Novel Square
35
Alpha Larry turned his wolfish gaze towards the nurse, his golden eyes pleading. “Release me from this torment.”
“I will not leave until you have taken your elixir.” The nurse stood her ground, unyielding.
Frustration boiled within him. He did not intend to make the nurse’s life difficult. Consuming the elixir was agonizing for him, a pure torture.
Tony, observing from the shadows, contemplated for a moment before seizing the potion from the nurse’s grasp. “Give it to me.”
“What…” The nurse was taken aback.
“Trust me,” he reassured.
Alpha Larry was uncertain of Tony’s motives as he took the potion and approached Alpha Larry. “Old Alpha Morris, although the elixir is bitter, it is beneficial for you. I shall reward you with a sweet if you consume the potion. It will help mask the bitterness.”
Oh, such a silver tongue for one so young.
Alpha Larry regarded him warily. “Truly?”
“Absolutely.” Tony nodded.
Alpha Larry could not be persuaded by a mere child to consume the elixir. It would be humiliating if anyone discovered his weakness.
With hesitation, he accepted the potion from Tony’s hands and quickly downed it, washing away the bitter taste with water after a moment’s contemplation.
He looked over at Ben, who winced and hid in the corner.
Both of them struggled when it came to consuming the elixir.
As Alpha Larry grimaced at the bitterness of the potion, Tony produced a piece of candy, slipping it into his mouth.
Indeed, with the sweetness of the candy, the bitterness faded away, and the lines on Alpha Larry’s face smoothed out.
The nurse let out a relieved sigh, having accomplished her task of ensuring he took the elixir.
“Thank you, kid.” She cast a glance at Alpha Larry. “I shall leave you now.” With that, she departed, her gait more relaxed.
Alpha Larry took a seat on a bench, his gaze fixed on Tony, suddenly reminiscing about Alpha Kilian from the past.
“How is it? Not too bitter, eh?” Tony asked.
“Yes, it is not.” Alpha Larry chuckled.
Tony grabbed a handful of small candies, each wrapped in brightly colored paper.
“These are for you, Old Alpha Morris. Take one after your elixir, and the bitterness will diminish.”
Alpha Larry glanced at the candies. “Do you carry them with you because you enjoy them?”
“No, I have a younger brother who dislikes consuming the elixir, so I always keep these on hand, just in case,” he explained.
Alpha Larry nodded, a thought crossing his mind. “Do you know who I am, kid?”
Tony froze before shaking his head. “No.”
“Do you know my name?” Alpha Larry pressed.
“Only by what the nurse called you earlier,” Tony replied.
Alpha Larry nodded. “You are just like my grandson-handsome and bright.” He couldn’t resist tousling Tony’s hair.
As his hand made contact with Tony, an inexplicable feeling washed over him, like a warm embrace encompassing his heart, filling him with warmth.
Tony flashed a rare smile, and his phone chimed. He knew it was Ben, urging him.
“Someone is waiting for me, Old Alpha Morris, so I must bid you farewell. Remember to take your elixir and do not trouble those who care for you.”
Alpha Larry nodded, a smile gracing his lips. “Very well, go now, or your family will worry.”
Tony returned the nod, giving Alpha Larry one last longing glance before turning to depart.
Alpha Larry remained seated, his gaze fixed upon Tony’s retreating form with a sense of longing.
Tony rounded a corner and collided with Ben, who informed him, “Donna has informed me via WhatsApp that Alpha Kilian will be returning soon.”
“Are they together?” Tony inquired.
“Likely,” Ben replied.
Tony paused. “Let us leave this place for now.”
And so, they descended the stairs.
Alpha Kilian took Donna out for a meal before returning to the hospital. He suddenly questioned, “Why are you alone here, Donna?”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“I am not alone. I came with my brother, Tony, to visit someone. They went to wait in line, so I remained here, and by chance, I met you!” Donna explained with excitement.
“Be cautious when you find yourself alone,” Alpha Kilian smirked.
“Understood, Mr. Handsome.”
Her phone chimed, and she checked the notification. “Tony is waiting for me outside, Mr. Handsome. Goodbye.”
“Very well, stay safe.”
“Okay!” She nodded vigorously, beaming before swiveling to depart.
Only after Donna left did Alpha Kilian ascend the stairs.
Lara hesitated before commenting, “Donna seems quite mature for her age, don’t you think? She does not behave like other children her age.”
He took long, purposeful strides, finally responding after a lingering moment. “Brilliant children often exhibit such qualities.”
Alpha Kilian’s defense of Donna irritated Lara. It was not personal towards Donna, but Lara detected a difference in her temperament when she was around Alpha Kilian. She would pretend to be adorable and obedient in his presence, but when she was with Lara or the married couple, a glimmer of something deeper flashed within her eyes, making her seem older than her years.
Lara refused to believe that Alpha Kilian was unaware of this, thus she became perplexed when he came to Donna’s defense, prompting her to conduct a background check on the young girl.
The three of them reconvened at the entrance of the hospital, departing together.
Tony stole a glance at Donna in the car. “Did you spend time with Alpha Kilian again?”
She did not deny it, instead nodding eagerly. “He assisted me today and took me out for desserts.” A triumphant smile curved her lips.
He frowned at her delighted expression. “You are quite fond of him, it seems.”
“Yes.” She nodded once more.
“What about Mommy?” he challenged.
“I like Mommy as well, and I do not believe I am acting rashly.”
“Whom would you choose between the two of them?” he persisted.
Her brows furrowed in annoyance. “Why must a child choose? I want them both.”
“Do not play around. You must choose one,” Tony insisted, not wanting anyone to replace Nelly in their lives.
Donna lowered her gaze and grumbled, “Of course I would choose Mommy. But he is my father. Can I not like him even a little?” Her tone held indignant defiance.
“We must face the possibility that something may occur between them, preventing a reconciliation,” he said.
Donna fell silent, retreating into herself.
Ben interjected, attempting to ease the tension. “Enough, enough. We have yet to discover the truth. What if he is not our father?”