I woke up with a strangled scream, my claws scraping the hospital mattress as I bolted upright, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. My skin was slick with sweat, my wolf thrashing beneath the surface, responding to the phantom fall from the skies that had haunted my dream.
“Easy, Luna Alina,” came a calm, rehearsed voice. A hand gripped my wrist lightly, checking the pulse that thudded too fast. “You’re safe now.”
I blinked away the haze, the sterile scent of antiseptic surrounding me as the beep of the EKG machine echoed steadily. My vision cleared to reveal the doctor standing beside me. But we weren’t alone.
Alpha Kale. Talia. And his mother, Elder Luna Sasha Hallowfang.
All three stood at the foot of my bed, reeking of false sympathy and concealed contempt. My wolf snarled internally.
“How are you feeling, Alina?” Talia’s voice broke with practiced sobs as she clutched a tissue.
I ignored her, turning my eyes to the doctor instead. “What happened?”
Kale stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with fury beneath the false calm. “Ungrateful bitch,” he spat. “Talia saved your life. When I shoved you out of the jet, she threatened to jump too if I didn’t catch you. So I did. You were unconscious. She hasn’t left your side for two days.”
I looked at them blankly. Then a laugh bubbled from deep in my chest, turning into hysterical cackles that drew alarm from the heart monitor. My wolf rose with me, baring her teeth in laughter.
“She set me up. You almost killed me, Kale,” I hissed. “Should I give you a fucking medal for saving the life you tried to take?”
Kale’s mother sneered. “You should’ve let her fall, Kale, you are an Alpha. Might’ve finally shut her cursed mouth.”
My eyes locked with hers, burning. “Maybe you should’ve let me die the day you all conspired to kill my pup.”
Silence fell, thick as smoke. Kale’s jaw ticked, then he scoffed. “You’re still high on medication. Come on, Talia.”
Talia leaned in suddenly and took my hand. Her claws dug in lightly, just enough to pierce. Her tear-filled eyes were all a show. “I’m so sorry, Luna Alina. Please forgive me. It was never supposed to go this far.”
“Stop pretending,” I snapped, yanking my hand free. “I don’t need your fake remorse.”
She stumbled back theatrically, caught by Kale’s swift hands. His glare was a blade.
“You’re lucky Talia’s merciful,” he growled. “If she weren’t, I’d break every bone in your body.”
And just like that, they left, trailing the stench of lies. The doctor lingered awkwardly.
“I want to leave,” I said, my voice hoarse.
As if sensing my fury, the doctor didn’t argue.
--
Back home, I collected the mail sitting on the foyer table. The divorce papers were finally here, heavy with finality. My resignation letter was next. The only remaining task is to get Kale to sign them without reading.
Fate didn’t delay. Kale appeared in the doorway, tossing a bag at me.
“Dress up. We’ve got a business event,” he said.
“Take Talia,” I replied flatly.
“She’s coming,” he said, his tone clipped. “But you’re still my assistant. It’d raise eyebrows if you’re absent.”
I didn’t argue. Instead, I grabbed the documents, flipping them to the last page and offering a pen.
“Sign these. Hospital discharge papers,” I lied.
He frowned, flipping briefly through before Talia called sweetly from the hallway, “Alpha Kale, come see how I look!”
Kale’s attention shifted in an instant. With a smitten smile, he scribbled his signature on both documents and left. My heart didn’t flinch. I was grateful, so grateful that his obsession made him careless.
I dressed in the black sheath he had chosen, tight and elegant, hugging my curves, masking the storm within. When I descended the stairs, Kale’s gaze lingered a second too long. But the moment Talia stepped into the room, all attention vanished.
The ride to the event was hellish. Talia kept tossing memories like daggers of trysts with Kale in this very car. I clenched my jaw and stared at my phone, confirming my one-way flight for tomorrow.
Kale watched me through the rearview mirror. “Who are you texting?” he asked sharply.
He snatched my phone, but his attempts to unlock it failed.
“What’s the password?” he asked.
“My birthday,” I said coolly.
He tried. It didn’t work. He returned it, flushed with shame.
At the event, Talia slipped into Kale’s arms, basking in the murmured praises of those calling her futurre Luna Talia of Hallowfang pack. I played the dutiful assistant, staying behind them, unseen, unfelt.
His gaze found me often, guilt flickering behind his amber eyes, but I offered nothing in return.
Then, without warning, gunfire shattered the evening.
Chaos erupted. Guests screamed. Shifters shifted. Humans ducked for cover. Bullets sprayed the marble walls.
Alpha Kale’s first instinct was to shield Talia with his body, throwing her down and covering her. I remained standing, frozen, watching him protect her. That hesitation cost me.
A hot sting ripped through my side. Pain bloomed like fire as I gasped, staggered, and fell.
“Kale…” I croaked. “Help…”
In an instant, he was there. He scooped me into his arms, his hand pressing against the gunshot wound. “Stay with me, Alina. You’ll be okay. I’ve got you.”
We neared the door. Then…
“Kale! The baby… I- I can’t move!” Talia wailed.
And just like that, he stopped.
I felt his arms tense. Then he turned back.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “You’re strong. You’ll make it. I can’t risk Talia… or the baby. I will send someone to help you. I promise.”
He set me down gently, as if I were made of porcelain, fragile, breakable.
Then he turned and ran.
Not to safety. Not to me.
He ran to her.
Through the blood, the smoke, and the screams, I watched him choose. I watched as Talia smirked over his shoulder, triumphant, claiming a victory that shattered me. Again.
And he never looked back.
Not even once.
