The Alpha's Hunt Chapter 158

Nora burst through the bedroom door as I was changing and Lauren moved over the floor before either of us could fathom that she was even up from the couch. She stood in front of Nora and sighed.

“It’s just you,” she said and stepped back.

“Thanks?” Nora shook her head and hurried over to me.

“I heard you were hurt!” She said and grabbed my face, turning my head from side to side and checking my body.

“I’m fine!” I said and grabbed her hands.

I wasn’t fine, even now that I was standing here I felt like I wanted to pass out but it could just be exhaustion from last night. Not to mention that it was midnight and I woke up from a nightmare.

But there was no time to rest, not right when we were on the brink of a war bigger than anyone knew. We had no clue what their plan was other than getting their hands on me so I could rest later- when everything was over and everyone was safe. Nothing was allowed to cloud my mind right now, not my body, or Darian or Mathilda. I would handle everything once this was done but for now, I needed to stay focused.

Wait a minute...did the girls get to the basement?

My heart started pounding when I realized that I had no idea if the girls were safe down there. What if Mathilda left again? 

I hurried to the door but before I could leave the bedroom, Lauren blocked my way.

“I have to find my sister!” I said trying to push past her but it was like trying to move a wall.

“Move!” I ordered but Lauren kept a mask over her face, void of any emotion and she closed the door behind her. 

“I can’t let you leave.” She kept an even tone and a strong stance.

“Why the fuck not?” 

“The King’s orders. You are not to leave this room until after the enemy has been taken care of,” 

This had to be a joke. Darian couldn’t keep me locked in a room while a full-blown war took place right outside the fucking palace!

I faced Nora and pointed at Lauren.

“A little help?” I yelled but she didn’t move. 

Nora’s face was dipped in pity and she held out her hands.

“I agree with Darian. You’re the one they want, it’s better they not get the chance,” 

This was not happening. Mathilda was out there and so was Kiera. Who was keeping them safe? I needed to know that they were safe!

“Your sister is alright, she’s in the basement with Kiera. They have everything they could possibly need just like you asked and five Guards standing outside not to mention the three Guards in there with them.” Lauren said and I blew out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. They were in the basement, good. That was good. 

When I took a breath, I felt it about as much as if there was a straw lodge between my lips, and Lauren's face started going in circles while a wrinkle formed between her brows.

I clutched my chest and I couldn’t feel myself breathing. The little air that entered was shallow and my heart was racing like it wanted to escape through my ribs.

Trixy was whimpering in my mind, her sounds caused my temples to throb in pain and my legs were folding beneath me. 

“Hazel?”

I looked at Lauren’s blurry face and stumbled into the room. Stabbing pains twisted my back and if I didn’t know any better I would think that someone was stabbing me.

“He…h…” I fell against the sofa, my knees hit the floor and my arms stretched out on the cushions.

DARIAN’S POV 

Everyone was gathered outside. The Guards came from all around, retired ones left their families in the safety of their homes and dusted off their uniforms- I watched them walk up the hills and through the gates, everyone came together whether or not it was the last thing they did. The best thing about my Guards? They left their emotions with their families, the love, care, and empathy were stored in the hearts of the people who would protect them until they returned. Because on the field there was no place for any of it, once they were in uniform, ready to protect Valeria, they did so ruthlessly and with no remorse.

I was in my office, the lights were off, and the door was closed as I poured myself a drink of crystal-clear vodka. The glass trembled in my hand when I raised it to my lips and downed every last drop. My mind railed around all things Hazel: how she was feeling, why she fell and screamed in pain, and how to keep her safe. Ordering Lauren and Nora to keep her in our room was the only thing I could think of, other than sending her away, but there was no one I trusted enough to go with her. I would’ve done it myself, but I was needed here. To lead my Guards and to kill that Demon fucker and his pets.

The mind link between Hazel and me was blocked, and so was the bond. I had to, or I wouldn’t be able to think.

Fuck the powers and the strength. They could take it, I would gladly hand it over to them if that meant I would get to keep Hazel alive. Part of why I never told her about her being the source of my powers was out of fear of her thinking that it was the only reason I wanted to keep her safe. I could lose everything tomorrow and still love the life I lived as long as she was in it. How do I keep a person that important safe? Safe from everything I had caused, from everyone who would wish her harm because they could never reach me. 

“You’re wallowing,” 

I sat the glass down and heard the door shut behind Mrs. Smith.

The keys on her belt clanged together when she walked across the office. I poured her a drink and placed it in her open palm.

“It’s allowed,” I said and poured myself another one.

“Not for you.” 

“Because I’m the King?” I glared at her and downed my drink. 

Mrs. Smith wiped her mouth with her apron and put the glass down.

She raised a finger at me like she did when I was a boy.

“Because you have not earned it,” her voice was grave and cold, very few people were allowed to see past her grouchy persona but every now and then it would pierce through her cranky wrinkled face. 

“Your mother told me once that you would never fully become King until you met your match. Well, you met her, and then you tortured her. You ripped that girl’s will to live from her very core, and despite the hell that she lived in because of you, somehow, you won her heart. Do you know what that tells me?” 

“That she serves better?”

“Oh, definitely but no. It tells me that she opened her heart to a man who would protect it, even though he shattered it. You took her life away, but in a cosmic, fucked up way, you also brought her back to life- more alive than she has ever been, but the price to keep a girl like her doesn’t come cheap. You got her back, Darian, now you must earn the right to keep her,” 

Earn the right to keep her. That’s what I had to do, by removing anyone who could threaten her life. 

Starting with the Council and the humans. And finishing with the Demon. The glass shattered in my hand from the mere thought of him, I would feel much better when it was his heart I held. 

The door burst open and slammed into the wall when a Guard rushed in.

“My King, it’s Hazel,” his eyes shifted between me and Mrs. Smith. “She’s in the hospital,”