Chapter 4

Selena's POV

Rex refused without thinking. "No. The helicopter only seats two. I'm taking Vera back first. It's not safe here, and she's just an Omega. She needs to get back to the pack."

His tone left no room for argument.

Gray exploded. "Selena is dying! She's your mate, and she's the Alpha's daughter! Does she really matter less to you than an Omega? Rex, the Alpha warned you before he left to stay by Selena's side and protect her. He told you not to leave her for a second!"

Vera shrank back, putting on a timid, fragile act. "Rex, it's okay. Selena's probably just jealous. You should go back with her. I'll be fine here on my own."

Rex had been wavering, but the moment Vera said that, his resolve hardened again.

"Selena will be fine. She's the Alpha's daughter. Her recovery is far stronger than an ordinary wolf's. Her condition already stabilized earlier, and the doctor said she just needs rest. Don't try to help her guilt-trip me."

He grabbed Vera's hand and started toward the helicopter.

Gray pulled at him, tears running down his face. "Rex, Selena is really not going to make it! The doctors said her condition took a sudden turn. I'm not lying to you! If she doesn't get back to the pack for the coagulant, she will die. Are you really going to abandon her?"

Rex shook Gray's hand off without flinching and looked at me, his eyes cold and his voice heavy. "Selena, be reasonable. I'll come back for you as soon as I drop Vera off. Stop being jealous."

I thought to myself, "But Rex, I'm not jealous. I'm dying."

I lay on the stretcher, in too much pain to speak. I felt my life drain away bit by bit as my consciousness started to blur.

After Rex helped Vera onto the helicopter, he walked over to me. He gently pushed my oxygen mask aside, and his warm breath brushed against my ear. "Be good. Stop making a fuss. Just wait for me for six hours here."

He stroked my cheek, the one scarred with silver burns. "Once you've healed, I'll take you to see the northern lights up in the mountains. You've always wanted to go, haven't you?"

I didn't want to see the northern lights. And I didn't want to wait for him.

I watched him turn and walk back to Vera and the helicopter. I watched the blades start spinning, watched it lift higher and higher until it disappeared into the sky.

I never imagined he could be this heartless, that he would throw away my life for another she-wolf who was nothing more than an Omega.

With everything I had left, I fumbled my phone and a thin slip of paper out from under me and pressed them into Gray's hands. "Give my father the recording on my phone. Don't let Vera steal credit for what our warriors died for. And this..."

I paused, each breath harder than the last. "Give it to Rex. Tell him that I'll never forgive him. Never."

Gray froze for a moment, and his eyes went red. "Selena, hang on! We'll find another helicopter! Selena, I'm sorry. We're sorry. We couldn't stop them…"

"It's too late."

I managed a weak smile as I felt my life slipping away.

"After I'm gone, have me cremated. Burn everything I owned. Don't leave Rex a single thing. I don't want to see him ever again."

With those last words, my eyelids finally gave out and fell shut.

The wolves around me removed their hats one by one, crying softly. A silent farewell settled over them.

…

Third-Person POV

At that same moment, Rex had just stepped off the helicopter after escorting Vera home when the System's alarm blared in his ears.

"Warning. Warning. The female lead of this world has perished. The novel world will now select a new female lead.

"Notice: the supporting character Vera Linden has been designated the new female lead of this werewolf novel. Please be advised."

Rex had settled in beside Vera and was peeling an apple for her when he went completely still. The apple slipped from his hand and hit the floor.