Kerris POV
My steps falter the moment I enter the pack hospital.
I'm the daughter of the former Beta. High-born by any werewolf standard. The nurses here will expect me to lift my chin, breathe deep, and trace my father's scent straight to whatever room he's in.But I can't.
Not from the entrance. Not at all.
My senses still haven't developed that far because my wolf has never shown herself. In moments like this, I feel the weight of my condition more than ever. I'm no better than a human.
"Miss Hart," someone calls from the front desk.
"Yes." I hurry toward her. She's the nurse who attended to Dad the last time he was admitted. "How's my father?"
"Come with me. He's in the ER. They're stabilizing him now."
Moments later, she leads me to a bench outside the emergency room.
"You'll have to wait here. The doctor will speak with you once they're done."
Then she leaves me alone.
I look around the familiar hallway. This wing is reserved for high-born wolves and respected members of the pack. You can tell from the polished floors, private rooms, expensive equipment, and the silence that money buys. Dad belongs here.
Joseph Hart isn't respected only because he was Beta. He's respected because he nearly died helping build this pack into what it is today. Because he saved Alpha Gareth from a brutal death during the war. Because he bled for Moon Shadow.
The Hart name carries weight wherever it's spoken. Though lately, I'm beginning to fear it won't for much longer.
Dad's visits to the ER have become more frequent. He burned through all his savings on treatment months ago and had to borrow money to pay the hospital the last time he was here.
My legs weaken, and I sink onto the bench, burying my face in both hands.
I think of calling Emily. After all, Joseph Hart is her father too. Blood never mattered to him. There were times he treated her even better than me.
My hand reaches for my phone, but I can't make myself dial.Maybe the hospital called her first. Maybe she didn't answer because my fiancé was buried inside her.The image hits like poison.
Why is the Goddess punishing me? First my sister and best friend betrays me with my fiancé. Then Dad collapses.
Loneliness settles heavily on my chest as I stare at Emily's number.
There was a time we would sit here together during Dad's hospital visits, worrying together, hoping together.Those days are over.
The ER door opens, cutting through my thoughts.
I quickly slide my phone back into my purse as Doctor Miles steps out. Whatever he's about to say, I assume I've heard it before. Dad probably overworked himself. Maybe forgot his medication. Maybe they need to adjust treatment again. Maybe his veins are acting up.Something like that.
"Miss Hart."
"Yes, Doctor." I rise quickly. "How is he?"
"He's stable for now."
Relief starts to rise in me.
Then he continues.
"But I'm afraid those veins can no longer function. He needs surgery."My relief pauses. This isn't new. Last time they replaced damaged veins using healthy ones from another part of his body. It was expensive, yes, but manageable.
"I guess you'll do what you did last time?" I ask.
"That's the problem." His voice softens. "He has no healthy veins left for us to harvest. We'll need a donor."
"Okay. Test me."
"The surgery will be far more extensive than before. The medication afterward as well."
Then he names the price.
My heart drops straight to the floor.
The hallway tilts around me.
Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?
I try to hide my reaction, maintaining a straight face while he keeps speaking.
"For now, machines are helping circulate fluids through his body. But that's temporary. If we take him off support, he dies, Miss Hart. We need to proceed as soon as possible."
His words strike one after another.
"Nurse Nura will bring the forms and explain the payment plan. I strongly advise making the first deposit immediately."
"I understand."
I'm not sure how my voice works with my heart sinking this fast.
"You can see him now. He asked for both you and your sister. I assume she's still at work?"
"Yeah..." Working the male I thought was my fiancé.
The doctor pats my shoulder and walks away.
When I enter the room, Dad lies in bed looking smaller than I've ever seen him. Tubes run into his arms. Machines beep beside him.
This morning, he was still Ol' Beta Joe. Loud, strong, impossible to slow down. Now he looks breakable.
"Where's your sister?" he asks.
"She's working." I take his hand. "But I'm here. What happened?"
"Same shit." He grimaces.
His frustration mirrors mine. Especially after hearing the cost of fixing it this time.
"It's going to be okay, Dad."
I squeeze his hand, mostly to comfort myself.
"No, it won't." He grits his teeth. "I told Miles not to hook me to these damn machines. I hate being a burden on you girls. You both have your whole lives ahead of you."
"Dad--"
"You should be focused on building a life with Tyrel now that he's Alpha. Instead, you're stuck worrying about me. I bet the bills are worse than last time."
"Please stop." My throat tightens. "Don't say things like that. How can you tell them not to save you? What about me? You think I can live happily if you just... die?" I bite back tears.
Now is not the time to tell him Tyrel is gone too.
Dad lowers his eyes, ashamed.
We sit in silence while time drags forward.
My mind races for solutions and finds none.
Later, when I step back into the hallway, Nurse Nura has the payment forms ready. All I need to do is sign.I'm only an apprentice at the pack chemist. I don't even have my license yet. I survive on a stipend. Emily is an intern too. She earns more at Stone Corporation, but not enough for this. Not even close.
I should swallow my pride and call her. If she knew about Dad, she'd come.Wouldn't she?
I think back to Dad's last hospital stay. Tyrel wasn't Alpha yet. He was still my fiancé, and he stood beside me through every long night.
My thumb hovers over his number.
Then I lock the screen and put the phone away. Only now do I realize I have no close friends except the two people who betrayed me today.
Night has fallen. The Pack Loan House will be closed by now. Even if it weren't, Dad still owes them money. I doubt they'd lend me more.
I open Wolve-Net and type: local money lender for emergency cash.
Dozens of results appear. The reviews are terrifying. Threats. Broken kneecaps. Debt traps. Missing wolves.I'm about to give up when I stumble onto a peculiar forum. One name keeps appearing. The Flower Den.
I've heard of it. A private brothel for wealthy Alphas and elite wolves. Exclusive. Selective. Discreet. They have a thorough screening process for every girl and boy they allow inside because of the powerful clientele.
My thumb stills over the screen.
Wait.
Why am I still on their homepage?
I hit back immediately, turn off my data, and shove my phone away.
I'm a virgin by choice. My claiming and first bite are meant for my chosen mate... or my fated one. The fact that Tyrel is no longer that wolf doesn't mean I'll sell something as sacred as my first night to a stranger.
I made a promise to myself years ago. I'm not about to break it because of hardship.
And even if I did... would I earn enough in time to save Dad? Probably not.
I force the thought out of my head and rise from the bench. I need air.
