THE ALPHA'S BRIDE

As I raced down the hallway towards Kya's ward, panic gripped me, making it feel like my soul was slipping away. I had been nearly finished with my shift at Mrs. Candra's shop when I got an urgent call from Kya's doctor.

"Miss, I'm sorry, but you can't go in right now; the doctor is with her," a nurse informed me, blocking my path.

"Please, tell me she's going to be okay," I pleaded, clutching her arm.

"I'm sorry, but I can't say for sure. We need to wait for the doctor. You know Kya needs a heart transplant as soon as possible. She's been suffering for too long," the nurse said before walking away, leaving me standing there, shattered. How could life be so cruel? Kya was only four, the last bit of family I had left after our parents' tragic accident two years ago.

I quickly wiped away my tears as the doctor emerged from the ward. Rushing to him, I clung to a sliver of hope.

"Doctor, how is she?" I asked, desperation lacing my voice.

"Please follow me to my office, Miss Caddle," he replied, leading the way. Inside his office, the air felt heavy with unspoken words.

"Kya needs the surgery urgently. Without it, her condition will only worsen," he stated bluntly.

"Sir, you know I want nothing more than to see Kya healthy, but I don't have the money for a heart transplant. I can barely manage our current bills," I explained, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Miss Caddle, but medication alone won't save her. She needs specialized care. I recommend transferring her to a hospital that can provide the necessary treatment," he said, handing me a slip of paper.

"No, please, don't give up on us," I begged, dropping to my knees. "Give me another month to find the money."

"I've explained before that I don't have the resources for a heart transplant or a cardiologist. My facility is too small. I only agreed to treat Kya because of my general medical knowledge, but she needs specialists now. Keeping her here longer might endanger her life. Please, take her to the hospital on this list," he urged gently before leaving me alone with my despair.

Tears streamed down my face as I knelt there, overwhelmed by helplessness. First, my parents, then Kya's, who had taken me in from the orphanage, and now Kya herself-I was losing everyone I loved. But I couldn't afford to break down. Kya needed me to be strong.

I composed myself and returned to her room. She looked so small and frail, her pale face barely visible against the hospital sheets. She opened her eyes as I approached, forcing a smile to mask my fear.

"Hey, sweetie, how are you feeling?" I asked softly.

"Clara?" she murmured, removing her oxygen mask and struggling to sit up.

"Hey, take it easy," I said, rushing to support her. I propped her up with a pillow, trying to make her comfortable.

"Where have you been all day?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, tinged with hurt.

"Did you miss me?" I teased gently, but her frown spoke volumes-she was upset that I hadn't been there.

"I want to go home; I don't like it here. It hurts, Clara," she confessed, her words piercing my heart. I choked back a sob, knowing I couldn't grant her wish.

"You need to stay here to get better," I explained, my voice thick with emotion.

"No, I want to go home," she insisted, tears welling in her eyes. I quickly replaced her oxygen mask, trying to hide my own tears.

"Why don't you rest and talk through your mask? I promise we'll go home as soon as you're well," I assured her, stroking her hair.

"Okay," she mumbled, her resolve crumbling.

"That's my girl," I said, kissing her forehead. "Are you hungry?"

"Not really. I don't feel like eating much," she admitted.

"What would you like? I'll get it for you," I offered.

"Ice cream, vanilla flavor," she replied, brightening a little.

"Kya, you know you can only have sorbet, frozen yogurt, or gelato," I reminded her gently.

"Fine, frozen yogurt then," she conceded.

"I'll be right back," I promised, heading to the nearby ice cream parlor. As I left the hospital, my phone buzzed. It was my boss from the grocery store.

"Clara! Where are you? You were supposed to work tonight!" he yelled, nearly deafening me.

"Sir, I informed you that I couldn't work overnight. My sister is very ill, and she needs me," I explained, struggling to stay calm.

"Did I give you permission to leave? You're supposed to be here!" he barked before hanging up. I sighed, frustration mounting. I bought the frozen yogurt and returned to the hospital, fearing I'd be fired.

