Twenty one

SANDRINO’S POV

I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, my fingers trembling against my will. She was breathtaking—fragile yet alluring in a way I couldn’t quite articulate. Her scent was intoxicating, igniting something primal deep within me. My wolf stirred, restless, urging me to shift and claim her, but I fought it. I always had control. Always.

The door creaked open, breaking the spell. I pulled away sharply as Nathan entered, his usual unreadable expression in place. He glanced at her battered form with clinical detachment, which I appreciated. I wasn’t in the mood for his unsolicited commentary.

“Her pulse is weak,” he said flatly. “And she’s pale. Too pale.”

A growl rumbled in my throat. “Then fix it. That’s why I called for you.”

Nathan’s gaze didn’t waver. “There’s not much I can do. The injuries are severe. She’s lost too much blood. If I’m being honest, Alpha, she might not make it through the night.”

His words hit me like a blow, but I masked my reaction with fury. “Don’t say that,” I snarled. “Do something. Now.”

“There’s only so much anyone can do,” Nathan replied calmly. “She’s fading in and out of consciousness. That should tell you enough.”

“There must be something,” I barked.

Nathan hesitated for a moment, his eyes assessing me before he spoke again. “There is one option,” he said slowly. “You can heal her wounds.”

His suggestion sent a jolt through me. I stared at him, searching his face for signs of mockery, but he was serious.

“You can’t mean…” My voice trailed off as he nodded, confirming my worst suspicion.

“Yes. Your saliva can heal her. But we both know what that means.”

“No,” I said firmly. “Never.”

“It’s the only chance she has,” he pressed.

The thought repulsed me. Healing her in that way was intimate, sacred—an act reserved for mates. It wasn’t something I could offer her, a mere human and potentially my enemy.

“Find another way,” I snapped. “Drugs. Blood transfusions. Anything else. But I will not do that.”

Nathan crossed his arms. “Then prepare yourself, Sandrino. Because you’ll be burying her by morning.”

“Stop saying that!” I roared, the sound reverberating through the room.

Nathan didn’t flinch. “What did you expect?” he asked, his tone sharper now. “You ordered her whipped—something we reserve for the most hardened criminals among us. Did you think her frail human body could withstand it?”

“She murdered Matilda,” I bit out.

Nathan scoffed. “Do you really believe this girl—this weak, defenseless girl—could take down Matilda? She wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“She had help,” I argued. “She and her accomplice did this to Matilda, then had the audacity to send me her severed arm as a message.”

“And you’re certain she’s guilty?”

I didn’t respond immediately, but my silence spoke volumes.

Nathan sighed. “If you’re so convinced, why bother healing her? Let her die.”

I clenched my fists, my anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface. “I need information from her,” I muttered.

“Of course,” Nathan said with thinly veiled sarcasm. “And once you have it, you’ll kill her. Is that the plan?”

“Yes,” I said after a moment’s hesitation, though the conviction in my voice wavered.

Nathan smirked. “One day, Sandrino, you’ll admit the truth to yourself. For now, do what you must. If the information is truly vital, you know what you need to do. Otherwise, I’ll inform the men to prepare her burial.”

With that, he patted my shoulder and left the room, leaving me alone with her once more.

I turned back to the girl lying unconscious on the bed. Her fragile form looked so small, so broken. It was foolish to underestimate someone based on appearances, but doubt crept in. Could she really have killed Matilda?

I sighed, knowing there was no other option. Stripping off my shirt, I let the shift take over. My body contorted, bones snapping and reshaping until I stood on all fours. My wolf senses heightened, and her scent engulfed me completely.

I climbed onto the bed and began. My tongue carefully traced each laceration on her back, the metallic tang of blood mingling with her intoxicating scent. The act felt intrusive, intimate, and every instinct screamed at me to stop. But I continued, my wolf pushing me forward.

When I was certain the wounds had begun to heal, I stepped off the bed and shifted back. Grabbing a fresh shirt, I dressed quickly and left the room, needing distance from her.

Nathan was waiting in my office, seated with that smug expression I despised.

“Don’t,” I warned.

He chuckled. “You made the right call, Sandrino. You just don’t know it yet.”

“Whatever,” I grumbled, taking my seat.

He knew how to push my buttons. He was lucky he was the uncle otherwise, I would have killed him a long time ago. Before I could bury myself in work, a knock sounded at the door. 

“Come in,” I barked.

A guard entered hesitantly, carrying a package. My stomach twisted. The last time this happened, I’d received Matilda’s severed arm.

“A package was sent across, Alpha”, he said as he held it on his arms.

“What's in it?”, I said, narrowing my gaze at him.

“Have no idea, Alpha”,

“Open it,” I ordered.

The stench of blood hit me first, and rage clouded my vision as I tore into the package. Fingers spilled onto my desk—delicate fingers painted with Matilda’s favorite nail polish.

With a furious sweep, I knocked the box off the desk, its contents scattering across the floor.

The nerve. The audacity of that bastard to send this. And that bitch that I stupidly healed. She was going to pay for this.

“That bastard,” I growled, my voice low and deadly

"Take the girl back to the dungeon" I ordered at once.

Nathan stood up to his feet in a swift movement, his expression grim. 

“Sandrino!!”

“Alpha?”, 

They both snapped at the same time.

“Stay out of this, Uncle,” I snarled. “As for you, if you don’t do as I say, you’ll take her place in the dungeon.”

"Yes alpha", he nodded as he hurried out of the office

Nathan sighed.

 “What a waste.” he murmured 

But I ignored him. That girl would pay for her involvement in my family’s destruction, no matter the cost.