The dim light in my room felt like a prison, my mother’s words echoing like chains in my mind: “Mia is an extraordinary wolf, but you must not use her power unless absolutely necessary.” My gaze lingered on Mia, her figure silhouetted against the window. My fingers dug into the armrest of my chair. This wasn’t just necessary—it was survival.
“Mia,” I said, my voice low but firm. Despite the tremor in my body, I forced steadiness into my tone. “I need you to investigate Eira. Find out everything about her.”
Her head snapped toward me, eyes widened. “Eira, my lady? But…”
I cut her off, the words sharp in my throat. “Her appearance is too sudden. I didn’t even know I had a twin sister. Did you?”
Mia shook her head. “No. I’ve never heard of her. Your mother chose me to serve you since birth. She trusted me to know everything… but this?”
The doubt in her voice struck something raw in me. “Then ask her. My mother might know more. She’s in another country, but you need to find her.”
Mia frowned, concerned shadowing her features. “Are you sure you’ll be okay here? You’re still—”
“Weak, not helpless,” I interrupted, steel edging my voice. I met her worried gaze, determination burning through the fear threatening to consume me. “I can protect myself. Now go.”
Her sigh was heavy, but she nodded. Closing her eyes, she whispered an incantation. Shadows gathered at her feet, swirling upward until they enveloped her completely. The faint scent of smoke lingered as she vanished, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears.
I barely had time to compose myself before chaos erupted outside. Snarls and growls filled the night, and my heart pounded as the commotion drew closer. The door burst open, and there he was—the infamous rogue leader, Lucan. He loomed over me, his cruel grin chilling me to my core.
I fought back as best I could, but his strength was too much. His fist slammed into my stomach, and pain exploded through me. Gasping, I clutched my abdomen as one of his minions dragged me to the center of the territory.
The pack gathered around us, horror etched on their faces. Kael stood at the forefront, his expression pale with worry. Lucan’s voice boomed over the chaos. “I’ve heard a Lunar Healer resides here. Hand her over, or I’ll kill your Luna!”
My breath hitched as Eira stepped forward, her eyes resolute despite the fear trembling behind them. “I’ll go,” she said softly, her words slicing through the night like a blade.
The pack erupted into chaos. Cries of protest rose, Kael and the others pulling Eira back, shielding her like a fragile treasure. My heart twisted, the sight breaking something deep inside me.
“Please!” I screamed, tears streaking my face. “Save me! Save my baby!”
For a moment, the clearing froze, my desperate plea hanging in the air. Kael’s gaze flickered to me, then back to Eira. His hesitation was a dagger to my soul.
“We can’t risk losing the Lunar Healer,” someone murmured, their words spreading like poison through the pack.
I choked on the words I couldn’t say. They were choosing her. Not me. Not my child.
“Kael!” I called his name pleading. His jaw tightened, his eyes filled with hesitation. The pack closed ranks around Eira as if shielding her from the weight of my existence.
Lucan’s patience snapped. He moved with brutal efficiency, his blade slicing across my abdomen. Pain erupted, white-hot and searing. A scream ripped from my throat, but it was drowned by the pack’s shouts.
I crumpled to the ground, gasping, tears streaming as I stared at their faces. The hesitation. The decision to protect her. Not me.
Clinging to the last shreds of strength, I reached into my sleeve, fingers closing around the silver blade hidden there. Lucan leaned closer, his grin triumphant. Summoning everything I had left, I plunged the blade into his eye.
His roar of agony was a balm to my shredded heart. He stumbled back, clutching his face, and dropped me. Darkness threatened to claim me as I collapsed, but the pack surged forward, their rage finally igniting.
Wolves tore into the rogues, driving them back, but their loyalty to me felt like an afterthought. Lucan’s bloodied face twisted into a snarl as he retreated. “I’ll return,” he spat. “And when I do, I’ll take the Lunar Healer and finish you for good.” He gave me one last glare.
Kael was at my side in an instant, his hands trembling as he tried to stem the bleeding. His voice was frantic, filled with something I hadn’t heard in weeks—regret. But it wasn’t enough. Not after what I’d seen. Not after what they’d done.
Darkness pulled me under, the image of Kael’s face the last thing I saw. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw something more than coldness in his eyes. Maybe even love. But it was too late. Too late for all of it.
