Rejected by Kin, Claimed by the Alpha

In a haze, I was abruptly awakened by a commotion. The hospital room door flew open, and Rio Wheeler, Beta of the Red Fang Pack, barged in with a frosty look on his face. His towering frame, a testament to his rank, loomed over me, his presence commanding and unyielding.

"Estelle, quit the act and get up!" he demanded, his alpha tone cutting through the air like a whip, forcing me to sit up despite the pain coursing through my body.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, Rio roughly pulled me off the bed. The IV needle was still in my arm, and the sudden movement made me cry out in agony. My wolf whimpered in the back of my mind, her voice laced with distress, but I pushed her aside, focusing on the immediate threat.

Blood trickled from the back of my previously pale hand, a distressing sight that left Rio completely unfazed. His dark eyes bore into mine, devoid of any warmth or compassion.

"After the scene you caused yesterday, Emersyn’s condition has worsened, and the healer says she needs to stay in the hospital for observation," he said, his voice cold and detached.

"Estelle, you’re the one responsible for this situation. You need to take care of her and make it right!" His tone left no room for argument, the weight of his authority pressing down on me.

I looked at him in disbelief, almost wanting to laugh at the absurdity. Emersyn’s ploy seemed so transparent, yet everyone fell for it. Absolutely ridiculous! My wolf growled softly, her frustration mirroring my own.

"I'm not doing it! If she needs care, hire a nurse. Why should it fall on me?" My voice was raw with emotion, teetering on the edge of tears. Who would have thought two people once so in love could turn out this way?

Rio’s frown deepened, and without hesitation, he yanked the IV out of my hand, dragging me toward the door. His grip was ironclad, his strength overwhelming. I stumbled, but he didn’t slow down.

"Estelle, our family didn’t raise us to use such ugly tactics on one another. You’re coming whether you like it or not!" His voice was firm, leaving no room for defiance.

The uproar attracted the attention of those in the hallway. Celine Brown, the healer, hurried over with Boone Cook, a Delta and security guard of the Red Fang Pack.

"Beta Wheeler, this is a hospital. Please release Miss Hoffman, or we’ll have to call the law enforcement pack!" Celine’s voice was firm, but I could hear the tremor of fear beneath her words.

Rio let out an exasperated sigh, his alpha aura intensifying, making even the air around us feel heavier. Just then, Lawrence Hoffman, Gamma of the Red Fang Pack, appeared with a cadre of bodyguards. His presence was as commanding as Rio’s, his broad shoulders and sharp features exuding authority.

"My sister isn’t in her right mind and shouldn’t be here," he announced, his tone leaving no room for argument.

With that, the bodyguards closed in, restraining me securely. I struggled fiercely, but it was pointless. Their strength, enhanced by their wolf blood, was far beyond my own.

The onlookers were clueless about the situation, and the security staff was too cautious to intervene. The Hoffman family held significant influence in this territory, and crossing Lawrence could mean losing jobs or worse.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, despair overwhelmed me. Lawrence gripped my chin harshly, his fingers digging into my skin, and sneered, "See, Estelle? No one’s coming to save you now!"

"If you don’t cooperate, I’ll have you committed, and you’ll never see the outside world again!" His threat hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the power he wielded.

I shut my eyes, tears of hopelessness streaming down my face. My wolf whimpered softly, her presence a small comfort in the face of such cruelty. When I finally spoke, my voice was filled with an unyielding resignation.

"Fine, I agree…"