My entire body tenses as he kisses the back of her hand before walking in my direction. The tensing of my body isn't missed I'm sure by the Alpha sitting next to me, a smirk erupting on his face as his tumbler glass lifts to his lips.

"Good night Alpha." Doctor Abel places his hand out for Alpha Hector to shake. He was a confident man, even for his age which can't be older than me. I'd place him in his mid to late twenties. "You're off?"

"I've got an early start."

"Yes I suppose it is getting rather late." Alpha Hector clasps his hand within the doctor's, shaking it respectfully.

"Well thank you for the invite."

"Of course."

I watch in silence as the doctor walks away, my hands cupping my glass tightly, a firm scowl fixed on my face as I watch him walk into the shadows of the night.

"You don't like him very much do you?" I'm trying to decipher whether his question had a level of humour to it.

"I don't know him well enough to like or dislike him." I'm careful with what I say. I might not be a supporter but he is a pack member and I must remain respectful to the Alpha family that have shown me a lot of kindness in letting me stay here. Even though I was here to do a job for them, their hospitality had exceeded my expectations.

Who was I to question the alpha's selection of medical staff and who they decide to trust.

"Oh come now Knox, this is a safe place."

Humour, I was right there was a tone of humour laced within his question. Even now, he's watching my eyes carefully as I can't help but glance over to his daughter. The object of my desire.

"No, I don't like him." A low growl emits from me, my wolf also adding in his two cents.

"Why not?" He presses.

"I don't trust him...I think he has ulterior motives."

"Such as?"

"Such as preferential treatment of coworkers..trying to get in favour by putting others at risk."

"Oh I see. And it has nothing to do with the coworker being my daughter?" He follows my line of vision, just as Jaxon places his jacket over her shoulders. I'm glad I'm not the only one to have noticed how cold she was. I have so many questions... "Perhaps." I rumble into my glass, the smooth burning liquer making it easier to speak my mind.

"Trust is earned, not given away freely." I've had to learn the hard way and I would do anything to stop another feel the pain I felt. Feel the betrayal I felt, even at such a young age.

A silence falls upon Alpha Hector and I. He looking at his family, me...contemplating the past that still haunts me even now. He moves, stepping off the bar stool...his back straightening to a great Alpha height.novelbin

"He has earned his trust. I trust him, and that should be good enough." Hector declares before placing the bottle of whiskey behind the back of the bar.

His hand lands on my shoulder with a firm squeeze, something my Father would have done to soothe my spiralling thoughts.

He stands up, no further comment...no accusatory words fired in my direction for thinking differently to him. For questioning who he trusts. For thinking badly of one of his pack members.

He walks over to Jaxon and his females, before placing his arms around them. It's been a long time since I've thought of my family, of my pack. Memories placed so far back into my mind that they feel like from a different lifetime.