Chapter four: Restless for her

Alpha Caleb

I let Oliver take Zara as his wife. But now and then, I found myself thinking about her, as if I was regretting my decision, even though Zara was just an omega I could play with anytime I wanted.

“Oliver is a calm and good man. He’ll take care of her,” I kept muttering to myself.

I had known Oliver since our university days but we aren't that close as he said earlier

“Anyway, whether he takes care of her or not, it’s none of my business.”

“Alpha… Alpha!” Emi, my close Beta, called out, cupping his hands and bending close to my ear.

He must have been calling me for a while, but I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t heard him. He had to lean close to avoid shouting. I woke up from my daze and looked around. Everyone was already leaving.

I looked up at Emi. “Has the meeting ended?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I didn't even know what had been discussed or decided during the meeting.

“Alpha, you have an appointment with Alpha Uriel to finalize the land paperwork by 2 p.m.,” Emi reminded me.

“Oh, yes, I know. What time is it now?”

“It’s about 1:45 p.m. We only have fifteen minutes left.”

I stood up, got into the car, and we left for the appointment. As we drove, my mind was troubled inside and out.

“Emi, turn the car and head to Oliver's pack.”

“But, sir…”

“Don't make me repeat myself, Emi. Turn the car now.”

He turned the car toward the pack where Joe and Zara were staying. I knew Alpha Uriel might refuse to sell me the land because of this disrespect, but I couldn't shake the feelings I was having.

“SHUUUU!” The car brakes screeched. I nearly hit my forehead on the seat in front of me as the car stopped suddenly.

“What kind of nonsense is this, Emi?” I roared, my voice full of anger.

“So… sorry, sir, I…” He couldn't finish his sentence. He got out of the car and rushed to the front. I couldn’t see clearly what was happening, so I got out too. I saw him lifting someone.

As I got closer, I recognized the face: it was Zara's. I quickly dropped what I was holding—my phone, which got scratched and took her from Emi’s arms. Emi was obviously surprised, standing there staring at me.

“What are you doing standing there? Start the car and go straight to the hospital!” I shouted as I carried Zara into the car.

At the hospital, Zara was given first aid. When she came regained herself, tears streamed down her face. Seeing this made my heart boil with rage. The doctor came out with the results and announced that she had been severely beaten and needed to be admitted for several days.

Filled with anger, I snatched the car key from Emi's hand. “Look after her,” I commanded and left the hospital.

Driving the wheel, I went straight to Oliver's pack. I got to his house and went in. Everyone was running around outside, looking for something, which I assumed was Zara and no one noticed me. I went straight to where Oliver was.

Just then, I heard a loud slap and slowed down. Then I heard:

“You good-for-nothing fools! I told you not to let that useless thing out of this pack!”

Another slap followed. “Get out of here now and make sure you bring that witch back!”

I couldn't hold back any longer. I rushed in, grabbed him by his shirt, and before he could recognize me, I punched him in the face. Still holding him, I punched him again and shoved him away. He staggered and fell, knocking over a table behind him.

The punches relieved a little of my anger. I let him look up and recognize me.

“Caleb, what is the meaning of this?” he asked, wiping the blood from his mouth.

“What did you do to Zara?” I demanded, pointing angrily toward the door as if Zara were standing there.

“Zara is my wife, and whatever I do to her is none of your business,” he shot back, spitting out blood. I stood up.

Exchanging words wasn't my thing, but I kept talking. “Remember, I own Zara. I bought her with a fortune that you couldn’t gather even if you sold your entire pack.”

“Hahahaha!” he laughed. I wondered what was so funny. He laughed louder and louder, getting on my nerves. I tried to punch him to shut him up, but this time he caught my fist with his arm.

Looking directly into my eyes, he said, “So, it’s hurting you, right?” Pushing my fist away, he laughed again. “Then I made the right choice! Yes, this is perfect.”

“What?” I asked, still confused about what he was saying.

“This is the kind of pain I want you to feel, Caleb, but it’s just the beginning! It’s because of you that my mate rejected me in front of the crowd in the university auditorium”

“What… who is your mate, and how does that involve me?”

“Oh, spare me the pretense, Caleb! Amelia chose to be your so-called omega over my mate proposal!”

Amelia. The name felt familiar, she was among the scores of young girls who always wanted to be with me back in the university. I could remember her running before me and asking me to save her from her beast boyfriend, which I pretended that moment that she was my girlfriend because I knew no one would touch her including her unknown boyfriend.

“So you are the beast that… Amelia asked me to save her from?” I asked, phrasing it to maximize the sting.

He punched me, and his hit was unexpected. I stumbled back a little, which triggered my anger and the realization that Zara was enduring all this pain because of me.

I grabbed Oliver by the neck, shoving him fiercely against the wall. He struggled to free himself. I punched him until his face was covered in blood. None of his guards were in the room, as they were all outside searching for Zara. Even if they were inside, they wouldn't dare approach me. I released him, and he fell to the ground, gasping for air.

“Get ready to sign the papers to release Zara, or you will die in my hands,” I warned, picking up my car keys, his blood dripping from my fingers. I left for the hospital.

Why am I so worked up about this? I didn't know the answer. Yes, Zara was suffering in Oliver’s hands because of Amelia, but who is Zara to me? This question hammered in my mind as I drove.

I got to the hospital and found Emi, looking lost, holding a bottle of water. He was trying to call me, but realized he was holding my phone. The moment he saw me, he knelt, bowing his head.

“Please forgive me, Alpha.”

I looked at the bed where Zara was supposed to be lying. It was empty.

“Where is Zara?” I demanded.

“Just now, I went to get water for her as she pleaded, and I came back and… she’s gone. Forgive me, please!” he kept pleading.

“Mft!” I hissed, turning toward the car to leave. “To hell with her!”

I didn't know what happened next, but I heard myself ordering Emi to search the left side while I ran toward the right side, which had a small exit, like a man who had lost a precious thing.