The Alpha's Miracle Doctor

EPISODE 8

Kael’s POV

I’m used to my mother’s temper. All my life, she has always been edgy, tense, and unsettled.

My schoolteachers never liked her because she is the type of parent to call twelve times during school hours just to check up on her child. My classmates mocked me constantly, calling me all kinds of ridiculous names because of my mom's overprotective behavior.

Despite the fact that I am twice the size of most kids my age, my mom still treats me like a day-old baby. Sometimes I wonder if her paranoia has something to do with my dad’s disappearance. That’s if I even have a dad at all.

“Go to bed, K.” Big Geron whispers, patting my head gently as he tucks the heavy blankets around me. He clicks off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness before slipping out to meet my mom in the hallway.

I once prayed to the Moon Goddess to make Big Geron my actual dad. Even though he's just our bodyguard, having a dad would make all the mean kids at school stop laughing at me. Life would be so much better.

Sighing, I turned over in the sheets to face the bedroom door. A small gap in the frame allowed streaks of dim, golden light to slice into the dark room.

Mom was talking in hushed tones with Big Geron and the other guards. Our suitcases were already packed and lined up by the wardrobe, and I could hear them whispering about how we would be leaving first thing tomorrow.

Hot tears trickles down my cheeks, forming a wet circle on the smooth satin pillowcase.

I wish I could spend more time in West-town, or West-city, or whatever it is mom calls this place. Things feels so much easier here than they did back in the South. At least no one here mocks me. They had actually praised and sang songs for me

I bury my face deep into the pillow to muffle my quiet giggles as I recall all the fun I had tonight, especially when the Alpha stepped in to save me from that angry man at the casino table.

The Alpha is so cool. He looks exactly like a real-life superhero. Handsome, tall, and with massive muscles just like the ones in my favorite comic books.

“Shut your eyes, Kael!” Mom hissed sharply from the hallway, sensing my restlessness. “We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”

I groaned loudly, pulling the thick bed cover completely over my face.

A moment later, she walked softly into the room, tucking the sheets properly around my shoulders and ruffling my hair before leaning down to kiss my cheek goodnight.

As soon as I heard the heavy door click shut and her echoing footsteps depart down the corridor, I sprang out of bed and scrambled frantically to lace up my shoes.

Since I was going back to the boring South tomorrow anyway, I better make the most of tonight.

A blast of freezing wind hit my face the moment I unlatched and pushed open the window. The beautiful city of West-whatever was completely lit up at night. It wasn't nearly as mechanical or blindingly bright as South City, but it was quiet and calm.

Creeping out, I found my way up to the roof and quietly meandered to the very edge. A low gasp escaped my lips when I looked down and discovered I was currently two full stories away from the ground.

Mom would completely lose her mind if she saw me standing up here. She doesn't trust me, and she has no idea how skilled I actually am.

With a low grunt, I took a bold leap down to the balcony of the floor below. I landed hard on my left arm, skillfully rolling over the stone tile until I popped right back up onto my knees.

“Whoo!” I hooted excitedly under my breath, throwing a few celebratory punches into the empty air. I hurried to the edge of the balcony railing to see how much further it was to the ground. Just one story left; I could easily make it to the grass with one more solid jump.

“Here we go,” I muttered to myself, backing away from the railing to gain enough momentum for my leap.

Suddenly, a tight hand grasped my shoulder from behind. “Not so fast.”

My heart leaped into my throat, and I spun around instantly. Standing in front of me was a woman dressed in an elegant night robe. I vaguely remembered seeing her standing next to the Alpha at the party earlier tonight.

“Hi, I—I…” I stuttered, my bravado vanishing.

“Shh,” she hushed me quickly, pressing her long, pointed fingernails firmly against my lips. “Aren’t you the Doctor’s little boy?”

I couldn’t speak with her fingers digging into my mouth, so I resorted to frantically nodding my head.

