CHAPTER SIXTEEN

AlPHA KAI'S POV

When Emma fainted, I acted immediately, calling for help with a commanding tone that brooked no delay. My men responded swiftly, and within minutes, we had her on her way to the hospital. Pamela, of course, tried to stop me. She attempted to sway me with her usual manipulative charm, but I brushed her off coldly. Her efforts to distract me were futile.

“You're not going after her, are you? She's just a girl,” Pamela had hissed, eyes flashing with a mix of anger and confusion. But I ignored her, my focus entirely on Emma. There was something about her, something that stirred a strange, unfamiliar emotion within me.

Once we arrived at the hospital, I stood over Emma, looking down at her unconscious figure. She seemed so fragile, so different from the other women in my life. Pamela and my other concubines had never elicited such feelings from me. They were convenient distractions, nothing more. But Emma… she was like a little lamb, helpless and pure. The sight of her lying there brought an inexplicable pain to my chest.

I reached out, almost without thinking, and touched her face gently. Her skin was soft and warm, and for a moment, I felt a connection that I couldn’t understand. Why did I care? What was it about her that made me feel this way?

Just then, the door swung open, and Madeline entered. I straightened up immediately, pulling my hand back as if burned.

“Don't tell her I was here,” I ordered, my voice cold and authoritative. “She doesn't need to know.”

Madeline nodded, understanding the gravity of my command. I didn't need Emma thinking she had any sort of hold over me. I was the Alpha, powerful and untouchable. I couldn’t afford to appear weak or vulnerable.

With one last glance at Emma, I turned and left the room, my mind already shifting back to the responsibilities and demands of the pack. I couldn’t afford distractions, not even ones as perplexing and compelling as Emma.

*****

EMMA'S POV

The warm smell of candles flared my nostrils as I sniffed, the afternoon's warm breeze hitting my face like a punch. I felt a sudden pierce of lighting from the windows, the sun's rays were specifically harsh around this time of the year.

As my eyes lids opened, I was surprised to find myself in a hospital room, my entire body draped in a hospital gown. I flashed my gaze slowly, my eyes skimming the background as it landed on a familiar figure.

“You're awake, ma'am Emma.” Madeline chorused, her voice causing my head to feel a sharp pain. The worry in her eyes had somehow reminded me of the smug look I got from Pamela when I had visited him, Alpha Kai.

A frisson of pain jerks my head upright as the realization hit me hard. It felt like running into a wall of bricks. The memories of my visit to the Alpha's chambers rushed in, my eyes burning with a blend of hurt and rage.

I could vaguely recall the sounds of their moans, Pamela's cry, it all seemed to play repeatedly in my head. My eyes burned with tears, the breeze from the window sending my curls everywhere.

Tucking my loose curls behind my ears, I smirked, feeling a tinge of anger in my veins. I was such a fool for thinking I'd be able to change the Alpha. I mean, nobody has been able to do it, not even his mother, the Luna.

And why would I think he'd fall for me? He was fierce, strong, and powerful, possessing all the attributes I'd hoped for in a mate, but somehow he wasn't actually meant for me. Growing up, I had embraced the wishes of happily ever afters, but now, it all seemed like a waste.

I would probably never amount to his class, I wasn't strong,, and beautiful as the curvaceous set of ladies that were drooling over him.

“Thanks, Luke. But don't think for a second that I needed a mate. I'm just keeping things interesting,” His words flashed back into my mind. Back then, Luke, his Beta, who, I assume, was very close to him, had congratulated him on finding a mate, and he had slammed back.

Keeping things intriguing, those were his words. A scorned look flashes upon my features as his voice echoed against the inner walls of my ears. I felt a burn of rage as I tried to get him off my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, the scene of him and Pamela kept ensuing.

“I know it must be hard for you, ma'am.” Madeline offered a comforting smile as she rubbed my shoulders. “But you'll have to get used to having the Alpha spend his nights with several ladies.”

Madeline's words played in my mind. The thought of getting used to having my mate spend nights with other ladies was very saddening. I traced the soft feel of the hospital's blankets for the umpteenth time, as I felt myself slowly drowning in a pool— one that contained all my thoughts and worries.

“But you'll have to be strong, for you, for your wolf and also for the pack.” I felt a little hope from her words. “However, I still wonder who that man was, the one who had come to falsely inform you that the Alpha requested your presence in his chambers?”

“Yes,” I muttered as I remembered his visit. Why had he come?

“Could it be that the Alpha had requested for me to visit just because he wanted me to see him having sex with Pamela?” I asked Madeline who was also pondering. Pamela's brows pulled up, tightly knitted as she chimed, “No, that couldn't have been the alpha.”

“Then it had to be someone else, someone with an ulterior motive,” I prodded, thinking hard as I ransacked my brain for answers.

“It obviously could have been someone who wanted you to see the alpha having sex .....” Madeline said, as we both blurted, “Pamela.”

It all made sense now, her ulterior motive was getting me to see her having sex with the alpha, so I would back off. Her plan had somehow worked, I mean, I'm here, sitting in a hospital after passing out from the shock.

“Pamela has always been a pain in everyone's back, if there was anyone who could take her down, it has got to be you,” I watched Madeline day. “I know she is probably celebrating her little win right now, she must have thought she won.”

“She did win,” I chirped lazily accepting defeat. “She is far more beautiful than I am, stronger, and powerful just like the alpha.”

“She didn't Emma, if anyone, it can only be you that can take her down.” Madeline assured, tapping my shoulders softly. “You've got this.”

Just before I could respond to her words, I felt a new smell in my nostrils as I noticed the incoming presence. The door to the room opened and a man who was dressed in a doctor's apparel stepped in.

He was old, probably around the age of my father, with his facial hair all bleached white, wrinkled lines on his forehead. He walked over to my bed and took some details like my pulse, my heartbeat and other stuff I couldn't remember.

“That's it,” He announced, removing the stethoscope from my chest. “You're all good to go, miss….” He finished with a tone that requested me to tell him my name. “Emmaline,” I chipped in.

Within mere seconds, he walked out of the room leaving me and Madeline to ourselves. “This is great news, Emma, I was afraid you wouldn't be able to meet the party the Alpha had dedicated to announce you as his mate.”

“I was too,” I replied, my cheeks pulling into a slight smile.

“That's it, we can still meet the party and kick Pamela's ass.” Madeline whispered, her gaze fixed on the watch on her wrist. I laughed softly, forgetting the insecurities and pain I felt previously.

“We can still make it on time for you to attend the party,” Madeline countered, also smiling as she helped me rise to my feet.

“We can go now,” I agreed, trying to hide the mix of nerves and excitement bubbling inside me. I couldn’t let Pamela take my shine tonight. This was my moment, my chance to prove to everyone that I belonged here.

As we walked through the hospital hallways, my mind raced. I was determined not to let anyone, especially Pamela, overshadow me. I remembered my father’s harsh words, his constant disappointment, and how I’d been hidden away, considered too weak. But tonight, I was going to change that narrative.