As I finally blinked awake, the morning sun poured through the hospital window, casting a warm glow on the stark white walls that felt as frigid as ice.
A wave of panic washed over me as I pulled the blanket aside, only to discover that my legs were completely unresponsive, their chill making them feel almost unreal.
No... this can't be real; it has to be a nightmare from which I will soon awaken, because I can't bear the thought of this reality.
I glanced over at Ethan, my mate, who was seated beside me, his expression etched with worry.
"Lila, you fainted last night," he said, his voice calm yet tinged with urgency that made my heart race. "The healers found significant damage to your spine. They had to perform surgery."
Before I could respond, he handed me a medical report. My hands shook as I read the alarming details—extensive damage that necessitated radical surgery.
If I hadn’t caught wind of his earlier chat about incapacitating me, I might have been fooled by his act.
Just like that? I am now crippled for life? So, Ethan was actually handing me over to the healers, turning me into some sort of experiment for them to do as they pleased with my body?
Ethan pulled me into his embrace, his intention to soothe me only fueling my rage.
"I understand how much you wanted to fight for our future, but your well-being comes first. I can’t bear the thought of losing you, Lila. Don’t worry, I’ll be your legs when you need me, alright?”
I jerked away, my voice quaking with emotion. “You’ll be my legs? My life is over! I can’t move, I’ll be stuck in a wheelchair, and you think that’s okay? Just call the healers to inject me and let me go! I can’t live like this! I’d rather die!”
His expression darkened, frustration evident in his gaze. "Please don’t say that, love. After everything we’ve been through, I can’t stand the idea of losing you. Not now.”
"Not right now. Do you even understand what it’s like to be crippled?" I retorted, my heart pounding as I fought to keep my composure, desperate not to divulge the secrets I had overheard.
He held the power to end my life, and the fact that he hadn’t yet meant he had more devious plans in mind.
Before he could reply, the door creaked open, cutting through the tension of our argument.
Mia stepped in, my best friend and a rising star within the pack. Her silver hair cascaded like a shimmering waterfall, and her infectious energy lit up the room.
She entered with a fruit basket in hand, her radiant smile nearly blinding. "Sorry to barge in! I just wanted to check on you, Lila," she chimed, her voice bright and uplifting.
Ethan straightened up, adopting a facade of indifference. "Mia, thanks for coming. I was just discussing Lila's predicament."
“I feel so sorry for my best friend! I swear the rival packs will pay for this,” she said, wiping away the tears that streamed down her cheeks.
In a world full of pretenders, Mia takes the center stage.
I turned away from them, gathering the strength to quell the storm raging inside me. "I’m exhausted. I need to rest," I murmured, shutting my eyes.
To my astonishment, Mia didn’t leave. She took a seat nearby, keeping Ethan company while I felt like a mere shadow in my own existence.
He continued his gentle massage on my shoulders, pretending everything was normal, while Mia sat there, perfectly embodying the role of a supportive friend.
Yet, beneath that calm facade, I noticed Mia’s hand gradually moving closer to Ethan’s thigh. He didn’t push her away; instead, he let her flirt until her advances grew bolder.
Eventually, he grasped her thigh, his expression turning serious as he tried to halt her teasing. "Mia, not now," he said, but the warmth in his voice contradicted his words.
Mia leaned in closer, her tone sultry. "You’ve been so preoccupied with Lila. The baby and I miss you." She traced her fingers along his arm, and my stomach twisted at the implications of her words.
I watched, rage boiling within me. How could he betray me like this? I had given everything for our pack, and now he was choosing her over me—she was pregnant!
Mia leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ethan, we could have a little fun. No one’s around on this floor, and Lila is sound asleep."
A surge of betrayal coursed through me, and I felt my heart race. I turned to leave, but a glance through the glass stopped me in my tracks.
Ethan moved in closer to Mia, and just as I gathered the courage to walk away, their lips brushed together in a gentle kiss. My breath hitched, a wave of disbelief and sorrow crashing over me.
But reality hit hard. I couldn’t have children.
For three long years, I had been unable to conceive, all because of Ethan.
Back in college, I had made the choice to have an abortion, sacrificing my ability to bear pups.
It was a forbidden risk for Alphas during their training, and I was terrified of losing my position and Ethan.
He had insisted that proving my love meant giving myself to him completely, and when I found out I was pregnant, he vanished, leaving me to navigate the aftermath alone.
Yet, I still found myself returning to him whenever he offered an apology.
My emotions threatened to engulf me. I was no longer the fierce Alpha who fought for her pack; I was a shattered woman watching everything I held dear slip away. I needed to escape.
As I feigned sleep, their kisses grating on my nerves, I caught a fragment of their conversation.
"I need her to sign the pack documents to claim this pack as mine," Ethan murmured, his tone low and secretive. "After that, we finish her off completely.”
