Chapter 5: The Bond That Is Killing Him

“He’s dying.”

The healer’s voice pierced the fog in Eiren’s mind. He tried to open his eyes, but his body refused to obey. Everything felt heavy and distant.

“That’s impossible,” Kael’s voice was raw, desperate. “The bond is sealed. It should be healing him.”

“It’s doing the opposite.” The healer’s footsteps drew closer. “His body is too weak. The bond is consuming him from within.”

“Then fix it.” Kael sounded like he was barely holding himself together. “Do something.”

“There’s nothing to fix,” said another voice, older. “The omega was rejected once. His body has already begun shutting down. Adding a second bond on top of that” A pause. “It’s killing him faster.”

Silence.

Eiren wanted to speak, to tell them it was fine, that he had accepted it. But his throat refused to cooperate.

“How long?” Kael’s voice dropped to a barely audible whisper.

“Days. Maybe less,” the older healer sighed. “I’m sorry, Lord Vorthran, but some wolves aren’t meant to survive bonding.”

“Get out.”

“My lord”

“I said, get out,” Kael’s voice cracked. “All of you. Now.”

Footsteps receded. A door closed.

Then, quiet.

Eiren felt the bed dip beside him as Kael’s hand found his, their fingers intertwining.

“You’re not dying,” Kael said, his voice rough. “I won’t let you.”

But they both knew that wasn’t how it worked.

-----

Consciousness ebbed and flowed in waves. Sometimes, Eiren awoke to find Kael sitting beside him, reading ancient texts by candlelight. Other times, he woke alone, the bond in his chest pulsing faintly.

Each time he woke up, he felt weaker.

The bleeding had stopped, but the damage was done. His body was failing, shutting down. The bond that should have strengthened him was instead draining his life.

“You’re awake.” Kael set down the book he had been reading. His face looked haggard. When had he last slept?

“How long?” Eiren’s voice came out as a rasp.

“Two days.” Kael poured water and held it to Eiren’s lips. “Drink.”

Eiren managed a few sips. The water helped, but not much. “I heard what the healers said.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “They’re wrong.”

“They’re not,” Eiren said, her hand finding Kael’s. “I’m dying. We both know it.”

“No.” Kael’s grip tightened. “I refuse to accept that.”

“You don’t have a choice.” Eiren tried to smile, but it came out sad,broken. “Neither of us do.”

“There’s always a choice.” Kael stood abruptly and paced to the window and back. “I just have to find it.”

“Kael”

“Don’t,” Kael’s voice was sharp. “Don’t give up. Not yet.”

But Eiren had given up days ago,perhaps even earlier. Maybe he had surrendered the moment Rhydan rejected him.

Voices drifted through the door,low and cautious,but Eiren’s hearing had always been sharp.

“The problem will solve itself,” an elder’s voice said smugly. “The defective omega won’t last the week.”

“Good,” another voice said. “Then Kael will return to his senses.”

“Or he’ll spiral,” a third voice said uncertainly. “You saw how he reacted in the council hall. If the omega dies”

“Then we’ll deal with Kael however necessary,” the first elder said again. “The pack comes first. Always.”

Their footsteps faded away down the corridor.

Eiren closed his eyes. They were celebrating his death, awaiting it as if it were a holiday.

“You heard them,” Eiren said flatly.

“Yes.” Kael hadn’t moved from the window. “I heard.”

“They’re right, you know.” Eiren forced himself to sit up. Pain shot through his abdomen, but he pushed through it. “Once I’m gone, things will go back to normal for you.”

“Normal.” Kael laughed, but there was no humor in his voice. “You think I want normal?”

“I think you deserve better than this,” Eiren said, gesturing weakly at himself. “Better than a dying omega who’s brought you nothing but trouble.”

“Stop.” Kael crossed the room in two strides and sat on the edge of the bed, his hands cupping Eiren’s face. “Stop talking like you’re already dead.”

“I am,” Eiren said, her eyes burning with unshed tears. “I’m just taking my time about it.”

“Then take all the time you need.” Kael’s thumbs brushed across his cheekbones. “Because I’m not letting go until I have to.”

The tears fell uncontrollably. Eiren couldn’t stop them. “I’m sorry.”

“For being broken.” The words tumbled out. “For being too weak to survive this bond. For making you care about someone who was always going to die.”

