The weight of saving Alex and protecting my kids from Dominic consumes me. Alex growls suddenly, and as I bend to attend to him, he urges me to go after the kids.
"I won't leave you, I promise." I assure him tearfully, using a napkin from his pocket to wipe his face. "Is your wolf healing slow?" I playfully inquire, and he chuckles slightly.
"No, Nora. I was stabbed with silver." He reveals, causing my heart to throb. I rush downstairs to find treatment, only to discover Dominic has taken it.
"Damn!" I curse silently while attempting to concoct a potion. The wolf healer walks in, and with a smile, I approach him.
"Let's make the potion for silver poisoning, please." I state, but he glares at me, maintaining a stoic silence.
"Are you insane? Didn't you hear me?" I question angrily, bringing him back to reality.
"I'm sorry, I was just figuring out how to mix the potions since the needed substances aren't here in the pack. But I have a friend who can help. I'll take you to him." He responds.
"Please do. I'll follow you there." I sigh, motioning for him to follow me upstairs. His footsteps echo behind me as we enter the room, only to find Alex sprawled in blood. The napkin can no longer contain it. James, the wolf healer, furrows his brow at the grim sight, swiftly securing Alex to his back as he rushes out of the room.
My emotions vanish as I witness his swift movements. Could he be a vampire? I relinquish control to my wolf, chasing after them, abandoning my pack without notice. While my wolf tracks their scent, I notice a distant scene. Two little kids are being taken by a wolf. Assuming they're mine, I speed toward them, battling any rogue in my way. But the wolf changes districts, eluding my pursuit, and the risk of wolfsbane injection is high.
Shifting to my human form, now naked, I seek shelter. Someone collides with me, warning of the danger. Suddenly, a blade emerges from his stomach, red flowing. Suppressing the urge to identify the killer, I sprint away, shifting back to my wolf and returning to my pack.
Alex's Beta greets me as I enter, expressing concern about potential injuries and the absent pack healer. I calm him down and he guides me to his room, seeking information.
"The Alpha will have the best answers when he returns." I insist after each of his questions. A pop-up message grabs my attention, revealing that the kids are located but can't be reached. My cheeks flush at the bravery of Alex and the pack healer. Attempting to respond, the Beta snatches the phone from me, appearing annoyed.
"Answer my questions and refrain from indulging in fake love messages." He asserts bluntly, my gaze fixed on him.
"I'm certain you don't want more losses in this pack." I retort, and he tosses the phone back with a lingering hiss.
"The Alpha is already in the pack. We need you. We have to discuss." He asserts.
"How did you know he's around?"
"See? Your mate... You can't even sniff his scent. I doubt if you were truly turned." As he speaks, Alex bursts into the room, sweating but attempting to maintain a cheerful demeanor. He spots me and waves.
I hurry over, and he envelops me in a hug.
"Thanks for reviving me." He whispers in my ear.
"Sure. How did you reach the kids?" I quietly inquire as he instructs his Beta to leave.
"We need to have the meeting right now. What's the delay?" He questions the Alpha.
"Leave the room now." The Alpha orders, his Beta rolling his eyes as he exits. I guide Alex to the bed, and as he shuts the curtain, he speaks.
"I'm not sure the kids are safe." He shakily sighs.
My forehead creases as I respond, "What's happening? Did any rogue defeat Dominic?"
He glares at me defiantly, "How could you let them go? You could have left me here to die instead of the kids! You didn't choose the best option, and I'm disappointed with you, Nora."
I chuckle softly, attempting to rub his chest, but he flings my hands away, anger evident. "You wouldn't be talking now if I hadn't saved you or summoned the pack healer."
"I'd rather die a hero than watch the kids suffer in the hands of a traitor!" He declares, and I shush him.
"Don't raise your voice at me. It means raising your voice at the pack at large!" I scream back. "We won't settle anything if we keep shouting."
"Are they even your kids?" I disappointedly ask him.
"Oh." He clips, gulping. "Is this what you're implying? Who's been responsible for Jack and Jake?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
He rises to his feet, but I hold him back, casting an unholy glance at him. "Oh-uh, nope. Not even now. I'm pissed off." He struggles to say, but I split my clothes apart, making him gulp at the sight before him.
"It's been ten years..." He says, a smile forming on his lips. "... but you look way sexier."
"Thank you." I murmur, munching his lips and pushing him onto the bed. As I unbutton his chest, attempting to free him from his trousers, someone breaks into the room.
"It's your Beta, James." I complain to Alec, quickly covering myself with the bedsheet.
"What led to this?" The Beta furiously sighs, walking out of the room. Alec tries to rush after him, but I hold him back.
"Why would you run to meet your subject?" I roll my eyes angrily, fondling my breasts in his presence. He averts his gaze and sighs.
"There might be something unusual in the pack. You know about James; let me handle this for the pack." He responds.
"No, this isn't happening." I protest, trying to fight him back to bed. He flings me off and bursts out of the room. Disappointed, I approach his wardrobe to grab one of his shirts to take with me in case I shift, planning to leave his pack. As I pick up a colorful T-shirt, a strand of female hair falls to the ground. My breath trembles as different thoughts flood my mind. Staring at it, he reenters the room, dumbfounded.