It feels like death is creeping in. Every bone in my body seems to be dissolving, turning to liquid. A flurry of doctors rush into the room, attaching various devices and tools to my body.
“Get the elixir into her! Hurry!” one of them yells, voice tight with fear. My vision swims, and my body burns hotter by the second.
“Doesn’t she have a mate?”
“If I had that answer, we wouldn’t be in this mess!” another snaps back.
I stare up at the ceiling, gasping, realizing this might be the end. My mate is out there–I can sense his presence–but he hasn’t come. He’s close, yet he chooses not to show up.
“Don’t,” I say weakly, pulling away from the woman approaching with the injection. I don’t want to be saved. I can’t be. What’s the point of surviving if I’m unloved, unwanted? He won’t claim me. He won’t even leave me. Soon everyone will mock me. Maybe it’s better if I die now, while I still can.
“Hold her down! She won’t make it much longer without the shot!” someone shouts, gripping my leg to stop me from resisting.
They restrain me, and the needle pierces my mark. The effect is instant–it’s like being drenched in ice after burning for hours.
A shuddering breath escapes my lips.
“She’s stabilizing,” the first woman says, exhaling in relief. “We have to alert the Alpha. Her mate must come forward before it’s too late.”
“Don’t waste your time,” I mutter bitterly. “He’s never going to show.”
“We would send the signal,” the second person says, blatantly disregarding my presence. “Her mate
would hear it and definitely show up.”
I exhale deeply, realizing there was no use trying to convince them otherwise.
Didn’t they already understand?
I remain on the bed, letting my thoughts drift, wondering what my mate might be doing.
Is he with her? Does he speak to her in the same gentle tone he uses with me?
I release a breath, trying to silence the whirlwind of thoughts in my head.
Eventually, I rise from the bed, feeling a wave of lightheadedness sweep over me–it has been a long time since I’ve moved. I need some air.
Evening has fallen again. Lately, I seem to wake only when the sun is down, as I usually sleep through the day.
I open the door with a quick swing and see Joy standing there.
“Hey,” she greets me, forcing a small, uneasy smile. “I was just about to knock.” I study her face–she
is covered in a thin sheen of sweat, and it is clear she’s been crying.
“Are you okay?” I ask, concern obvious in my voice.
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She nods quickly, cutting off any chance I have to say more.
“I went running and brought you something,” she says abruptly, pushing a basket into my arms. “Figured you might be hungry. I… I need to go now. Catch you later.” With that, she rushes off just as suddenly as she has appeared.
I remain in my room, peering into the basket to see what she has brought. That’s when I sense it.
The presence is the same as before, only this time it lingers farther away–it doesn’t approach.
“Who’s there?” I call out into the emptiness.
Probably not the smartest move, but I don’t care. No reply comes. “I mean it, answer me!” I yell, fear creeping into my voice.
The presence inches closer. It feels like a soft energy brushing against my skin, barely there.
I instinctively step back. My wolf stirs within me—she knows this presence.
“I’ll scream if you don’t show yourself!” I threaten.
Still no response.
I prepare to scream, but suddenly, something feels like it clutches my neck. I can’t cry out–only gasping, choking sounds escape.
Then the door bursts open, and to my surprise, in walks the man I hadn’t expected to see tonight.
He stands frozen for a second, clearly stunned by the sight before him. As he begins to grasp the situation, the pressure around my neck eases, allowing me to breathe a little, though the presence still lingers–unseen but oppressive.
“Aurelia!” he shouts, grabbing me by the legs and pulling me toward him. The invisible grip vanishes entirely, as if it has never existed.
“You’re safe now,” he whispers, enveloping me in a tight embrace.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice muffled against his shirt.
“The medical staff told me you were searching for your mate. I came as fast as I could,” he says.
I step away from him.
“Are you alright?” he dares to ask.
This entire incident took place over two hours ago, and he’s just now showing up?
I inhale deeply–that seems to be all I’m capable of doing these days.
“You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just… feeling overwhelmed,” I reply.
He gives a small nod, accepting my explanation. But to say I’m irritated would be a serious understatement.
“I understand. It must have been terrifying. I’ll get to the bottom of it, I promise,” he says, gently patting my head in an attempt to soothe me.
Suddenly, the door creaks open and one of the pack guards pokes his head in.
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“Alpha, Selene,” he announces, instantly grating on my nerves.
Theron immediately hushes him.
“I need to leave now,” he tells me. A heavy weight seems to settle on my chest. I cling to his shirt.
“Please… stay,” I whisper, my voice sounding pitiful even to my own ears. Just this once, I want to be selfish.
“She needs me, Ria.”
“But I need you more,” I reply, hating how frail I sound. I can’t help it. “You told me she didn’t matter, that it was only about forming an alliance. I need you more, Theron. Please,” I say, burying my face in his chest.
He holds my waist tightly, embracing me like I’m everything to him.
“Aurelia,” he breathes out my name like it brings him peace.
My heart flutters. For a moment, it feels like I’m breathing again. He chose me.
But the moment shatters when he gently removes my hands from his shirt.
“I’m sorry, but I have to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Relief is instantly replaced with heartache.
“So you’re picking her over me?”
“I’m choosing what’s best for the pack. I’m Alpha now–I don’t have the luxury of choosing only you,” he says, his piercing blue eyes scanning my face.
I stare back at him.
“Why? Everyone always puts their mate first!” I cry out, exasperated.
“They don’t carry the kind of burden I do!”
I step back.
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