Marked by the Alphas

Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Gabriela POV

I sigh heavily, biting back a groan of pain when the doctor examines my nose. However, the injuries to my face are not nearly as painful as the burns on my arms. The things I do for my family.

I feel terrible about lying to them, but I have no choice. I know my sons, they will not believe Elara is gone until they see it. I never thought I would steal a corpse and a truck and fabricate an accident.

I winch in pain when the intern inspects my head wound.

“I’m sorry,” the intern says sympathetically. “I’m almost done, and the morphine will kick in soon.”

“I’m okay,” I mumble, closing my eyes. If I can only shift, my wolf will help me heal, but I am in human territory and will have to suffer through this.

“I’m sorry about your friend,” the intern says softly. “It’s a terrible thing that happened to you. I hope the police find him soon.”

“Excuse me?” I frown.

“The truck driver who crashed into you,” he explains. “I heard the driver was gone when the police arrived.”

“When can I go home?” I change the subject. I was the driver. I stole a young girl’s corpse at the morgue and placed her in the passenger seat. I rammed the truck into our car. I am the one who started the fire. And I am eager to return home.

“I’m waiting for the plastic surgeon,” he replies. “Once the doc ...”

“Mother!” Kane interrupts the intern, storming into the room.

“Are you okay?” Axel looks at me, concerned.

“Excuse me,” the intern replies irritably. “You can’t be in here.”

“That’s our mother,” Kane growls, pushing his chest out and squaring his shoulders. “We’re not going anywhere.”

“Oh, uhm, okay,” the intern stutters. “But ...”

“Kane, stop intimidating the staff,” I interject. “He’s doing a great job.”

“Your arms!” Axel stares in shock at me. “How bad is it?”

“Okay, enough,” I sigh, closing my eyes. I understand they are distraught, but I am in pain and my nerves are shot. Letting Elara go was not easy for me, either. Especially since I know she is carrying my grandchild. “Either you stay here quietly and allow this young man to do his work, or leave.”

“Where’s Elara?” Kane’s voice is hoarse, and suddenly, he is no longer an intimidating alpha but a grieving mate.

“I’m so sorry, boys, I ... I don’t know.” I swallow hard, avoiding eye contact.

“Is that the young lady who was travelling with you?” The intern asks softly, and I nod.

“You can try the morgue,” he says compassionately, looking at Kane.

“Thank you,” Kane says, clearing his throat.

“Gentlemen,” the intern calls them back as they turn around. “I must prepare you, it’s not pretty. She’s unrecognisable.”

“Understood,” Kane nods. “But we’re still taking her home, where she belongs.”

His words stop my heart, and it becomes abundantly clear that I will have no choice but to give them the poison. They are not going to let this go.

Axel POV

Maxim shifts nervously from one foot to another as we approach the car, and I cannot blame him. Hurt and anger radiated from me and Kane, and he must sense it a mile away.

“Oh, goddess,” Kane mutters, jumps to the closest bush and vomits.

I place my hands on the car’s hood, bow my head and take deep breaths. Seeing Elara was more than I bargained for.

In my mind, I was going to kiss her goodbye and push my fingers through her luxurious auburn curls. Instead, I had to stare at a corpse burned to a crisp.

“I want answers,” Kane sniffs, wiping his mouth with angry tears in his eyes. “I want the motherfucker who’s responsible with this. I want ...”

“Kane,” Mother says softly, and we turn around.

An orderly pushes her in a wheelchair closer to us, and I must look away to fight my tears. I am with Kane, I want the fucker responsible for killing the love om my life, and scarring Mother.

“Boys, I understand how you feel.” Mother’s bottom lip quivers, and her eyes fill with tears as the orderly helps her out of the wheelchair. “I lost her, too. But there’s nothing we can do to bring her back.”

“I want him dead, Mother.” Kane does not even try to hide his tears. “I will not rest until I have ripped him apart.” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

I help Mother into the car and climb into the back with Kane. We drive home in silence; I do not have the will or energy to talk about anything. Not while I am still struggling with feeling Elara’s presence. I do not understand it. I saw her, for goddess’ sake. Why does it feel like she is still alive?

“Boys, please join me for tea in my quarters,” Mother says when we park at home.

“Okay, Mom,” I agree reluctantly. It was not a request; it was an order.

We follow her to her quarters, and she turns on the kettle.

“Mom, no,” Kane stops her. “Both your arms are bandaged; let an Omega do it or at least allow me.”

“We’ll do it together,” she smiles sadly. “And I need normalcy. Axel, get the cookies, and Kane, get the cups.”

We obey her orders in silence. If she needs to do this one thing to feel better, we will do it.

“Take the tray to the living room,” she orders. “I’ll bring the teapot.”

Kane and I share a look, but we do not argue and walk to the living room. She wants to carry the teapot, let her.

“Axel, please pour the tea,” Mother says, handing me the teapot.

I bite back a sigh as I sip my tea. Fuck, I am in no mood for this, and the tea tastes off. But I am doing this for Mother, so I will suck it up, finish this dreadful cup and then Kane and I can hunt down the animal who did this.

Suddenly, it feels like my head is short-circuiting, and I place my cup down. I shake my head and blink. That is the oddest feeling I have experienced in my life.

I look over at Kane. His eyes are unfocused, and his expression is confused.

“Mom, what happened to your arms?” I frown, picking up a cookie.

“That’s why I called you here,” she smiles. “To tell you about my accident.”