Chapter 7: Get Hope

Dylan stood on the roof of the mansion, staring silently into the dark sky. The wind ruffled his hair as he lifted his face, eyes closed. 

He hadn't been able to concentrate since he locked Scarlett in the dungeon. 

Which came as a surprise because nothing ever kept him up this way. Nothing ever occupied his mind the way the human did. 

And it angered him. 

The trapdoor behind him opened and he slowly turned around. 

Bevvy stood there, clad in white shorts and a pink t-shirt. She was the only woman who knew the right buttons to push, to calm him down.

Usually, one look at Bevvy and her voluptuous body sent him spiralling into a sea of lust and desire. She alone had that hold on him. 

But tonight, as he stared at her, he felt nothing. 

"I was looking for you." She said as she stepped out of the trapdoor and shut it. She was a petite brunette with mad curves and seductive eyes. 

He turned away from her without a word and resumed his brooding. For the very first time, he didn't want her. He didn't go to her. 

Not discouraged by this, Bevvy walked up to him and slid her hands under his shirt, touching him in the familiar way that usually made him excited. 

"What are you thinking about, Alpha?" She purred. "It's unlike you to stay away from me."

"Not tonight, Bevvy." Dylan murmured, and this surprised her. 

She drew back, a small frown wrinkling her brows. "What's wrong? Is it the human?"

His eyes grew dark at the mention of Scarlett. "Don't speak of her in my presence."

"I just want to know what's got you so restless." 

Then she took his hand and tried to lead him back into the mansion. "Come with me. Let me make you feel better."

It should have worked. It always worked. But tonight, it didn't. He didn't feel the slightest desire to fuck her that night. 

"Go home, Bevvy." He said, slowly withdrawing his hand from her grip. "I need to be alone tonight. When I need you, I'll call you."

Bevvy was hurt, but she knew she couldn't protest because she and Dylan didn't have anything serious going. 

She helped him satisfy his sexual urge, and in return, he paid her well. That was the life she had been living since her mate rejected her. 

"Alright." She nodded. "I'll keep the mind link open, in case you change your mind."

She turned and walked away, quietly shutting the trapdoor behind her. 

Surprised and a bit annoyed at his behavior, Dylan exhaled and turned around. What the hell was wrong with him? Did he really just reject a perfect woman because he couldn't stop thinking about Scarlett? 

Changing his mind, he rushed to the trapdoor and slid back into the mansion, intent on finding Bevvy and bringing her back. 

But halfway, he came across Jordan. The latter looked panicked. 

"What's wrong?" He asked. 

"Dylan, I know you said no one should see her, but I just couldn't let her starve."

Dylan frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I went into the dungeon to check on Scarlett, but she's in bad shape. Really bad. She could die."

Dylan felt something awaken within him, something that felt like fear. He instantly forgot about Bevvy and changed directions, heading towards the dungeon. 

"Get Hope." He ordered. "Tell her to come immediately."

Jordan had assumed Dylan wouldn't care, and he had been ready to beg him. But seeing him react that way sparked a little hope in him. 

Maybe he wasn't all that ruthless after all. 

"On it." He answered and hurried back the way he came. 

Dylan didn't bother taking the stairs. He stepped into the terrace and leaped down, landing easily on his feet. 

Then he cut through the short path behind the mansion and arrived at the dungeons in a matter of seconds. 

The first thing he saw was the tray of food Jordan had brought with him. The gate of the cell was opened, and he finally saw Scarlett. 

She was curled into a tight ball, her broken arm stretched before her. The chains around her wrists had been unlocked. She wasn't moving. 

He crouched beside her and pushed back the thick strands of wet, red hair from her flushed face. 

The heat of her skin scalded his palm. She was burning up. 

A look of worry flashed through his eyes, too quick to be seen. Without wasting another second, he pulled her into his arms and lifted her, cradling her close. 

Her head fell back limply, and for once, he felt fear. Real fear. If she died, it would be on him, and he would be back at the beginning, searching for a human with royal blood. 

He hurried out of the dungeon, holding her close. He could feel the heat from the fever burn through his clothes, making him realize just how critical it was. 

Hope had just arrived with Jordan when he stepped into the mansion. 

"My bedroom," was all he said as he brushed past them. He rushed up the stairs, occasionally glancing down at Scarlett. He couldn't even hear her breathing. 

He kicked the door open and carefully laid her on the bed. Then he stepped back as Hope rushed to the side of the bed and pulled out her healing herbs and potions. 

"Get her out of that dress." He murmured softly. "Get her into something comfortable. And do everything you can to save her."

Hope turned and nodded. "I promise, Alpha. I will save her."

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the room. As he left the mansion, he spoke through the mind link to Jordan. 

[Jordan, stay back and keep an eye on Scarlett. If you need anything, let me know immediately.]

[Got it, Alpha.] Jordan replied swiftly. 

Closing the link, he stepped out of the mansion and walked into the night. Despite the surrounding being dark, he could clearly see the path before him. 

He followed it until he stopped in front of Bevvy's cottage. He started to knock when the door opened and she stood there, a warm smile on her face. 

"I didn't expect you to come." She said. 

"I'm not here for sex, Bevvy." He muttered. "My bride is sick, and she's being tended to. I don't want to be in the same space with her."

Bevvy instantly understood. She stepped back and let him pass before shutting the door. 

"You can take the bedroom..." She began, but he interrupted her. 

"You don't have to give up your bedroom. I'll stay in the sitting room and leave first thing in the morning."

"As you wish, Alpha." She said and headed straight to the room. But at the doorway, she stopped and turned. "Is this how it's going to be now?"

He gave her an odd look. "What do you mean?"

"Now that you have a bride and will be wedded soon, does this mean you won't need me anymore?"

That was a tough question, one Dylan couldn't easily answer. 

He walked up to her, and as she reached out to touch him, he stopped, just out of reach, not making an attempt to bring her close. 

His eyes were unfocused, like he wasn't fully concentrating on her. 

"What we have is special, Bevvy." He said. "But remember it's not a relationship. You need to refrain from asking questions like that."

That hurt, but Bevvy nodded. "Goodnight, Alpha."

She turned and disappeared into the room, while Dylan remained where he stood. 

He had lied when he said he didn't want to be in the same space with Scarlett.

The truth was, he couldn't bear to be beside her knowing he was the reason she was badly hurt in the first place.