Chapter 2

"I'm begging you, Ms. York. Can you please come and help Mr. Theodore?"

For a moment, my mind went blank. I couldn't believe what I'd just heard.

Five years ago... I died?

Nathan, the boy who'd always treated me like his whole world, refused to give up half his life to save me. Instead, it was his brother, the cold and emotionless boy, the one everyone called the Grim Reaper, who pulled me back from death.

Even so, I steeled myself and said, "Sorry. Nathan needs me more tonight."

I would rather be seen as ungrateful than fail Nathan.

But the moment I hurried to his side, I was met with mockery. I was called a lovesick puppy, always at his beck and call, and nothing more than a plaything.

'Yeah, I really am pathetic. Serves me right for letting myself be treated like this.'

But I wouldn't make the same mistake again.

I wiped away my tears and forced back the hurt, then tightened my grip on my phone.

"Is it too late to repay the man who saved my life? If Theodore really needs me tonight, I'll go. I'll give him everything he needs!"

Liam's voice was filled with relief. "There's still time, Ms. York. I'll send you the location right away. If Mr. Theodore wasn't gravely injured and it wasn't a full moon on top of that, I'd never dare go against his orders and tell you this. He runs a real tight ship."

I understood that Theodore probably saved me out of duty, not affection, and he didn't want me clinging to him because of gratitude.

And I wasn't going to his side because Nathan broke my heart.

I just wanted to repay the man who once saved my life.

-

But when I rushed to the hospital's VIP ward, I froze.

Standing outside the door was Madeline Lewis, the school's most popular girl. She was anxiously trying to force her way in.

"Let me in! It's the full moon, isn't it? How do you know he doesn't need me? Theo! Theo, please let me in. I'll help you through this!"

For some reason, I almost laughed. Nathan said Madeline wasn't that kind of girl, yet here she was, throwing herself at his brother's bed.

Liam refused to let her in. When he saw me, he immediately opened the door, his eyes wet with relief.

"Ms. York, thank goodness you're here. Please come in. Mr. Theodore needs you tonight. No one else will do."

Madeline's face twisted with jealousy and rage.

"Why does Isabella get to go in? Theo got seriously hurt saving her! She's a jinx! How can you let her anywhere near him?"

I froze for a second.

Theodore saved me? Again? What is she talking about?

Inside the room was chaos.

I saw Theodore lying on the bed. He was shirtless, his face flushed a deep red, and his short hair was soaked through. His fingers curled tightly against the sheets as waves of pain and desire rippled through him, and the thick white bandages wrapped around his back were already seeping through with fresh blood.

Oliver Lloyd, the doctor beside him, was shouting in panic. "Sir, you can't hold out like this! Please just find a woman to help you! The bandages I just changed are already soaked. How much more blood can you lose before it's too late?

"And it's the full moon. Your wolf blood is in overdrive, and your blood isn't clotting properly. Even the strongest medication isn't helping. If we don't find a way to calm your body down, you'll bleed out before the night is over! Where is that girl—the one who can save you?"

The other bodyguards standing by the bed all turned to me at once. They saluted all together, gratitude in every move they made.

"Dr. Lloyd, she's here."

At those words, the man on the bed, who had been writhing in pain like he was burning in hell, suddenly opened his eyes.

His dark red eyes were intimidating, cold yet dazzling. He restrained the fierce desire surging within him, but his gaze landed on me unexpectedly, surprise and irritation flashing across his face.

"Who brought her here? Get her out!"

Liam stepped forward and lowered his head. "It's me, sir. If Ms. York can help ease your pain tonight, I'll accept whatever punishment comes my way. You got hurt saving her, not once, but twice, and never sought any recognition for it. You may not care, but we truly feel wronged for you."

I couldn't help but glance at the man sprawled on the bed, radiating an overwhelming presence. Although Nathan and I were childhood friends, I usually avoided Theodore like the plague.