Who Will Be Alpha?

Episode 2

"Just say the word and I’ll let the nurse know,” he said, his voice low and soothing. I nodded my head slowly, my eyes fixed on my daughter. A tear rolled down my cheek, burning my skin.

It was even more painful than I thought.

He smiled sadly and left the room, closing the door softly behind him. Soon after, he returned with a nurse and a big syringe in her hands. The sight of the needle made my stomach churn. I hated needles.

“Who’s that for?” I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

“Don’t worry, it won’t hurt at all,” she said, her tone cheerful and fake. She came closer to me and reached for my baby, while I clutched her to my chest. I felt her warm breath on my neck, her tiny heartbeat against mine.

“No! No! What are you doing?!!?” I screamed, as she pulled my baby away from me. I felt a surge of panic and anger, a primal instinct to protect my child.

“I’m so sorry, Ella, but we have to do this,” I heard William’s voice say, his words stabbing me like knives. He held me back, while I struggled to free myself. I looked into his eyes, searching for a trace of compassion or remorse. But all I saw was cold determination.

“At least tell me what the hell that is!” I shouted, as I changed form halfway.

My teeth grew sharper, my nails longer, my ears pointed.

I growled at the nurse, who also shifted halfway. She had dark black eyes and grey fur, a rare combination among the women of my pack. It meant she had ancient blood, and great strength.

“It’s an anesthetic to make you sleep. I know how hard it will be for you to let go, and we can’t let anything get in the way,” William said, his voice calm and rational. He sounded like he was explaining a simple procedure, not taking away my life.

“So now you’re forcing me for your personal gains?!! You will pay for this!” I roared, as I tried to fight my way out of their grip. But they were too strong for me. I felt powerless and betrayed.

Then she injected me, and I felt a wave of drowsiness wash over me. My vision blurred, my limbs went numb, my mind fogged.

“At least… let me say… goodbye to… my… daugh…” I whispered, before my eyes closed.

…..

“That’s enough, Ella!” My mother Miriam yelled, her eyes blazing with anger. She had never spoken to me like that before. We used to be so close, until he came into our lives.

I couldn't believe that she would choose him over me, some guy she met at a party.

“That’s okay, Miriam. She’s young. She’ll get over it,” William said, touching my mother’s shoulder. She leaned into his touch, a smile on her lips. It made my skin crawl.

I was not even that young! All I wanted was for my mother to see how he was using her for his own selfish gains but she was blind.

“That’s it! I’m out of here,” I said, fed up with their lies. I grabbed my backpack and slammed the door behind me. I heard them call after me, but I ignored them.

I ran straight to my boyfriend’s house, the only place where I felt safe and loved. He opened the door and I threw myself into his arms.

“Woah, woah, what’s wrong, sweetcakes?” He asked, looking into my eyes with concern. He always knew when something was bothering me.

“It’s just… my mom and my stepdad! I just wish she could see what an i***t she’s married to!” I sobbed, letting out all my frustration and pain.

He hugged me tighter and stroked my hair gently. I loved his scent. It was a mix of wood and mint, and it always calmed me down.

“What did he do this time?” He asked, after I had stopped crying. He led me to his couch and sat me down.

“I caught him with another woman just yesterday, and then the other night, I caught him gambling all my mother’s money while he was drunk, Leo! Drunk!” I said, shaking my head. He was ruining our lives, and my mother didn't see it.

“You do know you can come stay here with me, right?” He asked, giving me a small smile.

He had offered me that many times, but I wasn't ready to leave my home.

“Leo… I…” I started, but he interrupted me.

“You want to make sure your mom’s okay?” He finished my sentence for me, understanding me like no one else.

He looked at me with a tired and disappointed expression. He wanted me to be with him, but he respected my choice.

“Yes. That and…” I started, but he interrupted me again.

“Ella, your mother has an ancestral strength. She can fight anyone, including your shifty stepdad. She’s not the one you’re worried about. Now, what are you truly worried about?” He asked, his voice gentle but firm.

