Hybrid Alpha’s Prettiest Obsession

threatened

Malakai

“Has it gotten you anything except more trouble?” I cut her off sharply, stepping back to put space between us. “Let’s not make the same mistake twice.”

Natalie stared at me with a pout. I could see the irritation flashing across her face now, all so sharp and ready to explode. Good. I could handle her anger better than whatever emotional mess had been going on between us. If she thought threatening me the last time would work...

She was wrong.

“You’re unbelievable,” she said, folding her arms. “You act like you’re the only one with a mind here.”

“Maybe I am,” I shot back, barely holding back a smirk.

To that, her lips curled in annoyance. I waited for the explosion.

“You think too much of yourself. My father won’t take kindly to the way you’re acting. He’s already not thrilled with the way you’ve been handling things.”

“Oh?” I leaned against the van, making sure to look as unconcerned as possible. “And what exactly have I done to offend the almighty General now?”

Natalie took a step closer, narrowing her beady eyes at me. It made her look ugly. “For starters, your obsession with those slaves from the pit is pathetic. You’re acting like they’re more important than everything else.”

Has she been keeping tabs on me?

I chuckled darkly. “Since when did you care about the pit or who comes out of it?”

“It’s not about me caring,” she said, her tone sharp. “It’s about priorities. You’re supposed to be stepping up and leading. But instead, you’re wasting your time on some lowlife halfling and dragging the rest of us into your mess.”

That hit a nerve. I straightened up, no longer leaning casually. “You think this is a waste of time?”

“I know it is.” Her voice was firm, almost like she was daring me to contradict her. “And it will fade with time because I have the backing of the Elders. You… You’re supposed to be preparing for what’s coming, not indulging in personal grudges.”

I blinked. Well, that was new. I took a step forward to close the distance between us. It was better if people didn't hear our voice or the vile words I was about to spit at her.

“Watch your mouth, Natalie. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I know exactly what I’m talking about,” she said, matching my intensity without flinching. “You’ve lost sight of what matters. My father sees it. Everyone sees it. And if you don’t get your head straight, you’re going to lose more than just some slave from the pit.”

I exhaled sharply, trying to control the frustration boiling just beneath my skin. I kept reminding myself that she was a pure breed, a scared being to the Viper pack. Everyone loved her. It was better not to take drastic decisions...

“Do you think I give a damn what your father sees? Or what you see?”

“You should,” she snapped. “Because he’s not going to wait around while you play with ghosts from your past. Either you pull yourself together, or someone else will.”

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. She was deliberately trying to provoke me, and I wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s reality, Malakai.” Her voice was cold now. Not even the playful nickname remained. Who knew she was like this? “The council is watching. The Elders have their eyes on you, and if you keep acting like this—like an i***t driven by personal vendettas—you won’t last long on the throne.”

For a moment, I just stared at her, unable to speak back. As much as I hated to admit it, she wasn’t entirely wrong. I knew I was playing a dangerous game when I called Mina’s name by mistake, but that didn’t mean I was about to let her or her father dictate how I played it.

“I don’t need a lecture from you, Natalie,” I said quietly, but the warning in my voice was clear.

She crossed her arms tighter and hardened her expression. “Then stop acting like a fool and start acting like someone who deserves to lead.”

That was… harsh.

Silence stretched once more between us, thick and heavy. I could feel our emotions buzzing in the air again, but this time it wasn’t the kind that could be resolved with a kiss. This was different. A challenge. A line was drawn between us.

“Get out of my way,” I muttered, brushing past her to grab the van door.

She didn’t move immediately, but when she did, she made sure to bump her shoulder against mine. “You’ll regret this, Malakai,” she said under her breath, just loud enough for me to hear.

I glanced at her, my eyes cold. “Get in line, Natalie. That’s a long list.”

With that, I yanked the door open and climbed inside. Natalie stood there for a moment, watching me with a look I couldn’t quite place. Annoyance? Disappointment? Maybe both. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t afford to care.

“I am sorry, Kai…” She suddenly said, trembling.

I simply glared at her.

