FATAL CLAIM

Chapter 26

DYLAN

"Do you have any idea what you've both done?" Alpha John roared at Mason and I, we flinched at the impact of his alpha tone. He may not be my alpha, but his voice held pure, terrifying rage. "He mated with her, do you have any idea how much pain she experienced when you killed him?"

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking straight," Mason said without looking at his father.

"That's your excuse for putting your sister through hell?" He screamed.

Mason clenched his fists, I'm sure trying to keep his anger in check.

"Her body went into shock, she could have died!" Alpha John growled.

"So he mated with her, what would you do father? Get ready to hand her to him once again?" The rage in voice hidden by a deadly calmness. I hid the shock from showing on my face but I could not believe he was standing up to his father. I clenched my jaw from smirking with pride.

"I did not hand her to him," Alpha John growled, his eyes beginning to glow.

"You were going to!" Mason growled back.

"Mind your tone!" Alpha John roared making both of us flinch.

There was a knock on the door, the beta walked in to inform us that Mia had woken up. I felt my mood lift at that.

"This conversation isn't over," Alpha John gave Mason a glare before storming out of his office, slamming the door on his way out.

Mason sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I'm sorry man, I really didn't mean for you to get caught up in this mess."

"You don't have to apologize, I care about Mia; I'd do anything for her," I said, not realizing what I'd said until after the words left my mouth.

Mason looked at me with hooded eyes, his expression unreadable but I knew exactly what he was thinking. Would I really do anything for her? I mean I've left all pack duties to be here.

'You like her,' my wolf chuckled but I blocked out those thoughts.

No, I don't like her in the way Aidan was trying to imply. I just care about her.

"We should go check up on her," I said, getting up from the chair.

"You go on, I need a minute alone," Mason waved me off, I nodded in understanding as I walked out of the office.

Once I arrived to the pack hospital, I waited outside Mia's room, giving her space with her family. I did not want to intrude.

I got a text from Adrian asking to get back to the pack as soon as possible. I sighed, staring up at the ceiling. I guess I'll have to leave as soon as I meet her.

Alpha John walked out, he stopped in his track as his eyes fell on me.

"You can go in," he said curtly before continuing to walk down the hallway.

I felt a scratching feeling in the back of my throat, what would I even say to her? I cleared my throat to get rid of the scratching sensation before knocking on the door and entering.

Luna Madeleine looked up at me, she nodded at me before excusing herself from the room. Mia didn't look up at me once, she was staring at her lap, no emotions betraying visible on her face.

"Hi," I whispered, I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. Why was I acting like a nervous little girl?

"How are you feeling Mia?" I asked, nearing her bedside.

"I don't know," she whispered hoarsely raising her eyes to meet mine.

"Do you want me to get you water? Anything?" I asked. She shook her head in response.

"Thank you," she said, barely above a whisper.

"What for?" I frowned in confusion.

"For saving me," she replied.

"It was Mason," I replied, not wanting discredit Mason's effort in finding her.

She ignored my response, "He's dead," she stated and I nodded my head.

"Did you-?" I shook my head cutting her off.

"It was Mason," I said. "I may have tortured him a little but Mason wouldn't let me kill him," I explained. I don't know why I found the need to let her know I'd made sure to hurt him, I didn't want her to think I didn't do anything. But I feel like an idiot now that the words have left my mouth.

She nodded her head. "I felt everything," my eyes fell to her neck at her statement. I clenched my jaw at the unwanted mark he had branded her with. She didn't deserve this pain, now that Ryan is dead, I don't know where to direct this anger.

She held my palm, making me stare at her, my skin tingling from her touch. God Aidan was right, I'm fucking screwed for falling for her.

'I never said you fell for her but it's good to be right,' Aidan chimed in my head.

"Thank you for everything Dylan, you've done more than enough for me," her grip tightened on my palm. I remained still, wanting to ingrain this moment in my memory forever. I know I can't ask her out or approach her anytime soon after what she's gone through, so I'll have to keep my feelings for her under locks.

Before I could say anything, my phone began ringing. Mia let go off my hand instantly, leaving me with a feeling of emptiness.

"I have to take this," I said apologetically as I answered Adrian's call.

"Have you left yet?" Adrian asked.

"Leaving in a bit," I replied, Mia's eyes connected with mine as I said that. I smiled at her.

"I need you to deal with Caterina once you're back, or I'll kill her, she's getting on my last nerve," he growled.

"What did she do?" I sighed.

"She won't shut up, she's been giving all the cell guards trouble. She wants to see you," he replied,

"Fine, I'll be there," I answered before we both hung up.

"Duty calls?" Mia asked and I nodded.

"I have to get going," I sighed. "Mia, I-" my words got caught in my throat. What did I even want to say? I felt like kicking my own ass for being this way. "I'm glad you're okay," I said, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

She gave me a soft smile.

"Bye Mia," I said, pulling away from her. She replied with meek bye and I headed out.

"Dylan?" I hosted in my step as Mia's mother's voice, I looked at her, waiting for her to say what she wanted to.

She visibly took a deep breath, "thank you for being here for her," she said.

"Of course, she's my friend," I replied,

"That she is," she gave me an unreadable look, I gave Mia's room one last glance before saying goodbye to her mother and leaving in a hurry.