9 Chapter 9
The third day after my arrival, I fainted.
When I woke up, dusk had settled over the room, casting long shadows against the walls. I
wasn’t alone.
Beta Julian.
Alpha Brooks.
And Lily, her eyes red–rimmed with unshed tears.
I was too weak to speak, but I could hear her voice–soft, trembling, filled with emotion. Someone patted her back, murmuring reassurances. Not him.
Never him.
Sleep pulled me under again.
The next time I woke up, it was midnight.
The room was dark. Silent.
My first instinct was to touch my hair, but before I could, a warm hand reached out from the darkness, stopping me.
Soft fingers brushed over my hairline, smoothing the strands back in place. A quiet, shuddering breath.
Then–a sob.
My chest tightened. “When did this happen?”
A pause. Then, a sigh. “Six months ago. Stomach cancer.”
The weight of those words settled in the space between us.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I exhaled slowly, patting his arm. “Because it’s not a bad thing.” My lips curled in a faint
smile. “This illness… it’s a liberation.”
Brooks lifted his head, eyes gleaming in the dim light. Guilt. Pain. Remorse.
“I’m sorry.” His voice broke. “I didn’t know you were sick.”
I forced my fingers to stay steady as I reached for his hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong.
And… Thank you. You never hurt me, even during your transformations.”
A sharp pain coiled in my stomach, making me suck in a breath. I waited for it to pass, pressing my lips together.
1/3
9 Chapter 9
“If I wasn’t sick, I’d probably still be chasing you.” I let out a short laugh, more air than
sound. “Refusing to give up.”
Silence.
Then–his shoulders trembled. Muffled sobs.
“But it’s good now. You have someone who loves you. Someone who takes care of you. The full moons will be easier with her there.”
His breath hitched, his grip tightening around mine.
“Ava, please-”
I closed my eyes. “I want to see Doctor Reynolds.”
Doctor Reynolds’s gaze was heavy, burdened.
“Do you really not want to tell him?” Her voice was thick with unshed tears. “There’s still a
chance.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s okay.”
I wasn’t sure if I was convincing her or myself.
Her lips trembled. “Ava, we all know the elders‘ deaths weren’t an accident. It was revenge.
If he knew the truth, he’d lose himself in it.”
She hesitated, voice dropping lower. “You know what he’s like. He wouldn’t let it go. He’d throw himself into the fire just to get even. He might not survive it.”
A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down.
“That’s why I can’t tell him.” My voice was barely a whisper. “How could I? How could I tell
him I’m his mate, and then ask him to watch me die?”
My fingers clenched around the blanket. My whole body ached.
“He’s already lost three people he loved. How could I be the fourth?”
Doctor Reynolds wiped at her tears, shaking her head. “But-”
“He’s getting married.” I cut her off. A reminder. A truth I had no choice but to accept.
The words burned, but I forced myself to continue.
“He’s not my Alpha Brooks anymore, Li. He’s Liam. He’s waiting for me to find him. And soon… I will.”
A shaky breath.
Then–warm arms around me.
Doctor Reynolds clung to me, and for once, I let someone hold me together.
2/3
9 Chapter 9
The next morning, I woke early.
Doctor Reynolds helped me with my wig, her hands gentle.
“Still want makeup?” she asked quietly.
I nodded. “Just a little. Makes me look more alive.”
She didn’t argue, but she lingered. Hesitated.
I pretended not to notice.
When Lily arrived with breakfast, something felt… off.
She was too quiet. Her usual energy–gone.
She lingered as Doctor Reynolds left. Then, finally, she turned to me.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Ava… Liam is your husband, isn’t he?”
Comment °
L
Leave the first comment for this chapter.
