My Fated Alphas Cruel Game novel Chapter 5

<

5 Chapter 5 Heart Torn Apart

5 Chapter 5 Heart Torn Apart

Elena’s POV 1

I stared directly into Alpha Marcus’s dark eyes as I slowly lifted my hand and placed it over his. The moment our skin made contact, an unexpected wave of tranquility washed over me. I gently guided his hand away from my throat.

“Why does the pain fade when you’re close to me?” The question escaped my lips before I could stop it, and I watched his expression shift completely.

His face became a battlefield of emotions. Conflict. Confusion. Frustration. All feelings I had never witnessed cross his usually controlled features.

“It’s the mate bond,” he said, his voice tight. “That’s why hospital beds are built for two. When someone is injured, their mate stays beside them because it accelerates healing.”

I nodded slowly, processing this information. Then Tara began whimpering in my mind, and I caught his scent again. But this time it was contaminated with something else entirely. Something that made my blood boil.

I shoved him away from me and stalked toward the kitchen.

“Leave. Now!” I grabbed a cigarette from the cupboard and perched on the bench

beside the window.

“What?” His voice carried genuine surprise.

“I can smell that bitch all over you. Are you deliberately trying to hurt me? Because I have no idea what I’ve done to earn this level of hatred from you.” The words came out sharper than I intended.

“She’s my girlfriend, What did you expect?” He shot back.

“Break up with her. You don’t want me near anyone else. Maybe follow your own rules. Or do you actually enjoy tormenting your mate?” I challenged him.

“I never said I enjoyed causing you pain. But I can’t just end things with her. We’ve been together for a long time. She deserves better than that.”

“Fine. Tell her she’s a bitch. At least that would be honest.” I snapped.

“Stop calling her names. I love her.” The words exploded from him, and I felt like he had physically struck me.

12:59

1/4

<

5 Chapter 5 Heart Torn Apart

Tara was clawing at my consciousness, desperate to surface, but I fought to maintain control. I could see in Alpha Marcus’s eyes that he recognized my internal struggle.

“Get out,” I repeated, turning my gaze to the window.

“I can’t just abandon her without explanation.”

“I don’t care anymore. Just leave me alone.” My voice came out flat and defeated.

I refused to look at him, but I heard the door open and close with finality. When I turned, he was gone.

Tara’s anguish crashed over me like a tidal wave, and tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.

“This is bullshit. I’ve cried more today than in my entire life,” I muttered.

“He does love us,” Tara whispered hopefully.

“Stop deluding yourself, Tara. He doesn’t care about us at all.”

“I have to believe he does. We can’t survive like this. Today has been torture.”

“We’ll be okay. We’ll get through this. We always find a way.”

I dragged myself to the shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s humiliation. Afterward, I brushed out my waist–length platinum blonde hair and twisted it up before settling onto the couch.

Mom didn’t return home until well past midnight, looking so exhausted I thought she might collapse where she stood.

“Hi sweetheart,” she managed.

“Hi. How was work?” I asked, and when she turned to face me, her eyes widened in horror.

“Clearly better than your day. What on earth happened to you?” She rushed to my side.

“This? Don’t worry about it.”

“Don’t worry? Your head is bandaged, your arm is in a cast…” She examined me frantically.

“And my ankle is fractured. But I’ll survive.”

“What happened?”

12:59

2/4

5 Chapter 5 Heart Torn Apart

“I fell down the stairs at school. Nothing dramatic. More embarrassing than anything

else.”

“Are you certain?” Her voice carried a suspicious edge.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you sure you fell, or did someone push you?”

“I’m positive. You worry too much, Mom. It was completely my fault.”

“I hope you’re telling me the truth. Do you have pain medication?”

“No, but I don’t need any. Actually, can we talk for a minute? Unless you’re too tired.”

“I always have time for you.” She sank onto the couch beside me.

“I graduate soon. I’ve already been accepted to several werewolf colleges across the

country.”

“I know. I’m incredibly proud of you.”

“I think we should both leave this place.”

“What are you suggesting?”

“When I go to college, I want you to come with me. You could find better work out there. I’ve researched it thoroughly. Waitresses in other cities make twice what you earn here. You wouldn’t have to work yourself to death anymore.”

“You’re serious about this?”

“Completely. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Elena, your father is buried here. I can’t just abandon him.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify