My Neighbor is an Alpha

Chapter 6

I followed Killian’s advice.

Stayed indoors. Staring at my ceiling, wondering why he’d gone the opposite direction. Scolding myself for not stopping him. Unease churned in my stomach and I ended up tossing and turning until sunlight spilled from curtains.

My heart skipped as a familiar meow came from my window.

I practically tripped over myself rushing to it. I shoved the window open but my relief was cut short. Lucy was there, at the foot of my windowsill but no Killian.

Stop this madness, V.

I promised mom I would stay away from him. Instead, I was doing the opposite.

Lucy purred again, like she was tired of waiting for me to pick her up. I scooped her into my arms, watching as she snuggled closer to my chest.

“You here alone, girl?” I whispered into her black fur. “Where’s Kill?”

She meowed, as if to say, “I don’t know.”

Right. I was talking to a cat.

I took her downstairs after getting ready, already moving to the kitchen to get milk when my mom came from the living room. She was tugging at her dress, a suitcase in one hand and toast in the other.

“Sorry honey,” she muffled then bit into the toast. “I have an interview in,” she glanced at her watch then cursed under her breath. “I’m taking the car so you’ll have to catch the bus.”

I forced a smile. “Okay. Good luck!”

Her gaze slid to the cat that was now prancing around the kitchen counter. I froze. Her eyes narrowed but then she shoved whatever was running through her mind down.

“Don’t forget to lock the doors, honey.”

“I won’t.”

I waited until the house descended into silence, save for the unintelligible chatter from the television in the living room.

I sighed, picking Lucy up. “Come on, girl. I have to go to school.”

I grabbed my bag, bolting to the door when something from the news made me freeze. I turned slowly, snatching the remote control from the center table.

I turned up the volume as my pulse started rising.

“… another body was found at the town bridge this morning. Officials say there are no leads for now, but we will keep you updated.” The news reporter droned on. “On that note, the sheriff has placed a curfew until the killer is caught.”

My blood turned to ice.

“The scene of the homicide was grueling, locals say…”

The words faded away beneath the ringing in my ears. My mind could only think of one thing. Killian.

No.

My feet moved even before my mind could. Straight to the house next door. My heart slammed against my chest as I hammered his door.

“Killian!”

Nothing.

I knocked again. And again, each second passing worse than the last.

“Open the door if you’re in there!” I shouted, moving to his window.

I peeked in. It was empty. Like no furniture. No sign of anyone ever living in it. That made my stomach turn tighter. I scrambled for my phone, then remembered I never asked for his number.

Frustrated, I ran a hand over my face. “You better be fine, Killian.”

He had to be.

Maybe something bad did happen. Maybe not just to him. Maybe he’s laying low. Maybe he got mixed up in the wrong crowd.

His face flashed behind my eyelids, making my chest feel tighter.

Please be okay.

I didn’t feel comfortable leaving Lucy so I did one last check around his building and after finding no way to get in, alongside the fact that neighbors threw me curious glances, I left his property with Lucy.

The walk to school was filled with my thoughts, clashing into each other and by the time I’d gotten to school, the second period was over. I didn’t care. Not really.

I couldn’t concentrate in math class. Not when the teachers gave out pamphlets on self defense and emergency hotlines. Not when Diane and the others rambled on about parties and boys like someone didn’t just die.

‘It was normal’ they said. Rumors of mobs and gangs steadily spread throughout the school. A day went by. Then two. Then a week. And still no sign of Killian.

I should have been relieved when the official statement was released about the body. It wasn’t him. But the killer was still on the loose.

Two weeks had gone by and I was slowly starting to lose hope. I checked his house every morning before school. It was barely lived in. He didn’t have any friends. Anyone I tried talking to about him either scowled or shrunk in fear.

Maybe he never intended on staying.

The thought, for some reason made my stomach hurt.

“That’s selfish,” I muttered to Lucy who was tucked between my legs. “How can he just leave you behind, Lucy?”

She meowed, clearly unbothered.

“I actually thought he was a decent person.” I frowned at myself. “Then again I never really was the best judge of character. Maybe mom was right.”

The words I’d been battling with for two weeks finally spilled out. And I felt stupid. Utterly pathetic.

A strained groan cut through the silent air. I froze because I was the only one at home. Mom didn’t come back till late at night.

Shuffling from outside my window made me shoot up. Lucy made a sound that sounded disapproving but I pushed my door open, basically running to the sound.

It was coming from the back.

I shoved the door open and froze.

I didn’t know what to feel when my eyes met his bruised one. Killian wore a hoodie that swallowed most of his face, his knuckles were purple, the skin around them jagged. But he was alive. So relief.

Still, I forced my feet still, forced myself to not run and hug him. Instead, I folded my arms with a straight face.

“What do you want?”

His eyes faltered. “Valerie-“

“Is it Lucy?” I cut him off because he could say anything, picking her up and shoving her into his arms.

He stifled a grunt but managed to cradle her in one of his arms. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”

My heart skipped. Then I forced a scoff. “I’ll need reimbursement for the car food I’ve bought these two weeks.”

His shoulders fell. “I owe you an apology.”

“You don’t.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

He hesitated. That only made rage spark in my chest.

“You don’t owe me shit.” I bit out. “I barely know you. So take your cat and please don’t talk to me. Not in school. Not even by accident.”

My throat tightened at the look in his face. Why did he have to look so broken? Like it actually mattered what I thought?

But in reality, it didn’t.

“Goodbye, Killian.”