Why do I feel sore all over?
That was the first thought that slammed into me as I tried to roll over whatever soft surface I was lying on. Every inch of me throbbed like I'd been rammed over by a truck. The Alpha strength I once felt, Alfie's strength was gone. My limbs were brittle, my breath shaky, my body... painfully familiar.
Wait. Weak? Why do I feel weak while inside Alfie's body?
No, that's not even the right question.
The real question is: Where's my damn body?! Where the hell is Alfie?! Is he getting treated already?! Is he okay? Is my body okay?!
My eyes flew open, only to be stabbed by harsh lighting that made me wince. I blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the ceiling above me. Definitely not the one from earlier. My gaze shifted to a young man sitting calmly on a stool beside me. Long black hair tied into a bun, crisp blue shirt, black trousers. A pair of latex gloves dangled from his hand, and a stethoscope rested on his neck like a medal of grim importance.
Doctor? Or someone playing one in this crazy world?
He noticed me stirring and gave a slight nod. Not warm. Not cold. Just... blank. The kind of look you give a bug you're not sure is dead yet.
I tried to sit up and instantly regretted it. Pain tore through me, my entire frame shrieking in protest.
The doctor was quick to act, gently but firmly pushing me back down onto the bed. "You shouldn't move, Mr. Zane," he said, his voice low and composed. "I'm relieved you're awake, but your body is still extremely weak. You need rest."
Mr. Zane.
I froze at the sound of it. I didn't even realize I still had the same name here, the same name I bore on Earth. That part of me had carried over too?
But never mind that.
My eyes flickered around the room, panic rising in my throat.
My eyes then landed on my right arm which had a needle taped to it, connected to an IV drip slowly pumping fluid into my veins.
No!!
This body… it's mine. Not Alfie's. The frail limbs. The bony wrists. The weak, trembling breath. I'd recognize this wreck of a vessel anywhere.
I'm back in my body?!
"What the hell is going on?" I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, my voice raspy and disoriented.
The last thing I remember… Alfie fell onto me. There was blood. Our lips… touched. And then...
Wait.
Did the kiss somehow undo the soul swap?
Damn!
I'm back to feeling every damn ounce of pain, pain from the beatings at the auction house, pain from Alfie's guards, the years of malnourishment, the trauma I had tried to suppress since waking up in this world. Everything was back, like a curse returning to its rightful owner.
I clenched my jaw, swallowing a scream.
So Alfie must be back in his Alpha body now.
He had believed my lie no doubt hence the reason why I'm still alive.
That bastard bought the story. The whole teary performance. The witch, the soul bond, the "if I die, you die" scam. I had him.
But then. What if he's only keeping me alive to torture me for deceiving him before I meet my end?!
I'm screwed I guess.
Just why did the heavens bother giving me a golden finger only to snatch it right away?
I don't understand. I just can't.
Now there's no doubt in my mind that Alfie hates the living hell out of me.
If we hadn't swapped souls, maybe I could've softened him a little. Used my charm, my acting skills to make him like me or at the very least tolerate me. I might've survived that way in this crazy world. Maybe even avoid to be used like property as he'll feel pity for me somehow.
But now?
Now, after that soul swap? After we both kissed accidentally, mind you and returning his body to him?
He probably hates me a million times more.
Only if he had just stayed in my body after the damn soul swap, then there would've been nothing he could do. I would've been safe. Untouchable.
Instead, here I am.
He was a low-level thug back on Earth. First person I saw after waking up in this world, cold, dangerous, and ready to claim me like some prize from a cereal box. The only reason he didn't… was because of the swap. That wild, chaotic miracle that saved my life.
My heart clenched.
Should I just die now and be done with it?
Just what kind of madness is this? I thought as I placed my hands on my head like someone who had most it all. Oh well yeah, I have lost it all.
I've never been this terrified of anyone in my life. Just thinking about his cold stare, the fury buried behind those eyes, it's enough to give me an actual heart attack.
"W..wh...Where is the Alpha?" I finally asked, putting down my hands, voice hoarse and trembling as I raised my eyes to the doctor who had been tending to me in complete silence.
The young doctor didn't look up from his work. "I'm not in a position to know where the Alpha is," he said curtly, sorting through vials inside a polished metal box. "I'm just a doctor. My job is to treat you, not to monitor the Alpha's movements."
My eyes narrowed slightly. What the heck is wrong with everyone in this world? Why are they all so strange, so cold? Is compassion extinct here?
Trying to distract myself from the rising panic and anger towards the doctor behavior, I shifted the topic. "H..how am I doing now?" I asked, voice cracking despite myself. "I still feel weak and… miserable. Am I going to die? I...i vomited blood earlier."
The doctor's hands didn't pause. "Under my care, you'll survive," he replied, his voice clipped but not entirely unkind. "You're in this state because of how poorly your body was treated. Beatings. Malnutrition. Prolonged exposure to cold. Your system is severely compromised, but you'll recover."
He still didn't look me in the eyes. It was like he was actively avoiding it. Almost like… he was scared to or disgusted.
"Right… I see." I sighed, sinking further into the bed, frustration simmering just beneath my skin.
Before I could ask any more questions, the doctor suddenly pulled out a slender tube, turned toward me and grabbed by hand promting me to flinch instinctively.
"W...What are you doing now?" I asked, eyes wide.
"I'm taking your blood," he said, already inserting the needle with practiced ease. "I need to run several tests. I was informed you were purchased from a brothel, and since you're now the Alphas designated breeding mate, it's my responsibility to ensure you're free of disease."
My blood ran cold. My eyes flew open, horror written across every inch of my face.
"You'll begin performing your duties to your master once you've been cleared. Standard protocol." The doctor added, his face devoid of any emotion.
Performing duties?!
He mean I'll be getting spread. By a man.
By men?! How many of them?!
I'm never letting that happen.
Before I could unleash the panic building in my throat, the door to the room slammed open with a bang loud enough to shake the walls. The doctor and I both turned, startled.
A young man stood in the doorway, shirtless.
Pale, smooth skin. Curly burnt-blonde hair. A delicate face twisted in fury. Ocean-blue eyes blazing with rage. His chest heaved with every breath, fists clenched at his sides. His lips, pink and kissable, were drawn into a tight, furious line.
He looked like a romance prince who had wandered into the wrong genre.
And I had exactly one thought:
Now who the fuck is this again?!