Claimed By My Three Alphas
Chapter 13

AMERY'S

POV

The healers worked on me, rubbing herbs on my wounds and murmuring words of comfort. I'm still feeling hazy and disoriented, but the pain has lessened somewhat.

Levi stands leaned back on the wall, watching me intently with cold, unconcerned eyes. Like he wasn't the same man who'd barked out orders a few moments ago just to make sure I'd survived.

I want to push him away, to tell him to drop his chivalrous act, but I'm too tired to even try.

When the healers are finished, Levi comes over to my side.

"How do you feel?" He asks, a bit of concern seeping into his voice.

Rather than let myself fall for this two-faced devil, I held on to the anger and reminded myself of the pain he loved to inflict on me.

"How do you think I'd feel?" I glare. "You're the reason I'm in this mess in the first place."

Levi's eyes flash, and he takes a step closer to me.

"I did what I had to do," he says, his voice low. "You were in danger. Someone else was....touching you. I might be cruel, but only a coward would just stand by and watch it happen."

I finally understand him.

He never rushed in there because he cared, or because his so-called mate was in trouble. He did it to be the knight that saves the maiden, he did it because he couldn't stand the sight of watching someone else play with his little toy. Afterall, like he had said, I was only ever his to destroy.

Disgust fills me and I want to argue, to tell him that he was the real danger that should be avoided at all cost, but I don't have the energy. Instead, I turn my head away and try to ignore him.

But then, he offers me a meal, and I recoil in horror.

"I'm not setting myself up to be poisoned by you. I'd rather starve," I say, my voice weak.

Levi's expression turns stony. "I'm not asking, Amery. You need to eat," he says firmly. "The healer says that you're getting malnourished."

"I wonder why." I snort. "Like I said, I'd rather starve. I don't trust you."

Levi's eyes darken and before I know it, he's holding me down on the bed. I struggle against him, but he's too strong. He forces a spoon-full of food into my mouth, and I choke on it, tears of anger burning in my eyes.

I gasp for air as Levi's fingers clamps down on my nose in a bid to ensure that I open up my mouth for another spoon. His ways are extreme. His grip is too tight, too painful, too suffocating. Left with no choice, my mouth accepts another spoon full but it doesn't stop there, his fingers remain clamped.

I struggle and try to pry his hands off, but it's no use. His eyes are dark with delight, and I can feel his sadism burning beneath his surface.

"Be a good girl and eat," he smirks deviously, shoving yet another spoon into my mouth with another gasp for air. I try to shake my head, but his grip only tightens, and I can feel my vision starting to blur.

I panic, wondering what the hell is wrong with this man. Was he delighted by misery? Could he just be a sadist? He behaves so unpredictable - one moment he's calm and stone cold, and in the next moment, he's hostile and bent on being on my worst nightmare? I wheeze frantically, the pressure from him affecting my still frail muscle. I didn't think he'd give up but then, something in his expression changes, and he loosens his grip ever so slightly.

"Please," I wheeze, coughing and gasping for air. "I can't breathe."

Levi's grip finally releases, and I take a deep, gasping breath. But it's short-lived, as he shoves the plate of food back in front of me.

"This is why you should never test my patience, Amery. Now, eat." He commands, his voice low and dangerous.

I stare down at the food, my stomach churning. If it was poisoned, surely I'd be dead by now. Plus, I'd hate to repeat another forceful feeding from this monster. The man had no etiquette. His eyes are fixed on me, and I know that there's no escape from this. Tentatively, I reach for the spoon and take a small bite. The food is bland and tasteless, but it's not poisonous. Levi watches me eat, his eyes never leaving my face. I feel like I'm being judged, like every move I make is being scrutinized. Finally, I finish the meal, and Levi stands up.

"Maybe next time, I'll just let you starve," he says, his voice cold and unyielding.

***

I glare at him, feeling a fire inside me. How dare he treat me this way? How dare he take away my autonomy, my ability to choose what I eat and when? But I keep my thoughts to myself, knowing that any defiance will only lead to more punishment. A few hours later and the other boys are in the room as well.

The tension here is palpable as we all look at each other. I can see the anger simmering just beneath the surface of Quincy and Asher, and I wonder how much longer it will take before they lash out at Levi.

It seems as though we are all walking on eggshells around him, unsure of what he will do next.

Finally, Quincy speaks up.

"We have to get her out of here," he says, his voice low and urgent. "The full moon is coming, and we can't risk her being here when it happens."

Levi doesn't say anything, but I can see the hesitation in his eyes.

He's torn between his loyalty to the pack, to the throne, and his possible guilt over what he's done to me. I can't help but feel a small spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, he'll do the right thing and help us. But then, Asher speaks up, his voice dripping with venom.

"Levi is the reason she's here in the first place," he sneers. "He can't be trusted."

Levi's jaw clenches, and I can see the anger building in him. I know that look all too well - it's the same one he had when he was torturing me. But then, he surprises us all by speaking up.

"I'll help you," he says, his voice low and gravelly. "Amery deserves an honorable death at my hands. Father's ways are...improper. But we have to be careful. He is watching us closely, and if he replaces out what we're planning, it could mean the end of your beloved mate."

Typical Levi. Even though his words were infuriating to an extent, it was the closest thing to the light at the end of the tunnel.

I take a deep breath and look around at the faces of my 'mates. Quincy, Asher, and Levi all stand before me, their expressions solemn and determined. I know Levi couldn't be trusted, especially with the way he held my gaze with this bitter glint. Was it a bad idea involving him?

Quincy steps forward, his voice strong and unwavering. "I, Quincy Stark, vow to protect you, Amery, from any harm that may come your way. I will stand by your side and defend you with my life."

Next is Asher, his tone equally determined. "I, Asher Stark, vow to protect you, my mate, Amery, from any danger that may threaten you. I will fight for you and ensure that you are safe by all means necessary."

Levi is the last and all eyes go to him. He stares right back with a hardened expression, his eyes impassive.

After a moment of silence, he rolls his eyes. "Right, I'm not doing this. I'm not going to bind myself to protecting you with some stupid vow. You're not a child."

Asher facepalmed, knowing it was going lead to this.

Yet again, I can't help but question the choice of involving Levi - of all damn devils.

What if he ruins our plans before it can even kick off?