The Alpha's Forbidden Omega

Comfort

Chapter Nineteen

Caleb’s POV

As I stepped out into the courtyard, a commotion caught my attention. Two of Hunter’s guards were dragging someone roughly toward the estate, and it took me a moment to realize who it was…

Faelen.

Her tear-soaked face was overwhelmed with fear and pain, and my heart raced at the sight. What in the name of the moon had Hunter done now?

I rushed over, my pulse quickening. “What the hell are you doing?” I barked at the guards as I reached them. “Why are you dragging this girl like that?”

The guards barely looked at me, their faces hard and indifferent. “Alpha’s orders,” one of them grunted. “He commanded us to bring her to his chambers.”

I felt a rush of anger at their casual response. “Why?” I demanded, trying to keep the anger out of my voice, though it was almost impossible.

The other guard shrugged, his grip on Faelen not tightening even harder. “We don’t know. We’re just following orders, sir.”

I clenched my fists, my frustration mounting quickly. It was always like this with Hunter… he just gave out orders, and everyone obeyed without question, even when it was something as cruel as this.

My mind raced, trying to think of a way to stop them. I couldn’t just stand by and let this happen. “Release her,” I commanded, my voice firm, in a way that suggest there was no room for argument. “Right now.”

The guards hesitated, their expressions uncertain. But then the first one shook his head. “We can’t, Caleb. These are Alpha’s orders. We’d be dead men if we disobeyed him.”

I could feel the tension in the air, the line being drawn between my authority and Hunter’s. I wanted to tear Faelen away from them, to protect her from whatever cruelty Hunter had in store.

But even I knew how dangerous it was to directly oppose him, especially in front of his men. “Let her go,” I insisted, trying once more, my voice becoming desperate.

But they didn’t budge. They just tightened their grips on Faelen’s arms and continued dragging her toward the estate, toward Hunter’s chambers.

I was helpless, watching as they took her closer to whatever nightmare Hunter had planned. The guards knew better than to disobey Hunter, I knew that, and no matter how much authority I had as Beta, it wasn’t enough to counter a direct order from him.

“Please,” Faelen whispered, her voice trembling with fear as she looked back at me, her eyes begging for help. “Please don’t let them take me.”

Those words cut through me like hot knife through butter, and I felt sick to my stomach. I had to do something, anything, to stop this.

But what could I do?

Hunter was the Alpha, and I was bound by my position to obey him. I followed them, unable to stay back, even as my mind screamed at me to think, to find a way to end this madness.

I couldn’t just stay back and let Faelen suffer like this, not after everything she’d already endured in his hands. I had to try to make Hunter see reason, perhaps stop him from hurting her any further.

When we reached the entrance to Hunter’s chambers, I stepped forward, blocking the door. “You’ve done your duty,” I told the guards, my voice low but firm. “Now, leave her with me. I’ll take her to the Alpha.”

The guards exchanged a look, uncertainty flashing in their eyes. “We can’t,” one of them finally said, though he sounded less sure now. “Alpha wants her brought to him directly.”

I didn’t back down. “And I’m telling you, I’ll handle it from here.” I snapped.

There was a tense moment of silence, and I could see the conflict in their eyes. They were torn between their orders and the fear of disobeying me.

But before they could make a decision, the door behind me swung open, and Hunter stepped out.

“What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice thick and cold.

The guards immediately released Faelen, stepping back as if they were afraid of what might happen next.

I could feel Faelen trembling beside me, and I placed a hand on her arm, trying to offer some comfort even as I faced Hunter.

“I was bringing her to you,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. “But I wanted to make sure she was alright first.”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed, a look of suspicion and something else dark shifting across his face. “Is that so?” he said quietly, his gaze shifting between me and Faelen. “Only, I don’t recall asking for your help, Caleb.”

I straightened, meeting his gaze. “Maybe not, but I’m here now. And I’m not leaving until I know she’s safe.”

