Page 152 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

Emmett approaches me nervously. “Hey, Liam,” he begins tentatively.

I turn to him, noting the tension in his posture. “Hey, Emmett. How are you holding up?” I ask with genuine concern in my voice.

He hesitates for a moment before responding. “I’m... I’m feeling better,” he admits, though his eyes betray the truth. There’s a lingering pain, a heaviness that weighs on him.

I sigh inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry, Emmett. I should have been a better alpha for you.”

“You gave me a home. I know the last few days have been hard, but you did.”

“That was not enough,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “I should have done more.”

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “It’s okay. I’m just glad we’re all together now.”

I run a hand through his hair, gratitude swelling in my chest. “Thanks, Emmett,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “Thanks for being here.”

“Hey, Liam, don’t sweat it. We’re all in this together, right?”

I nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “Yeah, you’re right.”

As we make our way up to my room, Emmett chatters on about everything and anything, his words a welcome distraction.

I listen intently, grateful for his company and his unwavering support.

Once we reach my room, I drop my bags onto the bed, and Emmett offers to help me unpack, but I shake my head. “Thanks, but I think I need a moment alone,” I say, sinking down onto the edge of the bed.

“Take all the time you need, Liam,” he says, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before heading back downstairs.

Alone at last, I let out a long, shaky breath, the events of the past few days and the relief of having support catching up to me all at once. I bury my face in my hands, feeling the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

But as I sit there, lost in my thoughts, a sense of peace washes over me.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m surrounded by the people I love.

They are going to help in any way they can. I know they will help me find Selene. In the morning, and every day, we will search again and again, until we find her. I know I can put my trust in that.

I am almost convinced that everything will end up being alright.

And that’s when I hear a loud crash downstairs.

Chapter 54

Selene

“Isabella, please, you don’t know what you’re asking,” I plead. My voice is trembling as I watch her weaken before my eyes.

“I do, Selene.” Isabella insists as she clutches her bleeding neck.

But I can’t bring myself to do it, no matter how much my body screams for blood. “I can’t hurt you,” I say, tears welling up in my eyes.

Isabella shakes her head, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. “You have to, Selene. You have to feed. If you don’t, they’ll kill me.”

“I can’t,” I repeat, my heart breaking at the desperation in her voice. “I won’t.”

But even as I speak the words, I can feel the hunger gnawing at me. It’s like a living, breathing thing, tearing me apart from the inside until there’s nothing left but the urge to feed.

Isabella’s eyes flutter closed. “Please, Selene,” she whispers. Her voice is barely audible now. “I don’t want to die.”

I can’t stand to see her like this, so helpless and vulnerable. But I can’t bring myself to do what she’s asking, either. I’m trapped.

---