MY ALPHA {18+}

8. MACKENZIE

"The sickness hasn't passed," I said quickly.

Ryken hesitated, looking between me and Viking again, "She means something to you?"

Viking swallowed and nodded, "Yes."

I silently thanked him but Ryken just smirked, "You and your taste for all things broken," Ryken shook his head, his hands going to his narrow hips. I missed the way he used to hold my hips.

Or hold me at all. It was hard not to be convinced I would never have that feeling again.

"Or things that don't deserve the hand they are given," Viking countered. Ryken narrowed his eyes again, "I thought you were claiming that Hope girl? You can only have one, Viking," he said.

Viking growled and his fists clenched, "Says who?"

"The rules. We both know them. One can be protected, but not all. Or the pack will ignore it. Someone has to be the runt. It's her or the human," Ryken shrugged. He didn't even look sorry. Just Daddy's little zombie. Empty of thought and emotion.

"Don't do this, Ryken. Please," I begged.

Ryken's eyes shot to me and he frowned, looking up and down me. He took too long to answer because Cerberus was there then, fucking it all up again.

"You were meant to have Viking move her to the laundry rooms. Is there a problem?"

Viking tensed but I knew why. He couldn't say my name. Not when the ultimatum was Hope or me. And even if he could, I wasn't going to let him.

"No problem," I said going forward, my heart racing.

Ryken gripped my elbow and marched me out of the room. I looked over my shoulder at Viking, his face a storm that I wouldn't want to be caught in. Ryken used to wear that expression too but not anymore. Now he just frowned, either in confusion or irritation. Just as Cerberus wanted it.

"Viking is to escort her," Cerberus snapped as Ryken urged me down the hall. I scoffed. That told me that Hope was right, Cerberus was worried.

Ryken hesitated, "Why?"

Yeah, Cerberus, tell him why. I smirked, eyeing Cerberus as he scowled.

He left it a second before narrowing his eyes on Ryken, "Don't take long. Your wife waits in your marriage bed for you."

With that knife in my heart, Cerberus stalked off down the hall.

I stumbled as Ryken dragged me with him, "Come, Runt."

I tried to keep up but the comment about the bed had done more damage than I thought.

My heart ached. Not just emotionally and soul-deep like usual but physically.

My chest was tight as I tried to clear my throat.

I panted as Ryken pulled me down the steps of the pack house, each step making my heart hammer.

Until I just couldn't catch my breath. My head swam and I stumbled again. I fell against him. Ryken caught me before I fell on the steps, frowning down at me.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, holding me, trying to place me up but I couldn't feel my feet properly.

I couldn't find my tongue either. I only had room for shallow breaths. His face turned murky and I tried to clutch it, tried to hold onto consciousness but my chest was too tight. Like someone had reached inside and had my heart in their grasp.

"Your lips are blue," Ryken said, his voice sounding far away. His fingers touched my lips and my heart faltered.

The sound of rushing footsteps came then.