Chapter 34 BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Varkos
Light burned through my vision, and brutal as consciousness slammed back into me, forcing a low curse from my throat as pain shot through my ribs.
Fuck!
I dragged in a breath as I forced myself up from the bed, my lungs screamed as if they no longer remembered how to work, every inhale leaving fire along its wake.
Where the hell am I?
I blinked hard, jaw tightening as I scanned the entire room to try to recall how in heaven’s name I had landed here in the first place. My wolf surged violently beneath my skin as I forced myself to sit up, but I only got agonizing pain in return as it exploded through my ribs.
I collapsed back onto the bed, my hand instinctively pressing to my side as the movement sent white-hot pain through me, sharp enough to steal my breath.
“Mother fuckin—“
“Varkos!”
A familiar voice shattered through my haze of pain immediately.
Kenna.
Her footsteps rushed toward me, the sound of her heels echoing against the polished marble floor with every step she took.
“Thank God…you’re finally awake,” she said, relief flooding her tone as she leaned over me. Her hands went to my shoulders, then wrapped around my neck as she pulled me into a careful hug. “You scared me, baby. Don’t ever make me this worried ever again.”
I stiffened instinctively.
Her embrace felt… wrong. But before I could part my lips to respond, another presence entered the room—calmer, heavier, far more dangerous.
Lady Ravena.
She stood at the edge of the bed, her posture normal, her expression tightly controlled as her eyes swept over me with sharp scrutiny, relief flickering there only briefly before being buried beneath her usual cold mask.
“Looks like someone is finally awake,” she said coolly. “About damn time.”
“How long was I unconscious?” I forced the words out, despite the pain burning through my ribs. Kenna pulled back slightly, still hovering far too close than she was supposed to.
“You’ve been unconscious for five days, Varkos,” she answered. “Those stupid rogue wolves injured you badly.”
Five days?
My jaw clenched. “That’s impossible.”
“Well…your wounds were severe.” Lady Ravena hissed as she stepped closer, “It was worse than we initially thought. And for some reasons that remain unclear, your body resisted healing.”
That was a fucking lie.
I should have healed within hours. I always did, I inhaled slowly, fighting through the pain as my mind raced with different thoughts that I didn’t want to admit to.
Then—
The thought hit me like a blade to the chest as I pushed myself upright again, despite the agony, “Lily!”
Kenna blinked. “What?”
“The human child,” I growled, my voice thundering across the healing chambers. “Is she safe?”
Lady Ravena’s expression darkened instantly. “Are you kidding me right now, Varkos? You should be concerned about yourself, not some worthless human brat.”
My eyes flickered to her, flaring hot and fast, “I demand a fuckin answer whenever I ask a question. Is that too hard for you to understand, mother?”
“Why are you even asking about them?” Kenna’s voice shattered through the tension, her eyes flicking between both of us, the confusion on her quickly morphing into irritation. “You nearly died because you were saving that thing.”
“I won’t repeat myself.”
For a moment, silence fell over the whole room, thick and suffocating. Then finally Lady Ravena parted her lips to reply, “The child is alive,” her voice laced with venom. “Unfortunately.”
Relief hit me harder than I expected even though I didn’t want to admit to it.
“This is unbelievable!” Kenna scoffed, “ You’re lying there half-dead, and the first thing you ask about is that…that human child?”
“They are my responsibility,” I said coldly, “Ginnie is my personal slave,” I continued, forcing my voice steady despite the pain pulsing through me. “So she and her little sister fall under my protection.”
Lady Ravena studied me closely now, suspicion evident beneath her composed exterior.
“This attack,” I said, forcing myself to swing my legs over the side of the bed. “Something tells me it wasn’t just an ordinary attack.”
Kenna gasped in worry as she stretched out her hands to help. “Varkos, what are you doing? You can’t even stand properly.”
“Those rogues knew exactly what time and how to strike, “ I went on, ignoring Kenna’s so-called worrisome words to me. “They moved with purpose. Precision.”
“Yes, Varkos. You’re right.” Lady Ravena nodded slowly, “We’re investigating whoever attacked the Blood Moon Pack Villa… they will pay with their blood.”
“Good,” I growled. “I want answers immediately.”
Pain shot through my side viciously as I stood up, nearly dropping me to one knee. Kenna rushed forward instinctively, grabbing my arm.“Don’t be stupid, Baby,” she hissed. “The doctor strictly ordered that you need rest.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re bleeding internally,” she snapped.
“I said I’m fine.” I yanked my arm free, “I’m going to see for myself if Ginnie and Lily are both fine.”
“No!” Both women spoke at once. “You’re not going anywhere,” before I could make a move Kenna grabbed my wrist again, jealousy and anger twisting across her face.
“Why do you care so much about those two? You haven’t even asked if I was attacked too or not. If I’m safe.”
I turned slowly, meeting her gaze.
“Let. Go. Of. My. Hand,” I said quietly, my voice dropping to a low dangerous whisper. The tone did it, because her fingers loosened instantly. I didn’t look back as I left the chamber, the halls felt longer than usual as I made my way to the staff quarters, each step sending a dull ache through my ribs.
What the fuck are you doing right now, Varkos?
It wasn’t supposed to matter to you if they were both fine or not. It was just a responsibility, nothing more. That was what I told myself as I reached the staff quarters.
Before my brain could think I was already in front of her door. My hand lifted to knock, then froze midway.
What the hell was I doing?
Checking on a human slave? Showing concern?
Absolute weakness!
I couldn’t afford to show this much weakness.
As I took one step to turn away before anyone would see me here—
“Varkos?”
A voice called me from behind as the door creaked open. Her voice came out more than a whisper.
Shit!
I turned instantly to see Ginnie standing at the door, her face pale, a faint bruise visible along her arm. She looked smaller…somehow fragile.
“Y…you’re awake?” she said softly.