Asher
I freeze, confused Kaido growls in my mind, urging me to run after Alethea. What could Maya have done to Alethea to elicit such a reaction from her? I try to take a step forward, but my feet feel glued to the floor.
Then, suddenly a loud, sickening bang echoes through the hall, like the sound of a vehicle crashing into something. The noise sends a chill down my spine, and my heart clenches painfully in my chest.
“Mate,” Kaido growls in my head.
Before I can react, Maya rushes toward me, her face filled with concern. “Asher, are you okay?”
I tear my gaze away from the direction of the noise and look at her. Whatever made Alethea bolt the moment she saw Maya has to be serious.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I need to handle this carefully. But first, I need to figure out what’s going on.
Quickly, I focus on Liam through the mind link. “Go after Alethea, now!”
“Yes, Alpha!” Liam’s response is sharp as I watch him sprinting out of the hall.
Kaido growls in my mind, as he urges me to follow Alethea. “Go after her!”
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupts outside the hall. The noise is chaotic, and within seconds, the tension inside the room escalates. People scream and rush toward the exits with fear.
“What’s happening? Are we under attack?” whispers and questions swirl around.
The thought of an attack snaps me into action.. as I rush toward the exit, my heart pounding with every step.
When I step outside, my breath catches in my throat. My heart tightens painfully, as my gaze locks on Alethea.
She’s lying motionless on the ground, her body crumpled and lifeless after being struck by a vehicle.
“Liam!” I choke out, but he’s already barking orders at the nearby men. “Get her to the pack doctor! Now!”
Kaido growls furiously in my mind, a low and menacing sound that mirrors the rage in me. Every instinct screams at me to fight for her, to do something-anything-to keep her safe.
But my legs feel like lead, as I stand frozen, useless, as they lift her fragile form and carry her away.
Kayla, Alethea’s closest friend, is on her knees, tears streaming down her face. Her hands tremble as she touches Alethea’s pale cheek, her voice breaking with desperation.
“Please, stay awake! You can’t die on me! You hear me? You can’t!”
Her head snaps up suddenly, and her tear-filled eyes meet mine, neither of us speaks.
In an instant, Kayla is in front of me, her small fists pounding against my chest.
“Alpha!” she cries, her voice breaking with pain.
I don’t move. I let her take it out on me. I know how much Alethea means to her-how close they are.
But what Alethea doesn’t realize is that Kayla isn’t just her best friend-she’s my cousin. Her pain cuts through me like a blade, made sharper by my guilt.
Kaido’s growl rumbles fiercely in my head, his fury barely contained as he claws for control, to tear apart whoever is responsible for her pain. I struggle to keep him at bay.
Alethea is quickly carried toward the pack doctor. The moment she’s gone, the emptiness around me feels unbearable, but before I can react, I sense someone beside me.
“What happened?” Maya’s voice breaks through the chaos as she tries to peer past me toward the commotion.
Without looking at her, I force my voice to stay calm, staring off into the distance. “It’s nobody, just an omega who got hit by a vehicle.”
Kaido’s roar explodes in my mind. “Shut up, you arrogant bastard! That’s our mate you’re calling nobody!” He hasn’t come to terms with the fact that I rejected Alethea.
“No, you shut up, Kaido!” I snap, my patience barely holding together. I can’t afford to show weakness in front of my pack because of a wolf-less omega!”
That’s the breaking point. Kaido retreats with a snarl, curling into the shadows of my mind in silence.
I grit my teeth, forcing my focus elsewhere. “How is she?” I mind-link Liam, in desperation despite my efforts to stay composed.
“She’s not looking good,” Liam replies, “She has severe head injuries, and…I don’t think she’s going to make it.”
I groan softly, the sound barely escaping my lips, as a wave of raw emotion crashes over me. My hands clenched into fists, and I felt the urge to lash out to vent the storm raging inside me.
I’m furious at the circumstances that have brought me to this moment. Angry at the Moon Goddess for pairing me with someone so vulnerable, when I come from a rare bloodline.
I shake off the dark, spiraling thoughts and turn toward Maya. I force a smile and pull her into a hug. “Come here. You must be tired. Let me drive you to your hotel.”
Maya stiffens in my arms and pulls back. “No, Asher!” she snaps, “I’m not just your girlfriend, for crying out loud. I’m your chosen mate! I should be in your room, not some hotel!”
I keep a neutral expression. I know what she expects from me, but all I can think about is Alethea fighting for her life. And yet, here I am, playing the perfect mate to Maya, all for the sake of keeping the pack together.
I close my eyes, drawing in a deep breath to steady myself, willing the anger to subside. I can’t afford to lose my temper now.
“Here in Redwood, we have strict laws about mates staying close before the mating ceremony,” I say.
Maya’s eyes narrow, her suspicion clear. “That’s just an excuse, Asher. What’s going on?”
I tighten my grip on Maya, pulling her closer. “It’s just pack protocol, Maya,” I reply smoothly. “Don’t worry about it, It’s said to bring bad luck to be together before the ceremony. So, my dear, you’ll have to wait just a little longer.”
I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine enough to ease her doubts, even as my stomach churns.
She sighs, pouting slightly but finally relenting. “Okay, if you say so.”
I sigh in relief, grateful Maya bought my white lie, at least for now.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say, guiding her toward the car.
One of my men pulls up just in time, stepping out to open the door for us. I watch as Maya climbs in before I follow.
The drive to the hotel is brief but it feels like an eternity. Once Maya is settled, I waste no time. I rushed back to the pack hospital.
I see Selena. She’s standing near the entrance, her face pale and etched with worry. Her connection to Alethea is something I don’t fully understand, but it’s undeniable.
“Alpha,” she says softly, bowing her head when she notices me.
“How is she?”
Selene shakes her head slowly. “It doesn’t look good, Alpha.”
“Can I see her?” I ask.
“Yes, of course, Alpha.”
The moment I step inside Alethea’s hospital room, Kaido begins pacing in my mind, his anxiety almost tangible.
“Calm down, Kaido. She’ll be fine,” but Kaido didn’t listen.
I approach the bed and gently take Alethea’s hand, my thumb brushing over her cool skin. Leaning down, I press a soft kiss to her knuckles, my heart squeezing painfully in my chest.
Words feel inadequate at this moment, so I let my fingers trace every inch of her face, in her soft hair memorizing her features.
I shouldn’t feel this way about Alethea. I rejected her. And yet, no matter how hard I try, I can’t sever the invisible thread that ties me to her. It’s maddening this craving, defying all logic.
“When is she likely to wake up?” I ask.
Selene hesitates, but when she speaks, her voice is low, almost apologetic. “I don’t know, Alpha… but I’m afraid she’s slipped into a coma.”
Her words hit me like a blow, but before I could respond, Kaido’s growl cut through the silence. “Someone’s here.”
I stiffen, my senses sharpening instantly. Turning toward the door, I catch the faintest whiff of an unfamiliar scent.