Desperation overclouded her face as if she couldn't believe the things she just said to me. “I am sorry. Those words, they came out because... because... it doesn't matter. Forgive me.”

“Natalie, the reason you have your head sitting comfortably on your shoulders is because I am tired. I killed five hundred rogues, and I need rest. Go home.” As the van door slammed shut behind me, cutting off the sight of her standing there, I let out a long, slow breath.

That's one more person pissed off at me. Just another name added to the pile. And yet, all I could think about was Mina.

Damn her.

Almost immediately, Wulfgar’s heavy boots echoed against the dirty floor long before he reached us. I heard him muttering under his breath, the way he always did when he wanted everyone to know he had better things to do. His presence felt like a bucket of cold water, just exactly what I needed to end whatever mess I had gotten myself tangled in with Natalie. I dragged the van door open.

“Alpha,” Wulfgar called, stopping just outside. His figure blocked most of the light. "Your ride's ready."

I didn’t turn around immediately, still feeling the ghost of Natalie’s kiss on my lips and her scent in the air between us... It was Mina's. I tsked, feeling dizzy. Truthfully, the rogues must have had something in their system to make me this… confused. My jaws grinded down. I ran my hand down my face, trying to shake off my dizziness, before twisting toward him.

“What took you so long?” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.

Wulfgar shrugged in an annoyingly nonchalant expression. “Had to get the van fuelled up and deal with some patrol nonsense. I figured you’d appreciate me not dragging your arse halfway on foot or a horse.” He finished that last part with a knowing look.

Ah, my horse. I really wasn't satisfied with his service. He should have interrupted earlier. “You’re late, Conrad.”

He raised an eyebrow, not looking the least bit apologetic. "Is there a problem, then?" He tilted his head toward the exit way. “Natalie looked like she was ready to rip someone’s throat out. Everything alright?”

"That's none of your business." The words shot out sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t afford to have him or anyone else dig deeper into my mess with Natalie.

Just then he smirked. Of course he did. Conrad lived for moments like this, when someone else was squirming, and he wasn’t the one in trouble. A sly second man, I must say...

“Suit yourself.” He folded his arms across his chest with the smirk still plastered on his face. “So... still worried about those prisoners?”

The mention of them snapped me back to the matter at hand. My gaze hardened. “What’s their status?”

Wulfgar’s grin widened as if he'd just been waiting for me to ask. “That asshole, Pompeo caught every last one of them. He had his men drag hundreds back, kicking and screaming, but they’re all in custody again. Locked up tight.”

A strange, dark satisfaction bloomed in my chest. I nodded curtly. “Good.” already shifting my focus to the next steps. "Anyone injured?"

“Nothing serious,” Wulfgar replied, casually brushing a bit of dust off his sleeve. “A few scratches here and there. One of the lads twisted an ankle, but nothing a bit of bandaging won’t fix.”

I shook my head. Pompeo would never do that. I was about to tell him not to mind, but what if that person was Mina? “Make sure they stay locked up this time,” I warned. “No more screw-ups with the rogues.”

Wulfgar's eyes glinted with amusement. “Aye, we’ve doubled the guards. Not even a rat’s getting in or out this time.”

I studied his face for a moment, searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. There was none. Wulfgar wasn’t one to lie, not about something this important. If he said the prisoners were secured, they were.

Mina would be safer in the pit. I was sure of that.

“Get them prepared for interrogation,” I ordered. “I want to know everything.”

That was an opportunity to see her again.

Wulfgar gave a slight bow, though the smirk on his face never fully disappeared. “As you wish, Alpha.”

I turned away, not bothering with any more conversation. There was still too much to deal with, and I didn’t have time for idle banter. The clock was ticking, and I needed answers. Fast.

“Let’s go,” I muttered, brushing past him as I made my way back into the van. Behind me, Conrad's boots thudded steadily, matching my pace without a word. Natalie’s warning still troubled the back of my mind, but I shoved it down where it belonged.

***************

#Mina

It didn’t take long for me to realise something was wrong. Malakai had been too smooth, too agreeable, and that should have been my first warning. But I’d been so caught up in the idea of getting out, of escaping this nightmare, that I ignored every sign.