Zara

My heart stopped beating at his words. Did Alpha Kane really mean it? Or was Alpha just trying to make me feel better and forget the mental anguish I was going through?

’With this Alpha, I could never figure it out.’ Nova rolled her eyes. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

’Whatever it was, my tears stopped, and I tried to smile genuinely.’ I replied to Nova.

’Its good for us at this time, Zara.’ Nova was happy, too.

I agreed with Nova.

"It seems not everyone believes that," I said quietly and leaned back on the couch. Alpha Kane’s hand lay behind me; it squeezed mine, allowing me to feel his warmth.

Alpha Kane radiated warmth like a heater, but I didn’t care. My troubled heart needed it; the light touch of his fingers on my hand acted like a lullaby.

Lifting my legs, I pulled them up to my chest, while Alpha Kane spread his long legs. It seemed that sitting like this on my couch was becoming normal.

My Greedy Heart... Alpha Kane let down all his defenses and simply absorbed the care and affection he bestowed upon me in moments like these. I was still immersed in the sensation of his soothing touch when he asked, "Have you eaten anything?"

I shook my head. We’d brought food back, but now I’d lost my appetite, and even the thought of food made me want to vomit.

"I’m not hungry, but there’s food in the takeout containers. I didn’t even have time to hand it out."

"Um... just a second." Alpha Kane slowly removed his hand and stood up to walk over to my open kitchen island. Caysir had placed all the shopping bags there.

Alpha Kane must have been getting ready for bed, or maybe he already was, and had to rush here. I was grateful, though, and since we hadn’t told anyone in the office about it, I couldn’t call Miranda.

Alpha Kane soon appeared with a plate of French fries and chicken strips, along with a strawberry drink, which I washed down with it.

Even the plate and my drink seemed small in his large hands and against Alpha’s powerful frame.

’Who would believe that Billionaire Arrogant Alpha Kane Sterling would bring such food to his pack member?’ Nova amused.

The thought alone made me smile slightly, watching him with his head resting on his knees and... chest.

Putting the plate on the table, Alpha Kane placed a soda next to it and quietly said,

"Eat."

But my appetite had vanished, and all I could see was the poor bird’s crimson blood clinging to my palm and fingers.

I shook my head.

"I can’t... I..." My gaze darted to my hands, and I buried my head in my legs, unable to look at Alpha.

’Would Alpha be disappointed to see me fidget?’ I asked to Nova.

I felt the sofa beside me dip, and then his warmth seeped into my back as his huge hand gently landed there. I heard a plate being cleared from the table.

"You know what my mother used to say when I wouldn’t eat something as a child?"

Alpha Kane intrigued me, and without lifting my head from my legs, I tilted my head toward him to watch him.

"What?"

Alpha Kane handed me a french fry. They were a little soggy and half-bent between... his thumb and forefinger.

"Moonlight! I see your name written on these, so you’ll have to eat them or they’ll cry. Just like that, I see your name written on these fries; "Look how sad and wobbly it is," Alpha Kane said with all seriousness, and I couldn’t hide the smile that was on the verge of tears.

Alpha Kane poked me in the mouth with the potato, and I slowly opened my mouth to take it. He nodded approvingly, as if I were a five-year-old girl finishing her portion of leafy greens.

Not having an appetite, I slowly chewed and swallowed it while Alpha looked at me with a satisfied expression and suggested,

"You’re a brave girl. Now try these tender strips."

I shook my head again, not wanting to eat, but his insistence didn’t subside. Alpha Kane took a piece and then tilted his head so that our gazes were aligned. His forehead relaxed, and a glimmer of hope lit in his eyes.

Trying to smile, Alpha quietly said, "Please!"

I blinked, and then blinked again.

It wasn’t every day that Alpha Kane Sterling said "please," and I couldn’t refuse him after that tender request.

I quietly opened my mouth and took a bite from his hand, and Alpha Kane stroked my head as tenderly as if I were his pet wolf.

I would have done so if I hadn’t been in such a gloomy mood, but his touch calmed my racing heart.

Not only his physical closeness, but also something in his charm, instilling confidence, calmed my anxiety.

I silently finished the tender strip and refused to eat any more. This time, Alpha Kane didn’t insist, simply offering me a sip of the drink.

The refreshing drink flowed down my throat, the tart strawberry flavor combined with the sparkling soda cooling me. But I couldn’t drink any more.

"Would you like anything?" I asked while Alpha was clearing the dishes.

Alpha Kane called from the kitchen.

"I’ve already eaten."

Leaning against the thick armrest of the sofa, I closed my eyes, hoping the image of the dead bird wouldn’t haunt me.

Soon, something soft covered me, and I opened my eyes slightly to see Alpha Kane covering me with a blanket.

"Don’t go..." I said quietly as Alpha Kane adjusted the blanket, and his thoughtful, heavy-lidded gaze found me as he said, "I’m not going anywhere. Try to rest, Zara."

His packs are in danger, wars are brewing, and enemies are rising from everywhere. Chaos is spreading like wildfire across territories. But still, he came for me. Leaving chaos behind, he stands by my side, protecting me like I’m his only battle worth fighting.