Bree
Pain radiated through my body as I slowly opened my eyes. I realized that I was no longer in the forest. But I was sure I drove, ditched my car, and entered the forest to die. Instead, I found myself in a room that smelled of cedarwood and an unfamiliar scent that somehow felt comforting yet foreign at the same time.
"You're finally awake," a deep voice said.
I turned my head slowly, wincing at the pain from my broken ribs. A man stood near the doorway, tall and broad-shouldered with deep green eyes.
"Where am I?" I croaked out.
"Bloodmoon Pack," he replied, stepping closer.
"You collapsed in the forest, and my patrol found you."
I attempted to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through me, forcing me to stop. I hadn't fully healed from the accident yet.
"Why did you help me?"
"Would you have preferred if I hadn't?"
He wasn't mocking, only curious. But I ignored him and looked away.
"I'm Finn," he introduced, sitting in the chair near my bed.
"Bree."
"I know."
And it made my wolf stir inside me, uneasy but also intrigued.
The door opened, and Rosa entered, looking pale but relieved when she saw me awake.
"Bree," she exclaimed, hurrying to my side.
"You're alive, thanks to the Moon Goddess."
Rosa's healer eyes scanned me for any injuries. Her fingers brushed over my wrist until she saw the faint mark.
"It seems dormant for now," she said cautiously.
"For now," I repeated bitterly.
"You need to rest, Bree. The curse feeds on your emotions. If you don't stay calm..."
"I know, Rosa," I snapped, cutting her off.
"I've lived with it long enough."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue. She turned to Finn and nodded her thanks.
"Alpha Finn, I'll keep an eye on her."
"I'm sure you will," Finn responded without moving.
Rosa hesitated before finally leaving us alone.
Finn remained silent, his gaze on me with unsettling calmness. I hated it. It was nothing like Kyle's easy arrogance or sharp words. His patient silence was unnerving.
"What do you want?" I demanded, breaking the silence.
"To help."
"I don't need your help."
"Your body says otherwise."
I glared at him, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he leaned forward slightly with his eyes growing darker.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" he asked.
I stiffened.
"Felt what?"
"The bond."
My wolf stirred again, this time feeling more restless.
"You're wrong," I denied.
But Finn's steady gaze never wavered.
"Am I?
I clenched the blanket tightly, trying to ignore the pull I felt towards him. My bond with Kyle was broken, but that didn't mean I should get a new one.
"You're my second mate," Finn declared.
"Don't," I warned.
"You know it's true. Your wolf feels it, too."
A small whimper escaped from Asha, my wolf, a sound I hadn't heard in weeks.
“Do you really think these changes anything?” I snapped, my anger masking my fear.
“It doesn’t. I’m not going to stay here.”
“I’m not asking you to. But running won’t fix what’s broken, Bree.”
“Don’t act like you know me."
“I don’t. But I want to.”
His honesty took me by surprise. Kyle had never been like this.
“I’ll stay until I heal. Then I’m leaving," I stated.
Finn nodded but hope still beamed in his eyes.
Days passed, and I kept my distance, but Finn made it difficult. He was always around, always watching me. Not in a controlling way, but in a way that made it impossible to ignore him.
One evening, I wandered outside, drawn to the quiet garden behind the packhouse.
“You like it?”
I jumped at Finn's voice and turned to see him leaning against a tree.
“It's...peaceful,” I admitted.
“My mother planted this garden. She believed that flowers could heal even the deepest wounds.”
“Flowers can't fix everything," I scoffed.
“No. But it's a start. Look, you don't have to trust me. But I'll be here when you're ready.”
“I don't know if I'll ever be ready,” I whispered.
Then, we both went silent. Meanwhile, Kyle's car screeched to a halt at the border of Bloodmoon Pack.
“She's here,” Kyle muttered, his eyes narrowed as he stepped out.
