Chapter Seven

Kiara POV

Morning came too quickly.

Soft sunlight slipped through the hospital window, warming the edge of my blanket, but it did nothing to calm the unease sitting heavily in my chest. I hadn’t truly slept. Every time I drifted off, strange dreams pulled me back awake running through endless forests, silver light flashing between trees, a powerful presence always just behind me.

Watching.

Waiting.

I sat up slowly, surprised by how much stronger my body felt. The deep aches from yesterday had faded into dull soreness. Even the cuts on my arms had nearly disappeared.

The doctor hadn’t been exaggerating.

Something inside me really was healing… faster than normal.

A knock sounded before the door opened, and a young nurse entered carrying a tray of food. She smiled politely but avoided direct eye contact, placing it on the table beside my bed.

“Alpha ordered that you eat,” she said quickly.

Alpha.

My heart skipped at the word.

“Is he… here?” I asked.

She nodded. “He’s been in meetings since dawn.”

Meetings.

The word made my stomach tighten. Meetings meant discussion. Discussion meant decisions.

Decisions about me.

After she left, I forced myself to eat, though every bite felt heavy. My thoughts kept drifting back to last night the warmth, the growl, the voice inside my head.

Your wolf is awakening.

I pressed a hand against my chest.

“What are you?” I whispered to myself.

Before I could think further, raised voices echoed faintly from the hallway outside. My senses sharpened instantly, the sounds clearer than they should have been.

“…cannot remain hidden much longer,” someone said.

Another voice answered, tense. “If the Northern packs discover her identity, they’ll demand custody.”

Custody?

My breath caught.

“They suspect already,” the first voice continued. “A scout reported unusual energy near the territory last night.”

Cold fear spread through me.

They were talking about me.

The door suddenly opened, and Alpha Theodore stepped inside. His presence immediately silenced the panic rising in my chest.

He looked different today—more guarded, tension lining his face.

“You’re awake,” he said.

I nodded slowly. “I heard voices outside.”

His expression hardened slightly. “You weren’t meant to.”

“I have enhanced hearing now,” I admitted quietly. “I think.”

He exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Your abilities are progressing faster than expected.”

“That means I’m in danger, doesn’t it?”

He didn’t answer immediately, which was answer enough.

“Yes,” he said finally.

My hands tightened around the blanket.

“There are packs who would see you as a weapon,” he continued. “Others would eliminate you before your power matures.”

Fear crept into my throat. “And you?”

His gaze locked onto mine.

“I protect what is under my rule.”

The words were firm, but something deeper lingered beneath them.

Before I could respond, a sudden sharp pain shot through my chest. I gasped, clutching at my shirt as heat flooded my body again stronger than before.

Alpha Theodore moved instantly but stopped himself halfway, fists clenching at his sides.

“Kiara,” he said carefully. “Breathe.”

“I’m trying,” I whispered, panic rising.

The room seemed brighter, sharper. Every sound became overwhelming the distant footsteps, birds outside, even the rhythm of his heartbeat thundered in my ears.

Then I felt it.

Not fear.

Awareness.

A presence brushing against my mind again, stronger this time.

Images flashed golden eyes, moonlight, power intertwined with mine.

Alpha Theodore staggered slightly, catching himself against the wall.

His eyes glowed faintly.

“My wolf…” he muttered under his breath.

“What about it?” I asked shakily.

“It recognizes you.”

The words hung heavily between us.

Recognizes.

My pulse raced. “What does that mean?”

Before he could answer, a loud alarm suddenly echoed through the building.

Both of us froze.

A guard’s voice rang through the hallway. “Alpha! Unauthorized presence at the eastern border!”

Theodore’s entire demeanor changed instantly. The calm man from moments ago vanished, replaced by a commanding Alpha radiating authority.

“Stay here,” he ordered.

Fear surged. “Is it because of me?”

His silence confirmed it.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he said firmly, already moving toward the door.

But before he could leave, a deep, unfamiliar growl echoed through my mind louder than before.

Mine.

A surge of energy burst through my body. The IV line snapped loose as power rushed beneath my skin, silver light flickering faintly along my arms.

Alpha Theodore turned sharply, shock flashing across his face.

“Kiara stop resisting it!”

“I’m not!” I cried.

The energy pulsed again, stronger, responding to something outside something approaching fast.

Then I felt it clearly.

Someone was coming for me.

And whatever it was… my wolf wanted to face it.

Outside, distant howls rose into the morning air.

Not one.

Many.

Alpha Theodore’s eyes darkened as realization hit him.

“They found you.”

The hospital windows rattled violently as another howl echoed closer than before.

My heart pounded, fear and something dangerously close to excitement mixing inside me.

For the first

time in my life, I didn’t feel weak.

I felt… powerful.

And that terrified me most of all.