The Fever of Denial

The darkness surrounding Becca suddenly shattered.

Her eyes flew open as though jolted from a nightmare.

Her heart was pounding. She was drenched in sweat.

For a moment, she didn’t know where she was.

The ceiling above her was unfamiliar—elegant, carved wood with golden trims and an ornate chandelier. Silk sheets. Velvet curtains. Soft pillows under her head.

This wasn’t her clinic. And it sure as hell wasn’t the dungeons.

Then it hit her—the memory of that awful moment in the grand hall.

Alpha Desmond’s sneer.

The executioner’s attack.

The cold words echoing in the hall.

“She committed an abomination—she dared to touch Alpha blood.”

And then… that voice. Deep. Commanding. Protective.

“Enough. No one will touch her.”

Alpha Eugene.

Becca sucked in a sharp breath, her hand flying to her mouth as if trying to block the memory from flooding in too fast.

She sat up quickly in bed, her hands trembling.

The words echoed louder in her mind now, deafening her.

“She is my mate.”

Becca shook her head violently.

“No. No, he can’t be serious,” she whispered to herself. “He can’t be…”

The thought made her stomach sick.

She was grateful—so grateful—that he had saved her life. But the mate bond? Again?

The last time she trusted in it, it almost destroyed her.

Desmond had thrown her away like she was a disease, unworthy of love or Luna status.

She could never go through that again.

Suddenly, her nose twitched. That familiar scent.

Masculine and strong.

That warm scent… the same one she had smelled when he was unconscious in her clinic.

She turned her head quickly—and there he was.

Standing by the window, bathed in moonlight like some damned painting, was Alpha Eugene.

Tall, broad-shouldered, arms folded, his silver eyes reflecting the night.

His presence was commanding yet calm, as though he didn’t even need to raise his voice to rule a room.

Becca’s heart betrayed her—racing so fast she felt her breath catch.

“You’re awake,” he said, turning toward her, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Becca frowned.

“How… how did I get here?” She asked.

Eugene took slow steps toward her, like he was afraid she would run.

“You passed out,” he said gently. “I carried you up here myself.”

Becca groaned inwardly. Of course he did.

“I remember now,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I must have looked like a fool.”

“No,” he replied. “You looked like someone who had just been pushed too far.”

He sat down beside her, his gaze soft but unwavering. Then he reached toward her forehead, as if checking for fever.

Becca’s instincts kicked in.

She slapped his hand away.

“Don’t touch me,” she snapped. “Whatever this… bond thing is—it doesn’t mean anything. I don’t want to be your mate. I didn’t ask for this. And right now, I want to go back to Mira. She’s still down in that dungeon.”

His face didn’t change. If anything, he looked calmer than before.

“She’s not in the dungeon anymore,” Eugene replied softly. “She’s safe. I made sure she was brought up not long after you.”

Becca swallowed hard.

Her throat tightened with emotion, but she clenched her jaw.

“I’m not staying here,” she said. “I just want to leave.”

Eugene rose to his feet and turned to face her.

“I’m not keeping you prisoner, Becca,” he said. “But… I won’t let you walk away without at least thinking about it. About us.”

“There is no ‘us’,” she said coldly.

He gave her a small, knowing smile.

“Then tell me that again… tomorrow. After you’ve had some sleep.”

Before she could argue, he turned and walked toward the door.

The nerve of him! Giving her orders in his calm, seductive voice like he already owned her!

“I’m not sleeping here, if that’s what you think!” she said after him.

But the door had already closed behind him.

She stared at the door for several seconds, breathing hard, as though she had just finished running a race. Then she turned away and buried her face in her hands.

Why did his voice make her heart ache? Why did his eyes make her feel safe… when they shouldn’t?

She hated this.

She hated him.

She hated—

The door flew open again.

“Becca!”

It was Mira.

The moment Becca saw her, she got up from the bed and Mira rushed forward to wrap her in a tight hug.

“Thank the Moon Goddess,” Mira whispered. “I was so scared. I thought they had— I thought you were—”

“I’m fine,” Becca whispered, hugging her back tightly. “I’m okay. Are you alright?”

Mira nodded tearfully.

“He let me out. He told me everything. I can’t believe it.”

Becca pulled away.

“Then let’s go. Right now.”

Mira blinked.

“What?”

“I don’t want to be here. I want to go back to the clinic. To our home. This place, this castle, this Alpha—” she stopped, gritting her teeth. “I don’t belong here.”

Mira grabbed her wrist gently.

“Becca, wait. You shouldn’t stress yourself. You passed out, remember? You’re still recovering.”

“I’ll be fine,” she said, brushing her off.

Mira sighed and sat beside her on the bed.

“Listen… he told me you rejected the bond.”

“I didn’t even accept it in the first place,” Becca snapped.

“I know. I get it. You’re scared.”

“I’m not scared,” Becca lied.

“You are,” Mira replied softly. “You’re terrified. Because you think all Alphas are like Desmond.”

Becca looked away.

“I’m just saying,” Mira continued, “maybe… maybe this is the Moon Goddess giving you another chance. I mean, Becca, not only is Alpha King Eugene the most powerful Alpha in the entire realm, he’s also…”

“Also what?”

“The hottest Alpha I’ve ever seen,” Mira said with a mischievous grin.

Becca groaned.

“I’m serious,” Mira said, grabbing her hands. “If you became his mate, do you realize what that would mean for your clinic? Your life? You could heal anyone without fear of taxes or punishments. You would have access to medicine, herbs, resources—everything you ever wanted.”

Becca paused.

Everything she ever wanted…

Wasn’t that the whole reason she became a doctor in the first place?

To be useful.

To be accepted.

To have a place.

She looked away.

“I don’t want power,” she muttered. “I just want peace.”

Mira squeezed her hand.

“Maybe he can give you both.”

Becca looked away, her mind searching for answers.