Back at Kya's ward, I found her waiting eagerly. Her face lit up when I handed her the cup.

"Thank you, Clara," she said, smiling.

"How about we wash your hair tomorrow?" I suggested, trying to keep her spirits up.

"Are we going somewhere?" she asked, hopeful.

"I'll take you wherever you want, as long as the doctor approves," I said, brushing her hair lovingly. I had promised our parents I'd take care of her, but I felt like I was failing.

After reading her a story, she fell asleep. I kissed her forehead and quietly slipped out, asking a nurse to keep an eye on her. I handed the nurse some money, grateful for her understanding.

As I left for Mrs. Morgan's house, a sense of dread settled over me. Life had been relentlessly cruel, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was cursed.

---

**Damion's POV**

I couldn't believe she did that. She's really pushing my patience. I just need to get one more woman to sign this damn contract, and I'll be free from her control over my life.

"Off to your hunt?" Kenzo's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Want to tag along?" I asked, half-joking.

"Nah, that's between you and that invisible goddess you keep talking about. By the way, is she beautiful?" Kenzo teased.

I turned to face him, catching his teasing smile even in the dim light. I smirked, amused by his audacity. If only the goddess could hear one of her own questioning her beauty with such casual lust.

"I wouldn't ask that if I were you," I warned, changing out of my suit. Businessman by day, soul recruiter by night-a twisted duality she had thrust upon me, but tonight would be the end of it.

"Why not?" Kenzo persisted, his tone still lighthearted.

"You don't want to see the goddess angry," I said, buttoning my shirt and grabbing a jacket.

"You can stay, Buddy. I think I can handle this one alone," I said to the large black wolf beside Kenzo.

"Bye, Damion. Have fun. And for the record, I'm not afraid of any goddess-well, except the moon goddess, because she's-"

"Shut up, Kenzo," I interrupted, rolling my eyes as I left the room. Let's get this over with.

"Good evening, Mrs. Morgan."

"Clara, is that you?"

"Yes, Mrs. Morgan."

"Oh my sweet girl, I thought you weren't coming today."

"I'm sorry I'm late; I had to visit Kya at the hospital."

"It's okay, I will leave you to your work," she said and left. Mrs. Morgan has night blindness; she doesn't really see well during the night.

I sighed out and grabbed my cleaning materials as I started cleaning the house. Mrs. Morgan has a son, Ken. He was barely home, but the few times I have seen him, I really don't feel comfortable around him.

As I headed into his office, I prayed I wouldn't see him, but luck wasn't on my side. He was seated at his desk, going through some files as he typed his laptop.

"Good evening, sir," I greeted him. He looked up at me before a smile appeared on his face.

"Clara, you are here." He said, taking off his glasses.

"Yes sir. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your working hours." I apologised because I felt bad for being an inconvenience to him.

"It's okay; I'm sure you have your reasons. Come in; I'm sure we can both share the same space while getting our jobs done.

"Oh, okay." I really didn't think he would say that. He normally takes his work to his room, which I already cleaned while I cleaned the office.

I walked in and started cleaning the room. I felt his eyes on me as I tried as much as possible to ignore him.

"So I heard something from my mother about you."

"Oh, you did?" I said in a small voice. I really wish he would just ignore me until I'm done cleaning his office so I could leave.

"She said you have a sister who has been at the hospital for a while now."

"Yes, I do."

"How is she faring?" I wanted to say fine, but how could I when nothing is fine with Kya or me?

"I couldn't afford her treatment, and she has been in massive pain. The doctor that has been keeping her stable for months said she needs a new heart transplant or she may never survive it."

I didn't mean to pour out my problems to him, but I need someone to talk to.

"I'm sorry, sir; I will just clean up your desk and go." I wiped the tears running down my face as I turned to leave.

"Clara, wait," he said as he grabbed my hand, stopping me from leaving.

