The Alpha's Scar

CHAPTER 5~ NO SCAR

Linessa’s eyes blinked open, blurrily focusing on the ceiling light above her head. She wasn’t laying on the forest floors anymore; instead she laid on something soft and warm.

Her muscles were weak, protesting at every movement she tried to make, and though her eyes couldn’t see much, she could smell everything. However, one scent stood out most; impossibly potent. It was a fierce blend of cedar and a sharp, metallic frost-tinged ozone. It was the unmistakable, overpowering scent of an Alpha whose strength surpassed Kenneth’s by far.

But there was something off about it...something she couldn't quite pin.

Tilting her head to the side, she looked around the room, blurry eyes focusing on the source of the scent. A man, standing casually by the door. He was tall, thick with muscles and his sharp eyes pointed directly at her; displaying a surprised yet relieved gaze.

“You’re awake.” His casual composure immediately dispersed, and he rushed over to her. “You’ve been unconscious for two da~”

“Don’t come near me…don’t come any closer!” Linessa barked at him, cutting him off.

He stopped in his tracks, clamping his lips shut for a moment before deciding to speak again. “I found you unconscious in the woods west of here on my way back from a consultation with another alpha. You were burning up, vulnerable in the dried up grass, so I brought you here. I understand that you might be scared judging from what you might’ve gone through, but you’re on my territory now, I'll do my best to keep you safe."

"I can keep myself safe." Her eyes assessed each side his neck briefly, looking for a scar, and when she saw none, she sighed. "You're of no use to me, I need to go."

The alpha tilted his head, a bit of confusion in those obsidian eyes. "And where exactly will you go in that condition? You've been out cold for two days. You need to eat and rest before even thinking of leaving."

"And who are you to tell me that, big guy?" She sat up and though there was this heavy feeling in her head she slid off the bed. "Thanks for saving me. I owe you one, and will pay you back someday."

She took a step forward, and a wave of dizziness hit her immediately. Her knees buckled, and she didn't even have the strength to catch herself.

She thought she'd fall to her knees, but strong arms caught her, lifting her steady back to her feet. "See? I told you so."

Linessa looked up at him, her heartbeat quickening in her chest. His hands were warm and comforting, and what surprised her was the sparks that sprung from his skin and flowed right through hers. What was this? Why did his touch feel so...?

Her eyes scanned his neck again, once more searching for a scar she couldn't find.

"Sit back down." He helped her back onto the bed and then stepped back, creating some space between them. "You're not leaving until you can at least walk. If I have to get my men to guard this door in order for you to stay, then I will."

"Are you saying that you would imprison me to preserve my own health?" She laughed bitterly. "As if you'd care so much about a stranger's wellbeing. You're a man and an alpha at that; your kind is impossibly selfish and cruel. The only reason why you'd care about my health is if its somehow beneficial to you."

He scrutinized her under his gaze, an unreadable expression on his face. "You must've grown up around some f*cked up people to say something like that." He turned his back to her. "Although...you do have a point."

He walked to the door, pulling it open. "I'll send a doctor on my way out. I'll also post two guards outside this door. You are not to leave, at least not tonight."

"No, but I will leave; whether you approve it or not. I have someone to find and laying around in bed playing sick will not help me find him."

"You can find him another time. He can wait." He walked out, and the door slammed shut behind him before she could utter another word.

Linessa looked at the door and then at her feet. She wanted to follow suit, but feared falling again...and this time, she'd have nobody to steady her.

Sighing, she laid back down, once again looking at the ceiling. He said he'd get a doctor, but she wasn’t looking forward to a check up. Her wrists were already freshly bandaged and she knew the cuts were almost healed if not healed already. This exertion had only one cause and it was hunger.

If they could just provide her with some food, then she'd have enough strength to go on her way. She needed water too, her throat felt dry and it made her words sound a little croaky.

Twisting onto her side, Linessa watched the door. She wondered how hard finding her scarred mate would be...

If he came with a strong, irresistible scent like most mates did, then it'd be easier to recognize him. But a scar on the neck was so vague and common.

A lot of Alpha’s acquired scars from battle, especially on the neck since it's a lethal weak spot for werewolves. She knew pointing him out would be just as hard as telling a tamaskan different from a wolf.

But she had to find him. She couldn't abort this part of the mission no matter how bad she wanted to. According to the goddess, this alpha was the only one who could save her from herself.

She got a glimpse of it 2 nights ago. It felt like she was going to die when the heat spread all throughout her.

It was evident. She was a ticking time bomb. The goddess saved her, but there was an expiration date on her life. She couldn't fail.

If she wanted to get back at Kenneth, she couldn't fail...

and she wanted to get back at him.

