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Author: Cassie
"Enough! Stop it!"

Alex's furious roar exploded from the doorway like thunder.

"What are you doing to her?!" He shoved the two elders holding me down aside, roughly pulling me up from the cold floor and into his arms.

My back was on fire. The wounds from the silver moonwhip went bone-deep. A werewolf's strong healing ability was useless against the burn of sacred silver.

"We are carrying out the duties given to us by the Blackwood family," the Matriarch said coldly, not a hint of guilt in her voice. "She refused to take the 'Moon Soul potion,' openly defying the Elder Council's plan for continuing the family bloodline."

"Mother!" Alex's voice was filled with a rage and disbelief I'd never heard before. "How could you… How dare you use the silver moonwhip on her?!"

Alex didn't argue with her anymore. He just swept me up into his arms and strode quickly outside.

"Alex... I'm okay..." I managed to croak out, my voice raspy.

"Shut up." His voice was low, almost a whisper. "You're bleeding a lot."

"Hang in there, we're almost there." Alex gripped the steering wheel with one hand, but his other hand was crushing mine, so tight I thought my bones would break.

I'd never seen him so frantic, so out of sorts.

"Treat her wounds immediately! Use the best treatment plan!" Alex yelled at the head werewolf healer who rushed over as he carried me into the emergency room.

"Use the best medicine, and do it as fast as possible." Alex still held my hand tightly, his palm scorching hot, but his voice was cold as iron. "I won't allow any permanent damage on her." He paused, then added, "She is, after all, the Blackwood family's mate in name. This concerns the family's honor."

So, it was about "honor." I laughed bitterly to myself.

The healer gave me a strong painkiller and started carefully cleaning the gruesome wounds.

Every touch felt like a thousand red-hot needles stabbing me over and over.

Alex just gripped my hand tighter, as if trying to transfer his strength to me.

"I'm sorry," he leaned down, his hot breath on my ear, his voice low and hoarse like sandpaper. "Letting you go through this… It was all my fault for not paying attention."

I wanted to say something, but the drugs and extreme exhaustion finally took over, and I passed out.

When I woke up again, I was in a VIP isolation room on the top floor of the medical center.

Alex was sitting by the bed, carefully dabbing a cool medicinal cream onto the wounds on my back, which were already starting to heal.

"You're awake?" He put down the cotton swab, his deep eyes meeting mine. "Do the wounds still hurt?"

I shook my head, trying to sit up.

"Don't move." Alex gently pressed my shoulder, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The healer said moonwhip wounds need at least three days of complete rest to make sure there are no long-term problems."

"I'm fine, I can go home," I said. I didn't want to be in this place, filled with his fake concern.

"No." Alex's tone was final. "Until your wounds are completely healed, you have to stay here. Only then can I relax."

For the next week, Alex showed up in my hospital room almost every day.

He changed my dressings himself, carefully cleaning the nasty wounds over and over with a special solution to make sure there wasn't even a hint of infection.

"Drink some soul-nourishing broth." He scooped up a spoonful of the perfectly warm, thick soup, blew on it carefully, and held it to my lips. "The healer said this will help your damaged werewolf core recover faster."

I silently opened my mouth and let him feed me, spoonful by spoonful.

This was the first time in three years he’d ever "taken care" of me with such attention to detail.

If I ignored the way his voice instantly softened whenever he took a call from Lily, and his usual ruthless efficiency when dealing with pack business, I’d almost believe that the person lying here was someone he truly cherished.

"Sophia," he suddenly said, his voice a bit low, "I promise you, from now on, I will never let anyone hurt you again."

"Why?" I asked softly.

Alex seemed stumped by my question. He paused for a moment, then slowly said, his voice tinged with a confusion even he didn't seem to notice, "Because... you're my destined mate. Protecting you is my responsibility."

"Destined mate" again, "responsibility" again. Those words, coming from his mouth, were nothing but a cruel joke to me.

