What Belongs to the Alpha

Chapter Four: Beta Carlos

Sandra's POV

What had I expected? For me to fall in love with Lucas, have him sweep me off my feet, and name me his Luna? The idea was nearly laughable.

But the pain? The betrayal? That was real. Too real.

Mia’s smirk, Lucas’s cold eyes, the way they both regarded me as though I was nothing—it wouldn’t leave my mind. With every step I took, I was reminded again of how cruel they were. My ribs throbbed, and breathing was like a punishment. But I couldn't stop moving. If I stopped, I'd collapse.

I was walking toward the royal kitchen, willing myself to concentrate, when —

A hand grabbed me.

I gasped, a bolt of pain coursing through my ribs when I was wrenched into the shadows. A hand, warm and soft, covered my mouth. My chest banged against my heart, my body going rigid in a moment—

Until I saw him.

Carlos.

Like a wave of relief, but I was still trembling. My breath escaped raggedly as he lifted his hand slowly from my mouth.

“s**t, Sandra,” muttered Carlos, his vivid blue eyes appraising me, worry clenching his jaw. “I busted you up without even trying and you’re in pain? What the hell did that bastard do to you this time?”

I swallowed hard, willing the quaver of my voice to disappear. "It's nothing. I'm fine."

Carlos's eyes darkened. "Don't do that. Don't lie to me."

I hesitated. Carlos was the only one who gave a s**t. He was the Beta—Lucas’s right hand—but he hated how I was treated.” He’d always assisted me on the sly, always put himself in peril. But there was only so much he could do and we both knew that.

He rubbed his blond hair, letting out a sigh. “Lucas turned you down in public, did he not?”

The lump in my throat grew. I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

Carlos clenched his fists. "And let me guess. He made certain you paid for it as well.”

I forced a weak smile. "You know him."

"Yeah, I do." His jaw tightened. "That's the problem."

I exhaled shakily. “I have to get to the kitchen before — “

“No.” It was a hard, final. “You’re not going anywhere but Greta’s.”

I stiffened. "Carlos, I can’t—"

"You can," he interrupted. "And you will. You're barely standing. If we don’t treat you, perhaps—” He halted, sucked in air and exhaled sharply. "Just trust me."

I faltered, but his grip strengthened on my wrist — not painfully, just firm enough to bind me together.

I sighed a little bit, debased. "Fine."

Carlos gave a sharp nod. "Good. Now shut your mouth, and come with me.”

We moved quickly, keeping to the shadows, evading the guards. My ribs screamed in protest with every dodge or crouch I had to do, and I winced each time. But Carlos kept me steady. He held my hand firmly, reassuringly.

When we arrived at Greta’s room at last, Carlos knocked, urgency in the way he didn’t wait for an answer before shoving the door open.

The lead nurse, Greta, folded her arms when she saw us. "What now?" she sighed. Then her eyes locked on me, and her expression warmed up. "Oh, sweetheart. What did he do this time?"

Carlos was already helping me to the cot. “She got a bad shot to the ribs. She can barely breathe. Just—please check her."

Greta didn’t waste time. “Lie flat,” she said, her usual incisiveness blunted by quiet worry.

Obeying, I bit my lip while she pushed gently along my ribs. Pain shot through me, and I gasped brokenly.

Greta shook her head, mumbling something under her breath. Then she turned to Carlos. "It's bad."

Carlos’s entire body tensed. "How bad?"

Greta hesitated. "Two fractured ribs. Maybe three."

Carlos swore violently. “I’m going to kill him.”

Greta raised a brow. “You can’t.”

Carlos let out a sharp breath and clenched his jaw. "Doesn't mean I won't try."

I struggled to produce a thin, dry laugh. “Yeah. Sure. Let me know how that goes.”

Carlos looked over at me, his face serious. "Sandra. This isn't a joke."

I looked away. "It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore."

Silence filled the room.

Then Carlos’s voice became smooth, but there was steel in it. "That’s not true. You matter. And I swear by the Goddess, I will not allow him to do this to you again.”

Greta cleared her throat. “I’ll wrap her ribs. But she needs to rest. And if Lucas looks at her like this — ”

Carlos broke in with his dangerously low voice. “Lucas is not going anywhere near her again.”

Greta eyed him for a long moment, then nodded. “Let’s get to work.”

She wrapped my ribs and I winced, but I bit down on my lip and didn’t make a sound. When she was done, I could finally breathe a bit easier.

Carlos sat next to me, arms crossed. “You are staying here tonight.”

I tensed. “Carlos, I can’t—”

“You can. And you will.” His voice was unshakable. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Sandra. I will get you out of here.”

I froze.

He wasn’t just saying that to reassure me. He meant it.

I swallowed hard. “You’d risk everything?”

His blue eyes glowed with determination. “I already have.”

Before I could answer, the door swung wide.

We spun around, and my blood froze.

Lucas.

He loomed in the doorway, his face dark, inscrutable. His penetrating gaze took in the whole room — me on the cot, Carlos next to me, Greta hovering nearby.

Then he looked directly at me.

A slow, wicked smile spread across his mouth.

“I really thought that I wouldn’t find you?” he murmured.

Carlos tensed beside me.

Lucas moved up, glancing to Carlos. “And you, Beta? “Since when do you refuse my orders?”

Carlos didn’t move. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t back down.

Lucas sighed and shook his head. “You disappoint me, Carlos.”

Carlos’s voice was low, deadly. “The feeling is mutual.”

Lucas’s eyes darkened. “Is that so?”

Then, in a blur, Lucas charged at Carlos.

I had no time to scream before both men crashed—