Rendered

Chapter 6

Kenny's POV

When the call came at 10:30 pm, I was half asleep. It was a call I never expected to receive. "Ralph, this better be important," I grumbled as I picked up the call. "Alpha, Beta Nuzo just went into Troy's house. What should we do?" Ralph's urgent voice filled the line. "Keep watch from a distance, only intervene if he attacks or if something happens. Let me know when he leaves." I hung up the phone, feeling a wave of worry wash over me. Troy wouldn't be able to protect himself from a wolf. He wasn't cut out for fighting or killing. The boy would be terrified at the sight of a gun. He was too gentle for this world.

I sat up, feeling my body still not fully recovered. I needed more rest, but I knew it wouldn't come easily. This pack had too many problems, or at least, the responsibility felt overwhelming at times. I cursed my father for making me promise to look after the pack.

But a question nagged at me: what was Nuzo doing at Troy's place? They had no connection whatsoever. Could this have something to do with his mate? Was he planning to use Troy as leverage against me? If he dared to betray me, I wouldn't hesitate to do what needed to be done. I trusted Troy, but Nuzo had become a liability. "Damn those Benson women for messing with my head," I muttered to myself.

I attempted to get some sleep that night, but it eluded me. I tossed and turned in the hospital bed for hours, countless scenarios playing out in my mind. The fact that Ralph hadn't called me worried me even more. I checked the time; it was 2 am. Frustrated, I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I took a cold shower, hoping to calm my racing thoughts, but it proved futile. Sleep continued to evade me, and my mind remained filled with ominous possibilities.

At 3:30 am, I made the impulsive decision to sneak out of the hospital and head to Troy's house in my wolf form. It was a reckless idea. By the time I reached his house, it was 4:30 in the morning, and my weary body protested. Going in there to confront Nuzo in my current state would put me at a disadvantage, but sitting idly by would torment me. I opted to enter the shed instead. However, what I discovered inside made me regret leaving my hospital bed.

The room reeked of alcohol, and Troy was huddled on a one-seater couch, shivering from the cold. Nuzo lay sprawled out on the floor, wearing only his pants, clearly suffering from the heat. As Nuzo shifted in his sleep, I could sense that he was aware of my presence. I anticipated his awakening and remained near the door in my sitting position, waiting for the inevitable confrontation.

Nuzo's POV

He was here; I could smell his distinct scent. He made no attempt to conceal it. I was certain he was waiting for me to wake up. I refused to give him the satisfaction. He would have to wait a little longer. Right now, all I wanted was to nurse my hangover and find solace in sleep. Damn, this floor was uncomfortable.

"If I were you, I'd wake up and stop pretending to be asleep," Kenny initiated the conversation after transforming back into his human form. "I'm not in the mood for anything right now, Kenneth. I'd appreciate it if you left me alone. I can't handle a hangover and you simultaneously." I could tell my response displeased him, as he swiftly lunged towards me, his wolf Silver pouncing on me, forcing me to shift into my wolf form, Grey.

He tackled me to the ground, causing me to collide with the stereo. His claws left deep cuts on my hind thighs. Reacting instinctively, I leaped onto his back and sank my teeth into his neck without hesitation. In an instant, he threw me across the room, sending me crashing into the coffee table and shattering the empty whisky bottle. I knew I couldn't win this fight, not in my current state and certainly not against him. I needed to concede. I submitted to him and transformed back into my human form, blood dripping from the wounds inflicted by his vicious claws. The hangover intensified my discomfort.

Kenny walked out of the shed, and I followed suit, naked and wounded. Ralph appeared by the gate in a black jeep. Kenny jumped in, and I followed suit, the pain of my injuries overshadowed by the burning humiliation of my defeat. As the car started moving, Kenny unleashed a furious roar directed at me. His anger was palpable. I expected him to shift back into his human form, but he remained in his wolf form. Even when Ralph dropped him off at his house, he sprinted away on all fours.

Ralph then dropped me off at my place. Unfortunately, I didn't have my house keys or cell phone with me; they were in my car, which I had left at the botanical garden. I could have gone to my parents' house, but I decided against it. Grey took control, leading me to Kenny's house. The front door stood wide open, but all the lights were off. I stepped into the dimly lit living room. There he lay on the three-seater couch, his gaze avoiding me as if I didn't exist. I claimed the L-shaped couch and drifted into a deep sleep, believing he wouldn't lay a finger on me—his guilt over killing my mate would prevent him from inflicting further harm. Or so I thought.