The Kane Mate Series Book 2: Alpha Xander
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Holly Prange
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42
Chapter 1
Book 2: Alpha Xander
Cassia
Staring out over the city, I can see everything. The people down below look like mere ants from this high up. The buildings reflect the bright light of the sun, giving Crescent City a warm, cheerful glow.
Too bad itās wasted on me. As I look out across the city, I think about the sense of hope I had felt when I first arrived here. I had finally escaped my coven, the place that was my living nightmare.
The city was very different from the place where I spent my entire life. Before then, I had never left the mansion where my coven lived. Arriving here gave me such a feeling of wonderment as though there were now so many possibilities before me.
However, I soon found out that I was naĆÆve to think that I would be able to start over here. It was stupid of me to think that Iād ever be able to find happiness. I canāt help but wonderāwhat did I do to deserve such a miserable existence?
I fled my wretched coven, not just because I needed to stop them, but because I wanted to be free. Free from the fear and loneliness that I felt every day. I shake my head, disgusted at my blind faith as I cross my arms over my chest, hugging myself as though trying to keep the pieces together.
When will I ever feel safe? When will I find somewhere that I belong?
When I first arrived at Crescent City, I had teleported just a little ways outside of their border before approaching on foot. I could have brought myself directly into the city, but I didnāt want them to think that I was trying to sneak by them or trick them. I wanted them to give me permission to enter.
I knew that would help them to trust me. At first, the alpha had been quite intimidating. Luckily, he eventually seemed to let his guard downāif even just a tiny bit.
His mate was different, though. She had been warm and approachable from the very beginning. She made me feel comfortable and welcome. I quickly became more optimistic about the possibility of this place becoming my new home.
I could finally try to make friends, get my own place, be free to walk around. Maybe I could even find someone who would actually love me. But how wrong was I?
My heart is aching inside my chest. Itās been years since I have had a reason to be happy. You would think that finding out that I have a mate would remedy that.
He is gorgeous, with his deep brown eyes and hair so dark that it is almost black. His skin is slightly tanned, and his muscles are firm and deliciously sculpted to perfection. He is tall, with broad shoulders and a powerful aura.
I was instantly drawn to him, unable to catch my breath at the mere sight of him. Unfortunately, he doesnāt seem to want anything to do with me. Since finding him, he seems to avoid me like Iām the plague.
Sure, he helped to protect me when we fought against my coven, but Iāve barely seen him since then. As far as I know, he never visited me while I was in the hospital after the battle. The few times heās passed by me, he completely ignored me as if Iām not even there.
The pain Iām feeling now is almost unbearable. Itās like Iāve been completely hollowed out, as though Iām just the shell that remains. My limbs feel completely detached, as though Iām fading into nothingness.
The only reason I know that Iām still here is the overwhelming sadness and loneliness that is filling my chest. After everything Iāve been through in my life, I would have never expected to be so hurt by something like this. Iāve always dreamed of having someone to love and someone who loves me in return.
Turns out that there is someone out there that is meant to be that person for me. Heās meant to be my other half, my soulmate. And he doesnāt want me.
I guess I should have expected this. Even if he would have accepted me in the beginning, Iām sure that he would have left me as soon as he knew the truth about me. I donāt know if thereās anyone out there who would want someone like me.
I can feel my eyes start to sting as the emotions Iām feeling become too much to bear. Suddenly, something lightly touches my shoulder, and I jump in surprise, startled out of my depressed thoughts.
Clutching at my chest, as though Iām trying to keep my heart from beating right out of it, I turn my head. I let out a sigh of relief as I see Scarletās face.
She cringes apologetically to me as she remarks, āSorry, I didnāt mean to scare you. Are you all right?ā
I force on a fake smile. āIām fine. Just lost in my thoughts.ā
Scarlet looks at me searchingly for a moment, and it is easy to tell that I wasnāt convincing enough. She presses her lips together before giving me a quick nod, signaling that she wonāt make me talk about it if I donāt want to.
Instead, she takes my hand to lead me over to the large sectional. As soon as her skin touches mine, my vision quickly changes as I get a quick glimpse of the future. It disappears as fast as it appeared to me, and I hastily blink my eyes to clear them.