"I know it hurts, but crying a little wouldn't hurt. We all go through hard times, but I want you to know that you are not alone. You have me and my mom. Let me help you."

I let his words get to me. When he hugged me, I didn't think I should push him away since I needed one. I buried my face in his chest and started pouring my eyes out.

"It's okay; I can take all your pains away." He said as he started running his hands up and down my back. At first I thought it was his way of comforting me until I felt him grabbing and squeezing my buttocks.

"Sir, what are you doing?" I asked, pushing him away from me. I stared at him in shock; I never expected he would do such a thing. I stood waiting for him to apologise, but instead he smirked.

"Come on, Clara, you are no longer a child. You are a grown ass lady, so I'm sure you know how this thing works." He said. He had the same smirk still plastered on his face. I stood two steps away from him, but he started coming close to me as I continued to back away.

"Come on, Clara, I'm sure you know how much I want you. You have filled my dreams since the first day I met you. I want you, Clara; just give into me, and I will foot all the bills regarding your sister's surgery." He started taking off his belt as I felt a shiver run down my spine.

"Sir, what is wrong with you? Why are you taking off your pants?"

"Quit Joking around Clara; I know you want me, so quit running away and let's get this over with." He grabbed me before I could make my way to the door as he pressed my back against him.

I could feel his hardened dick pressing hard against my back.

"No! Let me go. This is insane; please let me go!!" I screamed, but his hand flew to my mouth as he covered them up.

"Shut up and quit screaming like a crazy woman. This is going to be over in no time, and you are going to love it."

He grabbed a hold of my dress as he drew on it. I heard the sound of my dress being torn to pieces. I struggled to free myself from him, but he was holding on too strong.

When he started tugging at my bra, I knew there was no escape for me. I had to do something, so I grabbed hold of his hand that was pressing me down to his desk and bit on it.

He screamed in pain as he pushed me off him. I thought that was my chance to run to the door, but he grabbed me by the hair before I could even push myself off the floor.

"Aah!!!!" I screamed in pain as I tried to get my hair off his grip.

"You bitch!" He said as he slapped me hard across the face.

"You should have remained still when I asked you to!" He pushed me as I felt my head colliding with the desk in front of me.

I felt a sharp pain deep into my head as I struggled to keep myself steady. A wave of dizziness washed over me, leaving the room spinning in my eyes.

I felt a sharp pain when my body collided with the floor. I saw him coming close to me. I managed to crawl away from him, but it wasn't too long until he grabbed me by the hair, dragging me off the floor.

"You are a fucking bitch!" He said to my face. I felt a wave of anger consume me as I reached out, grabbing him by the shirt.

"I am not a bitch, so let go of me!!!" I screamed with my eyes closed. I felt the force of the wind surrounding me; when I opened my eyes again, he was across the room groaning in pain.

I didn't know what happened, but I knew it was my chance to escape. I ran off the room and headed out of the house. I tried to cover myself up with what was left of my dress as I ran.

I had no destination, nor did I know where I was running; the only thing on my mind was to get away from him.

I ended up on the beach that wasn't so far from Mrs. Morgan's house. I was uncontrollably shaking. I stared at my torn dress down to my feet. I also lost my footwear, which left me looking like some homeless mad woman.

The howling of the wind surrounded me as I tried not to think about what happened to me a few minutes ago, but I kept hearing his voice in my head calling me a bitch.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, my voice hoarse with anger!. I broke down in tears when I couldn't take it anymore.

I hate this life. I hate that the sea danced to the howling of the wind like my problems weren't there, like it wasn't the reason why I'm in this messed up life.

I wanted to end things; I wanted the pain I was feeling in my heart to go away. I took my first step towards the sea as I felt the waves splashing water at my feet.

After my traumatised experience with the sea, I hated water bodies. I couldn't even learn how to swim. What better way to die than drowning? After all, that was where my misery began.

Damion's POV

This is wonderfully stressful; my night was a complete mess, and now I have to deal with a lady going through some shit.

