Red eyes.

A week of tests countless, exercises, and constant meetings with doctors finally got Seth back on her feet. The medical professionals spoke about the dangerous substance finally leaving her body for good.

The blood results had restored to a healthy one, leading the memories to return one by one.

Sitting in the chair, Seth patiently waited for the doctor to return with her test results. Today, she would find out if she could leave the four walls that were supposed to keep her safe but made her feel like a prisoner.

Servants and maids brought her food, helped her around, and even stood nearby when she went to the bathroom. Yes, she wasn't treated as badly as an actual prisoner, but that didn't mean that deep down, she wouldn't feel like a bird, locked in a cage. Seth had no freedom.

“Good morning, Miss. How are you feeling today?” The cheerful woman opened the door and instantly questioned Seth.

For as long as she had known this doctor - the woman always smiled, making the room brighter whenever she was around. Maybe that was just a thing for Seth, but if she had ever met a medic like that - she wouldn't fear every other nurse with a needle in her hand. Seth had many fears, most of them uncommon, especially for her kind.

“Good morning, doctor,” Seth greeted the woman, grinning like a child. “I am feeling a lot better, the pain faded, and some of my memories started restoring.” As she spoke, she couldn't stop herself from feeling happy.

No matter how many times she said that she had to appear grim to others, she couldn't resist. There was only one issue that bothered her, but the doctor could have an answer or at least an explanation for that.

“Oh, child, stop with that. I told you - call me Alice. How about the little puma? Is she back yet?” The doctor sat down, eyeing Seth for any reaction.

They had barely met for a couple of times, but the woman could already read the cat shifter like an open book. The question wasn't intentional - it escaped her lips after noticing the woman's weird behavior.

Seth tried her best to stay sincere, speaking everything that has been on her mind, but the puma topic always bothered her. Especially with doctors and nurses surrounding her.

“Right, sorry, Alice,” Seth chuckled nervously. “She's not there yet; I can't feel her. Is that normal?” Both curious and terrified, Seth finally met the doctor's eyes.

There was something about that woman that made Seth feel as if she was safe as if they had met before. Whatever it was, she adored the feeling within her; it had been a while since the last time when she felt so comfortable around other women, especially after all those pumas her father brought home.

“Depends on what your normal is. Tell me, how often did you shift before this accident?” Alice placed the file folder on her desk, giving Seth full attention.

Even the doctor wanted to find out more - cat shifters fascinated her; they were nothing like wolves that usually ended up in the hospital she worked. If only the woman had a chance, she would work with all shifters but wolves.

“I didn't,” Seth confessed, shrugging her shoulders as if it was the most natural thing to tell someone. Perhaps for her, it was - she was too used to her life majorly as a human.

Shifting into a puma might seem weird; God knew if Seth would be able to walk on all four, let alone run or hunt. The world out there was a dangerous place, one she didn't want to be a part of.

“Wait, what? What do you mean by you didn't?” Alice gasped, her eyes widening in shock.

After all the tests she ran, blood work, and bone structure - Seth seemed to be in prime psychical health to shift into her animal.

“Well, I didn't shift at all. I used to try many times, but my puma was too weak.” The words were shocking. It was just another odd part of herself to Seth, but others often couldn't wrap their fingers around her confession.

This time, Seth promised herself to keep quiet when someone else decided to question her in future. Other than Alice, perhaps a few people knew about her inability to shift. It was easier to appear as a human than a defected puma.

“Child, are you trying to tell me that an Alpha puma was too weak to shift? Are you taking any drugs behind my back?” Alice jumped on her feet, nervously walking around the room.

Hundreds of possibilities crossed her mind, but none explained why Seth wouldn't shift into her puma. For the inner beast, it was dangerous to stay put for such a long time. They could die or fade, leaving their human self behind as an empty shell.

“No, no, I'm not taking any drugs, doctor. I am telling the truth - since my mother's death; I couldn't shift. I managed to do that once or twice unintentionally when I was younger, but not after that day.”

