Chapter 81: 81

Andrea held Jaxon’s bloodied body in her arms, her chest tightening with terror. His blood soaked through her shirt, warm and thick, spreading like a warning sign of death. Her hands trembled, stained red, as she whispered frantic prayers beneath her breath.

“God, please… please save them. Don’t let anything happen to them,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “They’ve been there for me through everything. Jaxon… Rick… Jack… please God, protect them.”

Her heart pounded wildly as she pushed the gym doors open and rushed into the basketball court. The metallic scent of blood hit her like a brick. And then—her legs froze. Her eyes widened in horror.

There, under the harsh, flickering court lights, a man in a black hoodie twisted a knife into someone’s stomach. Her stomach dropped.

“Jaxon!” she screamed.

Her voice cracked as she bolted forward, her heart lodged in her throat. The man let go of the knife, leaving it lodged in Jaxon’s stomach, and stepped back, his face covered by a scarf. Andrea collapsed just in time to catch Jaxon as he fell limply into her arms. His blood smeared across her face and chest.

The man’s cold voice broke the silence. “Andrea,” he sneered, emphasizing her name. “Or should I say… Elena?”

Andrea’s eyes flickered in shock. Her breath caught in her throat.

“I knew it. Finding the Alpha wasn’t that hard,” the man continued, walking casually toward them, wiping the bloodied knife with a white handkerchief. “He was right in front of you this whole time. But you didn’t want to figure it out, did you?”

Andrea’s jaw clenched. Her hand tightened around Jaxon’s. “Shut up. What do you want from him? Why would you do this?” she snapped, her voice cracking under the weight of panic and rage.

The man let out a low laugh. “You should’ve asked that before you accepted the mission. Your father—your oh-so-precious elder—pushed you into it. For what? So you could take the Alpha’s place? So you could lead the pack?”

Andrea flinched.

“You failed,” he said flatly. “You were supposed to kill him. But you fell for him instead, didn’t you? You’re weak. I already killed the real Alpha your father ordered dead. Now I’ll take his place as the new leader of our organization. All for the betterment of us… except you.”

His voice dripped with disdain.

Andrea’s lips quivered as she stared at the blood soaking through Jaxon’s shirt. “He didn’t deserve this. None of them did…”

The man dropped the knife at her feet. “Too late. You’ll rot in hell along with him.”

He turned to leave, but paused halfway and looked back.

“Oh—and Jaxon?” the man called out.

Jaxon groaned weakly, blood bubbling at the corners of his mouth. His eyelids fluttered.

“Don’t hate me,” the man said, his voice icy. “If I didn’t kill you, she would have.”

Andrea froze.

“She’s not who you think she is,” the man said, voice rising. “Her name is Elena. Daughter of the Elder. The one who sent her to murder the Alpha… which just so happens to be you.”

Then, like smoke, he vanished into the shadows, leaving nothing but blood and silence behind.

Jaxon, though barely conscious, had heard him.

“Elena…” he whispered.

Andrea’s heart stopped. Her grip on him tightened.

“Elena… what’s… the name… of your pack?” Jaxon rasped out, staring up at her with fading eyes.

Andrea shook her head quickly, pressing her palm to his cheek. “No, no, no. Stop talking. You’re bleeding too much,” she said through her teeth, her voice breaking. “If you keep talking, you’ll lose more blood.”

Her vision blurred with tears. She looked around the court desperately—no one in sight. Nothing to stop the bleeding.

She sucked in a breath. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.

Then, swallowing hard, she grabbed his hand.

As werewolves, they shared a rare bond—one that allowed them to exchange pain if the emotional connection was deep enough. Andrea had never done it before, but now wasn’t the time to hesitate.

She closed her eyes, channeling her energy, and took in his pain.

A scream tore through her lips as his agony shot through her like lightning. Her body convulsed, and her eyes burned with tears. She could feel the blade wound as if it were hers.

Her breathing turned shallow, her lips trembling uncontrollably. But she didn’t stop.

When she opened her eyes again, Jaxon looked slightly more stable—his pain dulling, just enough. But his skin remained ghostly pale.

She reached for her phone with shaking fingers. Her thumb hovered over the emergency dial.

“911…” she muttered, “I have to—”

But Jaxon’s weak hand stopped hers.

“It’s… okay,” he whispered.

“No, it’s not!” Andrea snapped. “You’re bleeding to death.”

“I’m fine… just listen to me…”

She cupped his face. “Jaxon, please stop. You’re not fine—”

He interrupted, “Andrea’s head…”

“What?” Her brows knitted in confusion.

He shook his head faintly. “Forget it.”

Andrea bit her lip, frustration and fear swirling in her chest. Her hands fumbled as she pulled off her jacket and pressed it tightly to his wound, trying to slow the bleeding.

He winced.

“I’m sorry—just hold on,” she whispered.

Still, blood seeped through.

She unbuttoned the top of his shirt, trying to let him breathe easier. But as she reached for the second button, he weakly grabbed her wrist.

“What… are you doing?” he asked, eyes fluttering.

“I need to check your breathing. Your chest—it’s rising too slow—”

“No… don’t open it,” he said, his voice strained but sharp.

Andrea’s brows furrowed. “Why not? I need to—”

“I said… don’t.”

She hesitated, then shook her head in frustration. “To hell with that. I’m not letting you die.”

With one swift motion, she tore open his shirt—her breath hitched.

Right there on his chest, glowing faintly against his skin, was a key-shaped pendant, embedded like a brand.

Her eyes widened. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

Her voice came out as a whisper. “No…”

Jaxon gave a weak, bitter chuckle. “So… you finally know. The heir… the Alpha your pack wants you to kill.”

Andrea’s face crumpled in shock.

“I got this tattoo… after my mate left me…”

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Before she could say anything—

His eyes rolled back. His body went limp.

“No—no, no, no—” Andrea cried. “Please wake up!”

Tears spilled from her eyes as she shook him, but he didn’t respond.

Just then, Rick and Jack burst through the door, their faces pale with panic.

“What happened?” Rick shouted.

“He’s bleeding out!” Andrea screamed. “Help me!”

Rick and Jack rushed to her side, carefully lifting Jaxon from her arms.

“We’re taking him out. Now,” Rick said.

“I’ll call a doctor,” Jack added, already pulling out his phone.

Andrea stood, her knees wobbling. “No—no hospital,” she said firmly. “We can’t involve humans in this. Call the pack doctor instead—please…”