Page 19 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

The hunger stirs again, a dull ache in the background. I know I can’t sustain myself on small animals forever. The real challenge lies in resisting the pull towards human blood. I need a plan, a way to coexist without causing harm.

I push away from the tree, determined to face the day. The park, with its peaceful corners and unsuspecting inhabitants, serves as a temporary refuge.

But as the sun climbs higher, I know I can’t linger forever.

I’m making my way back from the park, the hunger still gnawing at me, when I spot a woman running in my direction. She stumbles and falls, scraping her knees on the pavement. The scent of her blood hits me, and I feel like a predator on the prowl.

“Ouch! Would you mind giving me a hand?” she calls out in obvious pain.

I freeze, torn between the instinct to help and the fear of what I might do. “I... I can’t,” I mutter, clenching my fists. The thirst is almost feral now.

She winces, trying to stand. “Please, do you have a first aid kit?”

“I can’t,” I repeat, my voice strained. I turn away, the internal struggle tearing at me.

Confusion colors her voice. “Or maybe some water and a band-aid?”

“I am sorry. I am so sorry…” I say as I run in the opposite direction. I don’t stop until the scent of blood is no longer tormenting me.

A plan forms in my mind. I can’t be around people in this state, especially not when the hunger is raging. I pull out my phone and dial the school admin.

“Hello?” a voice answers on the other end.

“Hey, it’s Selene. I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to make it to work today. I got robbed yesterday, and I need to get a police report.” I explain, keeping my tone steady.

“Oh no, Selene! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, just shaken. I may need a few days off, though.”

“Take your time, Selene. Summer school only has one more week, so take care of whatever you need to and stay safe. We’ll handle things here.”

“Okay, thank you so much! I’ll sort things out and see you in a few weeks when school starts.”

I hang up, relief flooding through me. Now, I can get back to my apartment and figure out how to manage this insatiable hunger without putting anyone at risk.

As I approach the building, an idea comes to me. Annie’s nurse uniforms might just save me from becoming a danger to those around me. I can find a blood bag like I did last night – a way to satisfy the craving without hurting anyone. No one needs to know.

I unlock the door and step inside the apartment. Annie’s presence is absent, and I take a moment to gather myself. The nurse uniforms are neatly hung in the closet, and I grab one and slip it on.

I know I can’t keep relying on animal blood. The hunger will always return, stronger each time. I need a solution that doesn’t involve harming anyone. Trying to ignore the guilt, I grab one of my bigger handbags and head out, my mind set on finding a blood bag.

The city bustles around me, oblivious to my internal struggle. I need to keep a low profile, and I need to do this on the other side of town, away from Annie’s hospital.

The city is a maze of people, and I weave through the crowds, avoiding eye contact. My heightened senses pick up the scent of blood and antiseptic. The hospital is nearby. I turn the corner at the next block, and there it is. I quicken my pace.

As I step inside, I pretend that I belong there, walking to the elevator and heading up to the next floor. I need to get to the Emergency Department. I know that will be my best bet for finding a bag of blood, maybe even unused, in the chaos and disruption of a patient emergency. I follow the corridor to an elevator closer to the Emergency Room and then head back down to the first floor.

There it is—the situation I was hoping for. My heart races as I approach, feigning casual interest. Someone, an intern or maybe a nurse, approaches an ER room carrying three bags of blood. She hands one to the nurse, who immediately begins attaching it to the IV, and sets the other two on the tray right next to it. The doctors and nurses who are desperately trying to help the patient don’t notice me as anything other than another nurse there to help.

I stand there watching for a moment and then discreetly grab one of the bags, shoving it in my handbag. One of the nurses looks at me, “What are you doing?”

Startled and afraid I’ve just been caught, I say, “Me?”

“Yes, you! Can’t you see we need the—" and she proceeds to order me to fetch some other medical paraphernalia.

Relieved, I say, “Yes, ma’am!” And scurry away, thanking the gods that she didn’t notice I had a handbag on my shoulder.

I immediately head for the exit and out the door. Guilt gnaws at me, but I remind myself it’s a necessary evil. I can’t let the hunger control me.

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