I Rejected My Alpha In Front Of The Pack

Chapter 3

Grandma stayed at the Hale Senior Care Center, a facility funded by the Hale family.

Back when she was young, she worked as a tailor in the pack territory, patching up tattered clothes for dozens of werewolves after their very first shift.

These days, though, she more often than not had any clue who I was.

I pushed the door open to find her perched by the window, clutching the brass pocket watch Grandpa had left behind in a white-knuckle hold.

His name, Arthur, was etched deep into the watch cover.

"Good morning, Edith," I said, keeping my voice soft as a breeze.

She lifted her head, eyes sharp and wary as a cornered stray as she stared at me.

I did not rush to close the distance. I set the fruit I had brought where she could see it clearly, then sank down into the chair beside her.

After a beat of quiet, she lowered her gaze again.

The pocket watch ticked softly, a steady, faint tick-tock, tick-tock filling the small room.

She ran her finger over the engraved watch cover again and again, slow and repetitive, like she was waiting for someone to come pick her up.

The nurses had told me lately she had been asking for Grandpa constantly through the night. Sometimes, the only thing that could calm her down enough to lie back in bed was the sound of that very watch ticking.

I was hit with a sudden memory from when I was little. Whenever Grandpa headed out to fix ships, Grandma would tuck his pocket watch under her pillow.

"If I listen to this tick, I know he is coming home," she had told me back then.

I reached out and wrapped my hand around hers. She did not recognize me, but she did not flinch or pull away this time.

Just then, Ronan's voice drifted over from outside the door.

Serene had come with him, clutching a bouquet of fancy, pricey white flowers in her hand.

"I will come with you to check out the new nursing home," Ronan said. "No need to rush the move, right? Just scope out the place first and make sure it is good enough."

I did not bother telling him I had already booked the transfer assessment.

Serene set the flowers down, then her eyes locked onto the pocket watch in Grandma's hand.

"That watch is gorgeous," Serene gushed. She reached out and tapped the chain with one manicured finger.

Grandma immediately yanked the watch tight to her chest, pressing her back hard against the chair like she was scared Serene would snatch it right out of her hands.

"Don't touch it," I snapped, stepping between them to block her way.

Serene pulled her hand back fast, her eyes flicking straight at Ronan.

"The Winter Moon Banquet's theme is Old Oaths, and I am missing the perfect antique accessory to go with my gown," Serene said, turning to him with a pout. "I just want to borrow it for one night, surely that is not too much to ask?"

"No," I said flatly, leaving no room for argument in my tone.

She gave a thin, tight smile. "I will give it back, obviously. It is not like I am gonna sell it or anything."

"This is not about how much it is worth." I gently placed the pocket watch back in Grandma's hand and waited for her breathing to slow to its usual calm rhythm.

Ronan finally spoke up, "She said no, Serene. Go pick something else."

He glanced over at me next, his gaze practically begging me to notice he was taking my side for once.

I did not bother thanking him.

Just then, the care facility director came to get me, our scheduled virtual assessment was about to start. The new nursing home had already held a bed for Grandma, but we still needed to go over all her specific care routines.

Before I stood up, I made a point to tell the on-duty caregiver that the pocket watch should never leave Grandma's side.

Ronan slid into the chair I had just been sitting in and tugged the slipped-down blanket back up over Grandma's shoulders.

"I got it. Go ahead."

I gave him a flat, unreadable look before following the director out the door.

When I came back half an hour later, Grandma was already asleep.

Her hands were tucked safely under the blanket, and the water glass on her nightstand was still warm to the touch.

Ronan spoke with a soft hush, "She wore herself out. Don't wake her."

Serene was lingering by the door, her hands stuffed deep in the pockets of her coat.

I sat down by the bed and stayed with Grandma until visiting hours ended.

Right as I was about to leave, her fingers twitched slightly, like she was searching for something in her sleep.

I tucked the edge of the blanket tighter around her.

That was the last time I ever touched her warm hand.