Chapter 3
Ember's POV
Sunlight streamed through the window onto my face, the warm sensation slowly bringing me back to consciousness.
Where was I?
Above me was a pristine white ceiling, the air thick with herbal scents. This was... the infirmary?
Memories flooded back instantly. Moon Devourers, the battle, Darius injured, me desperately protecting him...
"Darius!" I bolted upright, searing pain shooting through my chest, but I didn't care. "Where is Darius? How is he?"
"Easy, easy." A gentle voice came from beside me. "Lie down, your wounds haven't fully healed yet."
I turned to see our pack's head healer, Mira—a kind woman in her fifties. She was mixing herbs, and seeing me awake, her face broke into a relieved smile.
"Darius... is Alpha Darius okay?" My voice was hoarse, my throat feeling like it had been burned.
"Alpha Darius is perfectly fine," Mira approached my bedside, gently touching my forehead to check my temperature. "His injuries were much lighter than yours. He was walking around the next day. You, on the other hand, nearly..."
She shook her head, eyes filled with concern. "Do you know? When the rescue team found you both, you were covered in blood, unconscious for three full days. I thought..."
Three days? I'd been unconscious for three days?
"Alpha Darius personally carried you to the infirmary," Mira continued while examining the wound on my shoulder. "He specifically instructed me to use the finest herbs for your treatment. Said if you needed anything, it should be provided."
My heart SLAMMED against my ribs. He... he cared about me that much?
"Really?" I couldn't help asking. "He really said that?"
"Of course." Mira nodded with a smile. "Though Alpha Darius is usually quite cold, this time he was genuinely concerned about you. Probably because you saved his life."
Warmth flooded my chest, and tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. He hadn't forgotten me, hadn't forgotten everything I'd done for him. He'd even arranged the best treatment...
"I want to thank him." I struggled to get out of bed. "I'll go find him right now."
"Absolutely not!" Mira quickly pressed me back down. "You're still very weak—you need at least another day of rest. Besides..."
Her expression grew complicated. "Besides, Alpha Darius is very busy right now. The elders have been in constant meetings with him about important matters."
"What important matters?"
"Alliance business, and... Princess Lyra from the Iron Claw pack is arriving soon." Mira lowered her voice. "I heard she's coming to discuss marriage arrangements."
Marriage?
My heart felt like it had been struck by a sledgehammer, instantly sinking into my stomach. Right, I'd almost forgotten. Darius was Blood Moon pack's Alpha—he was destined to bond with a suitable princess, serving the pack's interests.
And me... I was just a low-ranking sickly wolf.
"Ember, you look awful," Mira said worriedly. "Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
"No... I'm fine." I forced a smile. "Just a little tired."
But inside, I felt like I was being torn apart. I knew there was a huge gulf between him and me, but those words he'd spoken in the cave, his gentle eyes, his promises... was it all just wishful thinking on my part?
"Rest well, I'll go prepare lunch." Mira patted my hand gently. "Call if you need anything."
After she left, I lay alone in bed, constantly replaying that night in the cave. His gentleness when he touched my cheek, the depth in his voice when he spoke of considering possibilities between us...
None of that was my imagination, right?
I had to find him, had to understand what was real.
Despite my weakness, I quietly slipped out of bed. As long as I was careful, I shouldn't be discovered.
I changed into everyday clothes and tiptoed out of the infirmary. The pack was quiet—most people were taking afternoon naps. I knew the Alpha's residence was in the pack's center, a stone house taller than all the other buildings.
As I approached, I heard voices from inside.
"Alpha Darius, surely you haven't forgotten your responsibilities?" A stern voice carried out—Chief Elder Aldric. "That low-ranking wolf has already received her due reward."
I froze. They were talking about me?
"The Moon Devourer attacks are becoming more frequent," another elder's voice continued. "The shaman says only the strongest bloodline unions can save our world. Your alliance with Princess Lyra is crucial."
"I understand." Darius's voice emerged, low and cold.
"Good," Aldric said with satisfaction. "The Iron Claw princess arrives the day after tomorrow. We hope you can quickly set a date for the bonding ceremony."
"One more thing," a third elder spoke up, concern in his voice. "About that sickly wolf... the pack members are all gossiping about your relationship with her. These rumors are damaging to your reputation."
My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst from my chest.
"Alpha Darius," Aldric asked seriously, "you don't have any... inappropriate feelings for that sickly wolf, do you?"
Holding my breath, I waited for his answer.
Please, tell them... tell them you don't care about the gossip, tell them I mean more to you than just a sickly wolf...
"She merely happened to save me. Don't read too much into it."
Darius's voice was ice-cold, without a trace of emotion.
"I would never have feelings for a low-ranking sickly wolf. As for the bonding ceremony..." He paused. "Schedule it for next month's Blood Moon Festival."
My world collapsed instantly.
I felt my heart being brutally crushed, every fragment cutting through my soul inside my chest.
He said I merely happened to save him.
He said he would never have feelings for me.
He was going to bond with Princess Lyra next month.
Everything in that cave—those gentle words, those affectionate looks, that promise about "possibilities between us"—all of it was fake.
He'd been using me. From beginning to end, he'd manipulated my feelings, making me willingly protect him back to the pack.
And I, the FOOL, had actually believed... believed he might care about me.
"Excellent," Aldric's satisfied voice carried out. "You truly haven't disappointed us. How could an Alpha possibly fancy a sickly wolf? What a ridiculous joke."
Contemptuous laughter echoed from the room, each sound like a whip across my heart.
I turned and ran, tears blurring my vision, not knowing where I was going. I just knew I had to get away from that place.
I stumbled as I ran, not watching where I was going, until I crashed into someone.
"Watch where you're going, sickly wolf!"
Several young she-wolves were chatting in the pack's square. Leading them was Diana, a young warrior who'd always disliked me.
"Well, well, if it isn't our 'hero,'" Diana sneered. "Heard you saved Alpha Darius? Even got personally carried back to the pack by him?"
The other she-wolves circled around me, their eyes full of jealousy and malice.
"Absolutely shameless," another she-wolf said. "A sickly wolf daring to fantasize about the Alpha."
"Exactly, acting like she's something special."
"I heard she was even bragging in the infirmary about how special she is to the Alpha."
Diana stepped closer, her gaze venomous. "Listen carefully, you idiot. Alpha Darius is about to bond with the Iron Claw princess. You'll always be nothing but a nobody. Stop daydreaming."
I stood there, tears still flowing, unable to make a sound. Everything they said was true—brutal truth.
"Not talking now? Reality hit you hard?" Diana smiled smugly. "Or maybe you want to argue with us? A defect who can't even shift properly has no right to—"
"ENOUGH."
A deep voice suddenly cut through the air.
Everyone turned to see a tall figure emerging from the shadows. Black hair, deep purple eyes, his entire presence radiating mysterious and dangerous energy.
Kai Shadowborn.
The Night Shadow pack's hostage, who'd been with our pack for three years. He rarely spoke to others, always solitary, existing like a shadow.
But now he stood here, his gaze coldly sweeping over the she-wolves.
"You find it amusing to gang up on an injured girl?" His voice was calm, but the intimidation made everyone instinctively step back.
"Kai... we were just..." Diana stammered.
"Leave." Kai said just one word, but the icy killing intent made all the she-wolves shiver.
They exchanged glances and eventually slunk away.
Only Kai and I remained in the square. He turned to look at me, those purple eyes holding an emotion I couldn't understand. Then, without saying anything, he walked away.