The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

“I see Kane has hired you to be the babysitter.” Ariel eyed her friend as she came closer to her.

“I can’t really call myself a babysitter, but the alpha had requested I stay with you, so yeah, maybe I am one.”

“Haaa.” Ariel sighed, shaking her head. “Kane is just doing too much; I don’t need a babysitter!”

“I have no say in this; I am only doing what I was asked to.” Liza said, raising her hands up on defense. “Anyways, do you need anything?”

“You could take me outside?” Ariel was practically giving her the puppy eyes.

“Anything apart from that.” Liza glanced at her friend, her lips turning down in a frown as she saw her face. “You know those don’t work on me, right?”

“Haaa.” Ariel released a sigh. “I am bored.” She groaned out her displeasure, but Liza could care less. She was just here to do the bidding of her alpha.”

“We could Netflix and chill if you want.” Liza picked up the remote of the TV, turning it on, before coming to sit in the empty space close to her. “How are you doing, though? I am sorry; I had no idea what was going on. I would have done something if I knew earlier.”

“It is alright.” Ariel waved her off before she started feeling guilty. “It was my fault, but I am getting better. Have you seen Kane, though?”

“I haven’t seen the alpha today. He only mind linked me about your condition and asked that I go watch you.”

“Hmm.” Ariel nodded her head slightly, trying to blink back the tears that were making their way down her eyes. For the past two days, Kane hasn’t bothered with her-no checkups, no calls. She understood he was angry and busy, but a call would have done the trick.

And Ariel was too stubborn to be the first to break. After all, he had been the first person to walk away from her life; why should she call him first?

“Are you hungry?” Liza’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“I am fine; the nurse made oats when she came around, and I don’t think I can stomach anything else.” Ariel replied and nodded her head. She was on her phone, typing at it, while Ariel continued staring into space. “By the way, do you know what happened to the woman that did this to me?”

Liza froze, not sure she would be breaching the rules if she talked. “I am sorry; I don’t think I can tell you.”

“It is fine; I understand.” There was a moment of silence between them. “He killed her right.”

“I-I can-”

“It is fine; I know he did.”

“I am sorry about that. It is just that we are werewolves, and there are some rules that govern us. Bertha had broken one of the important rules, and Kane had to take care of it, or they would continue disrespecting him.” Liza didn’t know why she spoke up, but she knew she had to defend her alpha.

“Honestly, it is fine; I understand he had to do it.” Ariel actually meant it. She had been terrified and disgusted when she learned the truth.

She, who was afraid of blood, was in love with a cold killer. But the more time she spent in bed, she had time to think it through, and she was somewhat grateful for him.

She had no doubt that Kane would always have her back whenever things went wrong, but that doesn’t mean it was legal.

A little part of her was still guilty because she had practically led the woman to her death.

“What happened to the other women that were in the room? I heard some rumors flying.”

“I don’t think I should be telling you this.” Liza gave her a tight-lipped smile, glancing at the door.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Please, I promise no one will know that you told me anything. I have just been dying to know. There is no entertainment here, and it is only gossip that can keep me going.”

“Hmmm.” Liza glanced at the door, and they returned to Ariel. “Fine. The alpha asked them all to hunt.”

“Hunt?” Ariel would have burst out laughing if her stomach hadn’t hurt so bad. “How is that a punishment?”

“The boar is actually one of the hardest animals to hunt around here, and they can’t come back until-”

“Kane!” Ariel practically lit up as the intruder came in the door, the complete opposite of her counterpart, who was frozen to the bed.

Liza had received strict warnings from Kane not to tell Ariel what had happened, and she had broken all of them.

“Alpha.” Liza was out of bed in a split second, and she bowed her head. “I am sorry.”

“Get out.”

“Yes alpha.” Liza was fleeing for her life, leaving only two of them.

“Could you be any harsher? You shouldn’t have talked to her like that. What happened to the magic words?”

Kane gave her a look that was stripping her bare, his eyes still on her as he took his seat on the only chair in her room.

“How are you doing?” He grumbled under his breath, but Ariel was having none of that.

“If you had bothered to check up on me, you would have known.” She tried to fold her arms, but the drip still connected to her veins prevented her from doing so.

Kane couldn’t be bothered by her words, so he continued with his question. “Have you gotten anything to eat, or do you need anything?”

“Why are you here? Why do you even bother? I thought you hated me.” Ariel huffed, turning to face the wall.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Ari; I would never hate you.” She melted a little bit when he called her pet name, but she had to remain strong.

“Really? Is that why you are just coming to see me now?” She turned to face him, her lips jutting forward in a pout.

“Don’t be like this. I had every right to get angry. I can’t keep watching my mate get herself killed, and I wasn’t exactly happy with you.”

“I am sorry.” Ariel murmured under her breath.

“Excuse me, I don’t think I can hear you.”

“Sorry?” This time it was lower than before, and Kane held his ears, leaning close to her.

“I think you would have to be louder. I can’t hear you.”

“I said I was sorry, okay! I was just trying to prove something-that there was no need-and I made you worry over me. I should have known better.”

Kane took a deep breath, and he slowly released it, his hands reaching to hold her. “I understand why you had to do it, but you have to know that you are a human. It is not an insult, but you can never be like us; instead of competing with them, focus on your strength and harness it.”

“Hmm.” Ariel nodded her head, a few stray tears leaking from her eyes.

“And I understand that it was partially my fault. You must have been bored out of your mind to consider killing yourself.”

Ariel gave him a sharp look, “Not funny at all.”

“Anyways, I got a job-an actual human job-that would be occupying your time. When you get better, we can go check it out and see if it is to your liking.”

“Really?” Ariel’s upper lips tugged in a smile, and she lit up like the sky during the 4th of July.

“Yea.” Kane nodded, his frown melting into a smile.

“Thank you so much. I love you.”

“I love you too, baby.” Kane leaned down, planting a sweet kiss on her lips.