64

ALEXANDER

The doctor gave me a look before she walked out. It was loaded with something, but I couldn’t tell what. She looked like she had something to say, but held back. I made a mental note to call her later, even before she brings the results.

I did want to speak to her about Alina. I didn’t like her getting sick like this. Just from a few weeks ago till now and it’s only gotten worse. I don’t like it one bit. I have other things that need my attention right now, so I’d rather be sure and confident that she’ll be completely fine for the time being.

I may have to travel. And I know my mind won’t be at rest, knowing something might go wrong in my absence.

“Do you need anything? Are you hungry?”

Alina gave me a shy smile, and I watched her with growing amusement as she fought with herself to reach out and touch me.

I made the decision for her. I clasped her hand in mine, brought it to my lips, and pressed a kiss to the back of it.

“Come on,” I urged, stroking the back of her hand slowly, with a teasing smile. “Don’t be shy to touch me. I’m all yours.”

There was a dark voice in the back of my head, fighting to come out. Saying things I didn’t like. I tried to ignore it, but it had been getting more persistent and louder in the past few days. It represented a side of me I didn’t like to show.

“I’m fine,” she finally said in a small voice. She sounded fine just a bit weak, which the doctor had said she would feel for a few hours. But a good sleep and a bath should be the remedy for that.

When her soft, dainty hand came up to rest on top of mine, I couldn’t explain the energy that rolled through me. It froze me for a second before I finally smiled, a full smile.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and it was safe to say I didn’t recognize who I was staring at. I’ve never looked like this. Carefree, and other words I wouldn’t even dare use.

I called downstairs and asked them to bring food for Alina. She said she wasn’t hungry, but she’s sick and she needs to eat or she won’t get better.

I paused, my eyes trailing over her soft features. She was lying on the bed while I sat beside her. I could see all of her from here. The little freckles on the top of her nose. How had I never noticed that?

When the food was brought, I released her and went to the bathroom, in need of a shower. I had to go to the tower to see how my uncle’s people made it this close to the pack without being detected. I needed to check on Isiah too, and lastly, call the man himself and hear what he has to say.

I blindly did all of that and came out fully dressed in all black. There was something about the color that just spoke to me. Though, a woman once said I liked it because it resembled the color of my heart, so it felt like home to me.

I couldn’t argue with her.

I never said I was an angel.

Alina, though, she looked angelic. Even sick as she was, with pale blue lips and slightly hollowed cheeks. I paused, not really liking the look on her. She was supposed to look more healthy now, wasn’t she?

I kissed her on the forehead, avoiding her lips by all means, knowing my body would take that small contact the wrong way.

“I’ll see you later,” I murmured.

She nodded and smiled. “And make sure you finish your meal. I’ll know if you don’t.”

The look she gave me made me believe she wanted to roll her eyes but changed her mind at the last minute.

I mindlinked Claude to ask where he was, and he responded that they were rounding up the thugs. What he decided to call the troops. I didn’t know whether to laugh or correct him.

Deciding the tower was a better place to start, since he had everything under control, I headed that way. But instead of using the entrance I did that day with the security team, I followed the tunnels that led to the direct entrance.

Only I and the man who designed this knew the place. Even Claude didn’t. I trust my brother more than anyone else in the world but if the death of my mother is anything to go by, sometimes family are who you should be most mindful of.

When I got there, Joey and Manuel were bickering over some software that sounded like gibberish to me, if I’m being honest.

“Oh, Alpha. Do you want to join the argument?” Jared asked, sounding too cheery for someone whose pack was getting raided. By a pathetic army, but still an army.

“I think I’ll sit this one out, Jared.”

He shrugged, like I was missing out on something good.

“Tell me, how good have we got them?”

Steven is the one that answers, turning in his chair to acknowledge me. “It’s a piece of cake, honestly. I don’t know why you’re even worrying yourself.”

“I agree, Alpha. You should have just rested up with the wifey,” Jared pitched in, wiggling his brows with a smile on his lips.

I couldn’t even be angry at the boy.

“You know I like to stay upfront when my men are out there endangering themselves.”

Jared placed his hand on his chest and pouted. “How does the world think you’re this villain?” He shook his head. “You’re better than all the Alphas I’ve come across. They’re all selfish and arrogant little prick—”

“What’s that?” Steven cut him off.

He turned instantly and pulled his chair closer to the screen in front of him.

Jared, hearing his serious tone, did the same. I moved closer, seeing two of our cameras immediately go off.

“What the fuck?” All three of us chorused at the same time.

Like a bad dream, four more cameras went off. Even with their rapid fire typing, they couldn’t stop it before two more went down.

I couldn’t do anything but watch. And I didn’t realize how much I needed some hacking skills until right this minute.

“Oh no,” Steven whispered, just as a loud boom filled the place, shaking the tower we were in.