Chapter 2

Valerie.

I slowly blinked my eyes open, the harsh glare of the hospital lights assaulting my senses. Panic surged through me as I realized I couldn't move or speak, my body seemingly paralyzed from the neck down. Even my eyes stopped opening after a few seconds.

But before I could fully comprehend what was happening to me, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, accompanied by the familiar voice of my husband, Daniel.

“Don't you congratulate me! The girl is alive!” My husband hissed, but somehow I was able to hear it. 

“Valerie is awake despite the explosion? How on earth is that possible?” The voice almost yelled in shock.

"I don't know. But she's still unconscious," he muttered, his tone filled with annoyance. “I also want to know how it is possible that she didn't die like she was supposed to."

My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. What did he mean, "supposed to die"? Was he responsible for the explosion that had torn through the office building? His office building? 

I strained to catch the rest of their conversation, my mind racing with a thousand questions. Who was he talking to? And why did he want me dead?

"It doesn't matter now," Daniel continued, his voice laced with frustration. "We need to finish what we started before she wakes up and ruins everything."

“Speaking of ruin, did you manage to get the thumbprint?”

“Yes. All that's left is for the girl to kick the bucket,” Daniel answered and I felt a cold chill run down my spine as I listened to his words. My own husband, plotting my demise? Maybe he is referring to someone else, right?

"We need to act fast," The other guy said, his tone urgent and filled with fear. "If she wakes up and starts talking, Alpha Allen would have our heads. I can't risk upsetting your grandfather again."

I struggled to keep my breathing steady as they began to discuss.

"We could stage another accident," Daniel suggested, his voice cold and calculating. "Make it look like she was too weak to hold on to life. She isn't my mate anyway so I don't care how she dies… I just want Valerie gone.”

Hearing my name, I immediately dismissed the thought that maybe it wasn't me he was referring to and my heart pounded in my chest as I listened to each of their twisted ideas, each one more horrifying than the last. How could they be so callous, so willing to take another person's life? My life! 

Their voices went down for a moment and by the time I could hear them again it seemed like they already decided on what to do to me. Next thing, two people entered my room and they began to speak in very hushed tones. 

“Blend in like a nurse or doctor then administer this to her. Make sure she dies within the hour, then our business is done. I don't care if it's an overdose, just make sure she dies. I'll find a way to blame it on the explosion. Understood?” Daniel spoke, and the person responded with a grunt. They were not joking! He wanted me dead, and it had to be today! 

As Daniel and his accomplice left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts, desperation, and fear washed over me. I was just twenty-one. I hadn't even done half of the things I planned to do. I couldn't just die. I had to do something, anything, to escape their clutches before it was too late.

Summoning every ounce of strength I had, I willed my body to move. But no matter how hard I tried, I remained frozen in place, my limbs refusing to obey my commands. It was like I was paralyzed or something. 

“Eva?” I called my wolf, hoping to use her strength but the worst thing happened. I couldn't feel her, it was like the space she used to occupy was gone. It was empty.

“Eva?” I called my wolf again, tears swelling in my eyes as thoughts of Daniel, his mistress, and his conversation filled my subconscious. 

I didn't want to die, so I used every strength in me. The first thing I was able to move were my eyelids, but my legs and arms wouldn't move. 

My heart drummed and tears stung my eyes as I prayed for strength, for a miracle to save me from this nightmare. I didn't want to lay there vulnerable and helpless while they injected me with something that would end me. 

And then, slowly but surely, I began to move. It started with my fingers and, with immense pain, I was able to move my legs. That was all I needed to run. 

I struggled to sit up, ignoring the blaring alarms of the machines that surrounded me. With trembling hands, I disconnected the wires and tubes that bound me to the hospital bed, each movement sending waves of pain shooting through my body.

But I pushed through the discomfort, my mind focused on one thing and one thing only, escape.

With shaky legs, I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and forced myself to stand, swaying unsteadily as I fought to find my balance. My vision blurred and doubled, the world spinning wildly around me and that was when the headache began. 

But I refused to give up. Clenching my jaw in determination, I took a hesitant step forward, then another, willing myself to move despite the overwhelming odds.

With each faltering step, I grew closer to the door, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened for any sound of Daniel. Luckily, I was able to leave the hospital room. All I had to do now was find my way out of the hospital before they caught me again.

It felt like my late parents were on my side, and they wanted me to get to safety until I got to the entrance of the hospital and I heard Daniel's voice screaming to lock down the hospital as I was missing.

My blood ran cold, and I didn't dare turn around. I couldn't risk being seen. Without a second thought, I broke into a stumbling run, my legs moving of their own accord as I fled for my life.

As my running gave me away, I began to hear footsteps behind me, and with every ounce of strength I had left, I pushed myself harder, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I raced towards the exit.

But just as I reached the doors of the hospital, a blaring horn shattered the air, and I froze in terror as the screech of tires filled my ears. A car just turned around the corner and was heading straight for me. 

Instinct took over, and I forced myself to leap to the side, narrowly avoiding being struck. Gasping for breath, I struggled to push myself up, my limbs trembling with exhaustion and fear. From the corner of my eye, I saw the family logo hanging from the car, so I was ready to run again. Before I could even gather myself, the driver's door and passenger's door swung open, and a concerned voice called out to me.

“Mrs. Allen? Are you okay?" the voice asked, filled with concern and urgency. Relief filled me as I realized it wasn't Daniel or someone under him. 

I struggled to lift my head and nod, my vision swimming as I gazed up at the other figure standing over me and truly, it was someone I had seen somewhere. He seemed older and had this cold but welcoming aura just like my dad so I opened up to him. 

"I  need... help," I managed to gasp, my voice barely a whisper as darkness threatened to consume me. 

Without hesitation, the man lifted me gently into his arms.

“Drop her!” I heard Daniel yell, but I desperately clung to the man instead, my entire body trembling with exhaustion and fear and before I knew it I was in the back seat, my limbs finally giving up. 

“Don't worry, you'll be…” The man began to speak, but I couldn't hear the rest of his sentence due to the closing of my eyes and shutting down of my body while I prayed, he didn't give me over to Daniel.