I sighed and played with my hair, a nervous habit I had since I was a kid. I turned around to face him, looking into his deep brown eyes that always seemed to read my mind.

“It’s just… I don’t want to have another mate besides you. I’m 21, you’re 23 and we still haven’t found our mates and we’re not sure we’re mates either. It’s getting me stressed out!” I said, rubbing my temples.

He walked to a chair opposite me and sat down, crossing his arms. He looked hurt and angry, and I hated myself for making him feel that way.

“So what are you insisting?” He finally asked, his voice cold and distant.

“I love you, Leo. But what if we get serious and then find different mates along the line!” I argued, feeling tears sting my eyes.

He got up abruptly and slammed his fist on the table, making me flinch. He glared at me with a fierce intensity that made my heart race.

“Then we reject them, goddamnit!” He thundered, his voice echoing in the small apartment. I had never seen him that angry before, and it scared me.

““Ella, I love you too! So much, but time is ticking and I don’t want to lose you,” he pleaded, dropping to his knees and holding onto my legs. His eyes were moist and his voice cracked.

“What time are you talking about?” I asked, confused. What did he mean by time? Did he know something I didn't?

He opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything, we heard a loud knock on the door. He stood up and went to get it, while I followed him curiously.

“What do you want?” He snapped at the person who was outside.

“We are looking for one Miss Ella Sage. We are told she’s your girlfriend, is she in here?” A male voice asked. He sounded nervous and worried.

“Yeah, why?” Leo asked defensively, blocking the door with his body.

“There’s a commotion in her house right now and we are calling the police,” the voice said.

My blood ran cold as I heard those words. A commotion in my house? What did that mean? Was my mother okay?

I pushed past Leo and ran to the door, opening it wide. I saw a young man standing there, holding a phone in his hand. He had a pale face and a worried expression.

“What? What commotion?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“We heard a huge fight and some yelling. We think someone may be hurt or judging by what we were hearing, dead,” the stranger said and walked away, leaving me in shock.

“No!” I shouted in fear. I wanted to dash outside, but Leo held me back.

“Chill, baby. Don’t do anything rash. Let’s go together,” he said, trying to calm me down. He grabbed his keys and his jacket and we both dashed out of his house.

We ran to my house, which was only a few blocks away.

As we approached, we saw a police van parked outside, along with an ambulance and a crowd of curious neighbors.

My heart sank as I saw the flashing lights and the yellow tape.

We pushed our way through the crowd, trying to get to the front.

I saw a police officer holding my mother by the arm, pushing her towards the van.

She looked bruised and bloody, her clothes torn and her hair messy. She saw me and cried out my name.

“Mother! No!” I yelled in despair, trying to reach her. The police officer roughly pushed her against the wall and handcuffed her.

A tear rolled down my cheek, blurring the edges of reality, and I found myself... back in that sterile room.

I blinked slowly, trying to adjust to the harsh light that pierced my eyes. It felt like needles stabbing my pupils, making me wince in pain.

Memories of my child being taken away from me slowly started to surface.

I turned my head and saw the baby basket next to me. A blond boy lay there, sleeping peacefully. My heart burned with guilt and uncomfortable worry.

I sobbed uncontrollably as Zane entered the room. He walked towards me with a smile, oblivious to my agony. I shrank back from him, feeling fear and loathing. Then he wrapped his arms around me.

This was the first time he had ever hugged me. He only touched me when he wanted to use me for his pleasure.

"Don't cry. The pains are over now. I will prepare the best room for you and our child. Thank you so much for proving to me that I am not cursed," he said, his voice full of joy.

I could hear his heartbeat, fast and strong. He was ecstatic, relieved, and grateful. His happiness twisted my stomach into a tight knot.

I didn't know how long I could keep the secret and hide my emotions.

I would do anything for my mother, but I was not a liar and a thief.

"I can't take this anymore. I have to tell you something," I whispered, my voice trembling. He let go of me and looked at me with curiosity.

"This baby... it's not yours," I blurted out, feeling his arms tighten around me. I felt a surge of terror, knowing he could snap my neck in a second if he wanted to.