Claimed by the Alpha Beast

09: Sprained claw

Kerris POV

"Where the fück have you been?" Tyrel marches to where I'm standing.

My encounter with his uncle replays before me as he approaches. It feels so strange standing near him after last night.

"My dad's in the hospital. That's where I've been?”

His expression changes. Wait, why does he want to know where I've been? Does he suspect anything? I should ignore him and keep walking. I glance all around, but he's still addressing me, and people are moving about. How I hate that he's no longer Alpha heir. I won't be obligated to acknowledge him in public if he's not leader of my pack.

"Where's your phone? It's turned off!"

The comment makes me reach into my satchel. I haven't even thought about checking for texts or calls. Not since I entered the Flower Den last night.

"What's going on? How's Joseph?"

“My father is recovering well,” I reply curtly, feeling proud that his help isn't required anymore.

"I see.” He robs his earlobe. Something he does when he's irritated and trying to keep his cool. "Why did you turn off your phone?"

"Do you need something, Alpha Ty?” I snap.

I'm sick of standing here while he acts like we're still together. His tone is most irritating right now.

"It was Christmas eve last night, Kerris. I tried to reach you. Where were you the whole night?"

“I have a lot to do and need to get go--"

"I told you I would give you time!" He moves closer. "That doesn't mean you get to ignore me. You plan a party and just disappear? I expected you back that night! My friends asked about you. And last night? It was Christmas eve. You were supposed to be at my house, but you went MIA.”

“Are you serious right now? I'm supposed come take care of you after catching you between my sister's legs?”

“Keep your voice down!” His eyes dart about.

"Why don't you go back to her or the others? The holiday is just getting started. You should be having fun, Alpha!"

I'm about to walk away, but he blocks my path. "I choose how I spend my holiday, and I don't remember asking you for suggestions!"

He's invading my personal space now. I move back to distance myself from him.

“Your dad is in the recovery room, huh? Doctor Miles said the bill is pretty high this time, and they couldn't begin his surgery until you make a deposit. I was waiting for you to call me. I knew you wouldn't ask during my party. But what happened after that?”

“So you knew I needed help? How desperate I was… You knew what I must have been going through yet–”

“You were upset, Kes. I needed you to calm down. I was waiting for you mention it to me, but you didn't. Then I get the report that Joseph Hart's surgery was successful. Where did you get the money?" His voice has an edge.

I maintain a straight face even though my heart speeds up. The last thing I need is for anyone, especially him, to get curious about where I got the money. I want to lash out but could get in trouble for disrespecting the Alpha in public.

"I don't have to tell you, Alpha," I gritted, then looked around to see if anyone is watching. Passersby glance our way with little to no interest. “You might be leader of the pack now, but you don't own me. I don’t owe you details of what I do or where I go!”

I start to leave again but he grips my arm.

"We are not done talking. You are a member of the Moon Shadow. That means you'll be respectful and answer my question! Who gave you the money?"

"Let... GO." I free my arm from his grip.

We both glance around together to see if there's an audience. At the same time, Zach Stone is walking out of the hospital with his Beta beside him.

Our eyes meet, and my heart shoots to my throat.

'He didn't see your face, Kes. Calm down!'

His gaze doesn't linger on me for three seconds. He looks away casually. Like I'm not worth staring at.

What is he doing in Moon Shadow hospital? Did something happen to his wolf because of me? People bow as he saunters past them. He's looking at Tyrel now.

"Good afternoon, Uncle. I mean... your majesty?" Tyrel bows. “Happy holidays.”

“You, too. Everything okay?”

"Sure. Everything's good. What brings you to the hospital?"

“Nothing that concerns you,” he replies with a smile that makes Tyrel blink nervously. Then he glances around. As if feeling sorry for embarrassing the Alpha, he adds, “I sprained a claw and was closer to your pack.”

“Sorry for the sprain. Is there anything I can do? You should have called me when it happened. I would have had doctor Miles come to you wherever you are.”

As I watch him suck up to his uncle, I wonder what he would think or say if he knew that I'm no longer a vırgin. That the male he calls uncle claimed me last night. He holds Zach in very high regard, and speaks about him with something close to fear.

“That's not necessary, but thanks.” Zach resumes walking without sparing me a glance.

Sometimes, I suspect that he is estranged from Ty and his father, but they all tend to put up appearances for people's sake.

The two are so different. Zach's hair is a striking black where Ty's own is dirty blond. The latter's sky blue eyes is a direct contrast to his uncle's stormy gray. Where Zach's cheekbones are high and prominent, Ty has low cheekbones that compliments his looks well enough.

The two are handsome, but in distinct ways. Tyrel has the golden boy look with clean-cut and bright features. Zach looks like a bad boy. Dangerous. Mysterious. Magnetic.

One could never tell that they are family, let alone uncle and nephew. I didn't believe he was his uncle for a long time. Not until my dad told me that the former Alpha had Zach much later when his first son was around fourteen or fifteen years old.

Even though they both give off the Alpha aura, one can easily tell from a distance that Zach is in charge and not just because of his bigger physique.

Tyrel forces a smile when his uncle is at a safe distance.

"Who knew our king can sprain a claw, too.”

I ignore the comment and start to walk away again.

“You went to a loan company, didn't you?" He asks, making me stop. "I'm sure they're unregistered. That's playing with trouble, sweetling. Friendly advise? Don't go to them for the balance. You can't afford their interest.”

He glances at his watch and walks back to the car. He opens the door but doesn't get in immediately.

“You'll need help paying them back,” he says. “Now, I want to help you, but you'll have to ask, Kerris. You'll have to stop being difficult. No matter who becomes my Luna. No matter what you saw or what you'll see in the future, you and I are not over. Not until I say so. I'll let you take advantage of my position as long as you get over what you saw that day!"

He gets into the car and drives off.