I CAN BE ALPHA

Chapter 2

The rogues sensed the impending danger as well, their instincts telling them that reinforcements were on the way. In a flash, they disengaged from the battle and bolted, disappearing into the forest. I watched them flee, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions, grateful for the timely arrival of my pack but frustrated that I couldn't contribute more to my own rescue.

With the rogues gone, I slumped to the ground, my body trembling with exhaustion and the agony of my injuries.

"Oh, Catherine, my Goddess!" What occurred? Call mine and your fathers, Oliver. Inform them that Catherine has been hurt and need the services of a pack doctor."

I've been rescued. I can feel the fight leaving me as Michael attempts to pick up my exhausted body, my adrenaline running low. My eyes begin to close, and I am faced with complete darkness.

**Oliver's Point of View**

Something didn't feel right to me. Catherine hadn't been answering her phone, so I contacted her house, where her younger brother, Elijah, informed me that she had departed immediately after texting me. I went looking for Michael to see if he might assist me in finding his sister.

I caught him kissing the Crimson Sun Alpha's daughter. "Michael!" I yelled in order to grab his attention. He waved me away as an indication that he was busy and that I was bothering him. I persisted to grip his hand despite his hand signal. He pulls away from the female he was kissing and scowls at me.

"What exactly do you want?" Can't you tell that I'm a little preoccupied here?"

"I think there's something wrong with Catherine, Michael." She was supposed to meet me here at 8, but it's now after 9, and she hasn't returned my call. When I contacted your residence, your brother informed me that she had gone just before 8 a.m. "I have a feeling she's got something wrong with her."

"Okay. Okay. I'll assist you in finding her, and then you'll realise that everything is alright."

We looked through the entire pack and couldn't find her. Michael checked with the guards stationed at the pack borders, and they said they hadn't seen her. Michael and I exchanged glances, and I could tell he was beginning to worry about her as well.

We both agreed to go through the woods between the two packs to make sure she didn't get lost or get into any trouble. After about 5 minutes of walking, I heard a distant shout for help. When I stare at Michael, he puts his finger to his mouth and tells me to be quiet.

The shouting continues, and I'm not sure if it's Catherine, but whatever it is sounds like they need our assistance. We continue to walk softly into the woods, taking care not to rustle any leaves or twigs. We come upon three rogues hanging around whith someone at the other side as we walk across a clearing. They flee as soon as they become aware of our presence.

I dashed into the clearing, only to find the girl exhausted and injured on the hard woodland floor. Michael rushes by me, barking instructions at me to summon both of our fathers and the pack doctor. It was only then that I realised Catherine was the one on the forest floor. It was difficult to identify her. Her brown hair was a twisted mass that had become matted with sand whichmust have occurredduring a fall. I could see the blood streaming down her arm, the bruises covering her arms and legs, and the sands covering her entire body. She appeared to have been heavily fought with and nothing remained of her strength. She appeared frail and exhausted. Catherine, my name. My acquaintance.

I took out my phone and dialled the Alpha number first. After the second ring, he responds.

"What is it, Oliver?" Is everything okay?"

"Not at all, Alpha Michael. I need you to accompany me to the woodland between our pack and the Crimson Sun. Catherine was assaulted and appears to be seriously hurt. Could you fetch my father and the pack doctor?"

"I'm already on my way!" Don't move her, Oliver; we'll come to you."

"Yes, Alpha," I said mumblingly. I hung up the phone and turned to face Michael. He had just taken up Catherine and was going to begin moving it.

"Stop! Michael, the Alpha, told us to stay still and that my father, him, and the pack doctor would meet us here."

When I gaze at Catherine's exhausted body, it finally dawns on me what those rogues must have done to her. My tears began to fall down my cheeks. If only I hadn't bothered Catherine and instead hung out with her at her house like we always do. What made me go in without her? Why didn't I just wait for her like we had planned? Now she's been hurt, and it's entirely my responsibility.

We didn't have to wait long for the Alpha and my father to accompany us to the pack doctor. The Alpha hurried to his daughter's side, taking her from Michael's arms. My father approached me and inquired as to what had happened to her. When I told him what had happened, I began to cry. I told him how it was entirely my fault that she had been injured and that they had fought her. My father cradles me in his arms and lovingly assures me that everything will be fine that Catherine is well.

"I am a failure, dad," I murmured as I stared up into his eyes. As a potential Beta tester for this bundle, I failed. I should never have let anything happen to her."

My father tightens his grip on me and murmurs that it was not my fault and that there was nothing I could have done to help her. He informs me that if I had been there, the Goddess only knows what they would have done to me, but I can utilise this experience to develop my skills and protect her the next time.

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She has been missing for two days. Her body was attempting to adjust to the trauma of the exhausting fight, according to the doctor. Michael and I have not abandoned her. Her parents come and go, staying when they can. Both of our parents have tried to get us to return to our homes, shower, and eat something. I honestly don't believe I'll be able to eat anything till she wakes up and I can check on her. She appears frail and shattered. She hadn't moved, and all we could hear was our breathing.

According to the doctor, she was fought with viciously. It seems that there were numerous attacks, which makes sense given that we saw three rogues when we arrived. Catherine's father is waging war. He'd been dispatching warriors on search parties to find the thugs who had attacked his daughter.

"Do you think she'll be okay, Michael?"" I inquired, cautiously.

"To be honest, I'm not sure. I'm concerned that's why she hasn't awoken. She has been through far too much stress for her body and mind to grasp."

Perhaps everything will be fine. All I can do is hope. I miss my pal. I'm missing her voice. I miss seeing her beautiful blue eyes light up when she is excited or darken when she is upset.