A week later, the wounds on my back had mostly healed, leaving only faint scars that would soon disappear thanks to a werewolf's strong healing abilities.

Alex still came to "visit" me in the hospital room for a while each day.

He’d sit on the sofa by my bed, looking at me with those complicated, unreadable eyes, saying nothing. The way he was studying me made me extremely uncomfortable.

"Come here," he suddenly said, holding out his hand, his tone demanding.

I hesitated for a few seconds, but finally, still feeling a bit weak, I slowly walked over to him.

Alex pulled me into his arms, making me fall onto his strong thighs.

His powerful arms wrapped tightly around my waist, his hot palm rubbing back and forth on the sensitive skin there. His strong Alpha scent instantly surrounded me, making my whole body tremble uncontrollably.

"Sophia," his voice was hoarse with desire, his breathing heavy. "Tonight, I want to fully mark you."

My heart lurched, then started pounding like crazy.

In three years, apart from that one time he lost control when he was drunk, he had never once offered to complete the deepest soul-mark between an Alpha and their mate.

"Are you sure?" I tilted my head up to look at his handsome face, so close to mine. My voice trembled a little, a tremor I hadn't even realized was there.

"Absolutely sure." Alex bent his head, his hot lips crushing mine, moving, grinding, not with the usual cold indifference, but full of aggression and possessiveness.

I felt his body react intensely.

My heart, which had been so full of despair and pain, in that moment, ridiculously, started to hope.

Alex swept me up into his arms and strode towards the private sitting room inside the hospital suite.

He gently laid me down on the soft, large bed and skillfully started unbuttoning my hospital gown.

"Don't be afraid," his hot kisses landed on my neck, my collarbone, leaving a trail of dark red marks, his voice seductive. "This time, I'll make you feel what a true Alpha's mark is."

I closed my eyes, feeling his scorching body heat and the overwhelming impact of his Alpha pheromones. My body instinctively trembled.

Just as his fangs were about to pierce the gland on the back of my neck—

Knock, knock, knock! Alex! Alex!

Frantic, desperate knocking hammered on the door, accompanied by Lily's shrill screams, piercing through the thick door and right into my ears.

"Alex! Help me! My heat started early! I can't take it! Alex!"
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  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   24

    Sophia's POVFull moon. Silver light washed over the altar by the sea.I wore a moon-white wedding dress. Made just for werewolves.Silk. Embroidered with silver moon phases – new moon to full. A symbol of life, death, and rebirth.My veil had a phoenix, wings spread wide. It shimmered in the moonlight. Sacred."Ms. S. Moon, the global live stream is ready," a crew member whispered. "Over ten million werewolves and humans are expected to watch."This wasn't just a wedding.It was the first Moon Goddess blessing ceremony ever live-streamed to the world.As the founder of Phoenix, my big moments got a lot of attention in werewolf society.An old werewolf hymn began.I walked slowly with Ethan towards the Moon Goddess altar by the sea.Ethan wore a traditional Alpha suit. Deep blue, with his family crest embroidered on it – a silver wolf, howling at the sky.Elite werewolves from all over the world sat watching.Elders from the North American Werewolf Alliance.Alpha families from ancient

  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   23

    Sophia's POVIn the private hospital's VIP room, Alexander's mother lay pale on the bed.Seeing me, a complex emotion flickered in her eyes."Sophia... you really came," she said weakly."What did you want to see me about?" I sat by her bed, my tone cool.She struggled, pulling a small box from under her pillow. "This... is the Blackwood family signet ring... a symbol passed down through generations...""I don't need it." I didn't take it. "It has nothing to do with me.""Please..." She suddenly slid off the bed, kneeling before me. "Please save Alexander..."I stared, shocked. This once proud woman, now kneeling at my feet."What are you doing?""It was my fault, all my fault!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "I shouldn't have forced you, shouldn't have whipped you with the moon-silver, shouldn't have favored Lily...""Does saying this now make any difference?" I asked coldly. "You didn't treat me like a person back then.""I know, I know I did so much wrong..." She clutched my pants leg.

