Blood Awakening Chapter 5: Doubts

It has been weeks since their visitors came, but Alpha Lachlan could not get over her. From afar, on the balcony of his room, that provides a vantage point over the ground where ceremonies would often be held, he persistently watches her. Sometimes, the Alpha would shift just to vividly hear her delicate laughter with the young pups as they play on the ground. He's been doing that since the day he first saw her rare beauty. She definitely had intrigued him.

“Alpha Lachlan,” called his beta Mellow. “Did I disturbed you?” he added. He noticed the Alpha was in a meditative state.

“No, not all.” He pivots his swivel chair, facing his beta, Mellow.

“So, how was it?”

“All is fine, Alpha. Nothing unusual since day one.”

“Okay. You may now leave. That is all that I need for now.”

“Is something bothering you, Alpha?” Mellow hesitantly asked. He has known Alpha Lachlan since childhood. It has always been the two of them who share almost everything like brothers do.

Alpha Lachlan's hold on his wine glass tightened. Slowly, he swirls it, making the scent of an old wine wafts in the air. He clenches his jaw. “Yes, something is bothering me. It must have been the alliance.”

The air in the room turned eerily serious.

“About that. The government had issued tightened protocols over the vampires. What's worse is there have been reports of insurgency from the vampires' race. It had seemed the small faction who were against the truce had gained the audacity to rebel. The same reason the city is becoming an anti-vampire.”

“Damn! We really need to catch that nasty murderer. How dare he or she ruin the peace that we have been enjoying for decades! Now, that vampire has fueled the insurgency!”

Beta Mellow abruptly took a step back as Alpha Lachlan violently slammed the glass wine on the wall beside him. He is so angry. He remembered how the old wars had killed thousands of his fellow wolves; the cries of the children cuddled in their mother's arms whose strength was depleted with the news of husbands, brothers, fathers or any of their beloved’s death.

“A-alpha...your hand is bleeding,” Mellow worriedly said.

“I’m fine. Just leave. I can handle my wounds.”

“As you wish, Alpha.”

“Tell me updates as soon as possible.”

“I will.”

Deep breaths were the next thing Alpha Lachlan heard. The incident had gotten into his nerves so far. A few days after the rumored vampire attack that had caused the lives of three people, he volunteered to help the alliance made to resolve the case.

They were never easy on the vampires. Though they have been bound with the truce that had brought everyone to solemnity, there was never an assurance that vampires who feed on human blood and loathe the wolves would like to stop their aspiration on being the superior race. And now, insurgency is not going to make things any better.

Alpha Lachlan seeks for his medicine kit and after a few minutes was able to tend to his own wounds. He's not good at it, but at least he knows little, just enough knowledge to give himself first aid.

His lips slightly curved on one side. It's not something like a silly thought but a response to his frustration. “Decades of fighting and having wounds for myself, I still can't get this right,” he said while wrapping a handkerchief around his palm.

A moment later there were three knocks on the door.

“Come in,” he commanded.

The door swung open and it revealed Lily. She's been nervous from the time an omega has informed her of Alpha Lachlan wanting to talk with her—alone. Some thoughts, probably the possible reasons for such a call, have been bothering her. However, the prior notice made her prepare to conceal unwanted emotions to avoid endangering herself and Mari; she hopes it must be something else. Everyone knows that Alpha Lachlan is well-established when it comes to questioning.

“Alpha, are you okay?" Lily notices him looking after his wounds.

She got no response.

“An omega said you wanted to talk to me.”

“Yes, I just wanted to ask how are you and Maridelle. Is your stay here good?” He replied without even giving her a look.

“Yes. It is nice to be with my race after years of being away. And Maridelle is enjoying her stay here with the young wolves. She loves the children.”

“That's great because the last time I talked to you, you were talking deliberately, so I guess something's bothering you. I might be able to help.” He just wanted to confirm his doubts.

“That was nothing. I just told Mari some things she needs to know to adapt to the environment,” Lily thriftily answered.

Alpha Lachlan was referring to the day when he seemed to overhear her conversation with Maridelle the first day they came to his place. She then put her hands behind her back to hide its trembling. For both of their sake, Lily cannot afford to get cornered. She has not realized her goal. Saying less is a tactic. She hopes her alibi will save them from his inquisition.

“Of course, how silly I am to think it must be something.” Alpha Lachlan smiled. “I’m worrying the omega might be a little late to clean the mess here, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, Alpha Lachlan. Your office will be freed of the mess.” Lily breathed a sigh of relief. Alpha Lachlan must have believed her that it was just nothing. She considered it lucky to receive a few questions from him.

Alpha Lachlan left Lily. It took him a few strides to gain distance from the office. He took his phone and dialed a number.

“Mellow, continue keeping a tail on the visitors. I don't trust them.”

There is no way he will trust as easily as one, two, three. His father had taught him to read people, to detect lies. As far as he's been observing their guests, he sensed something is off. And Lily is showing signs to get dubious.

Alpha Lachlan's mind is preoccupied with the duties of being the Caruso pack's alpha, the alliance he volunteered to help, and the doubts he sees in their visitors that he was not able to notice Maridelle is coming his way. Maridelle too, is oblivious of his surroundings as she tries to familiarize the place.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Alpha Lachlan panicked beholding Mari stumbled on the hallway.

“No. It's my fault, Alpha. I was busy seeing the place so... I was not looking my way. Then, I bumped at you,” Mari said, still her butt on the floor. She lets out a soft grunt.

“I got my share of mistakes. Grab my hand, I'll help you.”

“Thank you. Oh, wait. Your hand’s bleeding," she said worriedly.

Alpha Lachlan was surprised by the softness of her hands, tender and like something so generous of care. He wanted to take his calloused hands but he wanted her hand on his.

“Not bad but this is inappropriately dressed. You might tell your nurse or whoever did this to do it right. To avoid infection and for faster healing.” Mari is getting talkative about it. She sees a handkerchief plainly wrapped over the wounds. As a nurse, she does not tolerate such things.

With her knowledge, she knew it is still fresh as suggested with blood's vibrant color; there is also a small amount of blood oozing the moment she removed the handkerchief.

She wanted to help but suddenly she thinks she will regret helping. The smell of Alpha Lachlan's blood tickles her nose. She can smell the metallic scent of blood. It's delicious, very tempting. She wanted to taste it; lick his hands.

"Are you okay?" he suspiciously asked. "You've been staring at my wound. Is it really that bad?"

"Y-yes," she stammered, completely unaware of her act. "Let me care for your wounds."

But it was the memories of her killing people flashed in her mind. Blood. She killed for blood and she wanted more. Her hands quiver. She has to deal with that desire or else exposing her dirty dire secret will put both her and her Aunt in danger.

“It’s done. Good thing I was tending the wounds of a wolf while I had a medicine kit on hand,” she hastily finished the job. Her thoughts are making her crazy. “I have to go.”

“Thank you,” he replied while he was seeing the professional work Maridelle did.

He feels bad thinking they are here for a reason other than a visit. She is good and her appearance does not belie her character; she's an angel in and out. However, the Alpha didn't fail to notice Mari feeling uneasy as she left all of a sudden. He isn't even sure if Mari had heard him thanking her. She was in a haste.

Things like to contradict each other.

His phone rang.

“Alpha, I have new information about our guests. This might shock you,” the voice in the other line uttered.