But they’d pulled me off of her before I could finish what arted. And Karina had vanished.
Until now.
“Funny how you remember that night so well,” I said, my voice low and smooth. “But then again, I suppose you would. Dying tends to be a memorable experience.”
She let out a breathy chuckle, shaking her head. “Kester, Kester, Kester,” she tsked, leaning forward. “Still the same cruel little boy, aren’t you? I also heard you ended up in psychiatry.”
Fuck
She was at it again. Stirring my demons and wanting me to snap. As always.
She was the reason I was admitted to the hospital for “therapy.” when she was the one who always, always pushed me. Although I knew I had a terrible temper, it wasn’t enough to end me up in a psychiatric hospital!
Fuck it! I hate her, and I’d kill her even before she had the chance to breathe properly in my pack… I tilted my head, ignoring her insults, “And you’re still the same manipulative bitch who should’ve stayed gone.”
“You almost had your wish, you know,” she murmured, eyes dragging over the room like she was claiming it with just her presence. “I barely made it out that night. I had to crawl my way out of this godforsaken pack with my throat still burning from your fingers.”
I said nothing.
She leaned back, crossing her legs, “But look at me now,” she continued, dragging her fingers along the armrest of the chair. “Alive. Thriving. And back where I belong.”
I didn’t say a word. I watched her make a fool of herself.
“The council has already started the process, Kester. The pack has spoken. They’re ready for an Alpha who actually cares about them.”
Something inside me snapped taut.
I was done with the drama.
“Bold of you to think you, a bastard child, could claim the position of Alpha in my pack,” I stood up, adjusting my suit jacket.
I had come here expecting a real threat. A fight worth having.
But standing before her now, I realized the truth.
She wasn’t a threat.
I-2/3
She was a corpse waiting to happen.
I could finish what I had started years ago, and no one would even blink an eyelid about it.
“Stand up and leave my office, Karina. And don’t forget to leave my pack while at it. I don’t have time for such childish delusions.” I made to leave, but her next words stopped me.
“You and our stepsister are quite close, Kester. I wish we were as close as that, you know?” She stood up and straightened her red, short gown before turning to face me with that smile I’d do anything to stop seeing… I did all I could not to let my face betray any emotions at all I only scoffed, “It’s much easier wishing a pig would fly, Karina.” I said, and I walked out on her without looking back.
Karina is crazy. But I won’t let her get into my head.
My relationship with Mine was still a secret, and no one except Norlan knew about it. And it stays that way until I said otherwise, at least, for Mine’s sake. So, whatever the fuck Karina was suggesting was just her own way of getting into my head, and I won’t let her.
As for Mine, I had to be sure she was safe and out of Karina’s reach.
KASMINE
I stood before the Leropita Psychiatric Hospital for over five minutes, unable to make a decision whether I wanted to go in or not.
The building seemed too cold and clinical, with its pale grey walls and tall glass windows that reflected nothing. but the dull, overcast sky. It smelled like rain was coming, the wind carrying the sharp smell of damp pavement and antiseptic.
My fingers curled tightly around the strap of my handbag
Would they even let me access Kester’s files?
Would I find what I was looking for?
My hands suddenly became clammy, and my heart picked up speed as I stared at the entrance of the hospital.
It was a bit too quiet, too.
Of course, not many people experience mental issues every single day. At least, so I thought.
Lexhaled, shoving the doubt aside.
I clutched my handbag closely, the strap sitting tightly on my shoulder as I entered the premises.
The lobby was cleaner than I expected, almost disturbingly pristine. The walls were white, the floors polished to a shine, and the air smelled faintly of disinfectant and something medicinal and stale, like the lingering ghosts of old prescriptions.
A receptionist sat behind a high desk, her name tag identifying her as Melissa. She looked to be in her late thirties, her dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun, her expression indifferent as she tapped away at her computer.
I approached, swallowing the dryness in my throat.
“Good morning,” I greeted, my voice coming out smoother than I felt.
She barely spared me a glance. “How can I help you?”
I guess I wasn’t so popular after all.
I hesitated for half a second, then forced the words out. “I’m here for some records. I need to confirm if someone completed their therapy sessions.”
Melissa finally looked up, her brows pulling together. “Are you a relative?”
I straightened my shoulders. “Yes.”
She gave me a tight-lipped smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sorry, but we don’t release patient records to family members without proper authorization. It’s against hospital policy.”
I expected that response, but it still irritated me. I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice.
“I understand that. But this is important. It’s about my brother, Kester.”
The moment his name left my lips, I saw the shift. Her posture stiffened, her fingers pausing over the keyboard.
She knew exactly who I was talking about. And now she knew who I was.
“He was admitted here years ago,” I continued, watching her carefully. “I just need to confirm if he completed his sessions.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “… I’m afraid I can’t help you with that, ma’am.”
The forced politeness. The sudden tightness in her voice. The way she glanced briefly toward the security cameras as if someone might be watching told a lot.
I clenched my jaw, my skin prickling with frustration.
“Can’t or won’t?” I asked, tilting my head.
She quickly dropped her gaze, reaching for a random folder on her desk and flipping through it with exaggerated focus.
“I’ve already told you that patients’ records are confidential”
“And I’m telling you,” I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous quiet, “that I have a right to know. He’s not just anyone. He’s the Alpha of our pack. The people in this hospital know that. You know that. So why are you pretending otherwise?”
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply