As I stood at the brink of the cliff, the wind was harsh and chilly. The river thundered beneath me, its waves smashing against the rocks. Like the storm inside of me, it was wild and noisy. The doctor's words, "Six months left," kept coming back to me. We have run out of options.
It was unbelievable to me. This was how it was going to end after all the fights I had fought and the things I had overcome. A disease no one could treat. Nothing I accomplished would change the fact that I only had six months to live. Instead of a damaged guy, my pack needed a strong Alpha. Both to them and to myself, I felt like a failure.I moved one step nearer to the cliff's brink. Perhaps this is a better option. My pack would look for a new leader who could keep them safe. As I gazed down at the river, my heart was pounding. It would all be over with one more step.Then I noticed it.The water below has something floating in it. I initially believed it to be debris. I squinted, though, and saw that it was a human. My chest constricted. Was there a drowning? I turned without thinking and hurried to the riverbank along the stony path. Despite the chilly wind whipping my face, I was unconcerned. They needed assistance, whoever it was.I didn't hesitate when I got to the water. The cold water shocked my body as I dived in. As I swam in the direction of the figure, the powerful river tugged at me. I continued even though my arms burned. I have to keep them alive.I saw her as I approached. A blue-haired woman, floating in the water, dead. I was frightened by how calm and serene her pale face appeared. I took hold of her and drew her near. I whispered, "Hold on," but she couldn't hear me. "I've got you."Swimming back to the shore required all of my might. Upon arriving at the riverbank, I placed her on the grass. She was not breathing, and her lips were bluish. I felt a wave of panic.I gave her a gentle shake and urged, "Come on." "Inhale!"I heard voices behind me. I had been followed by my guards."Alpha!" exclaimed one of them. "How are you doing?"I turned my attention to the woman in front of me and ignored them. Her blue hair stuck to her skin, and her face seemed fragile. She remained still. "Avoid doing this," I muttered. "Don't pass away on me."At last, water poured out of her mouth as she coughed. She gulped for oxygen, causing her chest to rise and fall. I felt a wave of relief. She was still living.One of the guards questioned, "Who is she?"Taking her in my arms, I whispered, "I don't know." "But she's accompanying me."Another guard said, "Alpha, wait." "What if she poses a threat? Could she be a spy?I gave him a scowl. "Does she appear dangerous?"The guard stopped talking. Back toward the packhouse, I carried her. In my arms, she felt so tiny that she would shatter. She breathed steadily but shallowly. I couldn't take my eyes off her face. I was unable to describe something about her.The personnel hurried to assist us when we arrived at the packhouse. The pack's healer, Clara, stepped forward right away.I said, "Take her to the guest room." "And take all necessary steps to ensure her recovery."Clara gave a nod. "Yes, Alpha."They brought the woman upstairs, and I went with them. I watched from the doorway while Clara tried to steady her. The woman's blue hair resembled a halo as it spread across the cushion. Despite her delicate appearance, she exuded a silent strength. Who was she? What had caused her to fall into the river?After a while, Clara turned to face me. Although she is currently stable, her recovery will take time. She has experienced a great deal."Will she be alright?" I inquired.Clara paused. Yes, physically. However, there's another factor. It's possible she lost her memories. That is what trauma can do.I scowled. "She can't recall her identity?"Clara gave a headshake. "It is feasible. We won't find out till she awakens.I turned to face the woman on the bed again. Her respiration was regular, but her face was pale. One thing was obvious, even though I didn't know who she was. I couldn't allow her to suffer any harm.I checked on her again the following morning. Her face was calm, and she was still asleep. I watched her breathe while I sat by her bedside. Something about her drew me in that I couldn't quite put my finger on. Although I had previously saved lives, this time was unique. She believed she was supposed to be here and felt significant."Who are you?" I knew she couldn't respond, so I whispered.Silently, Clara entered with a cloth and a bowl of water. "You remain here," she whispered quietly. "You've spent hours sitting with her."I answered, "I need to know she's okay."After giving the woman a nod, Clara dipped the handkerchief in the water and dabbed at her forehead. She is steady. That's encouraging. All her body needs is time to recover.I ran a hand through my hair as I reclined in my chair. "What if she doesn't wake up at all?"Clara gave me a quick look. "She will. I've witnessed similar situations in the past. Sometimes patience is all that is needed.patience. I wasn't very skilled at it. As Alpha, I was accustomed to