Chapter 2
Darius's POV
Looking at the injured young wolf before me, my mind finally cleared completely.
So that was it. She saved me out of gratitude.
I carefully recalled that afternoon seven years ago—the memory was fuzzy, but it definitely happened. A little girl surrounded by beasts, and I'd casually saved her. To me it was nothing, but she'd remembered all these years.
"So that's how it is." I said coolly, my guard slightly lowering.
At least she wasn't deliberately targeting me or part of some political scheme. Just a naive girl repaying a debt.
I tried sitting up, but searing pain shot through my chest wound. Damn, my condition was worse than expected. Those Moon Devourers' poisoned claws hadn't just torn my flesh—venom was spreading through my bloodstream, leaving me weak.
Worse, the storm continued outside with unknown numbers of monsters still prowling. In my current state, I couldn't safely return to the pack.
My gaze involuntarily fell on Ember. She kept her head down, hair hiding most of her face, but I could still see the disappointment and hurt in her eyes.
Wait...
I suddenly noticed an important detail. When she'd explained saving me, the eagerness and nervousness in her eyes went far beyond simple gratitude. That look of gazing at someone beloved—I'd seen it countless times.
Young she-wolves looked at me exactly like that.
She was in love with me.
This realization stirred something indescribable within me. A low-ranking sickly wolf daring to love me? Absolutely presumptuous.
But... this could be an opportunity.
I was severely injured and needed protection getting back to the pack. A woman deeply in love with me would make the most reliable bodyguard. She'd already risked her life for me once—with a little manipulation, she'd gladly do anything else for me.
With this thought, I softened my cold expression and deliberately gentled my tone.
"Ember..."
She immediately looked up, those eyes startlingly bright in the firelight.
"Yes, Alpha Darius?" Her voice carried a tremor, as if expecting something.
I gazed deeply at her, saying softly, "Perhaps... fate brought us together here for a reason."
Her breathing obviously quickened. "You mean..."
I reached out, gently caressing her cheek. Her skin was soft and slightly damp—sweat or tears, I couldn't tell. "You saved my life. I'll never forget this debt. If you can help me safely return to the pack..."
I deliberately paused, letting her imagination fill the blank.
"I'll seriously consider... the possibilities between us."
The effect was immediate. Her eyes widened instantly, filling with tears—but happy tears this time.
"Alpha Darius, are you saying..." Her voice trembled violently, barely forming complete words. "You would... would consider bonding with me?"
I didn't answer directly, just smiled gently, letting her interpret for herself. Vague hints worked better than explicit promises.
"Help me get back to the pack first," I said tenderly. "For now, we both need rest. Tomorrow we'll figure out how to return."
Watching her face flush with excitement, I felt no guilt whatsoever. This was just a transaction. She got hope (even if false), I got protection. Fair exchange.
As for her feelings... how precious could a low-ranking wolf's emotions be?
The next afternoon, the rain finally stopped. Though my injuries remained serious, I could barely walk. With Ember's support, we began the journey back to our pack.
She was incredibly attentive, always letting me lean on her shoulder, bearing most of my weight. Whenever I winced from pain, she'd worriedly ask if I needed rest.
"Alpha Darius, can you still manage?" She stopped for the umpteenth time, looking at me with concern.
"I'm fine." I forced an answer, though every step felt like knives stabbing my chest.
We'd been walking nearly three hours with most of a day's journey remaining. Beast roars still echoed distantly through the forest—less dense than last night but still dangerous.
Suddenly, rustling came from the bushes.
I immediately tensed, using what little strength remained to pull Ember close. "Careful."
Three smaller Moon Devourers burst from the undergrowth. Remnants from last night's horde—smaller than yesterday's monsters but still lethal.
In my current state, I couldn't even shift.
"Alpha Darius, get behind me!"
Before I could react, Ember had rushed in front of me. She gritted her teeth, enduring agonizing pain as she began shifting.
I watched her body tremble, her face contorting with suffering, but she persisted through the transformation. Her wolf form was indeed small—just an ordinary gray wolf, nowhere near my red-wolf bloodline.
But she didn't retreat.
"I won't let them hurt you!" She roared, charging the three Moon Devourers.
This wasn't a fair fight at all. Her attacks were like scratches to those monsters, while their every counterattack left deep wounds across her body.
Blood quickly stained her gray fur, but she still bit down hard on one Moon Devourer, even as another beast's claws pierced deep into her shoulder.
"I won't let them hurt you!" She repeated this phrase while bleeding, voice hoarse with pain.
Watching her fight desperately for me in that pool of blood, something unprecedented stirred in my chest.
What was that? Heartache? Protectiveness?
No, impossible. She was just a low-ranking wolf, just my tool. I shouldn't have such feelings.
But when the third Moon Devourer's claws reached for her throat, my body reacted faster than reason.
Rage blazed like fire within me, giving me strength to force a shift. The red giant wolf appeared with a roar, tearing those three monsters apart with lightning speed.
After the battle, I immediately rushed to Ember's side. She'd already returned to human form, lying dying in a pool of blood.
"Ember? Ember!" I carefully lifted her into my arms, my hands trembling slightly.
Her face was deathly pale, but her eyes still shone. "Alpha Darius... I'm glad you're safe..."
Looking at this girl who'd fought desperately for me, something inside my chest shook violently.
Why would she do this? Was a vague promise worth risking her life?
"Fool..." I heard myself whisper, my voice carrying gentleness I didn't even notice.
No, this was wrong. I couldn't think this way.
She was just a tool, a useful tool. I felt heartache only because she was my guarantee of returning to the pack. If she died, I'd struggle to survive too. That was all—no other reason.
"She's just a tool..." I repeated mentally, trying to convince myself. "I can't have other thoughts..."
But my hands holding her continued trembling uncontrollably.
Just as I tried understanding this inexplicable emotion, familiar voices came from the distance.
"Alpha Darius! Alpha Darius!"
The pack's rescue team. They'd finally found us.