Chapter 5

Serena

"And you're here? With this useless, good-for-nothing Omega?"

Celeste calling me trash wasn't a new thing, so that didn't bother me. I just needed to leave the hospital premises as soon as I could. The fact that Kieran paid my hospital bill was still bothering me, because how the hell was I supposed to pay all that money back.

"Celeste, it's not what it looks like, I promise," Kieran responded very cautiously, as if he was scared of the girl—or rather, scared of her father and the likelihood of him withdrawing his support of the pack if word ever got out about this "problem."

"Oh, you know what it looks like? Because I have been waiting for you all day, and I find out you are here! With her!" she jabbed a finger at me, like I was some caricature displayed in an inconvenient place. She sniffled, tears running down her cheeks. It was stupid that I noticed that even with her tear stricken face, her makeup still looked as flawless as ever.

"She's nothing, I swear. I just had to be here, you know, for protocol." Kieran moved closer to Celeste, reaching to comfort her.

My fingers tightened around the crutch beneath my arm. Raina stirred angrily inside me. For a second I felt the pain of Kieran's blatant rejection, and then I shrugged it off because none of it was new.

"Kieran!" She made another show of crying and then threw her arms around him.

I staggered a bit as I struggled to balance the crutches with my stride, and then I walked out of the hospital, leaving Kieran and his trophy girlfriend in their own world. It hurt, but when you were me, you would quickly learn that hurt was the least of your worries.

I had survived worse. This was just a walk in the park.

The cold air bit into my skin as I made my way back home. The walk felt endless; by the time I reached our street, my hands were already trembling from exhaustion.

I stopped outside our little house and stared at it, from the cracked walls to the old windows, and even our roof that leaked when it rained too heavily.

I pushed the door open. "Lily?"

I frowned at the silence that ensued, but then an aroma drifted to my nose that made my stomach growl immediately. I followed the scent into the kitchen and found a covered plate of spiced casserole on the counter, and beside it was a piece of paper.

I opened the paper and read it with a smile on my lips.

'Serena, I made dinner so I kept some for you. I'm sure you skipped lunch again. Please eat. I love you sis.'

I allowed myself another sad smile as I glanced towards her room, whose door was slightly opened. She was asleep.

Good. I didn't want her to see me like this with bruises all over, and asking questions that I wasn't ready to answer.

I gobbled the casserole like a hungry animal. I was in fact hungry, and when I was done, satisfied at least, I limped into the living room and lowered myself on the couch. A sharp pain shot through my ribs, and I winced as I tried to make myself just a bit more comfortable. I needed to sleep, maybe tomorrow I would feel better.

I was almost falling asleep when there was a loud crash and the front door flew open.

"What the—" I jolted upright, pain exploding through my body.

Heavy footsteps thundered through the house.

"Kieran?" My heart stopped when he came into view. His tie was gone, his collar was open, his hair was so disheveled like he had been running his hands through it over and over.

But it was his eyes that almost completely seized my breath. They were red, completely without even a small trace of green.

Kieran didn't say anything as he crossed the room, but I could feel the waves of anger in every step he took towards me. I tried to stand.

"Kieran, what are you—"

His hand closed around the front of my hospital gown, yanking me off the couch.

My back slammed against the wall. Pain…

I gasped. Kieran's arm pressed across my chest, pinning me in place.

"How many?" he growled.

"What?" I managed a response.

His eyes burned into mine. "HOW MANY MEN HAVE TOUCHED YOU!"

For several seconds, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Rage coursed through me.

"You came all the way to ask me that?"

"ANSWER ME!"

"I already told you, I got attacked when I was on my way home!" I snapped, my anger building. Was he insane, stupid, or maybe both?

"If I hadn't needed to get home early, I wouldn't have passed that alley!" My voice cracked as I continued. I needed to let it out. I needed to let him see the absurdity of his reaction to a situation I had absolutely no control over.

"If I had not gone home early, I would have been late to my work at the pack hotel, and you as the Alpha know that if I was late, I would not get paid. I can't afford that, because how else would I pay for the rent on this trash house! You knew I was your mate, and yet look at me and what I have been reduced to, Kieran!"

He let me speak, and for a second I thought I saw pity—or maybe worry—flash through his eyes. But just as fast as it came, it was gone, and his mask returned.

A deep growl followed. "You didn't answer my question Serena, how many men touched you?!"

"We're back to this?"

"I need to know!"

"Why the hell do you even care, for Goddess's sake!"

"Because you are my mate!"

"That you don't want, what is wrong with…"

I did not get to finish my statement before Kieran's hand shot up, his fingers suddenly wrapped around my neck.

I froze. Raina screamed in my head.

Kieran's eyes were completely dark now, as his palm tightened.

I grabbed his wrist. "Kieran…"

But he didn't move. My lungs struggled for air. Panic flooded my body.

I clawed at his hand.

I was going to die... The room blurred around me.

Oh goddess. I was going to die at the hands of my mate!