Chapter 6

“The doctor has arrived,” Ariel announced as she entered the dimly lit room, a tall man in a white coat following closely behind.

Justin immediately stepped aside, allowing the doctor to examine Ariana. The air was thick with tension as the doctor checked her pulse, his fingers pressing lightly against her wrist. He then pulled out a syringe, administering a few quick injections.

A soft sigh escaped Ariana’s lips, but her eyes remained closed.

“She’s alright. She just needs rest,” the doctor reassured, swiftly packing his medical tools into his black leather bag.

Ariel nodded and followed the doctor out, her voice carrying a confident tone. “I knew nothing serious would happen to her. She’s a strong wolf.”

Justin exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. His eyes softened as he gazed at Ariana’s still form. He reached for her hand, his fingers lightly brushing against hers.

“Thank goodness,” he murmured. His thumb absentmindedly traced small circles on her skin, his heart pounding at the feeling of her warmth. He wished he could hold onto this moment forever.

But suddenly—her eyes fluttered open.

Justin jolted upright, instantly releasing her hand as if burned. He cleared his throat and stood from the bed, trying to mask his emotions.

“Pack Princess, you’re awake?” he asked, his voice laced with both surprise and relief.

Ariana blinked at him, her brows furrowing. “I passed out again, didn’t I?”

“You did,” Justin confirmed, stepping closer as she attempted to sit up.

“Easy,” he said, placing his hands on her shoulders to gently push her back down. “You’re not strong enough yet.”

Ariana let out a frustrated sigh.

“No! I need to get up and catch those wolves,” she protested, struggling against his grip.

“Ariana—”

“I’ll be fine. This isn’t the first time anyway,” she scoffed, determination flashing in her eyes. With a bit of effort, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She staggered slightly, but before she could fall, Justin was there, steadying her.

He clenched his jaw, recalling the doctor’s warning. If she didn’t rest, things could turn fatal.

With a sharp nod, he made a swift decision.

“Lock the room,” he ordered a nearby servant.

Ariana snapped her head toward him. “What?”

The warrior hesitated. “But why?”

Justin’s voice was firm. “Just do it. She won’t rest otherwise.”

As the door clicked shut behind him, he turned to the guards outside. “Make sure she doesn’t leave by any means necessary.”

Without waiting for a response, he strode down the hallway. He needed to talk to Ariel about their next move—about finding the weak point in the Great Pack’s defenses.

But before he could even reach her, his instincts tingled.

Ariana.

He spun around, only to see her storming down the hallway toward him, her steps defiant.

“You just don’t listen, do you?” Justin muttered with a frustrated sigh.

Ariana smirked. “Why would I?” And with that, she pushed past him, entering the strategy room where Ariel was waiting.

Justin pinched the bridge of his nose. She’s going to be the death of me.

Ariana’s sharp voice broke through his thoughts. “So, what was the last thing that happened?”

“They teleported,” Ariel responded immediately.

Ariana’s fists clenched. “Shit! There goes our only way to track them.”

She slammed her hand onto the table in frustration—only to hear a sharp intake of breath.

She blinked.

Justin had instinctively placed his hand beneath hers, and now, blood dripped from a fresh wound on his palm.

“Justin!” Ariana gasped, grabbing his hand.

He quickly pulled away, forcing a nonchalant expression. “I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“Shut up,” she snapped, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without another word, she tore a strip from her crop top and wrapped it around his bleeding hand.

“Ariel, get me the first aid box,” she ordered.

“There’s no need—”

“Here it is!” Ariel cut in, already handing it over.

Ariana immediately dabbed ointment onto the wound. Justin barely felt it—his entire focus was on her. The way her brows furrowed in concentration, the slight tremble in her fingers, the warmth of her touch.

“Does it hurt?” she asked softly, worry evident in her tone.

“Yeah, obviously,” Justin replied, sarcasm laced in his voice.

Ariana’s lips curled into an evil grin. “You think you’re smart, huh?”

Before he could react, she pressed down on the wound.

“OW! You sadist!” Justin yelped, jerking his hand away.

A mischievous laugh escaped her lips, and despite himself, Justin found himself laughing too.

But the moment passed quickly.

Ariana straightened, her expression turning serious. “Alright, what’s our next move?”

Ariel rubbed her chin. “The only information we had was that his sister is a Beta, and he is an Alpha—the son of the strongest pack’s leader.”

Justin’s gaze sharpened. “Ariana, did you manage to grab anything from Kiara during the fight?”

Ariana blinked, then reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small piece of cloth.

“A piece of her clothing got stuck in my zipper while I was fighting her. Why?”

Justin smirked. “With this, we can track her scent.”

Ariana’s eyes widened before she let out a chuckle. “You stole the words right out of my mouth.”

She turned to Ariel. “Get me a Beta wolf who can track Mavin’s location.”

“On it,” Ariel said before rushing out of the room.

Meanwhile…

Melvin and Kiara tiptoed through the back entrance of their mansion, trying to sneak inside unnoticed.

“Ow,” Melvin groaned, clutching his side.

“Shhh!” Kiara hissed. “If Dad catches us like this, we’re doomed!”

But their luck ran out.

“Melvin!”

The booming voice of their father froze them in place.

“Dad, it’s not what it looks like,” Melvin said weakly, unable to meet his father’s furious gaze.

“Even you, Kiara?”

“Dad, I saved his ass,” Kiara admitted, head lowered.

Their father narrowed his eyes. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

Melvin clenched his jaw. He had already made Kiara promise not to tell their father. He wanted to handle this himself—without his father’s interference.

Kiara stayed silent.

Their father sighed and immediately called for the doctor.

When the doctor arrived, he checked Melvin’s wounds and gave his diagnosis.

“Sir, there’s nothing serious. He just needs rest.”

Their father nodded, leading the doctor out.

But before leaving, the doctor turned back. “There’s one thing—he must not engage in another fight. If he does, his condition might become critical.”

His father’s expression darkened. “Understood.”

As soon as their father left, Kiara rushed to Melvin’s side.

“You’re lucky he didn’t find out,” she whispered, sitting on the edge of his bed.

“Thanks for covering for me,” Melvin muttered.

“Anytime,” she smirked.

“By the way, who was that she-wolf that fought you?”

Melvin hesitated. “I don’t know… but she’s strong.”

Kiara’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You like her, don’t you?”

Melvin scoffed. “Ew, no.”

“You do!” Kiara teased.

“Stop it!”

Melvin playfully chased her around the room until he suddenly collapsed onto the bed.

“Melvin!” Kiara gasped, rushing to his side.

“I’m fine,” he chuckled.

As Kiara left for her room, she passed by their father’s chamber.

And then—she heard voices.

Curious, she leaned in, pressing her ear against the door.

Within seconds, her eyes widened.

What she heard left her completely shocked.