Alpha Of Darkness And The Half-Breed Healer

GAEL’S POV

“How could you let this happen to your Alpha? Who the hell is in charge of looking after the damn garden?! Have the person thrown in the dungeons!” Gemma hollered at the guards.

She had gone bonkers this morning when she woke up to see the gash on my leg. Even though it didn’t hurt much anymore, she insisted that the doctor come around to bandage it.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

My thoughts have gone far beyond the walls of the pack house. The half-breed is excellent at what she does-considering the fact we werewolves have a hard time healing from steel wounds, more like silver. She helped the pain not to get to me like it would on a typical day. I slept soundly and only remembered last night’s incident this morning. It’s pretty impressive.

“Do it now!” Gemma yelled again, making me shift abruptly on the chair I saw gently.

Smacking my lips, I looked towards the guards. “You don’t need to bring anyone here. Just have a few men round up any harmful tools in the garden. The gardeners must have placed the steel there to wade off crop animals. You can go.” I ordered.

She gasped in anger, “Really? Those assholes wouldn’t listen to me, but one word from you, they are gone.”

I rolled my eyes, pretending not to hear her. “Thanks for your concern. I should also be careful next time.”

“Don’t try to play dumb with me, Gael. Couldn’t you have given me that much respect and have the men do what I ordered first?”

“Of what use will that be anyway? Please, baby. It’s too early, and I will meet with someone here soon. You should leave.”

She wanted to say something, and I know it burns deeply in her chest. But for some reason, she cautioned herself and leaned in to kiss me. “Alright, I will see you later. I am heading out to the mall with my girls. See you by lunch.”

“Aren’t you going home? You should visit home since you weren’t there last night.” Reluctance settled in her expression, and that bothered me a little.

“I don’t want to just yet. I thought you missed me too. Why are you driving me off all of a sudden?”

“That’s not it. I was asking. Go and have fun.” I urged, shooing her off. I am in no mood to curtail a brat’s mood this morning.

I don’t know why I am anxious and excited at the same time-the thought of seeing the half-breed. I mean, Nia again makes me feel odd. Odd in a good way. Despite the apparent strain in our conversation last night, I realized how interesting she sounds. Her sarcasm tickles my insides, and I can’t resist chuckling. It is just me getting over my recent boredom, nothing more.

The door opened, letting in Beta Ezekiel and the Gamma of the pack, Andrea. She is one of the best hands on deck, and I have no idea how she came about the strength of ten different werewolves in her alone.

“Good morning, Alpha Gael.” The both of them chorused before taking a seat.

I hummed in response, reaching for the tablet I intended to look through for the meeting. “Morning to you two.”

“I heard about your accident in the garden. How are you feeling now?” Beta Ezekiel asked.

I groaned inwardly; I hate that nothing of my life can be private without others knowing about it. “How did you get to know that?”

Andrea responded, “We met Gemma on the way, rebuking one of the guards for being incompetent.”

“Well, shit. Gemma is just being dramatic. It’s nothing serious. I already asked her to let it go. At this point, every living soul in the pack house would know I got wounded.” I replied.

“You should see the healer. You know how nasty steel wounds get.” Andrea advised. While my Beta just kept mute like he was plotting something against me.

“It’s thanks to the healer that I didn’t end up with an infection in my leg this morning. Like I said, it’s getting better.” I said.

He finally cleared his throat to indicate his presence. “That’s good to know. You finally let the healer touch you. I remember you swear never to allow her abominable self to be close to you.”

I bite my lower lip, trying my best not to retort rudely. It’s obvious Ezekiel has it in for me this morning. I held up a stiff smile. “Things happen. Thanks for your concern. Let’s get down to today’s business. Andrea, have you gotten delivery of the weapons for the army?”

She smiled like I had just told her I left a bouquet at her door. “Yes, Alpha. They are beautiful to behold.”

“Ensure that everyone learns the new training techniques and is up-to-date with their skills. You can dispatch a new set of border soldiers to be on patrol. I am sure the ones there could use a break.”