Why didn't she choose another sea to die in, or better yet, choose another day? Why is she disturbing my peace and quietness? This is really frustrating.

I couldn't even get a contract with anyone today. I came here to have some peace and quietness, but this lady appeared just in time to make my night more miserable. I sighed in frustration as I watched her walk deeper into the sea.

I'm going to sit here and watch whatever play she has to display. I stood on top of the cliff across the woods as I watched her.

It's too bad the forest goddess doesn't accept a dead soul; I would have made her soul the last soul I would be recruiting for that annoying goddess.

She stopped when the water covered up her torso. Why did she stop?

"Mum, Dad, I'm tired. The pain is so unbearable, but I don't even have the right to take my own life. It will be unfair to Mr. and Mrs. Caddle, who took me in and loved me like their child.

It will be unfair to Kya, who is at the hospital battling with heart failure. She is in a lot of pain, and I can't even afford her treatment.

Aunty Jane threw us out after the deaths of her brother and wife. She took everything that was left for us. I don't know what to do."

Her voice was filled with so much pain that it affected me in some ways. I shook my head, snapping myself out of my thoughts.

Why should I care about her problems when I have mine? I better get going; today is definitely not one of my days.

"I wish I could at least save Kya; she is just four and has barely even seen the world. I am willing to go to any length to give her a better life.

Maybe I shouldn't have fought my way with Mr. Ken."

Out of all she said, the only words I heard running over and over again in my mind were "I am willing to go to any length to give her a better life." A smile crept into my face as I giggled.

Maybe I still got myself a contract, and it's going to be a perfect contract.

It took me less than a second to get to her. I just stood behind her and watched her. Her long black hair glittered as it reflected the full moon along with the sea.

"Beautiful." I unknowingly said, drawing her attention. When she turned, facing me, she had a horrifying look on her face.

"Who are you?" She asked with a shaky voice.

"You can simply call me your saviour since I will be saving you from all your miseries." I said to her, and she frowned in confusion.

"Whoever you are, don't come close to me." Wow, so now she is scared of me.

"I will suggest you get out of the water if you don't want to end up with a cold."

"Go away, and stay away from me!" I smirked at her words and looked up at the moon. It was so full and shone so brightly.

"Okay, I'm guessing you don't need my help. I will just leave." I pretended to be leaving, but stopped and faced her again. I made sure at the beginning that I maintained a distance in order not to scare her away, but since she is already scared of me, why maintain the distance?

I walked closer to her as I tried to keep the water from staining my shoes.

"Quick question before I leave: do you want to save your little sister's life?" I wanted to go straight to the point, no beating around the bush.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm sure you know very well what I'm talking about, or should I help you refresh your memories?" She went silent on me.

"Kya, how old is she again? Four, right? It will be a shame if she dies at such a young age." I said to her. I couldn't help giggling when she started walking up to me with an angry expression on her face.

Clara's POV

Immediately he said Kya's name; I couldn't help wondering who he was or how he even knew about Kya.

I couldn't see his face from here, but after what happened at Mrs. Morgan's house, I don't think I want to be around any grown ass male gender.

When he mentioned Kya's name and said she was going to die, I found myself approaching him in anger.

The first thing I did when I approached him was give him a hard slap across the face. I could bet he didn't expect that, but I didn't care.

How dare he say my little Kya is going to die? I have heard it with men treating me like I'm some trash.

"Don't ever say her name again!" I groaned in anger.

"Wow, I can't believe I just got slapped by some lady who I was going to offer to help." His voice came out cold and angry, but he suppressed it with a smile. I can see his lips covering up even when he didn't want them to. He forced the smile to remain on his face while I glared at him.

"And who are you? What do you actually know about us? Did you come because you saw I was alone, because you know you are way stronger than I am?

Did you come to have your way with me, because that's what I have to face in the hands of men? First it was that fat, smelly, and unkept idiot at the grocery store, then Mr. Ken, and now you!"

