Page 37 of Alpha's Twins
I drive like I’m possessed, the tires kicking up dust and gravel, the landscape a blur as I race toward town. The words echo in my head, a mantra of desperation, of hope. I’m coming, Serena. I’m coming. I hope to the goddess she’s going to forgive me for leaving like that.
The truck skids to a stop outside the clinic, and I barely remember to cut the engine before I’m out, sprinting toward the doors. The nurse at the front desk looks up, surprise flickering across her face as she sees me, but I don’t stop, heading straight to the room where I left Serena, flinging open the door and bracing myself for her response. But I’m met with silence. The room is empty.
I stare at the bed, the sheet rumpled, the smell of her still in the air, and my heart lurches.
“Serena?” Her name is a whisper, a plea, and I turn, desperate, my pulse pounding in my ears.
The nurse appears in the doorway, a look of surprise on her face. “She was here a few minutes ago,” she says quickly,seeing the rising panic in my eyes. “She was supposed to stay for some more tests. She still felt dizzy.”
My wolf howls, the sound a raw, visceral panic, and I struggle to keep control. “Where is she?” I demand, my voice rough.
The nurse shakes her head, a mix of confusion and concern. “I don’t know. She was just here. She can’t have gone far.”
I push past her, my mind a storm, the fear choking me. What if she’s collapsed again? What if she’s hurt?
I think back to the night we met in the forest, when she was trying to run away. What if she’s leaving me?
No one would even blame her after how I reacted.
Chapter 19 - Serena
He’s really gone.
The tears start as a trickle, hot and unwelcome, but they quickly turn into a torrent, a flood of everything I’ve been holding back. I can’t breathe, can’t think, can’t do anything but cry. It feels like all my worst fears have been confirmed, and witnessing the reality of it cuts deeper than I ever thought possible. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain, to tell him why I was so scared to say anything. I’ve made a mess of everything.
The door swings open, and the nurse rushes back in, her face a mix of concern and sympathy. “Oh, honey,” she says, coming to my side. “It’s okay. Just take a deep breath.”
I try to stop the tears, but they keep coming, and I feel like I’m going to drown in them. “He left,” I manage to choke out. “He just left.”
She wraps an arm around me, her presence warm and comforting. “It’s going to be okay,” she says, her voice soothing. “He’ll come around. I’ve known him for a long time. He just needs to clear his head.”
I look at her through my tears, surprised by her certainty. “How can you be sure?”
She smiles and strokes my back. “I’m Charlotte, Jace’s sister,” she says. “I’ve known Aiden nearly all my life. He’s hot-headed, a real alpha. But he’s also a great guy and the best leader. He’s not going to walk away from anything.”
“He just did,” I point out, fresh tears falling.
She shakes her head. “Sadly, he’s not the first man I’ve seen do the wrong thing. You don’t have to put up with that,but please wait until he gets back before getting upset anymore, okay? We still need to run some tests to find out why you’re feeling dizzy.”
I nod, knowing she’s trying to be kind, but I still don’t believe her. My mind is spinning, and all I can think of is the way Aiden looked at me before he left. The raw emotion in his eyes, the way he pulled back like I’d burned him. The tears start again, and I feel the dizziness return, a heavy fog settling over me.
Charlotte glances at the door, like she’s unsure whether to stay or go. “I need to go arrange those tests,” she says gently, her voice full of understanding. “But I’ll be just outside if you need anything. I won’t be long.”
She slips out, and I’m alone with the chaos in my head. I reach for my phone, my hands trembling, and text Emily.
He found out. I think I’ve ruined everything.
The message hangs there, it stays unread, and I’m not sure what else to do. The silence in the room stretches, oppressive and thick. I think about calling Hannah, but the thought of saying the words out loud is just too much. I feel so alone, so unbearably alone, and I don’t know how to make it stop.
The walls close in, the small room suffocating, and I hear voices from the hallway.
“Poor girl,” Charlotte says, her tone soft and kind. “I’ve never seen him like that. He’ll come to his senses, but she’s a mess. You have to do something.”
I don’t hear a voice answer her, so I assume she must be on the phone. Her words are kind, but I feel so ashamed that everyone is going to know about this. His rejection is so public, I can barely breathe.
I need to get out.
The thought hits me hard, and I know I have to leave before I break down completely. Before I hear any more whispers, before I see the pitying looks that feel like daggers. I can’t stay here. I can’t do this. Not with everyone watching. I stand, my legs shaky, and glance at the door. The urge to run is overwhelming, and I don’t even hesitate.