She wanted to hear him beg for forgiveness and then for his life...

Linessa’s ears twitched when she heard approaching steps. It wasn't one person, it sounded like three and one of them was carrying food.

Her stomach growled at the scent of it and she anticipated each approaching step. When the door was pushed open, her eyes scanned the three men.

The one in the middle was short, sandwiched by two tall and bulky men. He must be the doctor and the other two must be the guards that Alpha said he'd send.

“Good evening ma’am…I heard from Alpha Zhamar that you’ve woken up. I’m nurse Evans, and this is Charles and James; fine warriors from our pack. I came to check on your health and also brought you some dinner. Eating will definitely help with rebuilding all the strength you’ve lost. May I proceed?”

Linessa didn’t move. She didn’t want a health check, but in exchange for the food, she'd take it. "Sure."

He smiled, the digital monitor in his hand becoming more visible as he stepped closer to her. “Relax your arm.”

She did so, watching as he wrapped the blood pressure cuff around it. He tested her pulse, her breathing rate and her blood pressure or at least that’s what Linessa thought he did. “Everything seems fine. Your heart rate is almost back to normal, your blood pressure is a little low though, but it’s most likely because you haven’t eaten in a while.” He loosened the cuff, looking back at the bulky men behind him. “Bring the tray, Charles.”

Charles approached the bed, placing the tray of food on the bedside table before returning to his position next to…was it James?

“We’ll leave you now, eat and rest…you’ll be back to full strength soon.”

He turned and walked out and the warriors followed. Though the nurse’s scent faded, the warriors didn’t because they were standing outside, right by the door.

Great, just what she needed…

Sighing, she looked towards the food, licking her lips. They wouldn’t poison her, would they?

With a quick grab, she pulled the tray from the bedside table and onto the bed. Rabbit meat, she was sure of it, that and rice with vegetable on the side; broccoli and carrot. The rice was drenched in gravy, exactly how she liked it and the meat wasn’t white, it seemed well seasoned…well cooked. There was also a cup of orange juice on the side and she chugged it down first.

Picking up the fork, she then dug into the food, clearing everything off her plate and still craved for more. She wasn’t sure if it was because she had been starving, but it tasted good…too good actually.

Still, she didn’t have time to ponder on food, she got her fill, she needed to leave now.

Linessa pushed the tray aside, and then slowly and quietly crawled off the bed, so the men outside wouldn’t hear her. She tiptoed around the room looking for something, anything…a path, an exit…

And then as if the goddess made a way for her, she saw the sliding window. A breath of relief left her lips as she moved over to it, she could definitely fit through it, but she wasn’t sure how far from the ground she was.

Slowly sliding the window open, she peered outside. Luck was on her side, it seemed she was only on the second floor. The height was still daunting, but it was survivable. Sure it could lead to her breaking a limb or two in her state, but that was much better than being shackled here.

With a quiet resolve, she held onto the window sill, ready to swing her legs over, but stopped when she heard the guards outside talking. "It's tomorrow night, isn't it? The first ever meet and greet for alphas all over the world will be held here. Alpha Zhamar was smart to think of something like that."

"He is, isn't he? I'm glad I was born in his pack. But James...didn't you see it?" His voice died down into a whisper that she wouldn't have been able to hear if she wasn’t completely focused. "That mark on the girl's neck. It isn't just a scar."

She tiptoed closer, stopping right beside the door.

"I saw it. The purple tint...it looks like a scar that won't heal. It makes me wonder if the rumors are true. Is she a gifted? The last one showed up over a thousand years ago."

"Shhh...keep your voice down."

"Sorry...but is she?" James' voice was lower now.

"I'm not sure," the other guard answered. "but according to the prophecy, that purple scar is the mark of the goddess. The shewolf who possesses it is a force no one can control."

He paused.

"Whoever claims her, whoever anchors her power..."

His next words sent a chill down Linessa's spine. "Will be the Alpha of Alphas."

"So that's why Alpha Zhamar saved her? Clever..."

"He'd better claim her before tomorrow night. If the other alphas get a whiff of what she is, then there won't be a peaceful meet and greet like Alpha Zhamar planned...there will be war...and it will be all for her."

"I know right..."

Linessa lost focus after that, thier whispers becoming incomprehensible. She knew there was something fishy about the alpha trying to keep her here against her will. He thought he could trick her into believing he was a good man who cared about her health...well she wasn't a fool, not anymore.

Scoffing, she stepped away from the door. She wouldn't leave, Alpha Zhamar or whatever just made finding her scarred mate a tad bit easier.

If all the alphas were going to be here at the meet and greet tomorrow, then she'd be able to find him among the crowd.