I roared in anger. I was struggling to catch my breath and talk slowly.

"Oh, so this is why you were getting all worked up. Sorry, sweetie, but I'm not even a bit interested in your body. You don't know who I am, do you?.

Well, let me introduce myself. I am Damion Volk." He said it like I was supposed to know who he was. I just stared at him in total confusion.

"You don't know me." He said and let out a little laugh before running his hands through his hair.He looked up to the sky as his pair of grey eyes reflected the moon.

Piercing grey eyes that seem to bore into those he meets, a chiselled face with sharp angles, and a small, sly smile that hints at a mischievous sense of humour. His dark grey hair styled perfectly, framing his face with a sense of sophistication and control. His features are refined, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline that speaks to his confidence and determination.

But it's his eyes that truly reveal his nature-cold, calculating, and always seeming to size others up, even as they sparkle with a playful glint that suggests he's up to something. His gaze is hypnotic, drawing others in even as they sense the danger lurking beneath the surface.

"Am I supposed to know you?" I asked him. The anger that was once boiling inside me died out with the waves of the sea.

"No, you don't need to. All you have to do is sign this contract, and your sister will be safe." He said as he took out a paper from his jacket. I still don't get what he is driving at.

"Are you saying you will pay for Kya's surgery?" I asked him.

"Yes, everything." I stared him straight in the eyes and saw amusement and teasing in them. I took the paper from him and tore it into pieces before allowing the wind to carry them away.

"To hell with you and your contract." The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced with a frown.

"You actually think I can't afford a hospital bill that is actually a change.?" I let out a little laugh when he called Kya's hospital bill a change. I looked him up from his bomber jacket down to his footwear.

Everything about him spelled out how rich he could be, but I really don't have a good feeling about this stranger in front of me.

"I'm leaving; I heard a very disappointing day, and thanks for adding to it." I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand, stopping me.

I felt a shiver run through my body when he grabbed my hand. There was this little spike I felt within myself, or I was just getting too cold.

"Are you going to go to your sister looking like that?" He asked, referring to my torn dress, which I managed to tie around my chest.

"Don't touch me or I will report you to the police." I shook his hand away from mine while keeping some distance between us.

"My apologies; I was just looking out for you." He said and twisted his head a little bit, reviewing the smirk on his face. This guy is so fucking annoying.

When he started taking his jacket off, I panicked and started drawing further away from him.

"Relax; you are such a scary cat. You are getting colder and turning white in every passing minute. Put this on; it will keep you warm."

I was stunned because I never expected that from him. He walked up to me, and this time I didn't run like I used to. I slipped into the big jacket that could wrap me around twice.

"Come, I will drop you off." I looked up at him without saying a word.

"Can you stop giving me that look? I hate to get my reputation stained if anything happens to you, so let me drop you off at least."

Damion's POV

I can't believe I stooped so low just to get her to sign this contract. I wouldn't have thought twice if it was someone else, but she got my attention when she gave me that slap.

This lady has gotten my interest. I waited for her to give me an answer, but she just went dead silent on me. I reached out to grab her hand, but I remembered her warnings.

I just grabbed a handful of my jacket that looks way too big on her and pulled her along with me. I took her back to my car, but her sudden quietness just didn't seem right with me.

Before I opened the door for her, I decided to know what was up with her.

"Hey, are you okay?" She had her head bent and her long hair on her face, so I couldn't see her face. When she finally looked up at me, I was shocked at how pale she looked.

"I'm fine." Her voice came out small and shaky.

"I don't think you are fine; you look like..." She slumped before I could finish what I had to say. I caught her before she could hit the ground.

Really? Now I have a passed-out stranger to deal with. I took a deep breath as I tried not to blame it on her. That goddess lady should be blamed for this.

Her body was so cold, especially her feet. How can she wear such little clothes and even enter the sea with them? I mean, who comes to the beach during winter?

I carried her inside the car as I laid her down in the passenger's seat. This is going to be awkward; I can't believe I'm taking her home.