Marked To Live

We had managed to Resuscitate him.

I stayed by Sam’s bed long after the others had gone. His breathing was shallow, each rise of his chest barely there, like the air itself was refusing to fill his lungs.

“Why is he still like this?” I muttered, fingers curling against my knees. “It’s been hours since we pulled him out.”

“Because he’s fading,” a soft voice answered.

I turned. A woman in grey robes stood at the door, her presence quiet but unsettling. The healer. She didn’t wait for me to invite her in — just crossed the room, eyes moving over Sam like she was counting his last heartbeats.

Steve came in right behind her, his voice clipped. “What the hell do you mean, ‘fading’? Why is he so weak?”

The healer’s mouth tightened. “Because…” She hesitated, glancing between us. “Because he’s an omega.”

I blinked. “…What?”

Steve’s expression twisted into disbelief. “That’s not possible. He’s the son of an Alpha. His father—”

“I don’t know why,” the healer cut in quickly. “But his wolf is omega-born. His body is different. Weaker. More vulnerable. And after what he’s been through, it’s shutting down.”

My mind refused to accept it. An omega? Sam? The boy who should have been standing shoulder to shoulder with future leaders, now lying here like a candle about to burn out?

Steve shook his head, stepping back like the words were filth. “No. No, you’re wrong. You’re lying.”

“I have no reason to lie,” she said calmly. “But you asked why he’s dying. That’s your answer.”

The room went still. Sam’s breathing was the only sound.

Steve found his voice first. “So… what do we do? Give him medicine? A transfusion?”

The healer’s gaze softened, but her next words cut like a blade. “There’s no cure for this. The only way his wolf will recover… is if an Alpha marks him. As mate.”

The words hung heavy. My chest tightened.

“That’s ridiculous,” Steve snapped. “He’s barely alive, and you want to talk about—”

“It’s the only way,” she said firmly. “The bond would strengthen him. Heal him over time. Without it… he’ll be gone before sunrise.”

My eyes fell to Sam again. His lips were pale. There was no fight left in his body. And yet—my wolf was restless, pacing inside me, pushing. Do it. Save him. Mark him.

I clenched my jaw. “There’s no other Alpha?”

She shook her head. “None nearby. And female Alphas… they’re almost unheard of now.”

Steve’s voice was sharp. “So you’re saying—”

“She’s saying it would have to be me,” I finished.

The healer didn’t confirm it, but she didn’t deny it either.

For a long moment, I just stared at Sam. My wolf’s growl filled my head, not of anger, but of desperate insistence. I didn’t understand it. I didn’t understand why I wanted to do this. This wasn’t just instinct — this was something else, something heavier.

“Lucifer.”

I turned. Steve stood in the doorway, arms folded, eyes cold. I hadn’t even noticed him come in.

“You’re not doing this,” he said.

“I have to.”

“You don’t. He’s not your responsibility. He’s nothing to you.”

“He’s dying,” I said flatly.

Steve stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You mark him, and it’s for life. You think your father will approve? You think his pack will? He’s an omega. His own father tossed him out. What do you think that means?”

I held his stare. “I think it means I’m the only one who won’t.”

Steve’s jaw tightened. “Lucifer—”

“You think I care what my father says? I was tossed out too, remember? Not because I was weak, but because I didn’t bend when he wanted me to. Sam’s lying here with no one. No pack. No family. And you’re telling me to watch him die?”

“He’s not worth it,” Steve said.

“Then why the hell can’t I walk away?” I snapped. “Why is my wolf clawing at me to keep him breathing?”

Steve didn’t answer.

The healer’s voice came quietly. “If you’re going to do it, it must be now. His wolf is close to letting go.”

I looked at Sam again. His face was too still, too peaceful, like death was already standing beside him. My chest felt like it was caving in. I didn’t even know him like that. Not really. But I knew this — I couldn’t lose him.

Steve tried one last time. “You mark him, and it’s done. No taking it back. This isn’t pity, Lucifer — it’s binding yourself to him. You’re tying your future to an omega.”

“Better that than standing here tomorrow knowing I let him die.”

Steve shook his head. “You’re a damn fool.”

“Maybe.” I stepped to the bed.

The healer moved aside, her hands clasped. She didn’t need to tell me what to do. My wolf already knew.

I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing Sam’s hair back from his forehead. His skin was cold. “You’re not dying,” I murmured, barely aware I’d spoken out loud. “Not like this. Not on my watch.”

I tilted his head gently, my lips brushing the side of his neck. My fangs broke skin with a sharp sting, the taste of him flooding my mouth. My wolf surged forward, pouring strength into the bond as the mark took hold. Desire flooding through my vain.

His body jolted faintly, like his soul had felt it.

The healer’s voice was steady. “It’s done.”

I pulled back slowly, wiping my mouth. My wolf settled, the restless pacing gone, replaced by something heavier, possession.

Sam’s breathing deepened slightly. His skin warmed under my hand.

I didn’t miss the way Steve was staring at me, his expression caught between anger and disbelief.

“You’re insane,” he said.

“Maybe.” My voice was low, my eyes never leaving Sam. “But he’s mine now.”

The healer packed up her things quietly. “The bond will help him recover, but it will be slow. Don’t expect him to wake immediately. His body needs to heal.”

I nodded, my mind still turning over the truth, Sam was an omega. An Alpha’s son who should’ve been untouchable, reduced to this. I didn’t know why. I didn’t know how. But none of that mattered now.

Because the moment my teeth sank into his skin, I’d made a choice.

And now, there was no going back.