’s anger vanished when she saw her mate.

To my horror, they only hugged, and he didn’t offer her the bouquet.

"Can I see her?" he asked expectantly, and she nodded with a smile.

Damn! He was talking about Zara.

His gaze darted to me, and I gave him a withering look. A wolf came to my mate with a bouquet of red roses.

Why is he?

Sophia told him the room number, and the wolf hurried away. I shook with anger.

It was time to call Brandon. So I got up and left the waiting area to call my brother. He could handle this easily.

Tension.

Luckily, Brandon was already up and about to go.

He arrived soon after, and I caught up with him in the parking lot.

"We have a situation here," I said grimly, and he raised an eyebrow, wiping invisible specks of dust from my collar.

"Dear brother, your little brother was born to cope with difficult situations. Come on, tell me everything."

I explained about the Govinda who came into her room with red roses. A normal friend doesn’t bring a girl red roses.

"I want you to find out why he brings all these gifts for her. They’ll outshine the flowers he brought." Olfi and I pulled all the gifts out of the car, and before entering the waiting area, I thrust them into Brandon’s hands.

"I can handle this, Almighty Alpha King. Once I’m in, there won’t be any more room for conversation." Brandon walked confidently inside. My brother loved to chat and be the center of attention. The best way to distract. Crossing my fingers, I settled back into my chair, waiting for him to bring me news from within.

***

Zara

Soon, thanks to various forms of therapy, I began to walk and move my arms normally. It was only a few steps a day, but it was progress. The bandages were removed, but some scars remained.

I always wore a cap on my head, and I wasn’t yet ready to look at myself in the mirror. No one forced me or even offered me the opportunity, giving me the space to make this decision myself.

Sometimes I longed to see Alpha Kane, but I resisted the temptation. All the necessary healing would only be possible away from him.

Dad arrived with my discharge papers.

"Zara, we’re returning home today. Everything is arranged, and we’ve packed all your luggage."

This news shattered something within me. I knew I had to leave, and yet the thought of never seeing him again caused me deep pain.

"Yes, Dad. Can I ask you something?" I asked pleadingly.

"Always, Moonshine."

"Can I see Kane before I leave?" His brow furrowed at my request. He looked away and began to tuck a paper into a folder.

"He’s not here. He’s gone home. And we don’t have time to wait," he replied sternly.

I didn’t want to disappoint him any further, so I kept silent. I could always write to Kane. My hands were working better.

Sophia brought me clean clothes and helped me change while Dad and Ryan took care of the hospital chores.

In a long black wool dress and a matching cap, I was ready to leave this hospital. It had given me terrible nightmares, and yet it had left some of the most wonderful memories of my life.

We left my room, and Dad draped a warm fur coat over my shoulders. Keysir was standing right at my door, along with another imposing man I didn’t recognize.

"Luna!" he greeted me with his cheerful voice.

"My queen!" greeted a menacing-looking man, as if he’d stepped out of a Hollywood movie, demonstrating his freestyle wrestling skills.

"My queen?" It must have been one of his men from the pack. I nodded politely.

"Are you leaving?" asked Keysir, seeing my family carrying out my things.

"Yes, I’m returning," I informed him, and all the color drained from his face. The other man immediately pulled out his phone and began dialing; I knew Kane.

"Zara, we have to leave," Dad said firmly, and I had to obey.

By the time he gets there, I’ll be gone.