Chapter 206 My Angel | 099

Chapter 206 My Angel | 099
BLUE

The engine dies behind me as the convoy rolls to a stop. For a second, I just sit there with my hands on my thighs. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it's trying to check out on me.

This is it.

It isn't some training or observation procedure. This isn't me standing behind Darrell and watching how it's done.

This is mine. My mission.

And gods... I can feel every single pair of eyes on me.

They're probably wondering if I'm about to screw this up like I always do.

I inhale slowly.

Then I push the door open. Boots hit the ground. My spine straightens automatically as the rest of the unit falls into formation behind me.

They're quiet because this isn't supposed to be me.

This is supposed to be Darrell. The competent twin.

The one who actually knows what he's doing.

Not the half-fox, half-wolf girl people used to laugh at behind her back. Or the legendary Kira James' disappointing daughter.

My jaw tightens.

Yeah. I hear it even when no one says it out loud.

Always have.

The only one who ever looked at me like I mattered was Azren. And I failed him.

When he asked me to watch over Noelle, I let them take her. The guilt still sits in my throat.

But Azren... he didn't give up on me.

....

FLASHBACK — AZREN'S OFFICE

His office had smelled like expensive wine mixed with his charming scent.

I remember standing there, stiff as hell, while my alpha lounged behind on his tilted chair with his feet up on the desk. A glass of wine had been dangling lazily from his fingers.

"Blue," he'd said, as if he hadn't just summoned me out of nowhere. "You busy?"

I blinked.

"...No?"

"Great." He took a slow sip. "I have a job for you, Bluebell."

I remember straightening immediately. Because when Alpha calls, you listen. Even if it's probably going to end with you embarrassing yourself.

"Yes, Alpha."

He hummed, swirling the wine in his glass.

"I need you to find me the Dagger of Divine End."

I waited.

That was it?

"...Okay," I said slowly. "What kind of dagger?"

He smiled. That should've been my first warning.

"It’s the kind that kills gods."

I stared at him, and he stared back, completely serious.

"...you're joking," I said.

He didn't even blink.

"No."

I actually looked around the room, expecting someone to jump out and tell me this was a test.

"Alpha... respectfully... I'm not—"

"Not Darrell?" he cut in, amused.

My mouth snapped shut and heat crept up my neck.

"...yes."

He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin against his knuckles, studying me closely.

"Do you think I don't know what people say about you?" he asked casually.

I swallowed hard.

His smirk softened just a little.

"They say you're not the strongest," he continued. "Not the smartest. Not the fastest."

Each word stung.

"They're right."

That one hit me the hardest. I clenched my fist.

"But," he added, lifting a finger, "they're also stupid."

I blinked.

"...what?"

He took another sip of wine, completely at ease.

"You don't freeze under pressure," he said. "You hesitate—yes—but you don't freeze. That matters."

My heart skipped.

"You watch people," he continued. "You listen. You notice things others miss because they're too busy showing off."

He tilted his head slightly. "And most importantly?"

His scorching eyes locked onto mine. "You don't quit."

A heavy silence filled the room. I didn't even know what to say.

No one had ever—

"Why me?" I whispered.

His answer came without hesitation.

"Because if I send Darrell," he said, "he'll try to be brilliant."

He paused briefly.

"You'll just get it done."

I stared at him, completely thrown.

"...that's your reason?" I asked.

He grinned. "Pretty solid one."

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

And yet—

I nodded.

"Yes, Alpha."

.....

BACK TO THE PRESENT

My boots crunch against gravel as we advance towards the facility. And my chest feels tight.

Because I did it. I actually did it.

The auction had been chaotic, but when I saw it... I knew.

I'd almost laughed. Because for the first time in my life, I'd thought, 'I didn't mess this up.'

I was going to bring it to him tonight and watch his face. Maybe, just maybe, hear him say I did good.

Instead...

My grip tightens around the weapon hidden beneath my coat. Instead, something bigger dropped into my lap. Something terrifying.

My third serious mission. Commanding the units.

"Positions," I snap.

My voice comes out louder than I thought it would. The units move instantly, spreading out under my direction. They're not questioning anymore. They're listening.

My pulse spikes.

Oh gods... Oh, this is real.

I step forward, my gaze locking onto the facility ahead.

Somewhere inside, my alpha is fighting and bleeding.

And I wasn't there when he needed me before.

I failed him. I failed Noelle. But not this time. Never again.

My fingers tighten around the dagger. Cold power hums against my palm.

God-killer. Yeah.

No pressure.

I bare my teeth slightly.

"Move," I order, my voice low and deadly.

Then I take the first step forward, leading them straight into hell.

For him.

....

