Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 63 – I’ll take over for Landry.

Bernice's POV

"Where is my Landry?!"

Cora's voice broke through the barrier of the waiting room and it was taking everything I had not to attack her. Julia was at the edge and itching to be released. She wanted to rip Cora's throat right out of her neck. And I almost let her.

"He isn't your Landry, Cora," Jessie said, folding her arms across her chest. "And he's resting."

"I insist you let me in there right now. I must see him for myself," she cried.

Tears welled up in her eyes and her bottom lip quivered; it almost seemed genuine.

"You can see him when he's well," Jessie said again; she wasn't backing down. She might have allowed Cora to live in her palace for a little while, but I could tell she didn't trust Cora.

Cora glances at me and I could see the fury flashing through her eyes.

"I suppose you're going to let this half-whit see him?"

"This half-whit happens to be the love of Landry's life," Jessie said before I could tell her not to. I felt my face turning a different shade of red as Cora scoffed. "Please... she wouldn't know a thing about running a kingdom."

"That isn't your concern and that's not what's important right now," Jessie said through her teeth. "If you'll excuse us, we need to see my brother now."

Before Cora could say anything in argument, Jessie was grabbing my arm and pulling me along with her.

I followed her through the halls, passing by each hospital room until we reached the door that read Alpha King Landry on the dry-erase board.

I stared at the door for a moment, feeling every fiber of my being screaming at me to enter. Julia wanted so badly to see him and make sure he was okay. I needed to see for myself that he was alive. But there was a part of me that felt to blame; actually, a lot of me felt to blame.

Landry was lying in this hospital bed because he was trying to rescue me. If only I were paying attention to my surroundings. I would have never allowed this to happen before; I took pride in my sight and hearing. I could hear and see anything coming at me for miles. But because I wasn't in the right frame of mind, because my body was betraying me, I didn't see the sniper in the tree.

I didn't see the arrow coming at me until it was too late.

But Landry saw it and he jumped in front of me. He saved my life.

And he almost died because of it. This was all my fault.

"Bernice?" Jessie whispered from beside me, eyeing the side of my face carefully. "Are you okay?"

That was a loaded question, and I wasn't sure how to answer it. So, I just nodded and forced a smile on my face.

Jessie looked unconvinced, but she didn't press any further. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her gasp was all I needed for my heart to shatter in my chest. As I walked in behind her, I saw what she was gasping at. Landry looked so weak and unlike himself. He lay, asleep, in the hospital bed, with big bandages wrapped around his strong body. The color in his face had drained and he hardly looked like himself.

Jessie ran to his bedside, tears falling down her face as she held onto his unresponsive hands. However, the sounds of her crying were drowned out. The light beeping of the heart monitor was all I could hear. It seemed to be at a normal rhythm, which was a relief, but the sound was something I would never be able to get out of my head.

The room smelled strong like sanitary products, making my stomach feel uneasy. I found it difficult to get any closer to him, despite how desperate my wolf was to be near him for some reason. She has never been this drawn to him like this before; I knew she liked him, but this was almost obsessive. Ever since he took that arrow for me and I found myself confessing my love for him, she has been nagging me to go to him.

I try to put her at ease by taking a deep breath, but releasing that breath, also released a few stray tears that I've been trying desperately to keep inside.

Jessie got a glimpse of my tears and her frown deepened.

"The doctor said he's going to be okay," she reminded me. "You don't need to worry."

"I know..." I said, finding my voice and trying not to sound broken. "I just hate seeing him like this..." I admitted.

She nodded as if she understood.

She motioned for me to come closer so I could stand by his side; I didn't think my legs would listen to me if I told them to start walking, but thankfully they did.

I sat by Landry's side, reaching for his hand, and feeling his flesh against mine. Julia was at ease being near him, but her heart was still heavy with worry as was mine.

We stayed in silence for a long while, praying to the Goddess for his recovery.

Not before long, and to no surprise to either of us, the door of the room swung open and Cora came rushing in. I had to stifle a groan as I released my hold on Landry's hand. Jessie sprung to her feet; I could feel her fury from where I sat. "What do you think you are doing, Cora?" She hissed through gritted teeth.

"I need to see him," Cora said, her bottom lip quivering. "You can't keep me from him."

"Actually, I can," Jessie said, raising her brows. "I'm his sister. You aren't his anything, Cora. Not anymore."

"I'm trying to change that," Cora said, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm here because I want to make amends..."

"What happened between you two? Why did you disappear for all these years?" Jessie asked.

Cora opened her mouth to answer but closed it quickly once she changed her mind.

"It doesn't matter," she muttered. "What matters now is that I'm here and Landry is hurt."

Jessie glanced over at me; she knew I didn't want Cora to stay, but neither of us thought that Cora was going to leave that easily. Jessie finally stepped aside, allowing Cora to run to Landry's side, much to my dismay.

"Oh Landry, darling," Cora cried, real tears streaming down her face. "I'm so sorry this happened. I'm so sorry..."

I wanted to drag her out of the room by her perfect hair.

"I promise, when you wake up and get out of here, I'm going to make it all up to you. I promise, Landry," she continued crying. "I'm so sorry."

Jessie could sense my unease and was by my side quickly, draping an arm through mine.

"It's okay," she said with a bright smile. "Landry is in love with you. Not her."

Even if that were true, how much of myself could I really give Landry? I'm not cut out to be a luna queen and I knew that's what he wanted. Cora was stunning and she was everything Landry needed.

Although something happened between the two of them that not even Landry would talk about. I'm assuming she broke his heart or something.

But now that she's back in his life, what does that mean for them?

Would he be willing to give her another chance?

"The kingdom!" Cora said, looking over at Jessie. "Landry is out of commission. Will the beta be running the kingdom?"

Jessie frowns and glances at me.

"Actually, the beta is in the process of patrolling the kingdom. It seems some vampires escaped the battle, and he fears they are lurking around the kingdom, causing trouble. He's going to be gone for a few days, Jessie explains. "As the only living royal, I'll have to take charge until Landry is back on his feet."

"Nonsense," Cora says, narrowing her eyes at Jessie. "I know you don't trust me, but let me prove to you that I am capable. I don't mind taking charge until he wakes. It could be my way of giving back and proving to him that he can trust me." Jessie was staring at Cora as if she was seriously thinking about it; all I could think about was Cora with her hands all over Landry once he realizes how good for him she is. A wave of fury and maybe a little jealousy flashed through me and I spoke before I could stop the words from flowing through my mouth.

"I'll do it," I said quickly, causing Jessie to snap a look at me. "I'll run the kingdom until Landry is back."