EPISODE 13
947 Words
Alpha Xavier’s POV
I rest on the stairway right outside the door, my weight leaning on the shiny steel banister. A low growl grumbles in my throat as the banister squeaks under my weight.
It's been six years since the old mahogany banisters were replaced with shiny steel ones as requested by Jayda. Just six years and they are already faulty, as opposed to the mahogany banisters that had lasted for decades.
I sigh, shaking my head as I slip out a pack of cigarettes from my jacket. Terrible new habit.
Things have really changed, and it’s much more than the architecture and design of this house. It is everything. The scent in the air, the atmosphere, the pack, the feeling of our festivals, my home, me…
I flick on the lighter and watch the heat burn the butt of my cigarette.
“What happened to the other chamber?”
Dr Winter’s voice echoes in my brain.
The smoke lifts up to the high ceilings, swirling in circles. The doctor’s question frustrates me because I have no rational answer to it. For reasons I don't quite understand, I’ve avoided Raina’s chambers.
Six years and I have never stepped foot in there. When Jayda asked some years ago to move in, I had gotten so upset and ordered the guards to lock up the whole place.
Why?
I drop the cigarette on the floor and squash it with the under of my boots as soon as I hear quiet footsteps approach through a hidden door.
A masked gamma comes into view. “Alpha!”
I open my hand, inviting him to come closer. He does so with fox-like movements.
“How's the arrangement?” I ask quietly.
He sticks his hand into his back pocket and brings out a wrestling match ticket. “Done Alpha, you’re set for 10pm tonight.”
I nod and take the ticket from him. “How many opponents?”
“Five Lycan warriors.” He whispers.
I grunt, shaking my head. “Make it ten.”
His gaze snaps to mine. “But Alpha that’s… that's suicidal.” He stutters, his face flushed pink.
I c***k my neck, my strained muscles shooting pain down my spine. Under my shirt are unhealed wounds from previous underground matches.
“Just do as told.” I look him dead in the eye and he nods frantically.
“Yes Alpha!” He bows and then disappears the same way he had appeared.
No sooner does the gamma step out, the door to Jayda’s room swings open.
Before I can look, a body slams into mine.
“Dr Winter?”
She looks up at me, her hair scattered all over my chest. But what catches my attention isn't the scent of lavender or the cascade of full vanilla blonde hair; it's the reddened eyes and the tears welling up in them.
“Are you alright?”
She pushes away from me and runs down the stairs, panting.
I don't think twice before chasing after her. She remembers all the turns and doors we took getting here, and within minutes she bursts through one of the many exit doors.
I chase after her, her hair flying in the air behind her. My ears fixate on her thumping heart and the sharp, uneven breaths she takes.
She's so fast.
I catch up to her, my arms wrapping around her thin torso. We both crash to the sunflower field.
She screams out but my hand moves quickly over her mouth. Her sharp teeth dig into my palm but I don't let go.
“Calm down.” I say, holding her firm and tight as she wriggles in my arms. “Breathe. One breath at a time, doctor.”
“Leave me!” she shrieks, the sound dying against my palm.
Hot tears drop steadily on my hand and soon my whole hand is wet and dripping.
She stops struggling and bursts into tears. I stay there and drop my hand from her face.
I don't know how long we sit on the grass, her head on my chest as I hold her close.
As I watch her sob, anger purrs inside me. Anger at myself, as I assume her breakdown has to be about Kael and my inability to protect my guest's son.
Time passes and I stretch my feet, crushing stems of sunflowers.
“Don't kill the flowers.” The doctor mutters, sniffing.
I retract my legs and the flowers weakly lift up slightly. “They’re slightly injured, not dead.” I say comically. “You should know better.”
My chest warms up as I hear a soft chuckle from the doctor. She lifts her head from my chest and reaches her hand to the flowers to straighten them and scoop sand to strengthen their roots.
“What happened?” I ask, watching her.
Her head turns and those eyes meet mine. She rises from the ground and dusts off her coat.
“Thanks for…” she swallows, lowering her gaze. “Thanks for helping me but for the record, this never happened.” She looks up and locks eyes with me. The hardcore Doctor is back with her shoulders high in the air.
“Sure.” I accept, squinting my eyes as the afternoon sun peeps from behind a cloud.
She walks away, marching away through the field.
“Do you need help finding your way back?” I ask, but she ignores me.
“You're going the wrong way!” I call out, and she looks back.
“Go check up on your wife.”
A grin stretches on my lips as she fades into the sunlight.
- Writer
