SHADOWS OF THE ALPHA

CHAPTER 005

In a heartbeat, I was at her side. I guided her back down by gently pressing my hand against her shoulder. Her gaze locked with mine, searching deeply into my eyes. She appeared to be able to see directly through me. There was no denying her beauty.

I helped her lie back by whispering, "You're safe now."

Did I just say that aloud?

Gabriel had also moved forward across the bed, his hand extended toward her. I was annoyed by that, but I told myself that he is a doctor and that she is in his care. Nevertheless, he gave me a perplexing, almost irritated look.

She refused to accept it. She fought against my grip, and I could feel her fear. She squirmed out of bed and almost fell, slamming into machines as she ran to the door. I instinctively drew her back, putting my arms around her waist and her back against my chest. I smelled her. I wanted to put my face in her neck and inhale her, but I forced myself to resist.

Terrified, she tried to escape. She seemed unable to hear me when I tried to reassure her. Her intimacy was having unexpected effects on me. Her body pressed against mine with each movement, arousing emotions I hadn't expected.

Shall I release her?

What am I even doing while holding her like this?

"Mum!" she cried out once more.

Before a woman entered the room, there was a commotion outside. She escaped my grasp—or perhaps I released her to prevent a humiliating circumstance.

What just took place?

Why did she have such an impact on me? Her name was unknown to me.

As they embraced, the woman said, "Aurora, are you alright?"

Aurora. She fit the name.

I pressed my lips together. I missed having her in my arms. What had gone wrong with me? I looked into her mother's eyes. Have I just snarled? Aurora cried as she cradled her daughter.

Aurora muttered, "I thought I lost you."

Her mother comforted her, "I'm here; it's alright."

I stood motionless, observing their exchange. I'd done my part, and I knew I should go. However, my feet remained immobile. My fists clenched as Gabriel moved toward them.

Sebastian, please gather yourself.

"Please return so I can check your vitals, Aurora. "Your mother can come with you," Gabriel said quietly. She turned to face him, and he put a hand on her shoulder.

I wanted to take his hand off of her and bring her back to me.

She bit her lip and gave a small nod. I was overcome with emotion. She was having too much of an impact on me, so I had to leave.

She returned to the room with her mother's hand in hers, and we locked eyes. I felt like a fool. I had no idea what had happened to her or what had brought her here. If I woke up in a strange place and saw two strangers, I would be afraid.

She smiled slightly as her green eyes locked with mine. I was unable to give it back. Gabriel's hand on her waist caught my attention. I had to get out before I made a hasty decision.

I pushed past them and said icily, "Excuse me." I looked back and saw that she was depressed, which made me feel terrible. I would rather not annoy her. Fortunately, I no longer cared about her opinion.

I wanted to go back and reassure her that I wasn't upset. My body, however, had other ideas. Her smell lingered and messed with my head as I left the hospital. My wolf growled inside me. I couldn't tell if Gabriel's gaze on her or the fact that I had left her was the cause. I didn't care. I continued until I got to the exit. My senses were cleansed by the fresh air. I needed a diversion, so I lit a cigarette. I took a long drag, unsure whether to turn around.

For what reason am I returning?

A recognizable voice encircled me with arms and said, "There you are." I took hold of her wrists and stepped out of her grasp while scowling at her. I blew smoke in her face as I let her go, and she looked shocked.

"What's the matter?" Softly, she inquired. I looked at what she was wearing: jeans, a white top that was low, and a jumper in her hand. I stared at her, and she smiled.

With a seductive smile and fluttering lashes, she yelled, "My eyes are up here." The sight of Aurora made me restless. Perhaps I should pretend to be Victoria and go with her. What on earth am I thinking?

As I made my way to my office, I stubbed out my cigarette and said, "Yeah, I'll call you later." I had to think.

"Okay," Victoria said quietly as I passed her, ignoring the pained expression in her eyes.

With my legs propped up on the table, I sank back into my office chair and lit another cigarette. I made an effort to concentrate on our defensive tactics. I insisted on planning these, but Dad didn't get it. Why alter a functioning system? He knew we had to fill in the gaps, didn't he? Should an attack occur, how would we respond? I pulled out my plans and tried to read them, but all I could see was her face.

Even worse, it began to rain. She smelled through the open window, and it was difficult to concentrate. Instead of slamming the window shut, I opened it wider and let the water splash across my skin as I rushed up from my desk.

The way that rain purifies everything has always appealed to me. Why must she smell like rain?

With my hair dripping wet, I shut the window. After removing it from my face and letting my beard dry, I sat back down at my desk. I put all work plans aside and gazed out the window at the rain. The hospital was directly connected to my office. I almost thought I could see and smell her.

"Are you going to be working today, Sebastian?" My brothers, Caleb and Ethan, were there when my office door smashed open. With cheeky looks on their faces, they entered the room as if they owned it and sat down across from me.

"Have you ever heard of knocking?" I let out a grunt.

They chuckled.

"Yeah, as if you'd knock before storming into our office!" Ethan went on.

"What are you looking for? "I'm busy," I said icily.

Yes, you did appear to be quite busy. We learned about the two outlaws who joined the pack today. You were present, weren't you? Caleb glanced at me through his glasses. I simply grunted.

"You don't consider it a problem when two rogues enter our territory?" Ethan inquired. Were two unconscious women a threat to me? Indeed, they posed no threat to me. I raised an eyebrow.

I said, "As far as I can tell, they're just here for refuge."

"So, you met them?" Caleb inquired. I thought about Aurora, her scent, and how I held her.

"I certainly did. I was with Dad. I lit another cigarette and said, "We brought them back; they needed medical care." They appeared astonished.

Caleb said, "That's not like you. You're always the one who says we need to be strict with who we let into our pack." I pinched my brows and leaned back.

I said, "I don't think two nearly dead women are a threat."

"Maybe not physically," Caleb muttered. I considered what he had said. My wolf whimpered at the idea of being sent away. What had gone wrong with me? Even though she had only been in my life for a few hours, I already opposed the idea of throwing her out.

Maybe, but we can watch them. "One is an omega; I don't think they'll be a big source of stress for us," I said. Although I had a feeling the mother was an omega, I wasn't sure about her just yet.

"Hopefully, you're correct. Since Mum's death, this pack is just now beginning to heal," Ethan continued. I gave a nod. Yes, let's hope. What challenges could two women potentially present?

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