  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   22

    Sophia's POV"Sophia, I want you to meet my brother," Emma said, pulling me towards the VIP lounge at New York Tech Week. "He just flew in from Silicon Valley.""Your brother?" I smoothed my dress. "Is he in tech too?""An investor. Specializes in female-founded startups." Emma smiled mysteriously. "And he's single. A good guy."I stopped. "Emma, you're not trying to set me up with a mate, are you?""Of course not!" Emma feigned innocence. "I just think you two would have a lot to talk about. Besides, Phoenix could use a strategic investor. He's got a sharp eye."Walking into the VIP lounge, I immediately saw him. Standing by the window, tall and lean in a dark gray suit, engrossed in a financial report."Ethan!" Emma walked over, patting his shoulder. "Come meet the Phoenix founder I told you about."The man turned. A kind, handsome face. Deep brown eyes that smiled warmly."Ms. S. Moon," he extended his hand. "I'm Ethan, Emma's brother. It's an honor.""Please, call me Sophia." I sho

  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   21

    Alexander's POVThe cheap motel TV was playing Sophia's press conference. The host gushed, "Ms. S. Moon's press conference has become the most sensational business event of the year..."I turned off the TV. Silence filled the room.My phone rang. My lawyer."Mr. Blackwood, I regret to inform you, Switzerland has formally requested your extradition. The FBI will likely arrest you within 48 hours.""What?""To reduce her sentence, Ms. Lily provided substantial evidence to the Swiss police, claiming you were the mastermind behind the entire fraud. She said all the money was transferred under your instruction."I collapsed onto the shabby bed. "But she did all of it!""The problem is, she has evidence," the lawyer's voice was heavy. "She recorded many of your conversations. Though taken out of context, they'll be very persuasive in court."After hanging up, I stared at the mold spots on the ceiling.Three years ago, if someone had told me this would be my end, I would have laughed.Now, I

  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   20

    Sophia's POV"Ms. S. Moon, there's a man downstairs who's been waiting for three days. Security says it's Alexander Blackwood."My assistant reported carefully, afraid to upset me."Let him wait." I didn't look up from the contract I was reviewing. "If he disturbs employees, call the police.""Yes, Madam."On the fourth morning, I looked down through the floor-to-ceiling window. Alexander was still there. Wrinkled suit, stubble, holding a coffee cup.He looked pathetic."Ms. S. Moon, the man asked me to give this to you." The head of security walked into my office with a coffee.I took it, sniffed it, and sneered. "Latte, three sugars, cinnamon powder?""Yes.""Tell him I don't drink lattes. I drink Americanos. Black. No sugar." I pushed the coffee back. "That's Lily's preference, not mine."The security chief paused. "You mean... he doesn't even know what you like?""Three years of a 'deep' relationship, and he doesn't know what coffee I drink." I said coldly. "Ironic, isn't it?"In t

  • Alpha’s Temporary Companion   19

    Alexander's POV"Congratulations to Phoenix founder S. Moon, winner of this year's 'Outstanding Female Entrepreneur' award!"On TV, Sophia stood on stage in an elegant black evening gown, holding a crystal trophy. Her smile was confident, beautiful. A light in her eyes I'd never seen before."Ms. S. Moon, what advice do you have for young female entrepreneurs?" the host asked.Sophia took the microphone. Her voice was clear and firm. "Never lose yourself for anyone. You are precious enough on your own. You deserve the best the world has to offer. Remember, true love makes you a better version of yourself, not someone who has to beg."My hand, holding the beer bottle, trembled.Those words... they felt like they were meant for me.After the awards, I turned off the TV. Stumbled upstairs.Since my mother got sick, I was alone in this house. The debt collectors called daily. I was numb to it.I walked into our old bedroom. It felt so empty now. All traces of Sophia were long gone, but I c

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