Hunter’s expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out at me, or worse, at Faelen. But then he seemed to relax, a cold smile curling his lips.

“Very well,” he said, stepping aside. “Come in, both of you. Let’s see how this plays out.”

My heart sank as I realized I may have only delayed the inevitable. But I had to keep trying to find some way to protect Faelen from whatever Hunter had in mind. Even if it meant putting myself against him.

“Hunter,” I started when we were all inside, my voice tight. “This isn’t necessary. Whatever she’s done, come on, it doesn’t warrant such treatment.”

Hunter turned slowly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. “You forget your place, Caleb,” he said, his tone sounding dangerous. “This is my decision, not yours.”

I forced myself to hold his look, refusing to back down. “She’s just a servant, Hunter. She doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment.”

Hunter’s eyes shifted to Faelen, who was on her knees and trembling now, and then back to me. There was a hint of something in his gaze… something I couldn’t quite place.

But then suddenly it was gone, replaced by the cold, unyielding mask he always put on to command fear from people.

“Leave us,” he commanded me.

I took a step closer to Faelen, putting myself between her and Hunter. “Hunter, look, I’m asking you as your friend… just let her go.”

Hunter’s expression hardened, and I could see the tension in his jaw. “You’re really overstepping, Caleb,” he said quietly. “This isn’t your concern.”

“But it is my concern,” I argued, my voice rising. “Who are the one who put me in charge of things around here, and I won’t stand by and let cruelty be allowed among us,” I said, referring to the guards who had been dragging Faelen.

“Besides, what has she even done to deserve something like this?” I wondered out loud.

For a moment, there was silence between us, the air became thick with unsaid words. But finally, Hunter let out a long, frustrated sigh.

His eyes darkened as he stepped closer, the frustration in him evident in the tension that flowed in the room. “Look, Caleb, you’re crossing a line on something that’s clearly not your business. You sure you want to do this?”

I stood my ground, unwilling to back down. “It is my business, Hunter to look out for people treated like they’re merely objects and not people!” I shot back, my voice steady despite the anger rising inside me.

“Faelen hasn’t done anything to deserve this, Hunter. Whatever you’re planning, it’s not right.” I then said with a calmer voice.

Hunter’s gaze shifted with annoyance as he turned to face me fully. “Well, I’m the Alpha here, not you. You don’t get to decide how I handle things.”

“I’m not trying to undermine you,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm, even as my frustration grew. “But this… this is wrong. You know it is. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, least of all to me.”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, I thought I saw a flash of something… guilt, maybe, or even regret. But I was wrong, there was only that coldness he always put on.

“Enough, Caleb! This is my concern, and you will respect it. Leave us!” he barked.

My heart sank at his words, knowing I had no choice but to comply. I glanced at Faelen, who was trembling, her eyes wide with fear.

I wanted to argue further, to convince Hunter to change his mind, but I could see that he was determined to go through with this… whatever it was.

With a heavy sigh, I turned to leave, but before I did, I reached into my inner pocket and pulled out a white handkerchief. I walked over to Faelen and gently placed it in her hand, my fingers brushing against hers as I did.

“Here,” I said softly, trying to offer her some comfort. “Use this.”

Faelen looked up at me, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears, and for a moment, the fear in her gaze softened into something… gratitude. She nodded slightly, clutching the handkerchief tightly in her hand.

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room, my heart pounding with anger and helplessness. I felt powerless, and indeed I was.

As the door closed behind me, I could feel the frustration boiling over. How could Hunter be so cruel, so blind to the pain he was causing? But then why did it bother me so much?

I stormed down the corridor, each step showing my frustration. This wasn’t just about Faelen, I realized. It was about the man Hunter had become, the one I barely recognized anymore.

The man who seemed determined to push everyone away, to bury whatever humanity he had left under layers of cruelty and power.

And for what? To prove he was in control? To hide whatever pain or weakness he refused to show? I didn’t know, but I was determined to find out.