The Alpha Who Doesn't Touch

CHAPTER 3 – “The Alpha Who Doesn’t Touch”

“Don’t move.”

Eryx froze against the car door. The engine cut off. Through tinted glass, massive iron gates loomed. Stone walls stretched into shadows. Guards patrolled everywhere.

This was Kael's world. His fortress.

“I can walk,” Eryx said, voice shaky. Drugs faded, but his limbs dragged heavy. “Just leave me”

Kael slipped out, circled to his side. Opened the door. Held out an arm. No grab. No force. Just waiting.

It felt off. All of it.

Eryx ignored the hand. He hauled himself free. Legs buckled, but he stood. Silver scars on his wrists burned fresh.

“This way.” Kael turned, silent command clear.

The main house towered,black stone, jagged windows. Guards at the door eyed Eryx hard, judging without a word.

He kept his head down. Bare feet whispered over smooth stone.

Inside, a long hall. Paintings lined the walls,past Alphas, hard stares burning into him. Demanding respect.

Kael stopped at a heavy door. Pushed it open.

“Your room.”

Eryx stepped in. Bigger than his old home. Massive bed. Thick curtains. Fire snapped in the hearth. Spotless. Waiting.

Like a pretty cage.

“Bathroom's there.” Kael nodded. “Clothes in the closet. Everything you need.”

“What I need is answers.” Eryx spun, fear fueling fire. “Why am I here? What do you want?”

“Bathe. Eat. Sleep.”

“Not good enough.”

“It's all you get tonight.”

Kael headed out. Eryx lunged, grabbed his wrist. Skin sparked,old bond flickering wild.

Kael went still.

“Please.” Eryx's voice cracked raw. “Tell me. If you're gonna hurt me, do it now. Don't play nice.”

Kael eyed the grip, then Eryx's face. Something flashed,gone too fast.

“I won't hurt you.”

“Liar.” It spat out bitter. “You already did. Broke me in front of everyone.”

“I know.” Kael's tone stayed even. “You'll get why. Someday.”

He pulled free,gentle but firm. Door clicked shut.

Eryx shook. His wolf twisted faint inside, drugs lingering. Bond dead. Pain in every breath.

A knock.

“Come in,” he rasped.

Helen entered,older woman, gray hair neat. Tray of food balanced on her arms. Eyes scanned him blank.

“Head housekeeper.” She set it down. “Alpha says clean up and eat before bed.”

“Not hungry.”

“Eat anyway.” She started bath water. “Clothes ready after.”

She left.

Eryx stared at the food. Stomach knotted. Days since a meal? Ritual night? Before?

One bite. Then another. It tasted too good. Tears pricked.

Bath was worse. Warm water, forest scent. Should soothe. Instead, memories flooded,the market, bids, his price.

He scrubbed till skin stung red.

New clothes waited,soft pants, loose shirt. No thin rag. No ritual cloth.

Exhaustion hit. Bed too soft. Too safe.

He crashed anyway.

Shouts woke him.

Eryx bolted up, heart slamming. Room pitch dark. Minutes passed? Hours?

Voices leaked through the door,tense, biting.

“An omega? In your house?”

“Not your business,” Kael snapped, ice cold.

“It's everyone's. You rejected your mate. Bought broken goods from the shadows? Insane.”

“Leave. Now.”

“Kael”

“Now.”

Steps fled.

Silence.

Eryx held breath. Door stayed shut. But Kael lingered outside. Guarding. From his own pack.

Wrong. All wrong.

Morning sun blared. Knock,Helen again. Breakfast. Fresh clothes.

“Alpha wants you after. Eat. Dress. Don't dawdle.”

“What does he want?”

“You two sort it.”

She gone.

Eryx forced bites down. Tasted like ash. Fear soured it.

Guard outside. “Follow.”

More halls. More dead Alphas staring. Twin doors. Knock.

“Enter.” Kael.

Room dim despite light. Kael by window, back turned.

“Shut it.”

Eryx did. Hands shook.

“Come here.”

Instinct screamed run. No way out. Owned.

He crossed. Stopped short.

“Closer.”

Step. Step. Inches away. Felt Kael tense, fists hidden.

“Why buy me?” Kael murmured, low threat.

“No clue.”

“If not me, someone worse would.”

“So?”

“They'd finish breaking you.” Kael turned. Eyes burned dark. “Couldn't let that.”

“Why care? You rejected”

“Had to. To protect you.”

“Protect?” Eryx laughed bitter. “You shamed me. Snapped me open.”

Servant burst in,young, cloths bundled. Froze at Eryx. Eyes hit wrists, chest scar peeking. Face twisted ugly.

“Sorry, didn't know.They let filth in here?”

Kael moved. Blur fast. Hand on throat. Servant slammed wall. Cloths scattered.

“Filth?” Kael's whisper killed. “That's a person. My guest. Protected.”

“I meant”

Crack. Arm wrenched wrong. Servant howled.

“Out.” Kael dropped him. “Or the other snaps.”

Servant scrambled, sobbing.

Eryx couldn't breathe. Kael,the killer. Precise. No rage. Just done.

“You okay?” Kael asked, calm.

Wrong question. Nothing okay.

“Don't.” Eryx whispered. “Don't hurt for me. I'm not worth it.”

“You are.”

“Broken. Worthless. Your words at rejection.”

“Lied.”

It hung there.

Eryx searched his face. No flinch. Maybe true.

“Don't get it.” Tears welled. “None of it.”

“You will.” Kael backed off. “Safe here. No one touches you. Not me either.”

“Why not touch?”

Fists balled. “If I start, I won't stop.”

He left.

Eryx alone. Shaking. Lost.

Night dragged. Bed too soft. Every creak jumped him. Shadows loomed sharp.

Steps in hall. Slow. Familiar.

Paused at door.

Eryx held still. Barely breathed.

“They broke you like I feared,” Kael murmured through wood.

Steps faded.

Eryx's mind raced. *Like I feared.* Knew him before. Expected it.

Impossible. First saw Kael at ritual. Unforgettable,killer all feared.

Unless.

Ice flooded veins.

Unless Kael knew their bond long before. Watched him always.

Walls closed in. Chill gripped.

Trapped,not at auction. Before rejection. From the start.

Kael never forgot.