The deeper we move into the facility, the worse it feels. The air is wrong. It feels like the walls themselves are holding their breath. And worse, this place looks like it’s on the edge of total collapse. Not terrifying at all.

"—breathe, Jake, come on—" I hear voices from the corner.

My head snaps up.

"Hold," I order, raising a hand.

The unit freezes instantly behind me.

I move first, turning the corner, only for me to find Cam, Danika, Darrell—

My chest tightens—

—and Jake. On the floor. He's barely conscious.

His body is trembling, one hand clutching weakly at his chest as he struggles to drag in air that just... won't come. A horrible, wet sound rattles in his throat. As if he's drowning.

"Shit—" Cam runs a hand through his hair, pacing. "He just dropped like this—he can't breathe—"

"There's fluid," Danika says urgently, kneeling beside him. "I can hear it—his lungs—"

My stomach drops.

Darrell looks up, and the moment his eyes land on me, they widen.

"Blue?"

That's all it takes.

"Darrell—!"

I'm moving before I even realize it, closing the distance in seconds and throwing my arms around him. He lets out a soft huff of surprise. But his arms come around me immediately, solid and warm.

Gods. He's alive. He's okay.

His hand comes up and ruffles my hair the way he used to when we were kids.

"Easy," he grins. "Didn't think I'd die before seeing you boss people around, did you?”

I pull back, blinking hard.

"You idiot," I mutter, but my voice wobbles just a little.

His grin widens. “Commander."

I freeze.

"...what?"

His expression softens.

"I heard," he says. "You're running point."

My cheeks burn. “That's—temporary—"

"Doesn't matter," he cuts in. "You stepped up. I'm proud of you."

I look away quickly, swallowing hard.

"...thanks."

Jake chokes right then, letting out a wet gasp. I spin immediately, dropping beside him.

Danika shifts slightly to give me space, her eyes searching mine. “You know what this is?"

I don't answer right away. Because I'm observing now.

Jake's lips are tinged blue. His breathing is shallow and strained, as though something inside him is blocking every inhale.

Definitely fluid.

But why?

My brows knit together. There's no external chest wound. No visible trauma either. Which means it’s internal.

I exhale slowly.

"Let me try something," I say.

Cam looks at me as if he wants to question it. Darrell doesn't.

"Let her work," he says.

That's all the permission I need. I draw closer, my knees hitting the cold floor.

"...sorry," I mumble under my breath.

My fingers hesitate at the hem of Jake's shirt.

Gods. Really? Now?

Heat creeps up my neck.

I've had a crush on this man for years, and the first time I'm touching him like this, he's literally dying.

Perfect.

"Focus," I whisper to myself.

Then I lift his shirt. His skin is so warm. And the tattoos stretch across his torso, dark ink swirling over muscle that tightens every time he struggles to breathe. Such gorgeous abs.

I press my fingers lightly against his ribs. Jake flinches.

"Fuck—”

"Sorry—sorry," I stutter quickly.

There it is.

My eyes narrow slightly. Beneath the ink... something feels off. It’s swollen. There’s both pressure and fluid.

My fox instincts sizzle.

"Got you..." I whisper.

I close my eyes briefly, reaching inward. Then I push outward. A soft, golden-amber glow appears on my fingertips. It sinks into his skin, threading past muscle and bone, searching and mending.

I press slightly firmer. Jake chokes again, his body tensing hard.

"Hold on," I whisper, my voice steadier now. "I see it."

I guide the energy carefully. The swelling resists for a moment. Then it gives way.

He lets out a loud gurgling cough. Dark fluid comes out of his mouth as he rolls slightly onto his side, coughing hard.

Air rushes back into his lungs in ragged, desperate gasps.

It's the best sound I've ever heard. I pull my hands back quickly, breathing a little heavier now.

"...there," I mumble.

Jake drags in a shaky breath. Then another. Colour slowly starts returning to his face.

Cam exhales hard behind me.

"Holy—"

Danika lets out a soft, relieved breath. Darrell just watches me quietly.

Jake groans weakly, blinking up at the ceiling.

"...damn," he rasps. "That... sucked."

Relief hits me so hard I almost laugh. Instead, I sit back on my heels, wiping my hands against my pants to hide the slight tremble.

"You're fine," I say, trying to sound casual.

My heart is still racing, though Jake's gaze shifts and finds me. I can feel blood rushing to my cheeks under those intense grey eyes.

"...Blue?" he rasps softly.

I swallow hard. “…y-yeah."

His lips twitch faintly. “Didn't know you had that in you."

I look away quickly, the heat creeping into my ears.

"...me neither."

Behind me, Darrell lets out a laugh.

"Let’s go get our alpha,” I say, clearing my throat awkwardly.

“Yes, commander!” The chorus has me blushing harder.