CHAPTER 4

JAKE'S POV

Ryan screeched the car to a halt in front of the pack house. I flung open the door and stepped outside, her unconscious body in my arms. Her blood soaked into my shirt, warm and sticky, but I barely noticed. All that mattered to me was the faint, fragile breath I could feel against my chest.

Damien dashed out of the car a second later, his face a puzzled, worried expression. 

“Jake, what are we going to do?”. His face and tone were a mix of concern and confusion.

“Find the head guard. Tell him to get Selene here right away,” I ordered. “Let her know the urgency of the situation.” My tone brooked no argument.

Damien’s footsteps were a blur behind me as I bolted up the stairs to the pack house

Damien nodded sharply and set out to the security post.

Looking down at her pale face with dark, tangled hair framing it made my heart tighten. I balanced her weight on my arm as I climbed the stairs up into the house.

The door swung open ahead of me, two junior guards stepping aside as they caught sight of me. Their eyes flicked to the girl, curiosity glinting in their gaze, but neither dared speak.

“Get back to your posts, and ensure the perimeter is secured!” I snapped, and they hurried off without a word.

Gently, I laid her on the examining table, cautious, not to move her body unnecessarily, ignoring the strong antiseptic smell that always has a way of making me nauseous.

The sight of her in this state caused a knot of anxiety to tangle inside of me. I couldn't leave her side, and this incessant mate Bond was screaming in my veins.

Each passing minute felt like an excruciating eternity. In the back of my mind, Lucio, my wolf, paced, his howls of frustration echoing mine.

“Selene should have been here by now,” Lucio growled in my mind, his frustration matching my own.

“She’s coming,” I muttered aloud.

"She is in pain. You shouldn’t wait. She’s our mate. Do something!” he snarled.

“And risk making it worse? I'm not a healer, Lucio," I snapped back immediately, gripping the edge of the table. "Selene will arrive shortly.”

I turned abruptly as I heard approaching footsteps. The door swung open and Selene, accompanied by Damien, stepped into the room. Her healer's bag draped over one shoulder.

 She was still wearing casual attire, probably because Damien's eagerness had dragged her out of her evening routine. Tales have it that Selene is as old as time; ageless.

“What happened?” she demanded, moving quickly to the girl’s side.

“I found her in the woods. She was attacked by rogues.” I said, stepping aside, and giving her space to carry out her examination.

Without hesitation, Selene tore off the girl's bloody dress to examine her wounds. She had deep claw scars on her arms and side.

"She's lost a lot of blood," Selene whispered, her voice full of concern. “She's strong though, I can feel her energy. She will make it through.”

Those words brought a glimmer of relief to me as I sat and watched Selene move with experienced precision, cleaning and suturing the wounds. Her movement suddenly slowed down when he caught a glimpse of the crescent-shaped pendant around the girl's neck.

“Where did you say you found her?” Selene asked, her voice hesitant.

“hmm.. boundary between Howling Hills and the Red Keep,” I replied, narrowing my eyes. “Why do you ask?”

Selene didn’t answer immediately. Her fingers brushed the pendant as her brows furrowed. There was something guarded in her expression, something she wasn’t saying.

“It’s nothing,” she said quickly.

“Selene,” I called out, my voice low and threatening, “if you know something, tell me.”

She didn’t meet my gaze, instead returning her focus to the girl’s injuries.

Frustration built up in my chest, but I forced myself to step back. She continued cleaning and stitching up the wounds. 

A couple of minutes later, she reached for a towel to wipe off the bloody mess, followed by washing and sterilization of her suture materials.

“That would be all, Alpha. She’ll need rest,” Selene said, packing her supplies. “Ensure you monitor her overnight.”

“Yeah,” I steeled myself and nodded subtly.

Selene hesitated, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she nodded. “Very well. Call me if there’s any change.”

She took her leave, gently shutting the door behind her. 

My gaze fell back to her face as I pulled in a chair and sat beside the bed, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees. I couldn't help my thoughts spiraling into chaos.

“She’s beautiful,” Lucio said, his voice more calm now.

“Can you just stop!” I grunted, leaning back into the chair. “She’s a problem,” I muttered.

“She’s our mate, you know it! Not like you can change anything right now” Lucio pressed on.

“And that’s exactly the problem. I can't bear another guilt, I don't think I can love another after Alisha” 

Lucio growled softly, but I shut him out. 

*****

The sound of the door creaking open, jolted me back awake. I had dozed off for God knows how long. I immediately checked on little Miss. She was still unconscious but stable.

“I was told you've been here for hours… What's going on? Are you okay?” My mum, Tessa queried as she hurriedly stepped in. “Oh goodness! Who is she?” She asked as she examined the unconscious lady.

“I’m fine, Mom,” I said, stepping back slightly, giving her room to examine me like a toddler growing a tooth.

She didn’t press further, her gaze returning to the girl. After a moment of silence, she turned to me again, this time, more relaxed but still curious.

“Who is she, Jake?”

“I'm yet to find out mum, but…” I stuttered.

“....But what, Jake?”

“She’s my mate,” I finally admitted, the words heavy on my lips.

Tessa’s brows lifted in surprise, but her expression quickly shifted to understanding. “And you’re afraid.”

She pulled up a chair beside me, her expression gentle but firm. “Jake, you can’t keep running from this. You’ve carried this guilt for too long.”

“I killed Alisha,” I said, my voice cracking. “I couldn’t protect her, and now the Moon Goddess wants me to risk someone else’s life? How is that fair?”

“She’ll die because of me, mom!” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “Just..just like Alisha. Mom, I'm a monster! She doesn't deserve this, I don't deserve to have another blood in my hands” Tears threatened to drop but I had to sulk.

Tessa reached out, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “Jake, you didn’t kill Alisha. You are no monster! The curse did.”

“And the curse is still here,” I said bitterly. “What’s to stop it from taking her too?”

“You…You Jake! You have to open up your heart to heal! Let go of your past!” Tessa said firmly. “You’re stronger now. Wiser. And this girl—she’s not Alisha. She’s your second chance. Don’t let fear rob you of that.”

Her words cut through the storm of doubt in my mind, but they didn’t erase the weight of the curse or the memories of what I’d lost.

I shook my head, frustration boiling over. “You don’t understand. What if I lose control again? The full moon is in two weeks!”

“You won’t,” Mum said, holding my hands firmly. “Because this time, you won’t be alone. Let her in, Jake. Let her help you. I'd be in my study if you need me”

“Yeah…Goodnight mum,” I said as she watched her leave.

Her words lingered long after she left. I sat in the dim light, staring at the girl. As the hours stretched into the night, I remained by her side.

“Who are you?” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Why did the Moon Goddess send you to me?”