Chapter 293

Chapter 293
Alex's POV

I stared at the table for several seconds before answering. “I feel… divided.”

“Explain.”

“I’m the Alpha,” I said. “My first duty is protecting the pack. Our laws exist for a reason. Humans must never know about us.”

“That is true.”

“But Caitlin already knows.”

“Yes.”

“And she’s my mate.”

I lifted my head and looked directly at him. “My wolf will never accept losing her.”

The words felt raw.

“It feels like something inside me is pulling me toward her every moment. When I’m away from her, I feel restless. When she’s near me, I feel calmer.”

My father nodded slightly. “That is the mate bond.”

“But she doesn’t understand it,” I said.

“That is because she is human.”

I rubbed my eyes tiredly. “I wish things were simpler.”

He gave a quiet laugh.

“Nothing about being an Alpha is simple.”

I leaned forward.“Sometimes I wonder if this is a test.”

“A test?”

“Yes. Maybe the heavens wanted to see how I would handle something impossible.”

My father looked thoughtful.

“Maybe she simply wanted to remind you that even an Alpha is still a wolf.”

His words made me pause.

“I don’t know what Caitlin will think after the change,” I admitted. “She may feel betrayed.”

“That is possible.” “She might even hate me.”

“That is also possible.”

The truth of his words hurt, but I appreciated his honesty.

“But you still want to do this,” he said.

“Yes.”

My answer came without hesitation.

He nodded slowly,“Then your mother and I will stand by you.”

Hearing that gave me some strength.

“Thank you.”

That night I tried to sleep, but my mind kept returning to the same thoughts.

Caitlin’s face, her voice.

The way she looked at me with cautious curiosity whenever we spoke.

She was still wary of us, even though we helped her. That reaction made sense. Anyone would feel the same after discovering werewolves were real.

But even through that fear, she had begun trusting me. That trust made my decision harder.

Morning came faster than I expected. I left the house early and drove to the hospital. When I entered Caitlin’s room, she was sitting up in bed.

She looked better than before. The color had returned to her face. But when she saw me, I noticed the hesitation in her eyes.

She was still wary.

“Alex,” she said slowly.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Better.”

She studied me for a moment. “You people saved my life.”

“We did what anyone would do.”

She gave a small uncertain laugh. “Not everyone turns into wolves in the forest.”

I couldn’t help smiling slightly. “That part is unusual.”

She watched me carefully. “You said something the other day,” she continued.

“What was that?”

“You said there was a bond between us.”

I felt my chest tighten. “Yes.”

“What does that mean exactly? I hesitated.

I couldn’t explain everything yet.

“It means our lives are connected,” I said carefully.

She frowned slightly, clearly not satisfied with the answer.mBefore she could question me more, I spoke again.

“You shouldn’t stay here much longer.”

“The doctors said I might leave soon.”

“Then come with me today.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Where?”

“To my home.”

She looked surprised but curious. “Why?”

“So we can talk somewhere quieter.”

She thought about it for a moment before nodding. “Alright.”

Later that morning I helped her into the car. During the drive she asked a few questions about the forest and the pack, but she still didn’t ask about the bond again.

Part of me felt relieved, another part felt guilty when we arrived at the house, my mother was waiting.

Caitlin greeted her politely but still looked cautious. I could see the worry in my mother’s eyes she knew what I planned

I walked into the kitchen and poured a drink into a glass. My hand paused for a second before adding the sleeping mixture.

Caitlin walked in behind me. “What are you doing?”

“Just drink this,” I said.

She looked suspicious for a moment. "What is it?”

“Something to help you relax.”

She studied my face carefully. “Alex… you’re acting strange today.”

My mother stepped forward slightly. “Alex…”

Her voice carried quiet worry but I couldn’t stop now.

“Please,” I said gently.

After a moment Caitlin took the glass she trusted me enough to drink it. That trust made my chest tighten painfully within seconds she blinked slowly.

“Alex… I feel dizzy.”

Her body swayed. I caught her before she fell. Her head rested against my shoulder as her eyes closed. She lost consciousness completely.

My mother looked at me with sadness. “Take care of her,” she whispered.

“I will.

I lifted Caitlin into my arms and carried her toward the secluded basement every step felt heavy.

This was the moment that would change both our lives forever. The basement was quiet when I reached the bottom of the stairs.

The air down there was colder than the rest of the house. The walls were thick stone, and the lights were dim. This part of the house was not used often, but it had been built for moments like this when control was necessary.

I carried Caitlin carefully in my arms as I walked down the hallway.

Her head rested against my shoulder. Her breathing was slow and steady from the sleeping drink. She looked peaceful, unaware of what was about to happen.

That made everything harder. I pushed open the iron door and stepped inside the secured room.

The iron bars stood in the center of the space, forming a strong cell. Inside the cell was a simple bed and nothing else.

I walked inside the bars and laid Caitlin gently on the bed for a moment. I just stood there looking at her.

The room was silent except for the quiet sound of her breathing.

My chest felt tight again.