Chapter 8 During my stay in the hospital , Alpha Kennard continued his visits every other day , as predictable as ever . Word of his seemingly endless devotion to me spread through the neighboring rooms . The nurses and patients alike couldn’t help but envy me , imagining how lucky I was to have such a caring and loving mate . If only he didn’t always bring along that tag – along Alpha Cynthia , he’d truly seem like a good man . My health was improving every day . Even my left arm , which had been stiff and numb , slowly began to regain feeling . But what I noticed most wasn’t the steady progress of my physical recovery . No , it was the sight of the two of them – Alpha Kennard and Alpha Cynthia – playing their little game beside me . And I realized it was time . Time to close the net and finally make them pay . Seizing the moment when Alpha Kennard stepped out , I called Alpha Cynthia over . Since the fallout last time , she dropped the pretense whenever we were alone . “ What do you want ? ” she asked me irritably , “ I don’t think you should come around anymore , ” I said with a squint and a smile . “ Why ? Are you trying to get rid of me , Emma ? ” she shot back , her voice laced with defensiveness . “ Not exactly . It’s just that you kind of intrude on my alone time with Kennard , and it seems like Kennard doesn’t really want you tagging along either . Alpha Cynthia ‘ delicate face twisted in anger . “ No way ! Alpha Kennard loves having me around . He only comes to see you because he has to ! ” Things were progressing as I’d hoped . I feigned disbelief : “ How can you prove that ? ” “ Just wait . Tonight , I’ll show you the truth . With that , shet ned and settled on the farthest sofa . I didn’t say another word , just waited for the show to begin tonight . It was Friday , and per usual , Alpha Kennard would sleep on the sofa in my hospital room . Tonight was no different . I quietly watched him change clothes . “ What’s up , Emma ? ” He seemed a bit flustered under my gaze and asked me . “ Nothing . ” I just found it amusing that he’d soon have to frantically change back . A minute passed , then another . Just as I was growing impatient , Alpha Kennard ‘ phone finally rang . It’s Cynthia’s usual cheap way of making me jealous when it’s obvious that any werewolf can use telepathy , and Cynthia’s just trying to highjack . A tearful , almost choking voice echoed from the phone’s speaker , the kind of voice that always tugged at a fool’s heartstrings . He immediately jumped off the sofa and clumsily put his clothes back on . Mumbling something about work , he rushed out without looking back . Grabbing my phone and throwing on a coat , I followed him . I knew Alpha Cynthia well enough to predict where this was headed . She’d set everything up close to my room , just as I’d expected . Sure enough , the elevator stopped two floors below mine , and I followed , my heart racing with anticipation . I found the room they were in . The door was slightly ajar , just enough for me to peek inside . The door was slightly ajar , just enough for me to see what was happening inside . It was a family rest room , meant for weary relatives , but now , it was littered with empty bottles . Alpha Cynthia lay sprawled across the floor , her big eyes red from tears , but the moment she saw Kennard , her face lit up with false sweetness . She practically threw herself at him , draping her body over his , her lips brushing against his neck . “ Kennard , I missed you so much , ” she purred “ Why have you been spending all your time with my sister these past two days ? You promised to take me out , didn’t you ? ” Alpha Kennard , responding as he lifted her onto the bed , was held back as he tried to get up . Alpha Cynthia , eyes closed , wrapped her arms around his head and kissed him fiercely . Time seemed to stretch in that moment as stood frozen , watching the betrayal unfold . Then Alpha Kennard seemed to snap out of it and pushed Alpha Cynthia back .