Claimed by the Alpha Beast

012: The visiting pain

Kerris POV

I don't feel right. The strangeness began after I waved goodbye to Zach and his Beta. My stomach feels like it is tied in knots. Like I'm afraid. Even though the moment has passed and Zach didn't ask any question about my birthmark. He did not recognize me. That would be impossible.

I look back anxiously to see if I'm being followed. The street is almost empty as it's a holiday.

I'm climbing up the porch now. Suddenly, a wrenching pain cuts through me, making me double over. The feeling is like getting flogged with an axe. I grab hold of the railing for support as my spine crackles loudly in my ears. Like it is being snapped in two.

What is happening to me? Then the pain starts to fade and swiftly disappears, leaving a dull ache in its place.

I glance around the street again. No one is looking at me. No one saw me almost die a moment ago. 'What the hell was that?'

The door opens and Doris rushes out. She's an older female omega that has been working for us for years.

"Miss Hart," she cries. "You're home." She comes to meet me. "Are you okay? You're sweating and you look... strange."

"I'm fine now," I reply. "Is Emily home?"

"No, Miss. Just me."

Thank Fate. Not that I expect her to show her face yet. She wouldn't come home anytime soon considering that she never showed up at the hospital at the critical time.

"I was going to go the hospital but thought it's better to wait here till you get back. In case you need anything. I talk to Kate. My sister. You know she works at the hospital, right? She asked around, and your father is recovering well. He'll be back home soon."

"Yeah. I'm glad." I stand up. To my surprise, it doesn't require any effort. The pain from earlier has completely vanished, too. Doris is still talking as I half-listened,

"I'm glad, too. You don't know how bad I feel when I got the news."

"It was your day off, Doris. None of it is your fault. I'm not mad that you weren't around, and neither is dad. Stop beating yourself up, alright."

"Thanks, Miss Hart." She walks behind me as I head inside, offering unwanted updates about stuff I don't want to know. Once inside the house, I stare at the beautifully decorated fireplace and the Christmas tree sitting by the corner. The mouth-watering smell of chicken pot pie wafts from the kitchen.

The house feels like the holidays despite the silence. How sad that we're not celebrating as a family this year.

"Your sister hasn't shown up at all. Have you heard from her? My friend's niece said she sees her at work. And near the Alpha's villa."

"Yeah, she's busy, Doris. If you miss her so much, why not call her!?"

She backs away, shocked by my tone. I didn't mean to snap but can't seem to shake the restlessness and frustration inside me.

"Sorry. I'm really tired."

"I understand, Miss Hart. You've been through a lot."

You have no idea.

"You should rest. I made chicken pot pie. I'll bring your meal to your room, if you want."

"Thank you."

For some reason, as I climb the stairs to my room, I expect the pain to return. But nothing happened. When I feel for it, but it's no longer there. Not even the dull ache. What did it mean? I would've been excited if it happened on a full moon. But it's not full moon, and I'm in my room now, staring in the mirror.

I look normal and exhausted. I start to take off my clothes when a gentle knock sounds on the door.

"I brought your food," Doris calls. The rich aroma makes my stomach protest the delay and I go and receive the meal.

"I'm taking some to the hospital. Would you like me to do anything for you before I leave?”

“No, it's okay. I'll just eat and rest for now,” I reply absently.

"Alright. I should be back in an hour."

Moments later, I'm alone in the house. I finish eating before getting on my phone to spread my resume around for a temp job. Thoughts of Zach keeps coming to mind. I try not to worry, but can't help recalling how he looked at me when I was getting off his car.

I need to put him off my mind and avoid him completely. I leap from my bed and go stand in the mirror to stare at my birthmark. It's not much bigger than the dot of a pen. He couldn't have noticed it. Even if he did, it proves nothing. The Matron would've had them cover it up with a makeup if it was something to worry about.

I flop back on my bed, thinking about the last forty-eight hours. It has been the most eventful in my entire life.

I'm just glad that all of these events are in the past. Dad is alive, and everything is back to normal. My body gives in to the exhaustion at some point, and I shut my eyes for a nap.

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The sound of a ringing phone cuts through my sleep. I come awake but don't immediately open my eyes. Please, Fates, let it not be morning yet. I haven't slept enough.

When I finally open my eyes and check the bedside clock, it's barely 10:30. Only now do I recall this was supposed to be an afternoon nap. I slept for five hours? Ah, well, it's my day off. Thank Fate, I still have all night to sleep some more.

The phone's noise become more disconcerting. Who the hell could be calling? I reach for it to check, and it's a number I've never seen before but can't recall where. I sit up in a panic, thinking it must be from the hospital.

“Hello.”

“Butterfly,” comes the calm familiar voice. "This is the Matron."

The fear is quickly replaced by anxiety. They want their money back because the client didn't finish.

“How did you get this number?” I ask breathlessly.

“Not important. You're late for work. On your second day? That's bad impression.” Her tone is cold and controlled.

“This is about the client leaving before he's through, isn't it? That's not my fault, Matron. He started, then ran off. I waited until you rang the bell. You can't blame me for his wolf's… over activeness.”

“You must report here at once!” She says sharply. “I'll be waiting. So will your stylist!”

“Oh, I'm not coming in. I only signed up for last night. And don't call this number again!” I hung up and blocked the number.

At least, there's my proof that the last twenty-four hours was real and not my imagination. I look around my bedroom. Sleep has taken its leave, but I lay back down and wait for morning.