Page 21 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

The engine roars to life, and I speed away from the hospital, the stolen blood bags nestled safely in my bag. The city lights blur as I drive back to my apartment, the anticipation building with each passing moment.

I arrive home, almost jittery with excitement. The blood bags are my secret stash, a means to satisfy my hunger without harming anyone.

I step out of my Jeep, the night air heavy with the scent of the city. A sudden chill runs down my spine, and an unsettling feeling gnaws at the edges of my consciousness. I glance around, scanning the dimly lit street, trying to shake off the unease.

And then, I feel it – the hair-raising tingle at the back of my neck; someone’s gaze on me. Panic clenches my chest. Could someone have seen me at the hospital? With the stolen blood bags clutched in my bag, I glance around. Suddenly I am hyperaware of the sound of the wind and the creak of something nearby. My heart is thundering.

I pause, trying to convince myself that I’m just being paranoid, but I remain unsure whether I should continue walking or run.

Before I can react, a hand wraps around my arm, pulling me into the shadows. I gasp, my heart pounding as I find myself face to face with a vampire – a striking woman with raven-black hair cascading down her shoulders. Her eyes gleam with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine. She’s nothing like the vampires I’ve encountered before – no feral aggression, just a controlled aura that demands attention.

“Selene,” she purrs, a smirk playing on her lips. “Long time, no see.”

I struggle to free my arm from her grip. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”

She chuckles, releasing me. “Call me Katya. And we have a lot to talk about, Selene.”

My mind races. Could this be someone from my family? Have they finally found me? The questions bubble up, but Katya holds up a hand, cutting through my thoughts.

“Easy, Selene. I’m not here to hurt you. We need to talk and in a place somewhere safer than this.”

I narrow my eyes, still on edge. “Talk about what? Who sent you?”

Katya’s gaze softens, and there is a glimmer of empathy in her eyes. “I’m not sent by anyone. I’m here because we share a connection, Selene—a connection that goes beyond family.”

I scoff. “Family? You have no idea about my family.”

Katya leans against the alley wall, her posture relaxed. “Maybe not the details, but I know what it’s like to feel lost, to be torn between worlds. I’ve been watching you, Selene.”

I bristle at the notion of being watched. “Watching me? Why?”

Katya sighs, her demeanor shifting from enigmatic to genuine. “Because I see a part of myself in you. A part that struggles with the same hunger and the same choices. I’m here to help you navigate this new life.”

I eye her cautiously. “Help me? Why should I trust you?”

“Because, Selene, I know what it’s like to be alone in this. And trust me, you don’t want to face it without guidance.”

I shake my head, skeptical. “Guidance? From a stranger who just magically appeared in my life?”

Katya smirks. “Fair point. How about this – we meet in the park tonight at 8 p.m. No tricks, just a conversation. If you decide it’s not for you, you can walk away.”

I study her face, searching for any signs of deceit. “Why should I trust you?”

“Because, deep down, you’re curious. Curious about what we are planning and what the future holds. We all know about each other. We look out for each other. I can offer you answers, Selene.”

Who is this ‘we’ she keeps mentioning? And what do they know?

Does she perhaps know about the blood?

I hesitate, weighing the risks and potential benefits.

“Don’t you want to know how the vampires plan to take back this town?”

That finally cements every “Fine. Park, 8 p.m. But no tricks. If I sense that anything is off, I’m out.”

Katya nods, her expression sincere. “Agreed. See you tonight, Selene.”

And with that, she fades into the shadows, leaving me standing alone in the alley.

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