Chapter 3

DANE

“Alpha King, this is the civilian we're talking about," My three men were holding a young man the same age as my daughter.

When I saw his wounds and bruises, my brow furrowed. "Did you hurt him?"

They were all nodding. "No, Alpha King, we never hurt him,"

"We had just seen him in that situation. He looks so ferocious."

I felt sad for this young man all of a sudden. He appears to be in pain and under stress. How could anyone hurt such a young man? He looks gentle.

"Alpha King, we've already given him a sedative. But please beware; this young man is dangerous," they had warned me.

I gasped. "Dangerous?"

He doesn't even appear to be dangerous to me. "Yes. He has anger management, and he threatened to kill us,"

I can't help but laugh instead of being scared.

"A-Alpha?" 

My reaction causes the three to look perplexed.

"I admire his bravery. What a brave young man!"

The other one yelled at me, "Alpha!"

I laughed. "Well, I think he's brave. If I were in his situation, wounded and in unfamiliar territory, and three men with superhuman strength approached me, I would beg for my life rather than threaten them,"

"He has a cocky attitude, Alpha King," 

"Yes, I dislike his demeanor,"

"He's just a young man," I said wryly.

"Alpha, why are you defending him when you should be worried about us?"

I chuckled. "You are all safe. There's nothing to be concerned about!"

They looked at the young man who was lying in a hospital bed. "What are your current plans, Alpha?"

"I don't have any plans for the time being. I'll just have to wait for him to wake up,"

They shook their heads and exited the room.

I summoned the medics to assist and treat his wounds.

I've been watching him for more than hours, and I know he'll wake up soon.

And I'm not mistaken. I noticed him moving around and opening his eyes.

When he realized he was in a different place, he immediately stood up.

"Where am I...?" he wondered.

I approached him and assisted him in laying back again. "Just rest. You need it. Your wounds haven't healed completely yet,"

The young man was taken aback and tapped my hands. "Get off my back!"

"Relax, please. You don't need to be afraid. You are safe in this place,"

He yelled at me. "I don't need your protection! I'll fucking kill you if you don't let me go! Aren't you scared of me?"

I was taken aback by his bravery. He doesn't appear to be afraid of me. That appeals to me. I can't help but smile. This young man piqued my interest.

He misinterprets my reaction and reacts violently. "Are you mocking me? I'm capable of killing you with my bare hands!"

I approached him and took a seat next to his hospital bed. “I'm not belittling you, young man. I just can't think of any reason why I should be afraid of you. You look like a nice young man and harmless,”

His eyes widened as he heard what I said.

I took a deep breath and introduced myself. “By the way, my name is Dane Steele, and I am the Alpha King of Lotus Pack. You are here in our territory, Greenwoods Village,” I said, offering my palm for a handshake.

The young man looked at me suspiciously, as if he doubted my words. Even though his body is numb with pain, he avoids my hand offer.

“D-Don't come near me!”

I can't help but be concerned about his unusual behavior. Why does he always lash out?

“Alpha, you must take a step back! He could attack you!" Outside, security stepped in and was about to attack the young man.

“Don't be concerned. I've got it! You don't have to hurt this young man!” In a commanding tone, I yelled.

The securities appear perplexed. “But, Alpha—-”

“Believe your Alpha, and please return to your post,"

“I'm sorry, but as the Alpha King of this pack, I need to tie you up to ensure you don't harm any of us. Don't be concerned. Nobody is going to hurt you here. You should unwind,"

He was about to say something else when I interrupted him. "I don't need your trust. But, as the Alpha King, I have a word with you. If I said we weren't going to hurt you, I meant it. We'll continue our conversation once your wounds have healed—don't worry, we have nurses and doctors on hand. They will provide you with the best medicine available here. Take a rest,” I said as I exited the room.

I noticed him gritting his teeth.

I immediately go to my private office. Beta is following me. “Alpha, why do you have to do that? We've never met him. He could be a potential assailant. We have to kill him right now,” Bruce, my right-hand man, said.

I cracked a grin. “I don't see any danger in him. I believe he is harmless. You know, I'm good at judging people.”

“But, Alpha—-”

“Just believe me, Bruce. He's just a young man, the same age as Daphne. I think he's a nice guy,”

Bruce has no choice but to obey my commands. “I hope your assessment is right, Alpha King. So, what are your plans for that young man?”

“I'll keep an eye on him. I'll watch him. He is my responsibility because I am the one who allows him into our Village,”

“Should I prepared the cell right away?"

I gave a nod. “There isn't any need, Bruce,”

Bruce is taken aback. “Huh? What exactly do you mean, Alpha? Will you let him wander around the village? We don't even know his name or where he came from! Our village's peace will be in danger... There are a lot of children here...”

I approached Bruce and tapped him on the shoulder. “You are overly concerned. Do you believe I'll let that happen? If I allow my people to be in danger, I will not be the Alpha King of this pack. But I have a different impression of this young man... his eyes... his eyes are so sad. His eyes look so lonely. They said that eyes never lie,"

Bruce let out a deep sigh. “Alpha…”

“Just have faith in your Alpha, Bruce,”

Bruce has no choice but to give up. “Alright. So... Alpha King, what's your plan now? Will you let an outsider wander around if you aren't going to lock him up in a cell?”

I looked him square in the eyes. As if my words now will be the most important decision I will ever make in my life. “I'll take him to my house. I will personally keep an eye on him,”

I noticed Bruce's jaw dropped.