Marked by the grey alpha

Fevered Bonds

Kaelen's POV

The door creaked open as it usually did. I lifted my head from my half-sleeping position leaning against the bed and caught sight of her—the omega. She entered, hands folded together as if she did not want to be there. Isla sitting beside me, arms folded, eye on hers like a hawk.

I waited for her to say something, but she did not. "Speak," I was finally able to manage with my dry throat.

She coughed. "Sire, I beg your pardon for interrupting now, but I wished to ask for a favor ."

I hadn't even gotten the words out before Isla cut in. "What is it, sweetie? Go on, don't be shy."

I threw my head back and scowled at her. Dont be shy ? My palace? I was the Alpha, for goodness' sake. I growled to myself, "let meTell her that myself, not you."

The omega girl slouched forward, twisting. "I just wanted to know if I could write to my parents… let them know that I'm okay now. Because of you." She breathed thanks.

I grunted in exasperation. "There's a plague somewhere outside those gates , and look what has happened to me , I have infected myself. It's very contagious. Keep the letter in your care for now. We will have it mailed once this is taken care of."

"Okay , sire," she said, bobbing her head.

"Summon the head of the maids for me," I ordered.

She nodded and vanished into thin air, sliding away quietly. I just realized There was something beautiful about her but shattered. My brother did really harm this innocent girl .

She came back within a few minutes with the head maid, an elderly woman I had seen for years. I scowled at her and let out a frustrated sigh. "You're too old for this. You need to rest."

And the omega was then led before me. "From now on, you will be the new head maid."

She seemed taken aback. "Sire, me?"

"Yes, you."

In the corner of the room, Isla grinned. "Finally you're thinking," she teased.

I scowled at her. "Shut your mouth, old hag."

The omega girl smiled modestly, and wow , I actually caught a real smile on her face for the first time since the time I saw her . "Thanks, sire," she gasped.

"Both of you, dismissed," I snarled, sitting back on the bed.

They left, and I tried to sleep, but the fever raged within me like blazes. Isla remained hours, keeping watch beside me, brewing medicines, placing cool cloth on my brow. She did not scold me even once this time. That was much more terrifying than the fever.

By evening, she finally left. "Sleep, stubborn wolf. Board meeting tomorrow. Don't die first," she said, closing the door.

I fought to maintain the half-smile. "I'll do my best, old nag."

Morning and I could sense my head a degree or two lighter—I suppose from the herbs rammed into me by Isla. I was trying to sit up when I noticed the soft tap on the door.

"Come in," I told her.

The door creaked open and here she was once more—the omega girl. She stood there with a tray of breakfast and a bowl of green paste.

I looked at her in fury. "What is this?"

She set it down in front of me on the table. "It was from the old lady. She said you should take it."

I gave her another glare, one filled with as much anger as I could muster.

"I hope you and that old nag are not trying to poison me."

She smiled—she actually smiled—and replied, "We would never dare to do that, sire."

That smile. It did something to me which I could in no way explain. I hadn't even yet caught the glint of her smile. It was a soft, bashful-looking smile, but one which seemed to crawl right across her face.

There was silence in the room. She stared up at me anxiously. "I heard you were hurt. How are you feeling now sire ?"

I tried to make light. "Alive, so that's a good sign."

I couldn't tease, though. I was spinning. The room was spinning. My knees went out from under me and I fell onto the table.

"Oh my lord!" she shrieked, running towards me. "Are you okay?"

She helped me stand up when I fell on the floor and placed me on the bed. I could not stand upright. I was on fire inside.

She took her hand around the bowl and offered it to me. "You must drink this."

"I can manage myself," I attempted anyway.

"You can't sit up at all, anyway," she said harshly.

I shut my eyes. "You've got nerve for a maid."

"Then close your mouth and swallow," she forced the bowl between my lips.

I gazed up at her during feeding. She had that peaceful aspect in how she handled me. Soft and firm, never afraid of me like the others. I saw for the first time how lovely she was—her voice, eyes, movements.

Curiosity fueled my heart. I needed to know of the mark, the one she spoke of—the crescent on her skin—but forbidden. To question would be something my brother would do, and I was not my brother.

I paused for an instant before I whispered softly, "What's your name?"

Selene sire," she said . "It's Selene. And thanks… for saving me."

I nodded, focusing hard. "Tell the board to prepare the meeting. I'll be right there."

"But you need to rest, sire," she panted.

"I'll rest when it's over," I growled, wiping at a small bead of blood which had escaped down from my nose.

She hesitated, but obeyed. "Yes, sire." She departed and went silent. She never complained like Isla whined.

I heaved myself up against the spin, fighting it, and flung myself into the hall way approaching the board room . Stiff step after stiff step. My lungs were searing, my eyes running with tears.

Halfway down, Isla emerged out of another corridor, taking up a position in front of opposite hips facing opposite directions . "I see you're still alive then," she smiled.

"Barely," I spat.

She moved further into the room. "Maybe that omega your brother and you tease is a blessing. I can see how you're looking at her."

I was stilled. "What are you even saying?"

"Oh, please don’t pretend dumb. I'm not I said . Be careful, Kaelen. The heart will make a fool of an alpha as well."

I attempted to speak and I had a parched mouth. The world started spinning once more. My chest hurt, hurt was stuffed in, and before I could take another step forward—

Everywhere went dark .