Claimed by the Alpha Beast

010: The short ride

Zach POV

How I hate that my nephew saw me leaving his pack's hospital. He'll mention it to his daddy, who will then try to find out my actual reason for stopping by. No one knows about my condition. They all believe their Alpha King is merely powerful and competent. It's best that they never learn about the curse.

What the fück is he doing at the hospital on Christmas day, anyway? With Miss Fruitcake, too.

‘“Who knew our king could sprain an claw, too.”’

I almost turn around at those words but force my eyes ahead as I wordlessly enter the backseat of the car. My Beta takes the wheel but doesn't start the engine immediately. He and I haven't said any word about what happened. More than anyone, he knows how much I hate talking about the beast.

I'm still trying to understand why he showed up last night. Granted, I'd been horny, but that's not unusual. I wasn't really excited. The only emotion I was feeling was lust. Which shouldn't have summoned him!

Sleeping with a faceless she-wolf is something I've been doing since I became an adult, and that girl is not the first virgin I've ever been with.

Recalling this fact makes me grit my teeth. That damn Matron should have told me she's untouched. All she said was, ‘fresh find.’ I can't believe she kept that important detail from me. I will have a word with her when the time comes.

No one saw me leave the Flower Den last night. Except the mysterious girl. I have to find her. Not only did she catch a glimpse of the beast, but there's something about her. She has an effect on my curse.

I can only learn more when I see her again. Maybe she can help with the cure. I stare at my hands, recalling how her eyes widened at the sight of the iron claws.

'Those eyes.'

Images from the day before yesterday comes flashing back as I recall the color of the girl's eyes. My nephew's girlfriend' face fills my mind. Her bold comment replays in my head,

'''I'm sure I can find a cleaner specializing in kingly shirts...'''

Both girls have the same eyes. I glance their way without meaning to. Tyrel is walking to his car without her. It seems like the two were arguing when I walked out of the hospital. Her cheeks had been tear-stained when she kissed my shirt two days ago, so maybe the two are having relationship problems. Not my business!

I don't like looking at her one bit. I don't like how my body reacts when I do.

Justin reconsiders whatever he’s about to say and starts the engine. I have no desire for a chat, so I don't ask him. He's driving past Tyrel's car when he says,

"Seems your nephew is having female trouble."

The girl does look pissed and confused. She starts to leave, too, instead of getting in her boyfriend's car.

“Any word from Caleb?” I ask.

I'm sure he would rather talk about last night, and I really don't want to discuss Miss Fruitcake.

"A text came from him," he replies. "He found... blood. And flesh. Thinks its male. Definitely human. Middle-age. Whatever's left of his carcass is being taken care of by other wild animals. We don't know if you have anything to do with it yet."

My heart sinks. The Beast did murder someone last night. Please, Goddess, let that be the only victim. He didn't touch the girl. I'm sure of it. Let me be right, Goddess.

“His trail doesn't lead back to the Den," Justin adds gently. As if he can hear my silent prayer. "It's safe to think that he didn't go back there to meet the mysterious girl.”

"We don't know for sure," I murmur.

It had been close to dawn when my Beta and Gamma found me deep in the woods. I had just regained my senses. Bruises on my own wolf shows that it had been a tough fight between me and the beast. The worst part of this is that my own wolf, Ares, seems to have warmed up to our unwanted guest.

Doctor Colton had been consulting here at the Moon Shadow when Justin called him. He had insisted that I come to him immediately. I don't know the extent of the damage done by the accursed beast yet. My Gamma is still investigating.

A small traffic build-up causes Justin to slow the car. It seems another vehicle has broken down on the main road. I let my head fall back, thinking about how I spent my Christmas eve. Not the later part.

I'd unwrapped my present but wasn't able to enjoy it as much as I should. How unfair that I didn't get my money's worth.

I remember how tense the masked girl was when I revealed my face. It had felt so good to have her relax. I like the way she responded to my touch. Thinking about it stirs my groin now. She's a special flower, indeed.

I definitely have to go back there. Not to finish what we started, of course. That's risky now. I must see her again to address her effect on the beast.

Something catches the corner of my eye. Miss Fruitcake has caught up with our car. Justin is still speaking, but I can't pay attention. Images of the masked girl dissolves as I stare at my nephew's girl. Her outfit today is a contrast to the dress she wore the day she bumped into me. She's wearing a simple oversized shirt and shorts.

Her legs are nice and straight.

“Thank Fate, the victim is human and not our kind," Justin is saying. "He'll be declared missing soon. Would you like to tell me what happened? I mean, mere sëx with a stranger couldn't have made him come out like..."

He trails off when he realizes I'm not paying attention. He's staring at me through the rearview now. Then his gaze follows mine.

“Oh, it's Miss Hart. Want me to give her a ride?”

I should say no. Then he'll want to know why.

“Yeah… I guess,” I murmured, forcing my gaze away from her.

The girl bothers the hell out of me. I can't let anyone know, no matter what. She must never catch me staring at her.

Justin stops in front of her. She looks from left to right, as if checking to make sure we stopped for her sake.

"Get in, Miss Hart. We'll give you a ride.”

"Oh, no, Beta Justin. I wouldn't trouble your majesty. My house is just minutes from here."

When I look her way again, I get the feeling that she isn't being polite. She does not want to ride in the car because of me. My pride doesn't take that well, so I push the door open.

"Get in, Miss Hart!" I say firmly.

She heaves a nervous sigh before obeying. A soft smell of lavender and rose fills the backseat once she enters. My body stirs in response. Damn, I hate this!

Turning my gaze out the window, I remind myself that Madison smells good, too. I should try to recall her scent right now.

"So where are you heading?" Justin asks, breaking the dead silence.

"Um… 5th Avenue," she replies. "River drive. It's the next turn." Her voice slightly cracks. Like there's something in her throat.

She's nervous. Not as bold as the other day. Girls all over the west coast get nervous around me. Hello, I'm the king! I can't help but briefly wonder what it would feel like to have this one relax around me.

She'd been unfocused and eager to get out of Stone towers when she ran into me that day. Maybe I should ask why she was crying.

Nope. Too personal. Not my business nor my problem.

My nephew hasn't officially announced her as his chosen yet. He's probably still deciding. She would be his Luna soon. I wonder if I should ask about that. I'm mildly curious about their relationship. They were arguing just now. Are they okay?

Why am I thinking about them? I need to stop thinking about her altogether. I have problems to deal with.

"This is me," she announces. Justin pulls over at a T-junction.

"Thank you, your majesty. Beta."

I should acknowledge that with a glance, at least.

I turn to give her that as she's leaving the car. The oversized t-shirt falls over one shoulder, revealing smooth golden skin.

Then something catches my eye, and I can't look away. A small birthmark stares back at me from her collarbone.