Page 39 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

I just need to keep myself well-fed to avoid any mishaps.

Chapter 14

Liam

I’m in the middle of preparing a Coq au Vin when my alarm suddenly goes off, reminding me it’s time to pick up Grayson from school. I glance at the clock and realize I’ve got a couple of minutes. I’m almost done with the dish. Just a few finishing touches, and it’ll be ready to go.

“Marco, I need you to finish plating this for me,” I call out to my line cook, wiping my hands on a towel.

“Got it, boss. I’ll take care of it,” he replies, already moving to take over my station.

“Thanks,” I nod before swiftly removing my chef jacket and hat and tossing them onto a nearby hook. I slip into my button-down shirt, leaving the sleeves rolled up for convenience. I put on my silver bracelet, then pick up my ring and put it on.

I never go out without it.

“Rosa, make sure this goes out to table four,” I instruct, handing her the plated dish before moving toward the back door.

“Got it, Liam. Don’t worry about a thing,” she replies with a reassuring smile.

I step out into the cool evening air, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline as I hurry to my car. I can’t afford to be late – Grayson is counting on me to be there.

As I drive, I mentally calculate the time it’ll take to get to the school, pick up Gray, drop him off at Mom’s, and then make it back to the restaurant before the evening rush hits. I’ll make it. I’ve managed worse.

I pull up outside the school just as the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day.

As I watch the students pouring out of classrooms, memories of my own school days flood back. It all feels like a lifetime ago. But amidst the familiar sights and sounds, there’s a sharp tang of blood in the air.

“Damn,” I mutter under my breath. “Some kid must’ve gotten hurt again.” Probably screwing around doing skateboard tricks on the concrete stairs. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious.

I scan the crowd, searching for Grayson among the sea of faces. When I don’t spot him, I pull out my phone and try calling him. The network signal in my car is spotty at best, and I curse under my breath as the call fails to connect.

Frustration mounting, I step outside, hoping for a better signal. But as I breathe in the fresh air, another scent hits me—Selene—it’s unmistakable and unnerving.

“No, no, no,” I mutter to myself, panic rising in my chest. “She can’t have tracked Gray to school.”

Her scent leads me like a trail of breadcrumbs through the throngs of students. I quicken my pace, my heart pounding in my chest as fear gnaws at my insides.

I can’t let anything happen to Gray. Not now, not ever. He’s my responsibility, my brother, and I will protect him.

I rush down the hallway, following Selene’s scent until it leads me to a classroom. My heart sinks as I see her leaning over Grayson.

“What the hell?” I blurt out, startling them both.

Selene straightens up, her eyes widening in surprise at seeing me. “You? What are you doing here?”

Ignoring her question, I turn to Grayson, my voice tight with anger. “Gray, what’s going on here?”

Grayson hesitates, glancing between Selene and me. “Liam. What is going on?”

“Why the fuck are you in here with her?”

“Um, she’s tutoring me,” he mumbles.

I feel my blood boil at his words. “Tutoring you?” I repeat, incredulous. “Since when?”

“Since today,” Selene interjects. “I offered to help Grayson with his studies.”

I shoot her a glare. My fists clenched at my sides. “You had no right to do that,” I snap. “He’s not your responsibility.”

---