Chapter 13 – The Day Everything Broke
Rhianna’s POV
The healer’s room smelled faintly of herbs and smoke — a sharp, bitter scent that always made my stomach turn. I sat on the wooden table, my hands clutching the edge so tightly that my knuckles were white. Healer Alden was quiet, too quiet, as he pressed his stethoscope to my chest, listening.
When he finally pulled back, he didn’t smile. His face was grim.
“Rhianna,” he said gently, “I won’t lie to you. Your heart is getting weaker. Your wolf isn’t healing the way it should. The fainting spell last night wasn’t just stress. It was your body telling you it’s reaching its limit.”
My throat felt like it was closing. “So what do I do?” I whispered.
“You rest. You avoid stress, emotional and physical. No training, no heated arguments, no—” He hesitated. “No shocks that could strain your heart.”
I almost laughed. As if life had been anything but one big shock lately.
“I’ll give you stronger medicine,” he continued, “but Rhianna…” His voice softened. “You have to start thinking about what you want to do with the time you have. Stop trying to carry the world on your shoulders.”
I nodded mutely, grabbed my medicine, and left.
The pack house was already bustling when I arrived. Warriors moved about, whispering about last night’s rogue attack. My chest felt tight, not from exertion, but from the words still ringing in my head: time you have.
When I reached the council chamber, the meeting was already in session. I stayed near the back, quiet, unnoticed — until I heard my name.
“…and Luna Rhianna’s health is an ongoing concern,” Elder Kane was saying. “We cannot have a Luna who collapses during times of crisis. If her condition does not improve, Sebastian, you must consider the future of this pack.”
My stomach twisted.
“What are you saying?” another elder asked.
“That perhaps a replacement should be considered. A stronger Luna. A she-wolf capable of bearing strong heirs and standing at your side without being a liability.”
The words hit me like claws to the chest. Replace me.
I looked at Sebastian then, praying — begging — for him to say something. Anything. To tell them no. To defend me.
But he stayed silent.
No defense. No protest. Not even a twitch of anger on his perfect, composed face.
It was like the floor dropped out from under me.
I turned and left the room, my steps numb, my throat closing. My vision blurred until I found the nearest restroom and locked myself inside.
I sank to the floor, my back against the cold wall, and let the tears come.
I cried for my heart that wouldn’t stop breaking. For the mate bond that felt more like a chain every day. For the girl I used to be — the one who believed that being chosen by the future Alpha meant something.
By the time the tears stopped, my chest hurt so badly I had to fumble for the pills in my pocket. My hands were shaking so hard that the bottle slipped twice before I got it open. I dry-swallowed the tablet, clutching my chest until my breathing evened out.
I didn’t hear the door open until a low voice said, “Little Wolf?”
I froze.
Hardin.
He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His dark eyes took me in — sitting on the floor, tear-stained, clutching my chest.
His jaw tightened. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, wiping my face.
He crouched in front of me, his hand catching my wrist. “You’re lying again.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine,” he growled. His thumb brushed over the pill bottle still clutched in my hand. “What are these again ?”
“Vitamins i told you before Hardin .”
His expression darkened. “Rhianna, don’t play me for a fool. I’ve known you practically all my life. I know when something’s wrong. I know when something is eating you up. I know when you are happy and when you are down. So dont fucking lie to me Rhi. Speak to me. Are you sick? Just talk to me little wolf"
I looked away, blinking fast. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
For a long moment, he was silent. Then he sighed, stood, and offered me his hand.
“Come on,” he said gruffly. “You’re not staying locked in here crying while they talk about you like you’re not even worth fighting for.”
I stared at his hand — strong, calloused, waiting. Then I took it.
And for the first time that day, I felt like someone was on my side.
As Hardin led me out of the restroom, the council meeting was ending. Sebastian stood at the far end of the hall, watching us with a storm brewing in his eyes.
For a second, no one moved.
Then Sebastian’s jaw clenched, his voice low and dangerous:
“What the hell are you doing with my mate?”