Marked By The Alpha’s Son

MAYA’s pov The smell of antiseptic made my stomach turn. It was on my hair, clothes, and even my skin. No matter how many times I scrubbed in the hospital sink, it followed me everywhere like a curse. My father was lying on a hospital bed. His skin was pale, and he looked so thin. The once-strong man who used to lift me onto his shoulders now looked like a ghost of himself. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only reminder that he was still alive. “Your father’s body isn’t responding well,” Dr. Keller had said that morning. “If you can’t renew his medication and supplies by the end of the week, there’s nothing more we can do.” The words had replayed in my head all day like a nightmare. I was eighteen. Too young to watch my father slip away because we couldn't afford to pay hospital bills. My mother, Elara, sat by the window of the small hospital room, her hands trembling as she sorted through the growing pile of unpaid bills. Her soft golden eyes, eyes that never looked entirely human, had lost their glow. “I’ll work another shift,” she whispered. “Maybe if I can take the night route at the diner, we can manage another payment.” “Mom,” I said quietly, touching her hand. “You haven’t slept in two days.” Mom smiled faintly. “Sleep is a luxury, baby. Your father needs medication.” I turned away so my mother wouldn’t see the tears pooling in my eyes. We were drowning in debt and there was nothing I could do. School offered no real escape. I forced myself to walk through the doors, holding my worn out back-pack. In class, I tried to act normal. My best friend, Tara Quinn, sat beside me in class, her curly auburn hair bouncing as she leaned close. “You’ve been quiet all week,” she whispered, sliding a piece of gum toward me. “What’s going on, Maya?” Across from us, Ryan Miller, my boyfriend of eight months, rested his chin on his palm. His dark hair fell over his eyes, concern wavering. “Is it your dad again?” I hesitated, chewing the inside of my cheek before nodding. “They said if we can’t pay soon, they’ll stop treatment. Mom’s working nonstop, but it’s not enough.” Tara frowned. “That’s insane. They can’t just stop helping him, he’s a patient.” “They can,” I said softly. “Hospitals don’t care about people. They care about money.” Ryan reached over, squeezing my hand under the desk. “Hey, don’t worry. Something will work out. Maybe I can get my uncle to talk to one of his hospital contacts.” Tara nudged him. “You can barely afford lunch, hero.” He chuckled. “I didn’t say I’d pay for it, Tara.” They laughed, and for a few seconds, I felt normal again. Then the bell rang, and reality came crashing back. By the time classes ended, the clouds had gathered. A dull gray sky hung over the town as I made my way back to the hospital. When I reached the hospital, a nurse at the counter gave me a tired smile. “Room 204 again?” I nodded, forcing a smile in return. As I walked down the long hallway, my chest tightened when I turned the corner and saw two nurses inside my father’s room. They were unplugging the monitors, folding wires, and moving around like robots. My heart stopped. “What are you doing?” I screamed, rushing forward. “Miss,” one nurse started, startled. “Stop.” I grabbed the tubing, clutching my father’s limp hand. “You can’t take him off. He’s still alive.” “We were ordered to remove life support,” the older nurse said gently. “The bills haven’t been paid, and the hospital…” “Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Just give us time. Please.” But the nurses didn’t answer. They looked at me with pity. They had seen too many families like mine lose their loved ones because they could not pay hospital bills. I ran. I sprinted down the corridor, my heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe. I didn’t stop until I reached the doctor’s office, the same man who had given my mother that deadline. I pushed open the door without knocking. “Please,” I gasped, gripping the edge of his desk. “Don’t take him off the machines. I’ll find a way to pay. I’ll do anything, just don’t let him die.” Dr Keller leaned back slowly in his leather chair, his gaze making me uncomfortable. He set down his pen studying me. “Anything?” he repeated, his tone slow. I froze. “I…” I stammered. “I meant I can work. I can help with patients, clean rooms, anything. Please, sir, just give us more time.” Dr. Keller rose from his seat and circled the desk until he was standing too close. I could smell the bitter scent of coffee and cologne that clung to him. “There are other ways you can repay me,” he murmured. “We could come to a private arrangement. Let me f**k that tight little cunt of yours, hmm?” My stomach turned. “You’re disgusting,” I said, my voice shaking. His smile turned cruel. “Then perhaps your father’s suffering will end sooner than you think.” The words hit me like a slap. Tears stung my eyes as I sprinted back to my father’s room. My mother had returned and was sitting beside the bed, clutching her husband’s hand with tears in her eyes. “Maya,” Elara whispered, noticing my pale face. “What’s wrong?” I couldn’t speak. I just sank into my mother’s arms, shaking. “Shh, baby,” she whispered, stroking my hair. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.” That night, I didn’t sleep. I sat by my father’s bedside, listening to the beeping of the machines that kept him alive. Outside, the moon hung low and full, an eerie, perfect circle. It cast silver light across the room, making my mother’s hair shimmer faintly where it fell over her shoulders. Mum stood by the window for a long time, staring up at the moon. She whispered soft words in a melodic language I didn't understand. I watched her, feeling a sense of unease. I didn't know it then. I didn't know my mother carried dangerous secret. And I had no idea that in just a few short days, my entire world will be ripped away and replaced with one filled with wolves, ancient blood laws… and him.