Five

Eve 

A bland meal was before me, but my hunger was stronger, making me willing to eat. Picking up the fork, I poked at the potatoes and sliced through their mushy texture. Surprisingly, when I took a bite, it tasted better than it looked.

I was alone as Crystal had dashed back to our pack to manage the hospital. I could manage basic tasks, although with some difficulty, but I assured her I’d be fine, and she promised to return before my next round of medication.

My mind wandered back to our last conversation. She had been just as confused and worried as I was about my mate not acknowledging the bond.

“Are you going to confront him and demand answers?”

“What would I even say?” I replied wearily. “He killed my parents. I vowed on their graves to end his life. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

Her eyes softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Take it one day at a time.”

My lips twisted into a bitter smile. “Sure, let’s see how ‘one day at a time’ works for me. My parents and unborn brother were just a fraction of the loss. We lost important leaders, elders, and even High Priestess Olga. He ruined me, Crystal.”

Her face crumpled with sympathy as she hugged me. When I started crying, she rubbed my back.

“Eve, you're brave, strong, and wise beyond your years. Don’t let this break you.”

“I don’t know how much more I can take,” I sobbed against her shoulder. “First, my parents died. Then my husband tried to kill me. Now, my parents’ murderer is my mate, and he’s ignoring the bond. There’s a limit, Crystal.”

Crystal pulled away, cupping my chin. “As for that bastard Lance, he will pay for what he did. I’ll make him sign the divorce papers and expose him for the snake he is.”

Pulling myself out of my hopeless thoughts, I pushed the food aside. Thinking all day wasn’t going to solve my problems. I needed to act—and fast.

“The woods are calling us,” Maya yapped eagerly. “Let’s shift.”

I ignored her whining and dragged myself to the bed, pulling the duvet tightly around me.

---

Time dragged on, each day blending into a dull routine. My days were filled with eating, sleeping, and counting the hours until Crystal arrived.

On day five, I woke up with an unsettled sensation. It was as though I was anticipating seeing my mate. I sat unnaturally still, trying to suppress the excitement Maya was stirring within me. I needed to hate the Lycan King and get my priorities straight.

Despite myself, I made an effort to look presentable. I washed my hair, straightened it with my fingers as it dried, and stood before the mirror to examine my reflection. I had healed rapidly. My sickly complexion was gone, and my face had begun to fill out again. I looked almost unrecognizable compared to a week ago.

“Why are you hesitating? We’re healing because of our mate,” Maya hummed in my mind.

“He doesn’t want us,” I shot back. “And I don’t care anymore.”

But the truth burned like acid in my throat.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. Crystal walked in with a bright smile, and her eyes widened in surprise as she breathed. She stared at me in wonder. 

“Oh my goodness, Eve, you look incredible! I can’t believe this is the same person I left a few days ago.”

My lips cracked into a small smile. She grabbed my hand and hurriedly led me to the bed. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and I narrowed mine.

“Should I be worried?”

“I have a plan. Hear me out and trust the process.” She reached into her bag, pulled out a red dress, and held it up. “This, my Luna, will knock the king off his high horse.”

“I’m not wearing that,” I said flatly. “I’m supposed to be a patient.”

“Nope. You’re supposed to be a knockout. Red looks amazing on you—it always has. And with your eyes, you’ll look irresistible.”

“The bond doesn’t exonerate him from the punishment he deserves,” I reminded her.

“Of course not, but this is your chance for revenge. It's a chance to make him pay finally. The souls of your parents can rest knowing you’ve gotten your pound of flesh.”

“I won’t let you kill our mate,” Maya growled in my mind.

I ignored Maya’s protests and locked eyes with Crystal. Slowly, a smile crept onto my lips. “Maybe you’re right.”

Crystal clapped her hands, grinning like a child with a secret. 'When am I ever wrong?”

After Crystal dressed me up, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“Now, that's my Luna.”

I turned toward the mirror, taking in my reflection. The red dress hugged my figure perfectly. It was short and proudly flaunted my legs but didn’t cross into indecency. Crystal had straightened my bangs, and I looked more like the woman I used to be.

We left the room, and the short walk to the healing center felt longer than it should have. Crystal kept up a stream of light chatter, trying to distract me from my nerves. When we arrived, the matron at the desk did a double take, her eyes widening as she recognized me.

“This is the fastest recovery I’ve seen. Are you sure you were dying a few days ago?”

Crystal spoke for me. “Healing does wonders, doesn’t it?” she said simply as I walked to the waiting room and waited my turn. Crystal had stepped away, claiming she needed to visit the lab to "steal some ideas." The minutes dragged on, and so did my restlessness. Finally, my name was called. I rose to my feet and walked toward the treatment room.

I took a deep breath at the door, hoping I wouldn’t falter and that Maya wouldn’t make things worse for us. The door creaked open, revealing King Axel standing inside with another male, whom I guessed was his Beta. The two were deep in conversation, and the other male laughed heartily at something Axel had said.

He was tall and broad-shouldered like Axel but relaxed in a way Axel never was. His laughter cut off abruptly when he noticed me, and his mouth dropped open as he gave me an exaggerated once-over.

“Damn, an angel just dropped to earth.”

Axel's eyes met mine briefly, but it was so quick, leaving me wondering if I saw a flash of irritation or something more complex that he was deliberately hiding.

“What do you want?” he snapped.

I felt so degraded and worthless that it squeezed my ribs, but I closed off all thoughts of his rejection.

“Why don’t you check my file?”

He looked at me again with his permanent scowl and grabbed the file. His eyes narrowed further as he flipped through it, then he looked up at me, confused.

“This can’t be right. You’re not the same person I treated days ago.”

I shrugged. “Maybe your gift is better than you thought.”

Surprisingly, he smiled at me, revealing a dimple on his left cheek. My heart skipped. The following words he spoke wiped away whatever feeling I had.

“You’re not the first to show up here looking for attention, and you won’t be the last.”

The comment stung. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. His friend stepped forward and extended a hand toward me.

“Ignore the grumpy king. I’m Shahar, and unlike him, I can appreciate true beauty when I see it.”

I hesitated to take his hand, glancing at Axel to gauge his reaction. To my surprise and disappointment, he didn’t even seem interested.

“If she’s desperate enough to fake her sickness, imagine what else she’s capable of,” Axel mumbled.

“Tell him the truth!” Maya cried out in my mind. But I forced myself to remain calm, keeping my gaze on him. Shahar must have noticed me staring at Axel. His smile faltered, glancing between Axel and me.

Realizing what I was doing, I took Shahar’s hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Eve.”

“A sight for sore eyes,” he said with a grin, kissing my left hand.

If Axel wanted to dismiss me, I’d show him I wouldn't bow to his arrogance. Two could play this game.