2

“It’s already very late. By the time she got to a pack infirmary there was nothing more we could do. The operation on Luna went well. The pup wasn’t saved? Where are the patient pack members or family?”

"There was nobody. She signed the consent form."

As the numbing feeling slowly faded, the worry of dying still stuck close to Zara Jordan. Sounds of doctors and helpers floated softly into her ears. Her hand moved on its own to her tummy.

Just as the healer had said the pup was gone.

The small bend that once held a weak new life was gone, flat and void. She would never feel the being again.

She knew she should be crying. 

Yet not a single tear fell.

Perhaps she had already shed them long before.

Seeing that she was awake again, the healer looked at her state and told her to rest well. Before he went, he said softly that she could have another puppy later.

Zara simply nodded.

She didn’t bother correcting him.

There would never be another.

That dog was taken just like her tie, just like her wedlock.

Many years ago, Zara became a close friend of Alpha Declan Jordan, the smart leader of Rodrigo Pack. But Declan always thought she was tricky and controlling this made him dislike her even more.

On the night of their pairing event he had purposefully gone to a place instead of making her feel ashamed in front of the whole group.

Zara got laughed at all over Rodrigo land.

After five years as friends, Declan's mood got a bit better. Sometimes, when she was teased he would help to make it stop.

As the saying goes, being with each other all day can grow somethin͏g. Maybe not love but knowing each other well. Maybe not kindness, but a bit of patience.

They had stayed as friends for years, meeting each other every day. At the least, there was a small bit of respect for one another

But Declan had been very clear.

He could sense a strong pull to Zara but he did not care for her. And he would never let her have his pup.

So, for that reason, each time they were with one another he was watchful. On the uncommon times when something took place he made sure she had to have pills after.

For years, Zara did her job as Luna with care, she listened well and followed all of her Alpha's wishes.

Then, three months back, Declan came home tipsy.

He took her without restraint.

No protection. No suppressants.

Afterward, Zara went to retrieve the pills.

The box was empty.

She wanted to buy more the next day, but tasks grew, things needed her focus, and the idea went away.

She believed one time wouldn’t matter.

She was wrong.

She became pregnant.

Zara kept the truth for almost three months, hiding it like a weak secret until today when she at last chose to tell him.

She thought, maybe this dog could tie them. Make their friend bond stronger.

But, the crash took place when she was going to see him.

Her parents were already gone.

The Jordan Pack had a long grudge against her.

Before surgery, she thought of the healer taking her phone trying to reach Declan with some messages about the accident.

He didn’t answer.

Eventually, irritated, he turned his phone off.

Zara had always known Declan was cold.

She just didn't see how harsh he could be.

Looking at the empty hospital roof, those five years of pairing seemed like a long, strange bad dream.

She needed to use the restroom.

The doctors were not free. With no one there to help her, she moved the IV stand by herself.

Thankfully, the infirmary gown had no clasps.

Still, som͏ething that should have taken a minute turned into almost half an hour of fighting.

As she walked out heading back to her bed a woman's voice floated from the staff room quiet enough to stop her in spot.

“Declan, it’s just a small cut on my leg. I already said I'm okay. You’re acting too much.”

The voice was gentle. Warm.

Not yelling or being upset, just soft urging.

Her look was clean and soft, the sort even Zara had once wished to save.

It was no coincidence.

This woman was Marina.

Declan’s first crush. The she-wolf was carved deep in his heart.

Zara wasn’t sure if Declan really hadn’t spotted her there or if he had and just didn’t mind.

But did it matter anymore?

She has known for a while that each break in her tie with Declan went back to Marina.

Even if today didn't happen, all things would have fallen apart one day.

“Marina, Alpha Declan is just worried about you. He called before and his voice was shaking. I thought something bad had happened” said a healer in a white coat with a smile.

That was Ryan, Declan's best buddy and the one who saw his love tale with Marina.

Marina gazed at Declan, who was keeping her safe.

Tall. Broad-shouldered.

Covered in his strong air, she felt secure like he would guard her from the whole world.

“A auto crash is still a mishap. You must be checked well,” Declan said quietly.

“You just act like this for a girl named Marina. For other people, you wouldn’t even blink,” Ryan joked.

Ryan knew very well that Declan's joining with Zara was not by choice.

The words someone else clearly talked about Zara.

For years, Zara had come to the infirmary alone.

Ryan had told Declan countless times.

Declan never cared.

Ryan already knew Zara had nearly died.

He knew about the miscarriage.

He was her attending healer.

By reason and right, he ought to have looked in on her.

But he didn’t.

Because in his heart, he thought Zara deserved all that had happened.

Her bond with Declan was never born of love.

As for the pregnancy Ryan had asked Declan before.

Declan hadn’t known.

It was obvious.

Zara must have been trying to use the dog to tie Declan.

But her scheme failed.

The pup was gone.

Perhaps it was fate.

No sympathy was necessary.

"I'll set up a special room for Marina. She needs watching for two days" Ryan said proudly.

He said it deliberately for Marina’s sake.

Marina instinctively glanc͏ed toward the doorway.

Zara was standing there, staring directly at her.

Marina quickly turned her gaze, then gave Declan a soft grin.

"Declan, I recall Zara rang you before. She seemed in a hurry. Perhaps you ought to call her back?"

When people said Zara’s name Declan’s brow creased.

Before he could respond, Ryan cut in loudly.

"You don’t have to worry about her. Zara has been annoying you for years for no reason. Anyone would be tired."

"Marina ought to think about getting better. You must stick with her," Ryan said.

 “Zara will step aside eventually anyway.”

“Ryan, you shouldn’t say stuff like that,” Marina said gently.

Ryan waved away. “I’m just saying what Declan is thinking.”

Declan remained silent.

The crease between his brows didn’t fade.

Zara felt the suffocating silence close in.

She let out a quiet, bitter laugh.