CHAPTER 51

CHAPTER 51
ALDRIC

When I arrived at the square and didn’t see Valeria, my blood ran cold.

I immediately tried to reach her through the bond, but she felt too far away.

I followed her scent like a madman until we found the Alpha’s son’s wheelchair abandoned in a small inner courtyard.

People nearby shared fragments of what they had seen and heard.

She was in trouble again—reckless, chasing after a stranger.

I knew she had done it for the pup, but risking her life like this, exposing herself to danger, made my blood boil with the urge to bend her over my knee and spank her for such foolishness.

Valeria… I won’t punish you if you’re safe. I swear I won’t even scold you—just please, stay alive.

I begged silently as I ran at full speed through the pack’s territory, nearly shifting into my beast, leaving the Alpha struggling to keep up behind me.

When I reached that decrepit house, I could feel the rats fleeing through the back.

I didn’t have time to chase them; I would hunt them down later.

Right now, the overwhelming scent of Valeria’s blood made my soul tremble with a fear I knew all too well—

The terror of losing someone I loved.

“VALERIA!!” I roared, storming inside, only to see a dark, jagged hole in the floor where she lay dying at the bottom of the abyss.

I leapt without hesitation, landing hard on the worn boards below, which groaned under my weight.

I fell to my knees beside her.

My trembling hands went to the wound in her chest, where a rusted iron rod protruded, piercing straight through her fragile body.

“A… Aldric…”

“Don’t speak, little one. Don’t waste your strength. Hold on. I’m going to save you. I’ll save you, even if it costs me my life,” I promised her, though inside I was cursing myself, sinking into despair.

If I pulled the iron from her chest, the wound would worsen.

I was terrified it had already pierced her heart.

I couldn’t move her.

Valeria didn’t heal like other wolves; that was why she bore so many scars.

She was dying. I could feel her pulse fading, her skin turning pale and cold beneath my fingers.

My sanity was slipping away along with her life.

I was reliving my worst nightmare—holding the woman I cared for most as she slipped from my grasp.

“No… no, you can’t die, Valeria. I can’t lose you too. I can’t.”

My chest tightened, my emotions spiraling into helplessness and rage.

“Alpha Garret! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?! I NEED YOU HERE—NOW!!” I commanded with all my strength, but deep down I knew no matter how fast he came, it wouldn’t be enough.

Not even if he sprouted wings.

His blood wouldn’t reach Valeria in time to save her.

I leaned over her fragile body, wrapping my arms around her, eyes shut as tears burned my vision.

I could feel her slipping away in my embrace.

My wolf, shackled deep within me by countless chains, fought harder than ever, howling in agony as our bond to her grew weaker.

Wait…

If things were truly as I suspected—if Valeria was my second-chance mate—then my blood shouldn’t be toxic to her.

She had once swallowed my essence and only fainted, despite the risk.

I had to take the chance.

This could either save her… or send her straight to her death.

“Please, Vale… I’m begging you, don’t leave me too, little one. You have to survive. You have to fight,” I whispered against her lips, giving her the softest kiss, pouring all my emotions into that touch while my trembling fingers gently caressed her cheek.

Then I tore open a deep wound at my neck, praying to the Goddess that Valeria was truly my mate.

If it meant sacrificing my life to save hers, I was ready to give her my soul.

I cradled the back of her head and pressed her lips to the bleeding wound at my neck.

“Drink, Valeria. You’re not allowed to die. That’s an order from your King… your Alpha… your male. You’re mine. My female. You belong to me, and you’re not leaving this world without me.”

I held her tightly, careful not to move her too roughly, demanding over and over that she drink.

The blood trickled down her chin, wasted, as she grew colder and stiffer with every passing second.

“DRINK FROM ME, VALERIA! FIGHT! DON’T GIVE UP! DAMN IT, YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE UP! DRINK MY BLOOD! TAKE MY LIFE FORCE!”

I went mad, roaring into her mind, pouring all my Lycan power into the command, forcing her to obey.

Desperation crushed my soul, building to unbearable levels—until finally, when I was on the verge of losing her completely, I felt her lips begin to move against my skin.

My heart thundered wildly, more terrified than I had ever been in my life.

I was making her drink—forcing either the cure or the poison down her throat.

I stayed completely still while she fed from my vein, cradling her close, my body half draped over hers on the cold floor.

I closed my damp eyes, trying to suppress the knot tightening in my throat, overwhelmed by both fear and relief.

Pleasure coursed through my body despite the dire situation.

There was no longer any doubt in my mind—

She is my mate.

Valeria was my mate.

My second chance at love.