For a moment, the room fell silent. Pleasantly silent - both women took their time to disappear in their thoughts or feelings. Seth recalled her mother, an unknowing smile appearing on her lips.

It had been a while since the last time she thought of her mother, and the fact that she could remember her gave her hope. Her memories would restore soon enough.

“There shouldn't be any physical block for your cat to come out. The main issue might be a mental and emotional state. While we, wolves, don't do great with emotions - cats are built differently. Your species are deeply driven by emotions, especially mothers and their cubs. I would suggest trying to shift whenever you feel overly happy or angered. That, of course, in time - after she finally feels comfortable enough to come back. The drug did weaken her, but I am sure she is still there, with you,” Alice explained the basic things between herself and cat shifters.

Doctor or not, she tried to be more of a friend than a medic around Seth - she needed a close person more than another idiot with a needle in their hands.

“Thank you, doctor. For everything,” Seth whispered under her breath, eyeing the door.

Time with Alice was fun and made her feel at home, but the equipment made her nervous. She didn't feel sick, nor was there much wrong with her. It was about the time to drop hospital visits and start her days as she used to.

“Again, it's Alice. It would be best if you didn't thank me; it's part of my job. Besides, the King pays an outstanding amount of money to get you back on your feet.” As soon as Luciano was brought up, Seth felt the suffocating lump forming in her neck.

No matter how hard she tried to understand his actions, she couldn't accept his doings with the little knowledge and memories she had.

As it turned out, Luciano was the one who told both Alphas that they would have to drug her for all he cared. He wanted Seth there, ignoring any other details - she had to go, willingly or with force.

“Yeah, the King,” Seth sighed in defeat.

How could she carry on with the plan when everyone would find a moment to guilt-trip her?

Luciano this, the King that. Oh, he was trying. He was doing his best. Wasn't he the one because of whom Seth ended up there, dying? Wasn't the reason for her weakness, his controlling nature, and the need to take everything he wanted without asking first?

“Seth, could we... Talk for a little?” Alice approached the door and closed the blinds, locking it afterward. She had never done that - whatever the woman wanted to talk about had to be serious.

“Sure thing, doc,” Seth tried to appear calm, but deep down, she felt like her heart could escape her body through the mouth.

“Listen, I'll pretend that we are friends for a while, okay? I didn't mean to make you feel bad by saying those things about the King. Yes, he managed to find the best out of the best to get you back on your feet, but you don't have to feel guilty. This situation isn't your fault. They gave you the sedatives to get you to the King. That happened against your will; we are not stupid even if we stay silent, hun. If there is anyone who should feel guilty - it's the King and his Alpha friends; they are the ones responsible for the mess. They are the ones who put you in life-threatening danger. They are the ones who almost killed you. Don't you dare to feel guilty about something they did to you! As your doctor, I would suggest having some more bed rest to regain more strength and memories. As your friend, I would suggest you get out of here. We can't guess what their next move could be and if they would ever put you in a similar situation. Don't let anyone hurt you, no matter how high they stand. You are the one who decides what will happen next. You hold power - all they need is your yes or no. Remember - consent matters, don't let men take advantage of you when you don't want to be with them, okay?” Alice moved the blinds a little and peeked outside, quickly unlocking the door.

She hurried to the desk and grabbed the file, motioning towards the door. Judging by the fear written all over the doctor's face - one of the Alphas or even the King stood by that door, waiting.

“Okay,” Seth choked out, quickly getting up from her seat.

Before she could take another step, Alice was next to her, grabbing hold of her upper arm and whispering: “Promise me you will take care of yourself and think. I don't care what others will think of me later - you are my top priority.”

Seth nodded her head, thinking if she should question the doctor again. Perhaps all those things that bothered her didn't seem like a big thing, but she still had to find out: “Why are you so nice to me? Shifters need a reason to be nice to others, especially wolves, no offense.”

