Chapter 4

Liana’s POV

I couldn't believe my ears. No, scratch that. I didn't want to. The world around me stilled, and I found father's words echoing in my ears

Your bags are in the car. Leave.

Even in a million years, there was no way I would have seen this coming. Yes, things between me and dad were rough thanks to the unfortunate incident, but I never thought it would end up this way.

First he stripped me of my title of being alpha, and now he was kicking me out of the house too?

Why? What the hell did I do to deserve this? I knew father was somewhat w disciplinarian, but this punishment was too much. Even for him. I wasn't a pessimistic person, but I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said I preferred death over everything that had happened today.

Like my life wasn't already a mess, Ryle had to reject me too.

“Didn't you hear me?” Dad's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to earth. I blinked back a couple of times, while I muttered a prayer to the moon goddess. Perhaps by the time I would open my eyes again, I would figure out that everything that had happened up until this moment was nothing but a silly prank, and they were only messing with me. “I said, leave.”

I paled instantly. No, this wasn't a prank. It was real, and the fire in Dad's eyes proved it all the more.

“Dad, you can't be serious.” I shook my head slowly. Tears stung at the back of my eyes, but I pushed them back. I couldn't cry here. “What did I do to deserve this? Look, I'm sorry about the rogue okay? I thought I was doing the right thing. In fact, I'll go get him out myself. I'll tell the doctors to stop the treatment and he'll be on his merry way. Please, just….”

“Don't make me call security.” His words washed over me, and I froze temporarily. “You are no longer a member of this pack and if we get security to get you out of here, you will be tried as a rogue.”

“What?”’ things were only getting worse, and I was torn between crying and yelling at the top of my voice. “father please. Ryle, Samantha please talk to father for me. He can't…”

They both took a step back as I reached out towards them. I knew it was wishful thinking to think that they were actually going to help, but it didn't negate the fact that it still hurt.

“Come on.” Dad spoke up again, but I knew there was no way he was talking to me. Right before my eyes, I watched him motion at Ryle and Samantha, signalling that they come with him. “Let's go home.”

I didn't want to believe that they were going to leave me out here, but the moment they disappeared from my sight, it slowly began to kick in.

They'd really left me behind.

My feet moved faster than my mind, as I ran towards our house. The doors were locked by the time I got there, but it still didn't stop me.

“You have to open the door.” I yelled, my fists pounding against the door. “Let me in . Let me through.”

It was useless. No one made a move to come to my aid, and that's when I knew they weren't joking. Dad was dead serious, and I'd just been kicked out of the pack.

My heart ached as it broke into a million pieces, but I forced myself to pull it all together. There was really no needed crying over spilled milk. The deed was already done and I decided it was time to go do something else.

With one last glance at the place I used to call my home, I headed towards my car, before revving the ignition and driving to the hospital.

The drive to the hospital was longer than I'd expected, but I arrived eventually.

“Hi.” I stopped at the receptionist. “I brought someone here yesterday. He was wounded badly and…*

“Yes, yes.” The receptionist cut me off with a small smile. She was a petite young lady and she looked exhausted if the bags under her eyes meant anything. “we had him moved early this morning for more treatments, but he's okay now. Come, let me take you to his new room.”

I nodded in gratitude before trailing after her. I'd never liked hospitals, so I forced myself to focus on the nurses that miled about, and not the strong stench of antiseptic and sterilized blood that made its way to my nostrils. With each door we passed, the urge to gag grew stronger, but I pushed it back .

“We're here.” I heaved a sigh of relief when we finally arrived his room, and it was just as she had said. Yesterday had been a blur, but I realized this wasn't the room I'd dropped him off. If I didn't have her to help, I would have gotten lost.

“Thank you.” I mouthed at her, before she took her leave.

The room had baby blue walls, and I didn't miss the machines whirring in the corner. On the lone bed, the man from yesterday laid, his eyes closed and his breathing shallow.

I took slow and calculated steps towards him, before taking a seat next to him. His brown hair seemed to catch the warm glow of the light beside him, and for a moment, I wanted nothing more than to thread my fingers through his hair.

His skin looked pale, but it only highlighted how pink his lips were and…

“Take a picture, princess.” His deep baritone cut through the room, causing me to startle. “Haven't you been told that it's rude to stare?”

“You scared me.” I shrieked. “Why?”

“You were being rude.” A frown flickered on his face as he sat up, before crossing his legs over the bed. “I'm fine, thanks for asking.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” I scoffed . When I had brought him in here yesterday, he was weak and on the literal verge of death. “So much for being grateful.”

“I should be grateful?” He chuckled, but it was nothing short of a hollow sound. “Thanks to you, I was strapped to almost a million and one machines last night…”

“Those machines saved your life!” I cut him off. “I saved your life. If I hadn't seen you and brought you here, you would have died, but I guess that's not a big deal to you, is it.”

He parted his lips, but before he could say anything, he pressed his mouth shut again.

“Maybe I should have left him in the forest.” I muttered underneath my breath. He was rude, yes, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't glad he was okay.

At least, something good came out everything bad that had happened.

“I'm Kieran.” He let out after what seemed like forever. “what's your name?”

“Nowhere to go.” The words tumbled past my lips before I could stop them. “I have nowhere to go.”

“Is that so?” He snickered and I didn't miss the amusement in his blue eyes. “That's sad.”

“Tell me about it.” I rolled my at him. Now that I was sure he was okay, what did this mean for me? What the hell was I going to do now? I had nowhere else to call home, neither did I have any money to pay for a motel and….

“If you're serious, you can stay with me.” He let out again. “I can't help but feel like I had something to do with it, so if you're up , you can stay with me.”

I eyed him warily as I allowed his words to sink in. I had no idea who he was, but at the same time , I had nowhere else to go and he was the only one who had offered me help in hours.

I didn't want to accept it, but I was mentally tired and was this close to crashing out.

“Fine.”

Once Kieran was better, I called the doctor to let him know we were ready to get him discharged. Once he'd done one final checkup on him, and prescribed some drugs, we were really ready to leave.

“Here.” I pulled out my keys before tossing it at him. “Take me home, or wherever you live.*

“And you said I'm the rude one.”

“Look, you don't know who I am.” I took several steps towards him, till I'd successfully backed him up against one of the doors of my car. “But I promise you don't want to mess with me. If you dare cross me, I'll make you pay for it.”

“Got it.” He smirked, not in the least bit fazed by my threats.

.I held his gaze for some time, before hopping into the car. As he started the engine, I made myself comfortable.

“Liana.” I whispered, and that was the last thing I remembered before drifting into sleep.

I woke up shortly after, with Kieran rubbing my back gently. My vision was bleary and hazy, but the moment my gaze landed on the magnificent palace in front of us, I froze.

“Kieran?” I called out slowly. “where the hell have you brought me?”