It’s Normal To Be Afraid

Zara

"White isn’t your color, Blue Rose," Alpha Kane teased, striding toward me on his slender legs. His gaze never left me, shrouded in anxiety.

I tried to smile at his words. Relief washed over me, then a feeling of security.

Alpha was here.

I’d be safe.

Even though I knew how to protect myself, Alpha Kane’s presence reinforced that feeling.

"Yes, hospitals have a peculiar sense of humor. They offer the same coloring for both the living and the dead."

Worry flickered in Alpha’s eyes, as if he didn’t appreciate my answer.

Alpha Kane replied calmly, "Nothing will happen to you. How are you feeling?" Alpha Kane walked to the foot of my bed and took that stupid hospital pudding from the tray.

Removing the wrapping, Alpha walked over and raised the bed with the lever.

"Everything’s fine, fresh as a rose," I replied, watching his thick hand fiddle with the lever, adjusting it to a comfortable position.

Satisfied, Alpha Kane settled his massive figure next to me on the bed. The warmth of his body penetrated me, even though he wasn’t physically touching me.

Mr. Cold was incredibly warm today, and I needed it; I didn’t want to dwell on it or think about what had happened. Alpha Kane filled a spoon with pudding and offered it to me like a caring Alpha for his pack member.

"It better be good, I’m starving," I warned before taking a bite, and his lips twitched, trying to suppress a smile.

Why was Alpha Kane always so afraid to smile?

"I will buy you whatever you want."

I nodded slightly and tried to swallow the sticky pudding. Alpha Kane offered me another spoonful, and I took it. Without taking his eyes off the pudding, he began:

"I spoke with the doctor, and fortunately, there are no internal injuries or broken bones, but you do have bruises on your arms, shoulder, and neck." Alpha’s voice was quiet and worried, his face frozen as stone. His gaze darted painfully to my hands.

This was understandable, since those were the only parts of my body the man could attack.

"It’s not that bad, it’s mostly my fault. I was trying to open the elevator door. Sometimes I can be so stupid," I tried to joke, not wanting to seem pathetic or evoke sympathy.

"You’re not stupid, Zara. You were fighting for your life and suffered from claustrophobia. It’s normal to be afraid sometimes."

Slowly raising his head, Alpha Kane allowed me to look into his completely serious eyes, a gaze sharper than a guillotine blade. There was an unspoken promise in his next words.

"Tell me everything, leave nothing out."

Leaning back against the pillow, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds before beginning.

As he’d asked, I left nothing out and even told him about my claustrophobia. I hated confined spaces; it was like my worst nightmare.

Alpha Kane listened patiently, never interrupting, but his silence was like a cemetery where he was about to bury the man who had hurt me.

My breathing quickened, even as I recalled the incident, and I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if that man had succeeded in kidnapping me.

Alpha Kane’s hand gently rested on my shoulder. I knew he was avoiding my hands because they were wounded.

"I have him, and soon I will have all the answers; you don’t need to worry anymore. Just focus on healing." Alpha’s words were like a slow-acting poison, aimed not at me, but at the man who dared to harm me, full of unspoken threat.

At that moment, I realized that Alpha Kane, like my father, was a strategist; he would get to the bottom of this and not stop until he had all the answers.

"Isn’t it..." It’s normal to be afraid.

A weight clouded my mind and my eyes. My eyelids felt like lead. With difficulty, I slowly opened them, and the bright light in the room almost hurt.

"I texted your dad on your behalf. There were a few messages from him, and I didn’t want him to worry."

Did he even know? My dad will be worried about me.

"Where did you get my password?" I asked, confused, and he smiled slowly, almost mockingly.

"I know your password. Relax! I haven’t opened any other apps."

’How the hell did this wolf know my password?’ I rolled my eyes.

’Nothing surprised me in Alpha’s presence.’ Nova was always on Alpha’s side.

"Where?" I asked, almost irritated. He just shrugged.

"You’re not very discreet about it."

Approaching me, Alpha Kane kissed me tenderly on the forehead, his hot breath brushing against my skin. I itched to grab his shirt and hold on, despite everything Alpha said.

Alpha Kane’s soft lips lingered, bringing the blood rushing to my face.

"I called your friends; they’ll keep you company while I take care of some business. I’ll come over this evening and take you home."

My forehead and Alpha’s lips parted like two magnets, and he slowly rose and set the bowl of pudding aside.

A light knock on the door finally drew my attention away from him and that sweet kiss that was meant to stay with me for a long time.

"You may come in," Alpha Kane said. The door opened, and I saw Sophia enter with flowers and chocolates.

"Zara!" She had a wide smile on her face, and I couldn’t help but smile even wider.

She rushed toward me.

Alpha Kane lingered by the door, a hesitant shadow; his unblinking gaze took one last look at me, and then he vanished, leaving me with Sophia.

"What happened to you, Zara?" Sophia was curious.

I told her all that had happened to me.

"You are not safe in the city, either." Ultimately, she said this.

’Sophia is right, we are not safe anywhere.’ Nova was tense.

’But we are brave enough that we can handle anyone easily.’ I rolled my eyes.