Farewell, My Alpha Brother

I slowly opened my eyes, taking in my immediate surroundings, but the familiar comfort of my bed was nowhere to be found. Instead, I was hit with the metallic stench of blood, its overpowering aroma filling my nostrils and making my stomach churn.

I gagged, my body recoiling from the overwhelming scent, and just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the room, until Dr. Theo's worried face came into view, his forehead etched with deep lines of concern.

“Shelly?”

“I know, I know.” I sighed, interrupting him before he would go off, but who was I kidding?

He would never keep quiet on things like that.

“Shelly, you don’t have to kill yourself any faster before the sickness kills you. That was a foolish thing you did, walking all the way here in the heavy rain.” His words lashed on my skin like strokes of cane. “You were lucky I came to check up on you, and I had to rush you to the clinic. Please don’t do this to yourself.” His voice broke as he finished talking, and I knew he was only concerned about me.

I reached up, taking his hands in mine and gently squeezing it. “I know, it was a foolish thing I did, and I apologize. I promise to take care of myself better.” Dr. Theo reluctantly accepted my apology, and he squeezed my hand in return.

“Please take care of yourself, Shelly.”

“I will, and Dr. Theo, thank you. I can’t even begin to thank you enough for looking after me like a daughter even when everyone abandoned me and the only family I have wants nothing to do with me. Thank you.” A lone tear escaped my eye, rolling down my cheek.

“I will always be here for you, Shelly, no matter what happens.” I allowed the doctor to fuzz over me, and I looked at him, my eyes following him as he took my vitals.

“Am I good to go?” I asked him, and I could see the wheels turning in his head, but he released a deep breath, unable to lie.

“Everything looks good and you are fine, but you have to take it easy; you can’t go stressing yourself.”

“Of course, but I think I will prefer to rest at home. Thank you so much.” I stood up and wore my shoe, bidding the good doctor farewell, and I made for home.

But as I opened the door, I bumped into my brother, and the sudden momentum made me stagger, but I was quick to right myself before I fell down. “Samuel?” The shock was obvious in my voice; he was the last person I was expecting.

But his face turned sour as he heard my voice, and he opened his mouth, ready to curse me out, when I spotted Liecia coming towards us, holding a pharmacy bag.

“Samuel, I got the drugs.” She held the bag up for him to see, but she hadn’t noticed me. My heart skipped a bit as I heard the word medicine, and a jolt of panic course through her veins.

“Samuel! Are you sick?” I held his hands, my eyes darting around his body looking for signs. “Are you dying?” This can’t be happening to me. Samuel was the only close family I had, and even though we were not on talking terms, I didn’t want anything to happen to him.

“Get your filthy hands off me! Don't you dare touch me.” He spat out with a biting venom, flinging my hands away.

“B-but b-brother?”

His hands wrapped around my neck in an instance, and he squeezed it tight, constricting my airflow. “Don't you dare call me that name! I am not your fucking brother! You are dead to me!” His eyes were cold as they glared at me. I don't know how he could possibly hurt me over and over, but he did it, and he wasn’t done. “I only have one sister, and that is Liecia.” He said, glancing at his cousin.

“S-samuel.” I stuttered, my tongue suddenly too heavy. I couldn’t believe the hatred I was seeing in his eyes, and it was all directed towards me.

“It is Alpha Samuel to you, and you need to start respecting me as your alpha.” With his final words, he hurled me to the ground, and I crumpled like a ragdoll.