Chapter Five:

The alley was a blur of senses, a cacophony of growls and the metallic tang of blood, but everything seemed muted, distant. It was like watching a movie of myself, a dark and raw performance playing out before my eyes. My body was a puppet, strings pulled by something ancient and powerful, and I was merely the audience. I still felt the echo of the power that had erupted, still felt the thrumming heat in my veins. But now, it subsided, shifting focus, redirected. The now dead rogues were no longer my immediate concern.

My attention, or rather, my body's attention, zeroed in on the still form of the Alpha lying on the grimy concrete. He was a mess of cuts and bruises, his breathing shallow and ragged. The scent of his blood was overwhelming, a metallic tang that triggered something deep within me, a primal urge to protect, to mend.

Without conscious thought, I moved. My hands, no longer fists of raw energy but gentler, cradled his head, lifting his heavy form slightly. A warmth, not the searing heat of before but a soothing, golden warmth, began to emanate from me, a soft glow that illuminated his battered face. It pulsed through my fingertips, seeping into his wounds, knitting torn flesh, mending broken bones. It was like watching nature itself, time-lapsed and sped up, working to restore what had been damaged.

I felt a shift in his breathing, the shallow gasps becoming deeper, more regular. His eyes flickered open, a hazy green that met mine, confusion swirling within them.

“You need… warmth,” I heard myself whisper, my voice a rough, unfamiliar sound. “You need to be truly healed.”

His gaze, though weak, sharpened slightly. He seemed to understand, or at least, trust. He nodded, a small, almost imperceptible movement. “Home,” he managed, his voice a low rasp. Then, he reached into his pocket, fumbling for a phone. He tapped it once, twice, and placed it back.

Even in this strange, detached state, I felt a swell of protectiveness. I pulled him closer, my body forming a shield against the cold air, his head tucked into the curve of my neck. His scent, earthy and masculine, was grounding, familiar somehow, even if I didn't actually know him. My instincts clamored, telling me nothing but safe, protect, keep safe. I held him tightly, waiting.

It wasn't long before the low hum of an engine cut through the night. A sleek, black car, gleaming even under the dim alley lights, pulled up. The door was opened by a man in a suit, his features stern but respectful. He made no comment on the blood or the situation, only gesturing for us to enter.

The journey was silent, my focus solely on the Alpha in my arms. He was leaning heavily against me, his breathing still laboured, but now, with the golden light continuing to emanate softly, the wounds seemed less angry, less raw. I kept murmuring soft reassurances to him; things I didn't even know I knew, like, “It's alright, I’m here. You're safe.”

The car ride was not long, and soon, we drove through a large iron gate, passing perfectly manicured lawns and a small lake reflecting the soft moonlight. The car came to a stop in front of a magnificent house that looked like something out of a magazine. Tall columns, long windows that stretched into the night, beautiful sculptures, and an overall sense of serene elegance.

The car door opened, and I somehow managed to guide the alpha out, supporting him as we walked towards the mansion. The suited man opened the massive front door for us and we stepped in. The interiors were breathtaking, even in my state of semi-detachment. Everything spoke of wealth and class, yet it also had an inviting warmth. It was exactly the kind of calm and safe place my instincts were craving.

Inside, I gently laid the alpha onto a soft surface, a dark couch that was big enough for him. I stepped back slightly and focused all my energy into him. I closed my eyes and enveloped him within the very core of my being, a pure wave of energy that pulsed outwards from me. The gold light glowed brighter now, and I felt the connection strengthen and intensify. I mended every cut, every bruise, pushing the healing energies through him. I sensed his broken ribs knitting themselves back together, the deep wounds closing, even the blood stains disappearing under the warm glow. He was, for all intents and purposes, being made completely whole again.

Then, abruptly, the power began to recede. Like a dam bursting, the flood of energy I had been channeling seemed to drain away, leaving me feeling hollow and weak. The detached feeling faded, replaced by a dizzying rush of nausea and exhaustion. My legs wobbled, and I stumbled, losing my balance completely.

Strong arms caught me before I hit the floor. I blinked up to see the alpha, his green eyes clear and alert now. He held me easily, his strength no longer diminished. He lifted me as if I weighed nothing, gently carrying me towards a large staircase. The scent of him reached me, a subtle blend of forest and leather.

He walked into a spacious bedroom with a large king-sized bed, gently placing me onto the plush mattress. I tried to say something, my throat tight and dry, but he held up a hand, his gaze warm and reassuring.

"Shhh," he said, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through me. "It's okay. You saved me." He grabbed a soft damp towel from a side table and gently started cleaning my face from the grime and sweat from the night.

He then tucked me in under the warm covers, his movements careful and tender. He laid down beside me, his body heat radiating warmth. He pulled the covers up to my chin.

“I won’t ask any questions now,” he said, his voice soft. “I’ll keep you safe until morning.”

And then, as exhaustion finally claimed me, I drifted into sleep, surrounded by his warmth and the promise of safety. A strange, powerful sense of belonging settled over me as I fell into the unknown.