Chapter 1
The medical wing of the Vance pack main house always filtered the afternoon light into something too gentle. Special UV-blocking glass turned the sun into a soft gold that rested quietly on Ethan’s motionless face. Machines ticked steadily.
Six months ago, during a border clash, a silver bullet from a rival pack had pierced Ethan’s left chest. As the designated next Beta, the silver poisoning had been too deep. He remained in a heavy coma, without even the slightest flicker of consciousness.
I sat by the bed, fingers tangled with his cold hand, thumb tracing the same spot over and over. The man who used to laugh and pull me completely into his arms now needed machines just to keep breathing.
The door opened softly.
Mrs. Vance walked in carrying two cups of calming herbal tea. The moment she saw me, genuine gratitude flooded her tired eyes.
“Maya, child, you’re here again.” She set the tray down and took my free hand in both of hers. “You’ve been so good to Ethan… to the whole pack. When he wakes, I will personally preside over your pairing ceremony. You are his blessing, and ours.”
I forced a smile and nodded.
Something clenched hard in my chest.
Because while she spoke those words, my mind was completely filled with the man upstairs.
Lucas.
The current Alpha.
Ethan’s blood brother.
Heavy, unhurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
My heart skipped a beat.
It was him.
Returned from today’s border patrol.
His dark combat jacket hung open. The black compression shirt underneath was faintly damp with sweat, still carrying the wild dust and killing intent of the field. Cold snow mixed with pine—his Alpha scent—crashed through the corridor like an invisible tide and flooded the medical wing without mercy.
My breath caught.
The half-dormant wolf blood in my veins ignited like dry grass.
He paused at the doorway for one second.
Dark eyes landed directly on me. Gold flashed through the shadows for a fraction of a moment. His gaze dragged slowly downward—from my face, across the thin summer dress, lingering far too long on my chest and the curve of my waist.
Then nothing.
No greeting. No nod.
He simply looked at me that way, turned, and walked toward the private Alpha quarters upstairs.
The soft click of the door closing behind him left me almost frantically pressing my thighs together.
My panties were already soaked.
A shameful, scorching heat gathered low in my belly, completely beyond my control.
I lowered my head and stared at Ethan’s peaceful face, voice trembling:
“I’m sorry… Ethan, I’m truly sorry.”
He gave no answer.
The machines kept their steady rhythm.
I sat for a long time until my voice turned hoarse, then finally stood and left.
At the bottom of the stairs I unconsciously paused.
The back of my neck prickled.
Something was watching me from the shadows at the top of the staircase.
Like a wolf studying its prey in the dark.
I didn’t look back.
I only quickened my steps and fled the main house.