acting and finding speedy solutions to issues. However, this was not like the others. I couldn't win this battle with just my strength.She hadn't woken up by the third day. Despite being aware that I had other obligations, I spent the majority of my time in her room. Thomas, my beta, stopped by to see how I was doing.He added softly, "The pack needs you, Ryan." "You've spent days here. They are becoming concerned.I rubbed my temples and moaned. "I understand. I simply I can't abandon her.Thomas scowled. Why does she hold such significance for you? You're not even acquainted with her.I had nothing to say. All I knew was that I connected with her on a profound and inexplicable level.I said, "Just deal with things for a little while longer." "I'll be right back."Reluctantly, Thomas nodded and walked out of the room. I looked back at the bedridden woman.I said, "You're making quite a stir." However, I don't mind. You are valuable.Everything changed that night. I heard a faint sound as I was half asleep, sitting beside her bed. I watched her fingers twitch as my eyes opened. Then her eyes opened and I saw the brightest blue I had ever seen.Her face was scared and bewildered as she looked around. Her voice was scratchy as she murmured, "Where… where am I?""You're safe," I whispered rapidly.Ryan's POVHer eyes slowly opened, and I was surprised by how bright the blue was. Her face was clouded by bewilderment as she glanced at me for a time."Where am I, exactly?" Her voice was rough and feeble as she whispered.I spoke calmly as I leaned in closer. "You're secure. The river was where you were. I dragged you here after pulling you out.Her face furrowed as though she were attempting to recall something, and she blinked. Her eyes were a mixture of fear and confusion when they locked with mine.She questioned, "Who are you?""My name is Ryan. I whispered softly, "I am the Alpha of this pack. "You shouldn't be concerned. Nobody here is going to harm you.Glancing around the room, she took in her surroundings. Her hands were firmly gripping the blanket, and I could see the tightness in her body. I was concerned that she didn't appear to recall anything. It was different to witness memory loss than to have Clara warn me about it."What's your name?" In an attempt to hold her a
Ivy povAs I sat amid the old trees and sought peace in their silent wisdom, the moon threw silver rainbows through the woodland canopy. Today was meant to be the happiest day of my life. My name is Ivy. Rather, I ended up here, attempting to slow my heartbeat before the event that would change everything.Recalling the first time the elders discovered me in these same woods, I ran my fingertips over the rough bark next to me. I was a child at the time, carefree as I played among the trees. They claimed that my blue hair's sapphire-like glint from the sunlight was a sign of the prophesy."Don't run, child!" Despite his commanding presence, one of them had called out in a soft, worn voice. With my tiny hands gripping the wildflowers I had been collecting, I had stopped dead in my tracks.That day, three elderly people came up to me, their eyes wide with awe as they observed my appearance—the blue hair and the matching eyes that set me apart. They had called it special. Selected.They h
Ivy’s povThe guards dragged me away while holding me tightly. They didn't care whether their hands injured me, therefore they were hard on my arms. I was no longer able to see my parents, but I could still hear them yelling somewhere behind me.It hurt how quickly my heart was racing. Where had they taken me? How would my parents fare? My mind was racing with these questions, but I had no answers."Let me go!" The guards were too powerful for me to get away from. My efforts did nothing to weaken their hold. Never before had I felt so weak and powerless.Behind us, the furious voices of the crowd grew louder. They were the same individuals who once bowed to me and referred to me as their savior. They wanted me punished now. My head turned and my ears rang from their yells.My heart stopped racing when I realized where we were as the guards pushed me forward. The Law Ground. They brought the most terrible offenders here. Most visitors who commit a crime didn't make it out alive.I look
Ivy’s POVMy whole body was shaking in the cold cell. Sitting in the corner, I ran my fingers through my blue hair, which used to make me unique but now only served as a reminder of all I had lost. As I considered all that had transpired, my heart ached. I was preparing for my mating ritual just yesterday. I was now being treated like a criminal in this gloomy jail.A little window high up on the wall was the sole source of light. I could see the soiled stone walls around me since it let in just enough moonlight. The musty, wet scent of the cell suggested that no one had been there for a while. They may not have used these cells very often, so that could have been a positive thing. Or maybe it was a warning sign—perhaps inmates had not been here for very long.I tried to ignore the notion by shaking my head. That's not how I could think. I have to be resilient.My parents were always on my mind. Were they alright? Were they also in such cells? Or worse, someplace? I couldn't get the l
