Sage's POV
I crumpled the bloody note in my fist.
Take me to him, I said.
Cole stared. Did you not read
'Save him and you die.' I read it. I pushed past him into the hallway. Where is he?
Sage. Lyra grabbed my arm. This is exactly what they want. They're threatening you because they know you'll try to save him anyway.
I know. I pulled free. But I'm not letting him die. Not when I can stop it.
Cole's expression shifted to something like respect. This way.
We ran through corridors filled with staring pack members. Word had spread. The Alpha was poisoned again. In his own bedroom. By someone they trusted.
Fear hung in the air like smoke.
Kael's room was chaos. Guards everywhere, healers arguing, the smell of poison thick and choking. I shoved through them all and froze.
Kael sat on the edge of his bed, gripping the sheets so hard his knuckles were white. Black veins covered his entire torso now, pulsing and spreading. His eyes those silver eyes burned with fever and fury.
Out, he growled at the healers. All of you.
Alpha, you need
OUT! The command crashed through the room like thunder. His wolf was right there, barely contained, ready to tear through anyone who defied him.
The room emptied. Only Cole and Lyra remained by the door.
Kael's eyes found mine. You came.
Someone told me you were being difficult. I moved closer, hands already beginning to glow. Looks like they were right.
I didn't ask for you. But his hand reached for mine. I demanded you.
Charming. I knelt in front of him. How much poison this time?
Double the last dose. His voice was strained. Someone's getting desperate.
Or confident. I placed my hands on his bare chest, trying to ignore how his skin burned under my touch, how the bond hummed between us. This is going to hurt.
It always does. His hand covered mine. But not as much as watching you suffer for me.
I didn't have time to respond. The poison hit me like a freight train.
Worse than before. Stronger. It fought me with vicious intent, burning through my veins, trying to kill both of us. I screamed, but the Mark blazed and I couldn't pull away.
Kael's other hand gripped my shoulder, steadying me. I've got you. Just breathe.
Can't it's too much
Yes, you can. You're stronger than this poison. Stronger than whoever's trying to kill us both.
Us. He said us. Like we were a team. Like we were bonded.
The thought gave me strength. I pushed harder, drawing the poison out faster. It shrieked through me, burning, but I held on. Minutes passed. Or hours. Time meant nothing.
Finally, the last of it pulled free. I collapsed against Kael's chest, gasping, while golden light faded from my hands.
Done, I whispered. For now.
His arms wrapped around me, holding me upright. Thank you.
Don't. They'll just poison you again. I tried to push away, but my body wouldn't cooperate. Twice in one night. They're not playing anymore.
Neither am I. Kael lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes. Whoever did this just made their biggest mistake. They threatened my mate.
I'm not your mate, I said automatically.
Aren't you? His thumb brushed my cheek. You felt the bond snap into place. You feel it right now, pulling you toward me. You can deny it all you want, Sage. But your wolf knows the truth.
I don't have a wolf.
Don't you? He pressed his hand over my Mark. It flared silver under his touch. Then what's this? What's the power that just saved my life? You're not human, Sage. You never were.
Tears burned my eyes. I don't know what I am.
Then let me help you find out. His voice went soft. Stay. Not because I'm demanding it. Not because of some deal. Stay because you want to know the truth about yourself.
Someone wants me dead, I reminded him. They left me a note written in blood.
Then I'll protect you.
You can't even protect yourself!
Kael flinched. The words hit harder than I meant them to.
I'm sorry, I said quickly. I didn't mean
You're right. He stood, pulling me up with him. I failed to protect my own pack. My own bedroom. But I won't fail you.
Kael
One week. You promised me one week. I'm holding you to it. His jaw set. Heal me completely. Find the poisoner. Then, if you still want to leave, I'll let you go.
We both knew he was lying again. The bond wouldn't let him. But I nodded anyway.
One week.
The door exploded inward.
Not opened. Exploded. Wood splintered. A massive gray wolf burst through, eyes wild, foam dripping from its jaws. Not attacking. Running.
From something worse.
The wolf collapsed at my feet, black veins already spreading across its fur. Poisoned. Just like Kael. Just like all the others.
But this time, I saw who'd done it.
A figure stood in the shattered doorway, silhouetted by the hallway light. They held a syringe filled with black liquid. When they stepped forward into the light, my blood turned to ice.
It was someone I recognized. Someone from the healing session. Someone who'd had access to Kael's room all along.
Hello, Sage, they said, smiling. Surprised?
Kael snarled, stepping in front of me. You. It was you all along.
Of course it was me. They raised the syringe. And now I'm going to finish what I started. But first Their eyes locked on mine. I'm going to make sure you watch him die.
They lunged.