“They will appreciate the kindness, Alpha Gael.” She grinned.

“How is it going with the export of our silks, Beta Ezekiel?” I asked, not looking at him.

“There are many high bidders for it, coupled with the tax payments. If our silk farmers sell out to the ones asking, there is a high probability that they might get cheated. We need a stable market, not the ones who are just in for the flaming moment.” He replied.

I hummed, staring down. “You have a valid point; let’s do that. We don’t need short-term market sales. The recent lockdown due to the disease has affected our exports a bit. But I guess we can resolve that with some stability. Is there any other thing that we need to discuss?”

“Yes, the Night Wanderers Pack are seeking our military aid as they are at war with their neighboring pack. Do you think we should help them out?” Andrea asked.

“Beta Ezekiel, do you think it’s in our best interest to get involved?” I asked, knowing he had more knowledge to offer.

He shook his head, “we are on good terms with both packs. Siding with one and offering military aid will tag us as enemies. We should find out what’s wrong and proffer peace instead.”

“That sounds very correct. Get the pack council members in charge and have them reach the packs by tomorrow. Are we done here, then?” I asked.

“Yes, but I would like to talk to you alone.” Beta Ezekiel muttered firmly.

I signed in resolve. “Alright, let’s talk then.”

“See you later, Alpha. Bye, Beta.” Andrea mused, leaving.

“Why do I feel you would like to have my head?” I started the minute we were alone.

He folded his arms across his chest with displeasure boldly written on his face. “Do you know how pissed I get every day when I see your face and try not to imagine the things you do with my daughter? She didn’t come home last night, Gael. And she probably wouldn’t for the next few days. I thought you promised to let her go?”

I caressed my forehead, feeling an internal exhaustion. “Why don’t you ask Gemma why she keeps returning? I am not holding your daughter down. She chooses to stay. And I think I am out of ideas on what to do now. Please don’t assume that this is my fault. There has never been a time that I fooled her. She chooses to believe whatever soothes her.”

He kissed his teeth, breathing heavily. “I never should have brought my daughter into the pack house that day. That was the mistake I made. I will make sure this comes to an end.” He stated firmly. He walked away.

“I wish you all the very best,” I called after him with no intent to disrespect.

There is too much drama from one family. I can’t say I deserve this much scorn with Gemma’s presence and her fussing over me. I couldn’t stay in my chambers after a long day attending to pack matters. I get exhausted trying to communicate with Gemma. It just dawned on me that we don’t have much to share, just kisses and private parts.

Times like this are when I envy Ezra; since he is just an assistant, he gets to do whatever pleases him. I heard he went on a date with Nia. I got to know when I called him to ask if we could hang out.

Sometimes, I hate having no one else to call out to in moments like this. Still, I can’t seem to stop imagining what both of them might be doing. It shouldn’t be my business, but my body feels restless. Which is why I am out here again after dinner and having to fuck Gemma to sleep. That’s the most stressful sex I have had in my entire life.

Even though she did all the work, I felt molested. It must be hard on people who had to deal with Molestation. Ezra called to say he was free after dropping off Nia. But I told him I was tired and would see him tomorrow. It’s a half-truth and a half-lie.

I sat on the same bench we were on last night. For some childish reason, I got rid of the bandage on my leg and left the wound open. I can only hope she would come out here again. But my hope began to fade off when, after a whole hour, she still didn’t show up. I feel stupid for coming out here. What was I expecting? And why exactly do I want the half-breed to show up? What’s with my sudden, calm attitude all morning? I think today has been the day I acted the nicest towards anyone.

Cursing under my breath, I got up slowly, groaning at the sharp pain in my leg. I shouldn’t have let it open. With the dry air blowing, it would make it hurt differently.

“Are you always out for a night walk?” Her voice questioned from behind.

A smirk tugged at my lips, and I had to pinch myself to order. I looked back at Nia, maintaining a straight face. “Why? Do you have a problem with that?”

