Chapter 3

When I finally came to, I was lying on a bed in the healing sanctuary.

The witch tending to me said anxiously, "I'm sorry, but all the healers were sent to the VIP ward. The Luna of the Bloodstone pack took a sudden turn for the worse, and the Alpha ordered every healer to tend to her, so there's no one left to treat you."

"I've been poisoned with silver nitrate." I forced myself upright and begged, "Please, just give me one dose of the antidote. If I take it in time, I can still survive."

At that, the witch hurried away. But before long, she returned with a troubled expression. "The Bloodstone pack's Luna has silver nitrate poisoning as well. All the antidotes went to her. There's none left."

Daisy, who had brought me here, grabbed the witch's arm. Her voice choked with sobs as she pleaded, "Please, Mrs. Parker can't hold on any longer. You have to save her!"

I lay on the bed, fighting to stay conscious. Excruciating pain surged through me, leaving me drenched in sweat.

I fumbled for my phone and mustered all my strength to call William.

"William," I croaked. "I've been poisoned with silver nitrate. Could you spare me a healer?"

But Naomi's pitiful cries came through the line. "William, go be with her. She called you. You're her mate. I shouldn't trouble you while I'm sick…"

William refused without a second thought. "No. You're my fated mate, chosen by the Moon Goddess. I'll stay with you. I won't leave you."

My chest tightened as if seized by an unrelenting force that tore it apart from within. I didn't even notice when the call ended.

I clutched my phone as tears streamed silently down my face.

I curled into a ball, and my wolf roared in agony inside me. The silver nitrate gnawed at its life. Before long, my consciousness grew hazy.

"Mrs. Parker! Mrs. Parker!" Daisy's cries echoed from afar. "Don't fall asleep! Please… save her! She's dying!"

But I couldn't hold on any longer. The pain was unbearable, and I was exhausted. Slowly, I let my eyes close.

…

Meanwhile, my three brothers paced anxiously outside the VIP ward. William stayed inside with Naomi as the healers surrounded her, treating her.

"How is Naomi now?"

After the treatment, William asked the healers to examine her. But the moment they approached, she clutched her chest and let out a sharp scream. "My chest… it hurts so much!"

Without missing a beat, Anthony, Bradley, and Caleb rushed into the ward. They shoved the healers aside and crowded around Naomi, their faces etched with worry.

"I don't want to stay here anymore! I want to go home!" Naomi wailed.

Anthony frowned and tried to reason with her. "You're too weak. You should stay and let them treat you properly."

"My illness can't be cured…" Naomi lowered her head, sobbing. "Why should I suffer through treatment? I just want to spend my last days at home with all of you."

The four men relented instantly and took her home.

…

It took Anthony, Bradley, Caleb, and William two days at home with Naomi before they noticed I was missing.

"Where's Patricia? She hasn't come back in two days! Does she have no respect for rules?"

Anthony slammed his hand on the table, his face dark with anger.

William, too, furrowed his brow.

"Find out where Patricia is," he ordered Nathan Cooper, his Beta.

William knew I wouldn't go this long without reaching out to him. Suddenly, a twinge of unease stirred in him.

Bradley glared at him. "I bet she's in hiding because we caught her hurting Naomi. Find her, and make her apologize!"

As they accused me, Naomi smirked inwardly. Even after three long years and all my efforts, I still couldn't take her place in their hearts.

At that moment, Nathan burst in, panic written across his face.

"Alpha William, two days ago, Mrs. Parker was taken to the healing sanctuary after being poisoned. But you sent all the healers and antidotes to the VIP ward. By the time Daisy tried to bring her out… she was already dead."