Hated By The Alpha

Chapter 7

“Witch?” Alice had been called many names by him, but witch was a first.

Will lifted his eyes from the book and stared at me, looking uncertain for the first time since I walked through the door.

“It’s a figure of speech, because she manipulates you in a way that feels like a spell.” He snorted, setting the book aside and removing his glasses to look at me. “Can’t you see? She’s not good for you!”

My mother always loved Alice. I wasn’t a girl with many friends, but as far back as I can remember, she was always there with me.

“Mom was friends with Agnes even before I was born, and she never saw harm in our friendship.”

“Your mother isn’t here to see what that girl is doing to your life.” He sighed and stood from the couch, heading toward the kitchen. “You’ll see I only want what’s best for you. I’ll take you out of this city, and you’ll thank me for it.”

“I won’t go!” I shouted, but he ignored me, continuing on his way. “I’m twenty years old, I can manage on my own. If you want to leave, that’s your problem, but I’m not leaving Salem!”

Will didn’t turn back or argue as I expected, just disappeared into the kitchen, leaving me standing in the living room.

But I meant what I said—I wouldn’t go. Aunt Agnes would surely let me live with them, and I’d find a job. I didn’t need him for anything!

I ran to my room and locked myself in, not wanting to lose it. I just lay on the bed and breathed deeply. It was inevitable not to be intoxicated by the scent rising from the jacket, and I couldn’t avoid being overtaken by memories of last night.

I knew it was foolish to daydream about a man I’d only seen once, but there I was, trying to imagine what he was doing.

I got lost in thoughts and ended up falling into a deep sleep, where those golden eyes drew me into a dense forest.

I followed him through the trees, piercing the pitch-black night, scratching myself on sharp branches until I reached a clearing where all that stood was a wolf.

A massive, terrifying wolf, it opened its mouth, revealing frightening fangs. It seemed over three meters tall, and when it raised its head to the sky, it looked even larger.

Its howl deafened me, and I fell to the ground, covering my ears to muffle the sound with my hands, but it was useless.

The howl turned sad and pained, as if the great wolf were injured, and I lifted my eyes just in time to see it collapse.

I should’ve taken advantage of its pained howling to run, to flee anywhere or retrace my steps.

But on an impulse, I approached the animal and stared into its tear-filled eyes. As it struggled to free its paws from traps piercing the bones of its legs, I looked into those suffering eyes.

I don’t know how it could be true, but gazing into those golden eyes, I was certain it was Parker, trapped in that snare, suffering with his paws torn by iron teeth.

“That is your fate.” A bitter, dark voice echoed through the trees. I turned, searching for its owner, but found no one. “And that will be your death!”

A wooden stake, surrounded by fire, appeared in the center of the clearing, and I recalled visions I’d had of a woman burning at the stake.

I stood and tried to take a step, but my feet were bound by iron chains.

I couldn’t move under their weight, couldn’t leave the spot.

A fierce wind swept through the clearing, and I was dragged toward the pile of wood, now blazing with high flames.

The wolf howled again, as if crying for me, and I screamed for help, for anyone who could save me.

I thrashed, trying to break free from that invisible force, and Parker, or the wolf, growled and howled at the sky, as if expecting someone to help us.

When the fire’s heat consumed my body, I woke up startled. Sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, hitting my face, almost burning me.

“Are you okay?” Will stood at the bedroom door. “You wouldn’t stop screaming.”

I could swear I’d locked the door. I rubbed my eyes, confused, staring at the figure standing there.

“It was just a nightmare,” I mumbled, unenthusiastically, and he nodded.

I never left the door unlocked—how could he have gotten in?

“Lunch is on the table!” A wide smile spread across his lips, as if we hadn’t fought hours ago.

He might want to pretend we’d forgotten everything, but I wouldn’t forget or let him drag me to another city.

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

As soon as he closed the door behind him, I jumped up and grabbed my phone.

There were a few messages from Alice, as expected, asking how things had gone.

Bri: He’s lost it, said he’s moving to keep me away from you.

Ali: What??? He can’t, you can’t leave Salem!!!

Bri: I know, I already told him that, friend.

Bri: Another thing, you know how I always have those crazy dreams about the woman burning? This time, I was headed for the stake, and a giant wolf watched me die.

Ali: When did you have this dream?

Bri: This afternoon. I already said the wolf’s eyes were identical to Parker’s, the guy from the other night.

Ali: Where are you?

Bri: Crazy dream, right? We should go see your aunt, the one who interprets weird dreams.

“Daughter, come on, lunch is getting cold!”

Bri: I’m going to eat lunch. Will’s acting like nothing happened; I know he’ll try to convince me later.

I tossed the phone on the bed and ran down the stairs. The last thing I needed was him saying Alice was to blame for me being late to the table.

“I made the pasta you love.” Will was already seated, my plate ready as usual. “You know I hate when we fight.”

I sat beside him and reached for his hand. This was his way of apologizing—cooking.

“I hate fighting too.” I gave my best smile and dug into the food.

Since Will moved in with us, he was the only one who cooked in this house. He truly had magic hands for it; not a single dish wasn’t delicious when he made it.

I ate like it was my first meal in days, not realizing how hungry I was until that moment.

“When you’re done washing the dishes, we can go downtown, take a walk, see a movie. What do you think?”

“Sounds great. I’ll just…” My head spun suddenly, and I steadied myself on the sink’s edge. “I’ll just take a shower first,” I managed to mumble.

I ran my wet hand over the back of my neck, feeling my blood pressure drop and my stomach burn. A wave of nausea hit, and I took a moment to breathe deeply, covering my mouth to keep from vomiting.

The last thing I needed was to get sick to my stomach now.

It took me longer than usual to finish the small pile of lunch dishes, and I stumbled upstairs to my room. I didn’t want Will to see me unwell, or the blame would fall on Alice.

My vision darkened as I finally reached my room, and I had just enough time to get to the bed and unlock my phone.

Alice’s message was the first thing I could focus on.

Ali: Don’t trust him! Me and my mom are coming over!

Ali: We’re almost there, Bridget, don’t eat anything he gives you!

Ali: Friend???

What had gotten into everyone? Will insulting Alice more than usual, and now her telling me not to trust the man who raised me.

“Alice, I think something we drank last night messed me up. I feel like I’m going to pass out and throw up my guts at the same time.” I swallowed the bile, not caring if I was still recording the voice message. “Will can’t know I’m sick, friend.”

A figure dressed in black appeared at my door. I strained my eyes to focus, but I couldn’t make out their eyes.

What the hell was happening to me? Why did my stomach feel like it was on fire, my whole body urging me to expel something, forcing me to vomit?

“Will! Will!” I gathered my last strength and screamed for help.

“Calm down, my child.” His voice seemed so close, but why would he let a stranger into my room? “Everything will be resolved quickly. Just breathe deeply and close your eyes.”

The black-clad figure approached the bed, and even then, I couldn’t make out their features. All I saw was milky, pale skin, too white for anyone I knew, like someone who hadn’t seen the sun in years.

A cold hand touched my hair, and I shuddered from head to toe. My entire body tensed at the strange, repulsive contact, and I was overtaken by darkness.