Ryan's POVHer eyes slowly opened, and I was surprised by how bright the blue was. Her face was clouded by bewilderment as she glanced at me for a time."Where am I, exactly?" Her voice was rough and feeble as she whispered.I spoke calmly as I leaned in closer. "You're secure. The river was where you were. I dragged you here after pulling you out.Her face furrowed as though she were attempting to recall something, and she blinked. Her eyes were a mixture of fear and confusion when they locked with mine.She questioned, "Who are you?""My name is Ryan. I whispered softly, "I am the Alpha of this pack. "You shouldn't be concerned. Nobody here is going to harm you.Glancing around the room, she took in her surroundings. Her hands were firmly gripping the blanket, and I could see the tightness in her body. I was concerned that she didn't appear to recall anything. It was different to witness memory loss than to have Clara warn me about it."What's your name?" In an attempt to hold her a
Ryan's POVAs I stood at the brink of the cliff, the wind was harsh and chilly. The river thundered beneath me, its waves smashing against the rocks. Like the storm inside of me, it was wild and noisy. The doctor's words, "Six months left," kept coming back to me. We have run out of options.It was unbelievable to me. This was how it was going to end after all the fights I had fought and the things I had overcome. A disease no one could treat. Nothing I accomplished would change the fact that I only had six months to live. Instead of a damaged guy, my pack needed a strong Alpha. Both to them and to myself, I felt like a failure.I moved one step nearer to the cliff's brink. Perhaps this is a better option. My pack would look for a new leader who could keep them safe. As I gazed down at the river, my heart was pounding. It would all be over with one more step.Then I noticed it.The water below has something floating in it. I initially believed it to be debris. I squinted, though, and
Ivy’s POVMy whole body was shaking in the cold cell. Sitting in the corner, I ran my fingers through my blue hair, which used to make me unique but now only served as a reminder of all I had lost. As I considered all that had transpired, my heart ached. I was preparing for my mating ritual just yesterday. I was now being treated like a criminal in this gloomy jail.A little window high up on the wall was the sole source of light. I could see the soiled stone walls around me since it let in just enough moonlight. The musty, wet scent of the cell suggested that no one had been there for a while. They may not have used these cells very often, so that could have been a positive thing. Or maybe it was a warning sign—perhaps inmates had not been here for very long.I tried to ignore the notion by shaking my head. That's not how I could think. I have to be resilient.My parents were always on my mind. Were they alright? Were they also in such cells? Or worse, someplace? I couldn't get the l
Ivy’s povThe guards dragged me away while holding me tightly. They didn't care whether their hands injured me, therefore they were hard on my arms. I was no longer able to see my parents, but I could still hear them yelling somewhere behind me.It hurt how quickly my heart was racing. Where had they taken me? How would my parents fare? My mind was racing with these questions, but I had no answers."Let me go!" The guards were too powerful for me to get away from. My efforts did nothing to weaken their hold. Never before had I felt so weak and powerless.Behind us, the furious voices of the crowd grew louder. They were the same individuals who once bowed to me and referred to me as their savior. They wanted me punished now. My head turned and my ears rang from their yells.My heart stopped racing when I realized where we were as the guards pushed me forward. The Law Ground. They brought the most terrible offenders here. Most visitors who commit a crime didn't make it out alive.I look
Ivy povAs I sat amid the old trees and sought peace in their silent wisdom, the moon threw silver rainbows through the woodland canopy. Today was meant to be the happiest day of my life. My name is Ivy. Rather, I ended up here, attempting to slow my heartbeat before the event that would change everything.Recalling the first time the elders discovered me in these same woods, I ran my fingertips over the rough bark next to me. I was a child at the time, carefree as I played among the trees. They claimed that my blue hair's sapphire-like glint from the sunlight was a sign of the prophesy."Don't run, child!" Despite his commanding presence, one of them had called out in a soft, worn voice. With my tiny hands gripping the wildflowers I had been collecting, I had stopped dead in my tracks.That day, three elderly people came up to me, their eyes wide with awe as they observed my appearance—the blue hair and the matching eyes that set me apart. They had called it special. Selected.They h