A wicked, ugly scowl appeared on her face as her grip tightened, her sharp nails digging deeper into my shoulder. “What are you doing on my bedroom balcony at this hour? Did your mother send you up here? Did you come here to steal from me?”

At that point, panicking, I bit down hard on her finger just to free myself to speak.

The lady let out a sharp shriek, instantly pulling her hand back to cradle her bitten finger. “How dare you, you little monster!”

“I'm not a thief, and my mom doesn't even know I’m out here!” I admitted breathlessly, backing away. “I was just going to jump down to the ground before you caught me.”

She glared down at me, her nose flaring with rage as she nursed her sore hand.

I knew exactly what was coming next. She was going to drag me straight back to my mother and report me like all adults do, and then mom was going to make me apologize until my throat was sore. My entire plan for a night adventure was ruined all at once.

“Are you going to take me back to my mom?” I asked, my shoulders dropping in total resignation.

A sly grin slowly spread across her lips, and she shook her head. “No.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” she said smoothly, gesturing for me to follow her inside.

She led me straight into her bedroom. The entire space was pink, fluffy, and whimsical, looking exactly like a giant dollhouse. It was so sugary and packed with teddy bears that it honestly made me want to gag.

Thank God I don't have a sister, If i had one i’d make sure she plays video games and plays with motor cars rather than dolls.

“You said you wanted to go downstairs, right?” The lady asked, leading me past her bed and out into the main hallway, hiding me beneath the long train of her robe.

“Yes, ma'am,” I whispered as she snuggled me past the sleeping guards and out into the open courtyard.

We walked through the darkness for a while. I began to wonder exactly where she was taking me as we cleared the main security gates. She didn't question me or lecture me like other adults usually did, which made me wonder what kind of weird grown-up she was. Mom wouldn't like her, I knew that for a fact.

When we finally reached a small, rusted black iron gate at the rear of an abandoned guard post, she came to a halt and pulled her robe away from me.

“A bright kid, they say,” she muttered cynically, glaring down at me through the shadows. “Didn't your mother ever teach you not to follow random strangers into the night?”

A cold wave of fear finally crept into my chest as I looked around and noticed there wasn't a single soul around us. “I’m not afraid,” I said boldly, trying to cover up the noticeable tremble in my voice. I lifted my hands, balling my small palms into tight fists.

She let out a laugh and shook her head. “I'm not going to hurt you, little boy. I'm actually here to help you.”

My tense shoulders relaxed a bit, and I dropped my hands back to my sides. “I’m looking for the Alpha. And the big man who was with him.”

Her eyes darkened instantly at the mention of the Alpha. “Why?”

I clamped my jaw shut, refusing to tell her.

“Fine, have it your way. I’ll help you find them,” she said, turning toward the iron gate. She unlocked the giant, heavy padlocks with a loud clink and pushed the gate open. “There you go. You're entirely free to find whoever you want now.”

I didn't entirely trust the sharp smile on her face, but I was far too excited about the prospect of playing with the cool superhero man and his big friend again. Maybe we would sing more songs or play another loud game of roulette.

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said politely as I stepped past the threshold and out onto the cold, lonely dirt path.

She nodded, her smile widening. “Go on, boy. Don't be scared.”

The path ahead was surrounded by thick, black forest, and it didn't look anything like the road mom and I had taken when we were coming back from the ceremony hall. I took one more step forward, and before I could turn around, the heavy iron gate slammed shut behind me with a crash.

“Wait!” I cried out, spinning around and running back to the bars. I yanked on the handles, but it was already firmly locked. “Don't go! Open it!”

Her footsteps quickly departed into the distance, and I was left entirely alone in the pitch-black woods.

From deep within the trees behind me, the eerie howling of wild animals echoed through the night. Goosebumps formed all over my skin, and my entire body started to shake violently.

Suddenly, a low, vicious growl rumbled from a nearby bush. I let out a terrified scream, turned on my heel, and began running as fast as my legs could possibly carry me down the unending dark path.

Mom was right. I should have stayed in bed.