“None taken. I knew your mother. Now, go, get some rest, you have a big decision to make. And remember - do it for yourself, because you want to do it. Don't wait on others' approval; write your own story, just like your mother would.” Alice encouraged Seth and let go of her arm, leaving the office first.

She greeted the man behind the door and warned him that Seth would leave within a minute; she had to get dressed. Alice made sure that Seth had a bit of time to get herself together to face everything once again.

Later, she would try to ask more questions - most about her mother.

Seth left the doctor's office and nearly ran into Luciano's chest. The King stood way too close to the door, breathing heavily. It seemed like he had an inner fight with himself, but since he didn't confess about such things - Seth wouldn't know.

“I need to talk to you. And others,” Seth announced, her voice barely audible.

To say that Luciano was shocked would be an understatement. She avoided them all as if they had the plague, not to mention all those moments when they tried to talk, and Seth kept acting like she didn't hear a word.

She slowly walked towards the King's office, aware that Luciano would mind-link everyone, warning them to gather there.

As she thought of what she would say or point out, Luciano's eyes never left her backside, the intense stare made her feel as if he was burning her. At this point, Seth didn't care much about the small things; she had to point out a more serious matter.

Just as predicted, all Alphas stood by the office door, waiting.

Their eyes were glued to the floor, none would dare to look into hers. Even Vlad, who wasn't as guilty as others, couldn't face Seth. He knew about the plan and never bothered to stop it, dismissing the possible side effects.

One by one, the men enter the office, letting Seth walk in first. She didn't want to waste more time - she sat in the King's chair, watching how Luciano's eyes sparkled in happiness. She wasn't sitting there to accept his offer, quite the opposite - she needed their utmost attention, and pretending to be a Royal would give the required effect to her speech.

“I am leaving.” Her voice was cold, emotionless, and void.

Unlike the previous week, when she couldn't talk or could barely whisper - this time, behind her words blossomed a newfound power. Finally, Seth would embrace her Alpha blood and carry it with pride, just like her mother did.

Dominic, Ryder, and Vlad stared out of the window, too scared to utter a word. They stood before her, and all of them felt way too guilty to dare to protest. If Seth wanted to go - she had to do that. They had no right to force her into staying; not even Luciano could do that.

It wasn't long as the first man flipped, as predicted, the King. As soon as Luciano started protesting, Seth screamed: “Your drug might have failed to kill me, but I won't. Try as much as stop me from leaving this toxicity, and I will kill myself. I would rather die than live on my knees, submitting to someone who was so blinded by the power, they would kill people they claim to love.”

Her words sounded more like a demand than hurtful statements. The tone of voice she used, the aggression and hate she added made the men gasp. The woman before them wasn't the sweet, kind Seth - she was a leader, a fighter.

The King, however, couldn't tolerate the disrespect anymore.

Luciano lunged at Seth, trying to grab her and drag her back to her room forcefully. Before his hand could touch her skin, a terrifying scream left Seth's lips.

Luciano backed up, lifting his hands to show that he was no threat, but the screaming became louder, more intense.

A sound of bones cracking and breaking echoed against the office walls - Seth was shifting into her puma. The men kept watching her with admiration in their eyes, unaware of the pain she had to go through.

None of them knew about the problem she had with her cat, but now, Luciano triggered the anger Alice mentioned before. It took Seth more than twenty minutes of torturous pain to shift entirely.

The Alphas gasped, mouthing compliments; suddenly, none of them could utter a word out loud. The pitch-black puma jumped on the office desk and hissed at men, warning them to back off. This wasn't the best moment to piss off the cat even more.

Luciano stepped forward, extending an arm towards the puma: “Calm down, kitten. You must be exhausted, let me take you back to your bedroom. We will talk later.”

The reaction he hoped for never happened - the puma extended her claws, and her razor-sharp nails cut the King's skin. He stepped back, hissing and grabbing hold of his hand, checking if the cut wasn't too deep.

“Luciano, get away from her. Red eyes. That's not Seth, man; step the fuck away! She's feral.”