A huge alpha is walking toward us, but damn, he doesn’t look like an ordinary man, but more like a monster. Along the lower half of his face and down his neck, there are thin purple lines creeping upward, climbing toward his eyes and forehead. It looks as if half of his face is burning in unmoving flames.
Faint reddish streaks climb into his hairline, disappearing under his dark hair.
His eyes are the same deep shade of purple, which makes him look like something supernatural.
Is that his real appearance, or is he on his way to a masquerade ball?
I have to tilt my head back to look at him. He’s unmistakably a purple alpha, huge in build, even bigger than Storm Nolan. A true beast!
I see Eliano’s nostrils flare slightly, his face tightening as if a strong scent hit him. I smell nothing. Sometimes being a beta is a blessing, free from the ever-present assault of pheromones.
The man passes us in silence and steps into the warden’s office, closing the door behind him.
"Who was that freak?" Eliano mutters to Miller.
"Fenn Drax."
"Purple?"
"Yes."
"I thought only betas worked on the island."
"And him."
The previously talkative Miller suddenly cuts the conversation short.
Interesting. I have no idea what role Drax plays here, but it’s obvious the deputy administrator doesn’t want to get into it.
"We’re late for your visit to the medical section," he says, picking up the pace.
This time, my nerves refuse to settle. Once again, we make our way through the corridors. It takes a solid chunk of time to reach the medical wing. My tension spikes even higher when we stop in front of the door.
"Who goes in first?" Eliano asks.
"You go in together."
"I don’t understand?" Eliano raises an eyebrow.
Miller spreads his hands, mildly amused. "Those are the rules. Couples are examined together."
"That doesn’t sound… reasonable. People need privacy," Eliano says, glancing at me carefully.
I get the sense he’s saying it for me, like he actually cares about how I feel. My nerves must be obvious, my heart pounding hard, but I quickly turn my face aside. No way am I showing him any gratitude. I don’t want him thinking I’m starting to warm up to him. Not a chance. The last person who cared about me was Senu, and that’s where that line ends.
"Do we have to take everything off for the exam?"
"Yes, and everything will be explained inside. Please, go in."
"I’ll stay here," Eliano says firmly. "I don’t think we should be in the room for each other’s check-ups yet."
Miller’s face suddenly hardens. "I’m sorry, but those are the rules. The examination will not take place unless you are both in the room together."
"Aren’t you the ones who care more about the check-ups happening at all?" Eliano asks wryly.
"And do you want to remain in the program, or would you prefer to return to the ferry tomorrow?"
The coldness of his words sends a shiver down my spine. From being an old, cheerful grandpa, Miller switches to a stern administrator in a second. It dawns on me then that fighting this is pointless. They hold all the power here.
