Claimed by the Alpha Beast

08: The check with many zeros

Kerris POV

Alpha King Zach did not return to the brothel room after he left. I sat on the bed with blood-smeared sheets and a blanket covering me while hours passed, but he never came back.

It is a few minutes before dawn now. I'm at the Matron's office as she hands me my check with a brief smile and winks.

"Enjoy the holiday. See you tonight."

I return her smile with not a single word. I'd been terrified that another client would come in and finish what Zach started. If not, the Matron won't pay me. All of my fears does not come through. Thank Fates, she also doesn't mention my 'client.' Then again, the green light kept blinking until I left that room. She probably thought I was busy the whole night.

As curious as I am about where he went and why he ran out like that, I'm scared to find out. The night did not go how I expected.

I have heard many stories from other girls about their first claiming. I expected the momentary pain that came with the first penetration. Nothing prepared me for the shameful pleasure that followed. Or the disappointment when he pulled out of me so suddenly. Did he leave because it's my first time? If his reaction was an indication, he didn't appreciate it at all.

Maybe his wolf didn't like me because I'm wolfless, too. A special breed of werewolf. Metal claws? Is that even possible? Maybe for an Alpha King. Those eyes. They had taken on the color of lightning. Like nothing I've ever seen before.

I have heard of the males of my kind half-shifting during the act. I know that the eyes change color and fangs come out in the heat of passion. A person's wolf is supposed to linger below the surface during an exciting encounter. That does not surprise me. But it can't be normal to stop so suddenly. He wasn't finished with me when he pulled out.

I look at the check for the first time as I'm escorted out. My jaw drops. I quickly slip it inside my purse. Is it a mistake? I'm too ashamed to go back and ask any questions. The figure is beyond my expectation. I was paid for hours of doing nothing with the King. Well, it's not my mistake and I won't be back here, so there's nothing to worry about.

I return to the pack before full daylight. I head straight home to wash off all the exotic perfumes before going to the hospital.

To my complete relief, Doctor Miles does not ask questions as I pay the bills with only 20% left of the debt. He orders the nurses to prep dad for the procedure. The balance is a small fortune still, but I can raise it more easily now.

I fall asleep on the waiting bench during the surgery. An assistant nurse wakes me up at some point,

“Miss Hart,” she says with a smile. “You can see him now. The procedure is complete and successful.”

I look at my watch. It's past mid day. More than five hours have gone by. Sunlight pours into hospital from the window, blinding me momentarily as I rise from the bench. My father looks extremely peaceful when I enter the recovery room. His color is back and the swelling on his joints have all vanished.

I feel so relieved and happy that all other disturbing thoughts fade from my mind. Thoughts like how I got the money. Or the fact that Emily is still MIA. My anxieties about my ex's uncle is nonexistent as I go and sit beside the bed.

"I feel fine," dad drawls with his eyes still shut.

"Dad, you're awake."

"Yeah, I am," He opens his eyes slowly, then starts to sit up. "Now, stop worrying about me, will you? Go enjoy the holiday with Alpha Ty and your friends."

"I don't think it's a good idea to get up, dad."

He ignores me, resting his back on the pillow against the headboard. With narrow eyes he stares at me, waiting for me to say something. Perhaps explain how I was able for the surgery.

"Where's Em?" He asks.

In the Alpha's bed. I don't say this aloud. Instead, I say,

"Home. Probably busy."

I school my features to hide any sign of hurt. But I'm his daughter. He knows me too well. Thank Goddess, the image of what I walked into yesterday no longer feels significant. The pain seems to have lessened. Hopefully he doesn't see the lingering hurt.

I feel strangely different, too. I no longer really feel like the girl who caught her fiancé pants down with her sister. It feels like that Kerris no longer exists.

"She didn't come here at all, did she?" Dad's asks with a sigh.

I don't answer. The sadness in his eyes breaks my heart. Dad raised us both with a lot of love. How can she repay his love with such neglect?

"It's okay, Kes. I understand why she can't be here. Working at Stone Corporations must be more demanding than we think. Was it her money?”

A part of me wish I could say yes. That would remove the sadness in his eyes. But not only do I refuse to lie, I hate that he expects any good from her. If he only knew how disloyal she has been. I refused to let her get the smallest credit.

When I don't answer quickly, his eyes widen as he asks,

"Kerris! Where did you get $45000? Please, tell me you didn't beg Alpha Tyrel for money."

"I did not, and I didn't pay full price. We're still owing.” I wish I could tell him that Tyrel and I were broken up. It's best to leave bad news for when he's fully recovered. “I don't want you to worry about anything. The most important thing is that you're cured."

"Tell me--"

The nurse knocks on the door and walks in. I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for her interruption.

"How are we doing?" She asks with a smile.

Dad forces a smile her way to show that he feels fine. But she has to check his vitals and make sure he's healing as expected.

"You must rest, Senior Beta. Visitation time is up."

She makes him lie back down as I leave the room, promising to see him later in the evening. In spite of his questions, I feel a deep satisfaction that dad is going to be okay. It's Christmas day and I'm off-duty at the Chemist.

However, I don't have the luxury to celebrate or be merry. We still owe nine grand. Going back to the brothel is out of the question, so I must start searching for a second job to meet up with the pay. My stipend at the Pack Chemist can cut it.

I walk out of the hospital and s*ck in a deep breath of the crisp holiday air. I begin to head home when a car honk blares and the car pulls over, almost hitting me.

The driver's door opens and Tyrel steps out.

"Where the fück have you been?”