Brian watched from the doorway as Lana rushed out of the room.
"Are you?" Brian started.
"I'm fine," Lana interrupted. "Just leave me alone, okay?"
Brian watched as Lana stormed away, wiping the tears from her face. He hesitated for a moment, knowing the tension in the room and the extent of Kasia's anger. Nevertheless, he couldn't delay this. Kasia was awake now. So much for trying to do it while she was unconscious.
He stepped into the dimly lit room. Kasia watched him without saying a word. The way her eyes followed him reminded him of an herbivore waiting for the predator's next move. Her expression was blank, but he could smell the fear and anger rolling off her in waves. Brian's heart went out to her, but he had a job to do.
"Kasia," Brian began, trying to keep his voice as calm and reassuring as possible. "I'm here to help you. I have no intention of hurting you, but I need to draw some blood for testing."
Kasia's eyes narrowed as she looked at him, distrust emanating from her every pore. "You expect me to believe that? You have me chained to the bed like a prisoner."
"That is for your safety. It would not be safe for you right now if you tried to escape," Brian explained. "Without your pills, you're just a regular human. I don't think I need to explain to you what would happen to you if you were found by one of our warriors."
"Eat me like the monsters that y'all are," Kasia spat.
Brian frowned. "I'd prefer if you didn't call us that. And we don't eat humans."
"You've brainwashed my sister into believing that, but you won't brainwash me. I've seen what your kind does to humans," Kasia retorted.
Brian understood her skepticism but remained patient. "I understand you're scared and angry, and I don't blame you. I would be too, but this is the only way we can keep you safe and learn more about what they did to you."
"What are you talking about?"
"The Hunters have been giving you a drug that I don't believe they know what the side effects are. We need to know what is happening to you to make sure you are okay," Brian explained.
Kasia's lip curled, and she began to shout, "They did nothing to me. Leave me alone! Stay away from me!"
Her screams filled the room, and Brian could feel the unease building up. He was well aware that Ethan was on his way to intervene.
"Please calm down. There's no reason to scream," Brian said. The situation was deteriorating, and he needed to act quickly.
As Kasia's screams grew louder, the door swung open, and Ethan entered the room. He approached the bed with authority, his eyes locked on Kasia. His Alpha aura was oppressive, causing Brian to tense up as Ethan began the Alpha call.
"Calm yourself," Ethan growled at Kasia. Surprisingly, Kasia stopped screaming immediately. It was as if someone had closed her mouth by force. Kasia stared at Ethan in horror and confusion. How did he make her stop? Brian observed the situation in complete awe, as humans shouldn't respond to the Alpha call.
Defiantly, Kasia managed to open her mouth to say, "I don't know what you're doing, but I won't let you control me!"
Ethan's patience was wearing thin. He hated to admit that her defiance was oddly attractive. Ethan resisted the urge to kiss her as he took a step closer to the bed. Her scent, even though laced with fear and anger, was intoxicating.
"You will do what Brian asks of you. I command it," Ethan growled low in his throat.
Kasia gritted her teeth as she felt compelled to listen to Ethan. What the hell was this? She didn't want to listen to him, but she felt ill for not obeying. Kasia swung at Ethan with her free hand, but he caught her wrist. It felt like electricity shot through her body, causing her eyes to widen. "What are you doing to me?" Kasia whispered.
"I am trying to help you. I understand you're upset, but this needs to get done. Brian will not hurt you. I will not hurt you. We are here to help," Ethan responded.
Kasia's retorted, her voice laced with venom, "Help me? You crashed our car!"
Ethan's expression darkened, but he managed to keep his emotions in check. "Because you were reckless. You are also to blame for your injuries and Lana's."
"I'll never be a traitor like her. You can't make me!"
His alpha call intensified, causing Kasia to gasp. Ethan leaned in closer, his voice low and filled with frustration. "You're making this difficult for everyone when it does not have to be this way. The hunters disowned you. You are a rogue. You are alone. Accept our help, accept my help," Ethan growled.
Kasia felt immense pressure on her body. None of this made any sense, but she couldn't deal with it much longer. The fear in her gaze began to outweigh the anger. She reluctantly nodded, her voice trembling. "Fine, do what you want."
Ethan relaxed, pulling back the Alpha call, and Brian and Kasia sighed in relief. "Thank you, Kasia. I promise we'll be as gentle as possible," Brian said.
With caution, Brian began the process of drawing Kasia's blood. The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension still hanging in the air. Ethan kept his grip on her wrist, ensuring that she didn't try to hit Brian. He felt her trembling and subconsciously rubbed his thumb over the palm of her hand in an attempt to calm her.
As the vials filled with her blood, Kasia's eyes teared up, and her vulnerability became increasingly evident. The anger that had fueled her resistance was now mingled with fear, creating a complex web of emotions. 'Don't you cry. Don't you dare cry in front of them,' Kasia told herself.
Once Brian had collected the necessary samples, he stepped back, and Ethan reluctantly released Kasia's wrist. Kasia turned her head away from Brian and Ethan, trying her best to not cry in front of them. Ethan frowned, as he didn't like seeing her like this.
"I meant what I said earlier, Kasia. We have no intention of hurting you. If you do not believe me, believe your sister, as no harm has ever come to her while under my care," Ethan said. He unhandcuffed Kasia from the bed. She rubbed her wrist but still did not look at him.
Ethan and Brian left the room, with Ethan locking Kasia inside. He could hear her sobbing from behind the door. Ethan wanted to go in and comfort her, but he couldn't do that yet. He needed to know if she was friend or foe first. Wanting his mate came second to being the Alpha King. Ethan could not allow a pretty face to keep him from protecting his people.