Soon, I find myself sitting down with Scarlet by my side. My eyes are wide as I turn to look at her, this time with a true smile.
āWhatā¦?ā Scarlet questions me curiously, seeing my change in mood as a smile spreads across her own lips.
āI just got a glimpse of your future. Would you like to know what youāre having?ā I ask, unable to keep my grin from growing excitedly as I see Scarletās expression immediately change. Her eyes pop open in shock as her jaw drops.
Just as quickly, her smile returnsāonly much bigger and more radiant than before. āReally?! You can tell me that?! Already?! The nurse said Iād have to wait at least a couple more months!ā she exclaims without even taking a breath.
āAnd yet you can find out right now if you want,ā I reply softly. Her giddiness seems to be rubbing off on me a bit, which is nice. I was beginning to feel as though I would forever be stuck in the black hole I had managed to put myself in.
She takes both of my hands and holds them in hers as she grins enthusiastically at me. She opens her mouth to speak, but the words seem to suddenly stick in her mouth before she closes it again and frowns.
I tilt my head at her with knitted eyebrows, wondering why the change. āWhatās wrong?ā I inquire gently.
āEthan wouldnāt want to miss out on the newsā¦,ā she responds, seeming a bit disappointed at first. Sheās clearly impatient to find out whether she is having a boy or a girl.
She looks at her belly tenderly as she lightly rubs her hand over it. Sheās not showing yet, but a soft smile appears on her face.
Iām happy that she was able to get examined after Lucienās execution. She had been so worried after he had claimed that the child she was pregnant with was his.
Even after Ethanās assurances, she couldnāt seem to stop the anxiety at the mere thought of the baby belonging to Lucien. Considering everything that happened, her reaction was completely understandable.
I can only imagine how unsettling it would be to not know what vile things might have been done to you while unconscious. Just the thought sends a cold chill through my spine.
Luckily, the doctor was able to confirm that the baby was, in fact, Ethanās based on the estimated conception date.
A few seconds later, her eyes light up again and her mouth opens. I can almost picture a lightbulb turning on over her head.
āWhat if we throw a dinner party?! I can invite all of our closest friends and family, and you can let us know then!ā
I let out a small chuckle; her happiness is contagious. Just like the first time I met her, she manages to make me relax.
If I didnāt know better, Iād say itās almost like magic. āThat sounds great. When do you want to do this?ā I answer.
āHow about the Saturday after next?ā
āThat will work! Just let me know what time!ā
āOkay!ā Scarlet surprisingly pulls me into a hug. At first, Iām too shocked to move, but then I wrap my arms around her too.
It feels niceācomforting. I donāt even remember when the last time I got a hug was. Was I eight? Maybe ten?
Hmmā¦I really needed this. Too soon, she pulls away before clapping her hands.
I laugh lightly before stating, āI should get going. Iām working at the infirmary this evening.ā
āAll right, Iāll see you later then!ā she says. I get up and Scarlet follows me, swiping her keycard so that Iām able to ride the elevator back down.
When I arrive at the infirmary, I see there is only one person aside from the nurse named Lauren. She quickly finishes up and sends the patient on their way before coming over to me.
āOkay, well, now that youāre here Iām going to get going. If you need anything, the call list is in the top desk drawer,ā she replies as she picks up her purse and slings it over her shoulder.
I simply nod with a small smile before she leaves, the doors swinging behind her. Since werewolves have enhanced healing abilities, the infirmary isnāt usually very busy.
Typically, there are mostly pregnant women coming in for their check-ups or deliveries. Other than that, we see a lot of setting bones since that helps them heal more quickly and efficiently.
In other words, there isnāt much to do here at the moment. Unable to handle the boredom, I go around and restock all of the supplies.
Unfortunately, that only takes me about thirty minutes. I plop down on the stool at the desk, wondering what to do next.
I need to keep myself distracted. Otherwise, Iāll start thinking about him. Itās like he haunts me.
Every waking thought seems to end with him. And every time, my heart aches with sadness.
Suddenly, a loud bang startles me as the doors are thrown open. My eyes open wide as I look up at the two figures that are now standing in front of me.
One is being supported as he limps in with a bloody leg. A bone is poking out of it.
However, he is not the one Iām shocked to see. The man who is holding him is the one my heart has been aching for.
My mate, Xander.
