25

ALINA

I hadn’t said a word since we left the Council headquarters and got back into the car. And Alexander? He acted like nothing happened. Like he didn’t just threaten the most powerful people in the world. Like he hadn’t casually told me they’d put a price on my head.

When was he ever going to tell me?

“You’re so quiet,” he said, like I was usually a chatterbox and this silence was strange.

Unless he could somehow read minds, which, God help me, I wouldn’t even put past him, I knew I hadn’t spoken enough in his presence for him to make that assumption. Maybe Claude told him something.

But I’d only ever snapped at Claude once. At most, Alexander should think I was having a bad day.

“The Council sent people to kill me?” The question slipped out before I could stop it, still echoing in my mind.

His jaw tightened, and his grip on the wheel turned his knuckles white.

“It’s unfortunate that they’ve resorted to such cheap tactics to get to me,” he said, glancing my way. “The man yesterday… he was a spy. Sent by them. His mission was to get in and remove you.”

My breath caught mid-inhale. Shame curled in my chest. I couldn’t believe I’d felt sorry for the werewolf. I thought he was just unlucky, stumbling into Alexander’s territory. But he’d been there for me.

What had I ever done to deserve that?

I might be Alexander’s mate, but shouldn’t they feel sorry for me instead? They feared him. The most terrifying man alive. And I was bound to him. Forced to live with him. To be with him. To possibly bear his children.

My heart slammed against my ribs. Sweat dampened the back of my neck, spreading down my spine. No matter how deep I tried to inhale, the air refused to reach my lungs. My vision blurred at the edges.

Alexander cursed beside me just before the car jerked to a stop. The seatbelt caught me, or I would’ve slammed into the dashboard. The belt felt like a noose.

I clawed at it, gasping, my body trembling.

Panic attack. I was having a panic attack.

The realization hit me like cold water, but knowing didn’t stop it. My arms shook violently as my chest heaved for air that wouldn’t come. My head spun, and everything grew fuzzy.

If I passed out, what would he do to me?

He’d probably tear my heart out. Dump my body in the woods. No one would ever know. No one would miss me. The vow I made to my parents. I’d never keep it.

Tears spilled down my cheeks. My fingers fell limp. My vision dimmed. Something wrapped around my waist and yanked me roughly. If I had any strength left, I would’ve fought back.

But I was already gone.

I braced for the pain. What did it feel like? Having your heart ripped out?

But nothing came.

I heard fabric tear. A hand cradled the back of my head. Maybe he was going to snap my neck. I braced myself again.

Then light bloomed behind my eyelids. Warmth spread through my limbs. My chest stopped aching. The fight in my lungs faded.

Peace settled over me like a soft blanket.

I always thought my last moments with Alexander would be brutal. That he’d make it slow. That I’d feel every bit of pain he could inflict.

I’d been terrified he’d find out I was a werewolf. That I’d lied. That he’d kill me for it.

But it turned out all it took was a panic attack.

I let the darkness take me, a tear slipping down the side of my face.

“You’re alright. It’s okay now.” The voice surprised me.

Was this it? No pain. No judgment. No booming voice deciding where I’d spend eternity?

I didn’t see my parents running toward me with open arms either.

Did they even remember me?

It had been so long. But they had to. I was their daughter. They hadn’t left me by choice. Alexander took them. I hoped karma would crush him.

I squeezed my eyes tighter.

Wait, my eyes were still closed?

That explained the darkness.

I forced my lids open. My vision cleared.

Alexander’s face stared back. His brow furrowed. He looked like himself, but… different.

I reached out. My fingers brushed his cheek. A low sound rumbled in his chest. I let my hand fall.

“I didn’t die?” I didn’t know who I was asking. But Alexander shook his head.

“No. You had a panic attack.” He exhaled, the tension easing from his face.

He didn’t look like a monster.

I couldn’t say I wasn’t disappointed that I hadn’t died. But that was a conversation for another day.

He cupped my face, tilting it until I had no choice but to look at him.

“No one will hurt you as long as I’m here. I’ll destroy them before they ever touch you.”

It should have sounded terrifying. Maybe it was.

But it was also the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me.

My cheeks flushed with heat.