Chapter 2

The Beta exhaled a shaky breath, thick with relief.

“It’s not too late! Of course it’s not too late!”

“Chloe, I’m sending you the location right now.”

“If this wasn’t life-or-death, I’d never disobey his orders. Garrett will kill me for telling you. But I have to.”

I got it. Garrett just wanted to save my life.

He didn’t want me clinging to him.

And me? I just wanted to repay the debt.

This had nothing to do with my shattered heart. I wasn’t just running into his brother's arms.

But I didn't expect this.

I arrived at the top-floor VIP ward of the pack's private hospital. There she was.

Britney. The “untouchable” cheerleader Justin obsessed over.

She frantically pushed at the door.

“Let me in!”

“It’s a full moon! How do you know Garrett doesn’t need a woman?”

“Garrett! Just let me in! I can help you!”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

Justin said Britney wasn't an easy girl. Yet here she was, offering herself up to his brother.

The pack enforcer blocking her path saw me. His face lit up. He swiped a card to open the door.

“Chloe. You’re finally here.”

“Please, come in. The Alpha truly needs you tonight. Only you.”

Jealousy twisted Britney’s face. She shrieked.

“Why does she get to go in?”

“He’s only hurt this badly because he saved her!”

“She’s a curse! Keep her away from him!”

I froze. Saved me again? What did she mean?

The room was in chaos.

I saw Garrett. Shirtless. Face down on the bed.

His face flushed. Sweat soaked his dark hair.

His knuckles were white, gripping the sheets. He fought a tidal wave of lust.

His broad back was wrapped in thick white bandages. Fresh blood soaked right through them.

The pack doctor was frantic.

“Stop fighting it! I’m begging you, let your Mate help! We just changed these bandages. They’re soaked again. How much blood can you lose?”

“An Alpha’s blood runs too hot during a rut! He can't heal! None of my meds are working!”

“We have to soothe your frenzy right now. Keep this up and you’re dead by dawn!”

“Where is this girl?!”

The enforcers by the bed saw me.

They dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. They bared their throats to me in absolute submission.

“Doctor. She’s here.”

At those words, the man suffering in his own personal hell snapped his eyes open.

His gaze locked onto me. Piercing, predatory amber-gold wolf eyes. They burned with a primal desire. He looked surprised. And furious.

“Who let her in? Get her out!”

The Beta bowed again. “I did, Alpha.”

“If Chloe can help you tonight, I accept any punishment.”

“You were injured this badly saving her.”

“You’ve risked your life for her twice. You say nothing. You might not feel wronged, but we do!”

I studied the man on the bed. Even lying down, his intimidating aura was terrifying.

Justin and I were childhood friends. But I always avoided Garrett.

They called him the "Ruthless Alpha."

The most arrogant rich kids in our circle acted like tame kittens in front of him.

Absolute dominance of his Alpha bloodline.

I usually went out of my way to avoid him.

Now, everyone's worst nightmare clutched the bedsheets. Every muscle in his body burned hot.

A bead of sweat trailed down his tense jaw. It rolled over muscles bulging with restraint.

The air was thick with his scent. A potent mix of cedar and blood. The smell of a top-tier Alpha. It wrapped around me like a hot net.

My throat went dry. My heart hammered against my ribs.

He was badly hurt.

But when those predatory eyes locked on me, my knees went weak.

I felt like prey about to be torn apart.

Still. I held my ground. “You said he was hurt again because of me?”

The Beta started to speak. Garrett cut him off with a sharp command.

“Shut up! Say one more word...”

His tone shifted. Distant and controlled.

“Chloe, get out. I don’t need you here.”

But the Beta called his bluff.

“Alpha, stop pretending. That attitude isn’t going to win you a Mate.”

“You’re all tough talk. But your heart is putty when it comes to Chloe. She’s in danger, and you rush into a fire without a second thought? You think we’re blind?”