One

I lay dying in the ICU, trapped inside a body that barely obeyed me. Every breath scraped my throat like broken glass, dragging me closer to the end. My wolf, Maya, howled wildly in my head.

“Fight for us, Eve! Don’t you dare quit!”

My lips cracked as I tried to speak, but nothing came out. Maya thrashed inside me, clawing at my soul, making my muscles twitch. A single tear slid down my temple, vanishing into my tangled hair.

Beside me sat a thick manila envelope. My whole life was inside it — land deeds, bank accounts, every hard-earned thing I’d bled for. It was supposed to go to my husband, Lance, and my best friend, Crystal, if I didn’t make it.

Footsteps and voices drifted through the door.

“I hope she’s dead,” Lance’s voice said, sharp and cold. “Once this is done, we finally get what we deserve.”

My stomach clenched. I strained to hear, but the words blurred together until a female laugh cut through the air like a knife. It was high-pitched and too damn happy for a hospital room where someone was dying.

Why would my husband, who’d begged me yesterday to hold on, wish me gone today?

“Our baby will be strong,” the woman’s voice purred. “We’ll be the perfect Alpha and Luna.”

The words hit like a slap.

The door opened. I didn’t need to see her face to know that voice belonged to Alice, a conniving bitch who’d begged for a job in my pack and slithered her way into my house.

The sight of her with Lance was a blade to the gut. My brain tried to reconcile it with the man who’d kissed my knuckles through tears and promised me forever.

Maybe forever was a fucking joke.

The bed dipped. Alice leaned over and jabbed my shoulder with her finger. The pain jolted through me, and my breath caught. She gasped and stumbled back like she’d touched a corpse that twitched.

“She’s still alive! That poison was supposed to keep her under.”

I turned my head, forcing my eyes open. 

My lips cracked as I rasped, “Why… did you… do this?”

Lance froze. Surprise flickered, then vanished behind a dead stare.

“That wasn’t meant for your ears,” he said, his tone colder than ice.

“After… everything I did for you.”

He gave a bitter laugh and slung an arm around Alice’s waist. “I found my mate,” he said, as if to excuse his betrayal.

“Pathetic,” my wolf snarled in my head. “You’re letting them write your ending.”

A sob tore through me, and the motion ripped pain down my ribs. My grief filled the room.

“Enough,” Lance snapped. “Die quietly and save us the trouble.”

The door banged open. My best friend and doctor, Crystal stormed in like a hurricane. Her gaze zeroed in on Lance, fury already sparking.

“What the hell are you doing to her?”

“This isn’t your business,” Lance growled. “Back off.”

“The hell it isn’t. She’s my patient. What the fuck did you do to her?”

Her eyes darted to his hand gripping Alice’s waist. Her face twisted as rage swallowed her shock.

“Everything you are came from Eve,” she cried out. “And this is how you repay her?”

“I don’t have time for your drama. I came to grab the paperwork. She’s dying anyway.” He reached for the envelope.

Crystal snatched it first, clutching it to her chest.

“Give me that!” Lance lunged.

Alice moved too, but Crystal’s slap cracked through the air.

“Touch me again, and I’ll break your fucking hand,” Crystal hissed.

Alice stumbled back, holding her cheek. “Lance, are you just going to let her—”

“Out,” Crystal barked, calling security.

Lance sneered. “You’ll regret this. No one will believe you.” His gaze flicked to me, trembling and barely hanging on. “Your time’s up, Eve. Don’t expect anyone to cry over you.”

They left.

Crystal wiped her tears quickly and came to me. She pressed a cool cloth to my burning skin.

“Look at me,” she said softly. “I have good news.”

I forced my eyes open. “I’m dying,” I croaked.

“Not yet. I know someone who can help. King Axel of the Wild Fangs pack.”

The name slammed into me like a punch. My vision blurred with memories of blood, screams, my parents’ lifeless bodies. That bastard had destroyed my family.

And Crystal wanted me to beg him for help?

I’d rather choke on my own blood.

Crystal leaned in closer, her voice fierce. “This isn’t just about staying alive. It’s about making every one of them pay. Lance doesn’t win. That Lycan monster doesn’t win. You don’t have to like Axel, but he’s the only one who can save you.”

“What if… I don’t make it?” My voice cracked.

“You will,” she swore. “I’ve arranged a jet. Oxygen tanks, meds, everything. I’ll be with you every second. We’ll get you to Axel, and when you heal, you’ll burn their whole world to ash.”

Her voice softened, almost breaking. “I wouldn’t suggest this if there was another way. They say Axel’s hands can heal anything.”

My stomach turned. Begging him felt like swallowing poison. But I was desperate.

For the first time, Maya went silent. The fear twisting in her mirrored my own.

We were running out of time.