11~ THE NEW HIM

KNIGHT POV

Seeing that she was breathing now and could communicate with me again, was enough to make my chest loosen for the first time in hours. I had never been so relieved to see anyone alive in my entire life, and that realization irritated me more than it should have.

But the fear in her eyes when she heard who I was… that didn’t sit well with me.

I wouldn’t have wanted her to discover my identity from someone else, so I told her myself.

Everyone who isn’t from my pack fears my pack. Hell, even my own pack members are scared of me most of the time.

But that look she gave me, wide-eyed, terrified wasn’t the kind of fear that made me proud. It made something in me twist unpleasantly.

My beast has been quiet ever since I pulled out my Lupin soul. He hasn’t spoken a word.

I plan to return it when I am sure she’s doing fine. Until then, I don’t care if he sulks. At least he isn’t clawing at my insides.

(Well… you could see how quiet you have been ever since,) My wolf finally spoke, breaking the silence. (He is mad… let’s continue working this way.)

My beast only growled in response, a deep rumble in the back of my mind.

“Al… Alpha…” Brian’s voice finally broke through. I looked at him, brows raised, already feeling my patience fray.

“Why are you giving me that look?” I asked, already annoyed.

“I am just surprised,” he said cautiously, “at the way your eyes are… switching. Is your wolf responding to you now?”

I ignored him before he could piss me off further and walked away, forcing myself to stay in control. My steps carried me straight to Tracy’s room before I even realized where I was going.

I had never cared much about her before, never liked her when she was around too many people. In fact, aside from me, my beta, and gamma, I had always refused to let her interact with others. But now, with everything happening, she was the one person I wanted to see.

I knocked on her door. Behind me, Brian was staring at me with the widest eyes he had ever made, like I had grown a second head.

“Are you trying to piss me off?” I asked, glaring at him.

“Wow… this is the first time. You don’t expect me not to be surprised.”

That was it. I grabbed his throat immediately and slammed him back against the wall, my claws just barely pricking his skin.

“Say one more word and I will rip your throat out in one move,” I growled.

He raised his hands quickly, giving me that devilish smile that always made me want to break his face.

“I am sorry… my bad. I apologize,” he muttered and I let go of Brian.

Just then the door opened and Tracy stepped out, looking half-asleep. Her hair was a wild mess, her nightgown rumpled.

“Go keep her company,” I ordered. “She is awake.”

Tracy’s eyes widened, her tired expression brightening.

“Really? Yay!” she said, stepping forward only to stop suddenly. The smile fell from her face, and she hesitated.

“I… I can’t,” she whispered, looking down.

“Why?” I asked, my brows pulling together in shock.

“She said she doesn’t want a friend. I wouldn’t want to force her to be friends with me…” There was genuine hurt in her eyes.

“Hey,” I said, softening despite myself. “She’s only going through something. You are the best one to help her through it. I have an entire day of meetings, and I don’t want to scare her to death again. Please, just… be patient with her.”

When I looked up, both Brian and my sister were staring at me like I had just declared I wanted to braid someone’s hair and sing lullabies. Their mouths were hanging open.

“What?” I barked. “Do you want me to shove my fist into those mouths to shut them?”

“Where the hell did my brother go?” Tracy said under her breath.

“I am as shocked as you are,” Brian muttered with a laugh.

“I am hiding for a while,” I growled. “Don’t make me show you my real side.”

“Yup,” Brian smirked. “Still my brother.” Tracy completed.

I rolled my eyes and turned away, muttering, “Make sure she comes down for breakfast!” loud enough for them to hear as I walked off.

One minute I thought I would be heading to my office. The next minute, my legs were taking me to the kitchen instead.

The moment I stepped inside, every cook froze. Then, as one, they dropped to their knees.

“Al… Alpha… wh… what—”

“Stutter one more time and you will be the next one I tear apart,” I snapped at the head chef, who had gone pale.

“Forgive me, Alpha, for I deserve…” he whispered quickly, bowing lower.

I crouched so I was level with him, a dark smirk curling my lips.

“I haven’t tasted blood for days. Finish that sentence and you will be the one to satisfy that hunger.”

His mouth snapped shut instantly.

I straightened, rolling my shoulders as I looked over the kitchen.

“I came here because we have a guest. She is already scared out of her mind, and I don’t need any of you making it worse. Find out what she likes to eat and prepare it. Give her the best meals you can manage. And make sure there is plenty of meat…! She needs strength.”

They all nodded quickly, too scared to speak.

“Good,” I said. “Are you going to respond, or do you plan to stay silent forever?”

“We hear you, Alpha,” the head chef finally said. “It will be done.”

I turned to leave and of course, Brian was standing there again, watching me with that same irritatingly amused look.

I swear, if he doesn’t get out of my face soon, I am going to give him something real to gossip about.