Not My Alpha

Chapter 11 ‘Yellow Cup’

Keira’s POV

I remember the feeling of pain, then I must’ve passed out, I don’t remember anything after that. My head hurts. I open my eyes and a bright white light pours in. Where am I? I blink a few times before my vision clears up. I’m in a hospital bed and I’m alone. I remember running from Dawson after he knocked out Harrison. I remember Dawson catching me and attacking me. My hand touches my face. It’s covered in bandages. What did that monster do to me? The curtain is pulled back and Macie enters.

“Macie.” I whisper, my throat is dry.

“Luna, you’re awake. How are you feeling?” She asks.

“Like crap.” I say. “Could I have some water?” I ask her. She nods her head and leaves for just a minute before coming back with a yellow cup and a straw. She positions the straw to my lips. I sip a few big gulps, quenching my thirst. After I’m satisfied I clear my throat.

“What happened?” I ask Macie. She looks down and away from me.

“Alpha Dawson.. he attacked you and Beta Harrison.” Macie says. I touch my face again to feel the bandages. My mate, the one the moon goddess picked out just for me, my other half, did this to me? Why? What did I do to deserve this? I’ve tried so hard to be a good mate, even when the effort wasn’t reciprocated. Tears build up in my eyes.

“Oh Luna, please don’t cry. Let me get a nurse.” Macie rushes out of the room. But my tears don’t hold back. I’m sobbing by the time the nurse, Alpha Julian, Luna Bethany, and Macie all come in.

“Hello Keira, glad to see you’re awake. Are you in any pain?” She asks. I’m crying too much to answer. I can’t catch my breath.

“My— head.” I manage to say.

“Alright, we can get you something for that. Just try to calm down.” The nurse leaves the room for a moment while I try to stop crying.

“I want… I want to go home.” I manage to get out. I feel the Luna take my hand.

“But you are home dear.” She says. I wipe my face.

“No.. I mean.. Elk Forest Pack.” The Alpha and Luna share a look.

“I’m sorry dear. But we can’t risk a war. You have to think about the bigger picture here. You just need to calm down. Let us come up with a plan.” The Luna tries to sound calm and reassuring. What am I hearing? They can’t seriously keep me from leaving, can they? Am I a prisoner now? The nurse comes back in.

“This might make you a little drowsy, but it will help.” She sticks a needle into the IV. Within a few minutes I’m feeling a lot better. The Alpha and Luna continue to try to plead with me about keeping this incident a secret, but now that the pain is gone, I can only feel one thing, anger. I’m stoic as they talk and unreceptive to their kindness. The Luna picks up on it and decides to give me some space, finally.

“Well we’ll let you get some rest.. Macie here will watch over you, and remember Keira, this is bigger than you or me. This is about the lives of everyone in the pack.”

“Mhmm.” I say without even looking up at her, my arms are crossed. The Luna and Alpha leave.

“Macie, where is Dawson now?” I ask her quietly.

“He was treated for his head wound and then they put him in a cell. Harrison bursted into the dining hall covered in blood and carrying you in his arms. It caused a pretty big scene. People were not too happy about it.” If everyone knows, then how can they expect me to stay here.

“What did they do? Did they cover it up?” I ask. She looks away again, as if to check if anyone is listening.

“They told everyone you were attacked by rogues. They added more patrols. I’m so sorry Luna. I know you want to go home. But they are telling the truth about the war. I understand why they are worried.”

“And Harrison?” I ask.

“He’s okay. He has a pretty bad black eye, but other than that he’s okay.” Macie says. “Could I have some more water?” I ask Macie. She hands me the yellow cup. I sip the drink through the straw as I think about my situation. Why would the moon goddess pair me with Dawson? Is this what my life is going to be like? Waking up in the hospital bed every two weeks after a beating, having to save face in front of the pack as they praise my monster of a mate. My thoughts are scattered and starting to get a little foggy. My eyes grow heavy and it’s hard to keep them open. I guess the pain killers are starting to kick in.

“Macie I’m getting tired. Could you please stay with me until I fall asleep.” I ask her, handing her back my drink. She nods and holds my hand. I lay my head on the pillow and close my eyes. A tear falls down my cheek. I silently cry and eventually I fall asleep.

When I wake up again, it’s nighttime and Macie is still sitting by my bedside. I move and Macie perks up.

“Luna?” She asks.

“Thank you for staying Macie.” I respond. She smiles.

“How are you feeling?” She asks.

“Better. What time is it?” I ask.

“It’s 2 am.”

“What are you doing here?” I try to sit up.

“Watching over you.”

“Please, go rest. You must be exhausted.” I tell her.

“It’s fine really. And I wanted to tell you something when you woke up. I thought about what happened earlier. And I think I know someone who can help.” I sit up and rub my eyes, trying to focus on what she’s saying.

“If you went back your old pack, there might be a war that breaks out. A lot of people you care about might get hurt or die. But there’s another option if you want to leave. Sometimes omegas aren’t treated well at their packs, but they can’t just run away and become a rogue, they aren’t strong enough. But there is a woman you can talk to, Samara. She takes in omegas and puts them in other packs. She works with head omegas from packs all over the world. We could get you transferred.”

“But I’m not an omega.” I reply, but could I really become a rogue?

“No you’re not, but we can lie. You’d have to join another pack as an omega. And it’s unlikely Alpha Dawson would find you if you did.” She’s right. He would never imagine me being an omega.

“Do you think this could really work?” I ask.

“You’d just have to keep your head down, and you wouldn’t be able to shift. The size of your wolf would be a dead giveaway. But to answer your question.. Yes I think it would.”

“What is it like, being an omega?” I ask.

“Well.. it’s not like being a Luna, or a Beta. The way we contribute to our packs is through our service. We cook, or we clean, or we work in the gardens. It’s hard work I’m not gonna lie, but life can be enjoyable if you’re in a decent pack.”

She’s not sounding very convincing..

“It’s either that, or you can stay here.. but Luna.” She takes my hand. “I can’t stand seeing you like this. You are one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I don’t think I can watch you being beaten down. Please, I can’t.” Tears well in her eyes.

“What kind of Luna would I be if I ran?”

“An alive one.” She says. Her words cut me deep. She’s not wrong it’s very possible I could die at the hands of my mate.

“I’ll think about it.” I tell her.