Chapter 49
The morning light broke harshly through the healer’s windows.
The air was heavy with the scent of herbs and fear.
Rhianna still lay on the cot, her skin as pale as moonlight, a damp cloth pressed against her forehead. Tia sat silently by her side, her fingers clutching the edge of the blanket, eyes swollen from crying. Hardin stood by the window, arms crossed tightly, staring at nothing. He hadn’t moved for hours.
When footsteps thundered from outside, everyone turned.
The door burst open.
“Where is she?” Sebastian’s voice cut through the silence like a blade. His eyes blazed as he strode in, the pack’s beta trailing nervously behind him. “What happened to my mate?”
Hardin straightened immediately, his expression cold. “She collapsed last night.”
Sebastian froze, his jaw tightening. His eyes darted toward the bed—and then to Rhianna, so still she looked almost lifeless. He crossed the room in two strides, kneeling beside her, brushing a trembling hand against her cheek.
“She’s cold,” he whispered.
Alden approached quietly from the side room, exhaustion carved into every line of his face. “She’s stable now,” he said, keeping his tone even. “But she nearly didn’t make it.”
Sebastian’s head snapped toward him. “What did you say?”
Alden sighed. “Her pulse dropped. Her heart stopped for a moment. She’s been hiding something from all of you—”
“Enough.” Hardin’s voice came out low but firm. “She didn’t tell anyone because she didn’t want pity. You should understand that.”
Sebastian stood slowly, his gaze locking on Hardin. “Understand? My mate almost died, and you’re standing here talking like this is her fault?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” Sebastian took a step closer, the air between them tightening. “You’re always around her. You should’ve noticed something was wrong.”
Hardin’s jaw flexed, his amber eyes narrowing. “Don’t put this on me, Alpha. You were too busy playing happy family with your pregnant guest to notice the woman who’s breaking under your roof.”
The words hit like venom.
Sebastian’s fists clenched at his sides. “You don’t get to talk about her. Or my family.”
“Oh, I will,” Hardin snapped. “Because while you were busy holding someone else’s hand at the healer’s, Rhianna was fighting to breathe. She almost died, Sebastian. Died—while you were with Brittany.”
Tia flinched at the force in his voice. Even Alden looked away.
For a moment, silence pressed down on the room—thick, suffocating.
Then Sebastian exhaled sharply and turned back toward the bed.
He reached for Rhianna’s hand, his voice breaking slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me, Rhi?”
“She couldn’t,” Alden murmured. “She’s been taking something to manage her symptoms, but it’s not enough anymore.”
That caught Sebastian’s attention. He turned sharply. “What do you mean—taking something?”
Hardin’s eyes flicked to Tia, who immediately looked down, guilt flooding her face.
“Vitamins,” she muttered. “That’s what she said.”
Alden hesitated, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “They’re not vitamins.”
“Then what are they?” Hardin demanded.
The healer hesitated again. “A stabilizer,” he admitted finally. “Something to keep her wolf’s energy from collapsing. Her system’s been rejecting her power for months now. I told her to rest, to stay away from stress—”
“Stress?” Hardin scoffed bitterly. “Living under the same roof as her Alpha’s mistress while everyone whispers behind her back? You call that stress?”
Sebastian’s head shot up, eyes flashing. “Watch your tongue, Hardin.”
“Then watch how you treat her,” Hardin growled, stepping closer until they were inches apart. “Because if she dies—if anything happens to her—you’ll wish I was your enemy long ago.”
Tia moved between them before it could escalate further. “Please—both of you, stop! She’s right there!”
They both looked toward Rhianna.
She stirred faintly on the bed, a weak sound escaping her lips—a soft whimper, barely audible.
Sebastian’s anger broke instantly. He dropped to his knees again, taking her hand. “Rhianna—hey—it’s me. Can you hear me?”
Her fingers twitched faintly, her lashes fluttering open just a little.
She looked confused, dazed.
“Sebas…tian?” she whispered.
“I’m here,” he said quickly, brushing her hair back. “You’re safe.”
Her gaze drifted past him, finding Hardin in the corner. “You stayed.”
Hardin gave a small nod. “Of course I did.”
Sebastian glanced over his shoulder, jealousy and confusion flashing through his eyes—but he said nothing.
Alden stepped forward again. “She needs rest. Both of you, out.”
Sebastian didn’t move. “I’m not leaving her.”
“You’re in my ward,” Alden said sharply. “You’ll do as I say.”
Tia tugged at Sebastian’s sleeve, whispering, “Please. Let her sleep.”
Hardin was the last to step out of the room, pausing at the doorway. He turned once more, watching Rhianna’s weak, shallow breathing. The sight twisted something deep in him.
He could hear Sebastian’s low voice behind him as they walked into the hall.
“Don’t think for a second that I won’t find out what you’re hiding, Hardin.”
Hardin didn’t turn around. “Maybe you should start with what you’ve been hiding.”
The door closed between them with a soft click.
Inside, Alden watched Rhianna sleep, his brow furrowed in quiet worry. Outside, the pack was already whispering again—about the Alpha’s sick mate, the mysterious pills, the jealous Beta, and the pregnant woman who wouldn’t leave.
But in that moment, only one truth lingered in Hardin’s chest.
Rhianna was slipping away.
And no one—not even Sebastian—seemed to realize how close she was to the edge.