.21. Third floor!

"Alpha Snow, Luna," The nurse greeted the leaders with a low bow of her head. She didn't notice Zane standing behind his parents.

Luna kept pacing around the hall, her cheeks stained by tears. Alpha seemed more collected while Zane didn't look even a bit interested in the situation. They kept waiting for someone he didn't know to get better. An old lady had gotten sick and fell down the stairs- for some reason, Zane's mother was informed. He felt slightly annoyed, thinking about how his mother shouldn't be under such high stress because of strangers. Whomever, the old lady was- she will get a piece of Zane's mind as soon as they get some privacy. Pack members are family, but that didn't mean that the Alpha's family should be near whenever something happens. At least that's what Zane thought.

"How is she?" Luna spoke up, bursting the bubble of thoughts Zane managed to isolate himself into. He eyed the nurse; her facial expression didn't look like the news was close to anything good. He lifted an eyebrow, challenging the nurse to speak up. She gulped loudly, making the young male smile in victory- knowing that someone was afraid or felt intimidated in front of him was the best feeling.

"Unfortunately, I can't give any positive news. It's a matter of time at this point. I'm sorry Luna," The nurse averted her gaze; even the young woman couldn't watch the heartbreak on her leader's wife's face. She had seen so many unfortunate things, so many deaths and disasters. But nothing hurt as much as the current situation. She had more news to tell the couple, but the nurse didn't feel comfortable talking in front of their son. Everyone in the pack knew how short-tempered the Alpha-to-be was, and no one dared to annoy him.

"Oh, God, no," Luna collapsed on the floor, unable to hold herself back. The woman screamed and cried for what seemed to be hours.

"Love, you have to get up, we need to call her, she has to know what's going on," Alpha lifted his mate and walked to the nearest chairs, sitting down. The woman kept crying and hiccuping against his chest. All Alpha could do was draw little circles on her back in an attempt to calm her down.

"Call who?" Zane appeared in front of his father; he looked puzzled. The male was trying to understand why they were in the hospital, who could be so close to his parents.

"The woman who apparently is in poor health has one relative. Her granddaughter." Alpha sighed. He didn't want to tell Zane who was the young woman, especially after the conversation they had minutes ago.

"Sir, the staff called her already. We have to follow the regiment, even though we did violate it by calling Luna first. I'm sorry, at first we tried to wait long enough until your arrival, but there wasn't much time left. The doctors feared that she might pass away within a few hours, and we couldn't hold back anymore. If this is the end, she has to spend it with someone who cares for her," The nurse joined their conversation, cautiously throwing glances at Zane.

"That's alright. You're right and so are the doctors, she should be with the girl for the last time if things go as they go," Alpha sighed, wrapping his arms around Luna tighter. He held his mate, fearing the day which would come. The man couldn't stop thinking about the girl who fought to get away, to find out that it's impossible and watch her grandmother die. She didn't have parents by her side; the young woman was forced to grow up faster than any other teen. And now she was losing the only person who held her heart in this pack.

"Dad, what are you talking about? Who is this girl and the dying woman? Why the fuck I can't know what is happening? I'm about to take over the pack, remember? I should know things like this," Zane groaned, crossing arms in front of his chest.

"Zane, just keep quiet at least until your mother calms down. We don't need more stress than it is right now. Go get yourself a coffee or something, and bring your mother a glass of water while you're at that," Alpha didn't sound as irritated as he usually did. His voice was monotone, making the male sound tired.

Zane stared at his father, following his actions. The hands around his mother's trembling frame tightened, he leaned to her ear and whispered sweet nothings. That was the type of mate Zane wanted to be- being there and supporting his mate whenever she needed it. But for that, Zane had to find her, and she had to be worthy of his attention. The male never considered how the whole mate pairing actually works. His mate had to be perfect and above that. If she would be weak and wouldn't meet his standards- Zane would choose a Luna rather than taking the weak one.

"Alright, I'll get mom some water, just don't move. I don't want to run around the hospital like a maniac in search of you two." Without waiting for an answer, Zane stormed away.

He wandered around the countless halls until he found the little cafe. Zane bought two bottles of water, just in case his mother would be thirsty. After getting his coffee, Zane was about to head back to his parents but decided to sit down and watch some girls in the cafe's corner. They sat a few tables away from him, both throwing glances at the young man and giggling. He overheard how one of those girls bragged about being his mate. A smirk plastered on his lips when other women pointed out that Alpha-to-be had to wait for his birthday. When the same woman spoke up again, Zane rolled his eyes. She was claiming to be his mate now, pointing out that she was eighteen and had known for a while.

"None of you are my mates, drop it, ladies," Zane growled and stood up. He threw a death glare at them before heading to the door.

"You don't know that yet! One of us might, as well, be your mate, and then the attitude must change!" The blonde woman jumped on her feet and screamed at Zane's back. Her friend stood up, leaning against the blonde, supporting whatever ideas she had.

Zane smirked and turned around, more than ready to destroy both women. He had seen them around the school, but never slept with any. Obviously, they weren't up to his standards; therefore, he felt more than happy to let out his anger and frustration on them.

"So you, ladies, think that any of you would be good enough to be mated to an Alpha?" He spat out with disgust, making the girls flinch. The blonde didn't give up; she crossed her arms in front of her chest and smirked.

"Of course we do, the ways of Moon Goddess are unpredictable. You have to accept things as they are- one of us or any other woman in this pack could end up mated to you. Suck it up, Zane," She spoke with confidence until the last sentence left her lips. The woman threw hands over her mouth as her eyes widened. Only after speaking, she understood how big of a mistake she had made. Talking back to Alpha-to-be was risky, but addressing him by his first name was the same as inviting Death to sleep in your bed.

