Chapter 45

Chapter 45
Anika:
“Goddess, Leah! Can you calm down? What’s gotten into you?”
I ask, my eyes following her as she paces the room like a storm about to break.
She’s been on edge ever since Matteo and Damon left. I mean, she’s never been the type to fuss over Matteo, her Alpha, but Damon?
That’s a different story entirely.
She suddenly stops and turns to me. “Do.. do you think Damon will survive? They’re going up against five Alphas!”
I arch a brow. “Seriously?”
“Come on, Anika! This is war. People die in war. I can’t lose him. I… I love him.” Her voice cracks on the last word.
I can’t help but laugh, though it’s not to mock her. “I thought you said you were just friends?”
“Well…” She shrugs, eyes darting away. “I think I like him. He’s… sweet and Caring.”
I let out a low laugh at her words.
Deep down, I just hope Matteo’s fine. And honestly, I know he will be. He’s a strong Alpha after all.
Leah is still standing just inches from me, her eyes locked on mine, practically willing me to say something.
“Say something, Anika!” she urges.
Instead, I burst into another fit of laughter.
My lips part, ready to answer her—
But before I can get a single word out, the door slams open.
Leah spins around so fast her hair whips over her shoulder. She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth when she sees who’s there.
Dylan.
And flanking him are two men I’ve never met, but the power radiating from them tells me exactly what they are.
Alphas.
My stomach drops.
What are they doing here? Weren’t they supposed to be-
No.
No, no, no.
They’d tricked Matteo!?
“Surprise, surprise,” Dylan drawls, a dark chuckle curling from his lips as he steps inside.
Leah instinctively takes a step back.
I do the same.
“H–how did you get in?”
He tilts his head. “Well, I distracted the guards outside this hospital just to get to you. Incredible, right?”
Then, without breaking eye contact, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a gun.
I swallow hard.
“Oh, come on, doctor,” he mocks, letting out a dark chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re not happy to see me—because I freaking am. And guess what? You’re coming with me.”
“You wish,” I scoff, my voice dripping with defiance. “I don’t know what the hell you want from me, but I promise you—if Matteo happens to catch you here, he’ll have your head snapped off, you brúte!”
I take another step back, my pulse racing.
Dylan only throws his head back and laughs.
“She’s feisty. I like that,” one of the Alphas behind him laughs.
My jaw tightens, teeth grinding as Dylan keeps his eyes locked on me. Almost like he’s studying me.
“This,” he gestures at me with a smirk, “is exactly the kind of Luna I want. Stunning. Smart. Confident. What more could I possibly need?”
He laughs again. This time, scraping the barrel of the gun along his scalp like some deranged predator.
And I swear, every instinct in me wants to shift into my wolf and tear him apart. But I know that would be a stupid move.
Not when he’s holding a gun.
“Enough with the chit-chat,” he suddenly says before flicking his hand toward me in a mocking gesture. “Now come on. Let’s go. Matteo will be home any second.”
I shake my head, my hands curling into fists. “You’re delusional if you think I’m going anywhere with you.”
His smile vanishes. “Fine then… we do this the hard way.”
I barely have time to process what he means before the gun swings up. Aimed straight at me.
But in the next breath, the barrel jerks toward Leah.
And then,
Boom!
The shot cracks through the air, deafening. Leah collapses to the floor with a strangled cry, clutching her leg as blood gushes out.
“What the hell have you done, you bastàrd?!” I shout, my entire body trembling with fury and fear.
Leah writhes on the ground. Her face is twisted in pain, and the sharp scent of blood immediately fills the room.
“Well, that’s a silver bullet shot through her leg,”
My head snaps toward Dylan at his words.
“That’s to show you I’m not here for jokes! Now come on, Anika. Move your àss toward me before I make you!”
I shake my head, terror clawing its way up my spine. Oh my god. Where’s Matteo?
I try to reach for him through the mind link, but he’s too far. He won’t hear me.
My entire body trembles as I keep inching backward, my breath quick and shallow.
“Goddamn it!” Dylan snarls as he halts mid-step. His head whips toward the two Alphas flanking him, both of them eyeing me like I’m prey they can’t wait to sink their teeth into.
“Why the hell are you staring at her like that?” Dylan snaps. “She’s mine now. Don’t forget that. Now go, bring her to me. I’m seriously too tired to walk and exchange words with her.”
They nod instantly.
Then their eyes swing back to me.
Oh god.
I swallow hard as they start moving—one step forward… and another…
They barely take another step before..
Crack!
Two bullets slice through the air, whizzing past me so close I feel the heat. Both slam into their chests, and blood erupts in a sickening gush as they crumple to the ground.
My heart skips a beat.
What the hell just happened?
Dylan’s eyes go wide, his grip on the gun faltering until it clatters to the floor. My breath hitches.
I can feel it.
Someone is behind me.
I start to turn, but before I can fully look—
Crack!
Another bullet tears through the air, this one punching straight into Dylan’s skull. He drops like a stone, the floor now slick with blood.
“Argh!”
The sound rips me out of my shock. My heart lurches as soon I realize it’s Leah.
She’s writhing, her face twisted in agony, blood still pouring from her leg.
No no.
I move to rush to her side, but before I can take a single step, a hand clamps around my wrist. In one swift motion, I’m yanked back.
“Shush,” the voice murmurs.
Before I can even react, a sharp sting pierces my arm. A syringe.
My vision blurs instantly. The room starts to tilt as a dizzying heaviness crashes over me. My limbs go slack, and then Darkness swallows everything.

I don’t know how long I’m out. Minutes? Hours?
When my eyes finally flutter open, my energy is slow to return. I’m lying on a soft bed in a room so beautiful it feels almost unreal.
But I can’t move. My body refuses me.
Then I feel it. Someone sitting beside me. Warm fingers thread gently through my hair, a touch that makes my skin crawl with unease.
“How good it feels to finally have you back home, Dr. Anika,” the voice says smoothly.“Welcome back.”