Nia raised her hands in surrender. “Never, it’s not like I own the pack. Sorry for speaking to you, Alpha. I forgot myself.” She said hurriedly, making a turn to leave.

“Where do you think you are going? Aren’t you supposed to check on my wounded leg again?” I called back, scratching the back of my neck anxiously.

“I’m sorry it slipped my mind. Let me get the herb quickly. Since you won’t come into the clinic.”

I dismissed her with a nod as I returned to the bench. No lies; I feel some excitement within me. Why? I have no idea. She came back a minute later. I expected her to ask why there wasn’t a bandage over the wound, but she didn’t say anything and only cleaned it carefully before applying the herb juice.

“You heal pretty nicely. Your leg will be fine by tomorrow.” She said.

“How confident are you?”

“I can’t say you should trust me. Because, of course, you don’t. So I will say trust the herb to do its job.”

“Do you always have a long response to short questions?”

“Do you always question others, or is it just me?” She retorted.

I scoffed, “You have a loud mouth.”

“I guess so.”

“So, I heard you went on a date with my friend. Are you two a thing now?” I couldn’t resist the urge to ask.

Her eyes danced as she stared. “I would expect you to ask your dear friend that question. Why am I the one getting it?”

I shrugged, “it’s you I want to ask. How about that?”

“Is something wrong with you? Did you hit your head, and it’s unknown to the rest of the pack? You went from swearing by the goddess to never talking to me. And now you are here indirectly asking me how my evening went. Did something happen?”

I wish I could respond, but it’s an odd phenomenon that will probably have no response. I have learned not to question the desires of my heart and do it, regardless of what I must have said in the past. “Call it boredom.”

“Are you admitting that I entertain you?”

“Maybe, more like a circus visit.” I bit down on my tongue, realizing that I said too much from the look in her eyes.

She sighed, kicking at the grass. “If you want to talk to me, boredom or not, dear Alpha Gael. You will have to regard me properly and not disrespect my kind. So you should decide if you want to still talk to this half-breed or not. I will bid you good night right this minute.”

Fierce! How did I not discover this side of her before now? Determination settled in her eyes; I would be stupid to think she was bluffing. “You have grown in the past months you have been here.”

“Growth is the right word. I have promised myself to stop living in fear. My adoptive family were the ones I feared most, and getting to refuse them has given me more courage.”

“But I am the Alpha, and I can order death on any life.”

“And here you are talking to a nobody like me.”

I sighed, chuckling dryly. “You do have plenty of balls. Alright, let’s say we are even. Sit with me for a while.” I urged, surprised at my request.

“Give me a minute. I need to wash my hands.” She mused, rushing off.

I expected myself to have a change of heart before she returned. But I appeared curious instead, wondering if she would return as promised. When I smelt her a few feet away, my racing heart became calm. She came back after all.

“I hope I didn’t keep Your Highness waiting too long?” Nia asked.

I snickered, “why does that sound like a taunt?”

“Do you always get taunted?” She asked, sitting next to me but with enough distance.

“I doubt that. Many people fear me and know how to act around me.”

“Hmmn.”

“What’s with the response?”

“Nothing, I just didn’t think you were one who talks much.”

“Well, you don’t know many things. So I am still expecting a response from you.”

“About what?”

“Your relationship with Ezra?”

She furrowed her brows, “why are you interested?”

I tapped my leg, “Ezra is my best friend, and I rarely see him get involved in anyone’s life closely except mine and his sister. So that means you both might be onto something.”

A light, relaxing chuckle escaped her lips. It reminded me of how happy she was in the woods sometime back. “He is a sweet person, no doubt. He is only taking care of me, as requested by Perry. But Ezra is so remarkable.”

“Yeah, he is,” I mumbled absentmindedly. He hasn’t expressed his feelings to Nia just yet. I don’t understand why the response sounds comforting, but it’s not so bad. “We should call it a night then. I want to run in the woods for some minutes before returning.”

Standing up, she bowed lightly. “Alright, Alpha. Have a good night’s rest.” She said.

I didn’t respond and only kept walking. I would have a good night’s rest.