"Alright, I'll have some time to think of your statement while you two will have some fun in the cells. I can't promise much since there are only a few rogues now, but in time there will be more- I give you my word. Look to your right; those gentlemen will escort you. Next time, when you feel a sudden rush of power in your veins, remember to whom the fuck you're talking. Keep going against me, and your life will be nothing but a fucking torturous adventure of pain and suffering. Got it?" Zane's smile grew wider than ever. He didn't need to do much, just a few words, and he won the argument against cocky women. In his eyes, they weren't as pretty as Omega was.

*"Yeah, the Omega is a million times prettier than those two. I bet these are parasites, waiting for you to give them free shit whenever they ask. The Omega never asked for anything; I doubt that she ever would. Much better, you're right."* Zane's wolf invaded his mind, praising Camilla over the women they just met.

*"I never said that she's much better, dude, you're sick. All I did was think of how a miserable Omega can be prettier than those two. Don't misunderstand me- I still don't like the weak piece of trash, but I'm a man, and I can see a somewhat good looking woman when I see one. Now shut the fuck up and let me think!"* Zane spat back, making his way back to where his parents were supposed to be.
He wasn't mad about his wolf trying to interact, quite the opposite- walking in silence wasn't the thing Zane would be happy right now. It was easier to distract himself if someone spoke, even if it was just his wolf.

*"But she is better. And don't start your bullshit, I want to explain why first. The Omega is pretty; anyone with eyes could say the same. I'm sure even a blind person would say that because beauty is beyond appearance- were talking about soul and heart here. She's kind, always helping everyone without asking for anything in return. I've been watching her while you're so distracted with your friends and one time whores. I like her smile, it's genuine, nothing similar to the ones I've seen on your girlfriends. Your mother loved her for a reason, you know. And it's not because of the friendship between her and her mother, no. It's because the girl is a decent person with a nice personality. All I'm trying to say is that it's shitty to see her go. She will leave the pack, and we will lose a potential friend. I'm sure being her friend is super nice."* Zane's wolf sounded like a lovesick puppy. He tended to observe other wolves- to form an opinion on them later on. It was a rare thing that Zane didn't complain about- his wolf knew everyone around the pack and gave Zane answers if needed.

*"I don't care, okay? Stop acting like you're in love, that's disgusting. I don't like her, no matter how strong an opinion you have on her- I'm the one who's in charge. I wouldn't hesitate to reject her if she was my mate. Who needs a weak Luna?"* Zane wouldn't drop his opinion on a woman he didn't know. They had a couple of encounters, but none were enough to get to know each other.

*"You're just salty because she didn't sleep with you, that's all. And for your information- I'm sure our mate will reject us if she's a decent person. If she finds out how many bitches you fucked, I'm the one who will be hurt. Maybe you will feel something, but I doubt it since you're a fucking arrogant, selfish, and damn childish prick! If it does happen- if we will find her and she rejects us because of your doings, I'm out. You will never see or hear this Alpha wolf ever again. Go fuck yourself, Zane!"*

The young male was about to spat back so many hurtful things, but his wolf didn't give him a chance. The beast crawled back to the pits of Zane's mind and blocked the male out. He kept wandering around the halls, completely lost. Zane fought with his wolf and didn't focus on his way back, simply going wherever he wanted.
After more than ten minutes of aimless walking, he finally found his parents- in the same place, sitting in the same position. His mother still cried, whispering some things Zane couldn't catch on.
The nurse appeared soon after the young male, handing a pile of paperwork to his father.

"This should be given to the girl; she should arrive shortly," The woman smiled and nodded her head at Zane. He returned the gesture and let his eyes roam around the hall, waiting for the moment when he and his family could finally get back home. Irritation grew bigger with each minute he had to spend in the hospital, waiting for someone who couldn't come here in time.
Alpha, Luna, and the nurse spoke in a hushed tone until the nurse's phone call. She grabbed it and picked up without excusing herself.

"Third floor," The woman spoke, making Zane wonder why she didn't greet the caller. That must have been her work phone then.
"Get her here; I'll prepare the surgery room, hurry!" The woman yelled to the caller and ran off, yelling at the doctors and nurses in her way.

"Oh Gosh, something serious must have happened," Luna finally regained her senses, watching how most of the staff panicked over something they didn't know.

The elevator door opened, and at least a dozen doctors rushed towards it. They could hear some of them talking in a hectic manner: "Female, seventeen, car crash, unstable." Fear was so evident in the person's voice; Zane was sure that one might sink in it.

"Was she alone?" Another voice yelled in terror. That made the young male even more curious; the doctors around here have seen many awful things, especially when rogues attack. The car crash has to be serious for them to become this terrified of the outcome in front of them.

"No, the driver has only a few bruises, the truck hit the side where she was sitting. Fuck! Run, we're losing her! Open the fucking door! Out of my way!" A rough voice boomed through the hall. It was the head surgeon of the pack hospital, Zane knew him as a close friend of their family. He was one of the bravest and fearless men the Alpha-to-be knew. Even he became worried about the safety of this person after hearing how hectic the things happened around there.

They surrounded the woman; nobody could see who was the unlucky soul the staff tried to save. Luna kept watching the scene wide-eyed while Alpha paled. A trace of blood followed the staff's footsteps. That was one awfully unlucky person, probably close to death. Zane couldn't notice the person's face that made him frown.
Luna's nostrils flared as she gasped loudly, whispering: "I know that scent."

Zane was about to ask his mother who it was when the elevator door opened again, and a blood-covered male walked down the hall with a limp to his leg. He looked scared and frantic, yet his frame seemed familiar—the male reminded Omega's bodyguard.

"Camilla!"