“You’re not broken,” Kael said fiercely. “The world broke you. There’s a difference.”

“Does it matter?” Eiren leaned into Kael’s touch. “Either way, the result is the same.”

“It matters to me.” Kael pulled him closer, holding him as if he were something precious,something worth keeping. “You matter to me.”

Eiren wanted to believe that. She wanted to hold onto those words and carry them into whatever came next.

“Thank you,” he whispered against Kael’s chest. “For making me feel like I was worth something, even if it was just for a few days.”

Kael’s arms tightened around him. “It wasn’t just a few days, and this isn’t over.”

But it was,they both knew it.

-----

That night, Eiren woke to find Kael gone. The room was dark except for a single candle burning on the table. Next to it sat an ancient book, its pages yellowed and brittle.

Eiren managed to sit up. His body protested with every movement, but he pushed through the pain. He reached for the book.

The text was old, written in a language he barely recognized. Yet, some words stood out.

*Blood sacrifice.*

*Bond Transfer.*

*Alpha’s Choice.*

His stomach dropped.

The door opened. Kael stepped inside, his face grim. He saw Eiren holding the book and froze in place.

“Where did you get this?” Eiren’s voice trembled.

“The Forbidden Archive,” Kael said as he closed the door. “It’s deep in the pack library, where they keep the rituals no one is supposed to know about.”

“This says” Eiren’s hands trembled. “It says an alpha can transfer the bond’s burden onto themselves.”

not possible.

“It’s possible,” Kael said, moving closer. “Just forbidden, because it kills the alpha instead.”

“No.” Eiren threw the book across the room. “Absolutely not.”

“It’s the only way to save you.”

“I don’t want to be saved like this.” Eiren tried to stand, but his legs gave out. Kael caught him. “I won’t let you die for me.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

“Neither do you.” Eiren grabbed Kael’s shirt, holding on with the little strength he had left. “I’m not worth your life. I’m not worth anyone’s life.”

“Let me decide what you’re worth,” Kael said, his eyes burning. “I’ve made my choice.”

“Then unmake it,” Eiren’s voice broke. “Please. I’m begging you,don’t do this.”

“I’m not going to watch you die,” Kael said, his voice resolute and final. “I can’t. I won’t.”

“Better me than you.” Tears streamed down Eiren’s face. “You’re important. You’re strong. The pack needs you.”

“The pack can burn.” Kael wiped away Eiren’s tears. “You’re what I need.”

“Why?” The question tore from him. “Why would you throw your life away for someone like me?”

“Because in two days, you’ve given me more reason to live than I’ve had in ten years.” Kael pressed his forehead against his. “Because when I look at you, I see something worth fighting for,worth dying for.”

“Probably,” Kael’s lips brushed against Eiren’s forehead. “But I’ve never been particularly sane.”

“Kael.” Eiren’s hands clenched into fists against his shirt. “Please. Think about this.”

“I have,” Kael said, pulling back, his decision clearly written on his face. “The ritual requires preparation,two days, maybe three if you hold on that long.”

“And then what? You die, and I live?” Eiren shook his head. “That’s not living. That’s just surviving with your ghost.”

“Then survive,” Kael’s voice softened. “Live for both of us. That’s all I ask.”

“I can’t.”

“You will.” Kael stood, helping Eiren back onto the bed. “Because the alternative is both of us dying. And I refuse to let that happen.”

“There must be another way.”

“There isn’t.” Kael moved toward the door. “I’ve read every text and consulted every healer who will speak to me. This is the only option.”

are you going?

“To gather what I need for the ritual.” Kael paused at the door, his hand on the handle. He looked back at Eiren. “Get some rest; you’ll need your strength.”

“For living,” Kael said, his eyes filled with a sadness that made Eiren’s chest ache. “For carrying us both forward when this is done.”

“Kael”

But he was already gone.

Eiren sat alone in the darkness, the weight of Kael’s decision crushing him. He had spent his entire life believing he was worthless, unwanted, and better off dead.

And now, someone was willing to die to prove him wrong.

The door opened again. Kael stepped back inside, his arms full of strange items: candles, herbs, and a ceremonial blade.

His eyes met Eiren’s across the room.

“If the bond demands blood,” Kael said quietly, “it will be mine.”