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POV: Alpha Michael

Damn! My heavy fist slammed down hard on the wooden table. The thick wood cracked under my anger. What do you mean you have not found the cure yet?

I glared at the row of men in white coats. You all are total failures! It has been two full years. I have paid you endless amounts of money, and you still cannot heal my father.

The lead doctor shook from head to toe. Alpha, we have tried everything. His hands trembled as he held his small board. We have done our absolute best. But his condition is not a normal sickness. You need to calm down.

A hot, burning fire flashed in my eyes. My vision tinted red. You do not tell me to calm down. I stepped closer, towering over the small man. You are not the one watching your father die. Keep your mouth shut and get out.

He turned around quickly, motioning for his team to follow.

Wait. My voice dropped to a dangerous growl.

The doctors froze in their tracks.

I have zero patience left for you. I crossed my arms over my chest. I cannot believe people call you the best doctors in our pack. I am giving your entire team exactly thirty days to find a cure. If my father dies, he will not go down alone. Your whole team will follow him to the grave.

All the color drained from the doctor's face. He bowed his head so low it almost touched his knees. Yes, Alpha. He hurried out the door.

I dropped back into my leather chair. I rubbed my head, letting out a heavy sigh.

Stop trying to fight fate, little boy.

The raspy voice made me jump slightly. I had not noticed Ronan, the oldest elder in our pack, sitting quietly in the corner shadows this whole time.

I know how much you love your father. Ronan tapped his wooden staff gently on the floor. But you have to let him pass on.

I did not even look at him. Are you making another useless attempt to make me give up? I clenched my jaw tight. You already know the truth. I will die before I let him die.

The doctors have no hand in this matter. Ronan stood up slowly. You cannot cure a man struck by dark magic. You know perfectly well this curse can only be broken one way.

My shoulders dropped. How much longer do I have to search for this magical girl? I looked down at my hands. I am really starting to believe your old prophecy is a lie. There is no girl with a special mark who can save him.

You refuse to believe the prophecy, yet you put all your faith in useless doctors? Ronan raised a gray eyebrow.

I grabbed my shirt from the back of the chair and pulled it over my head. I admire your deep wisdom, Ronan. But I will still do things my own way.

I walked out of the room, leaving the old man behind.

I went straight to my private training field. The fresh air usually helped clear my messy thoughts. I wrapped my hands in thick cloth and stepped up to the heavy punching bag.

I threw punch after punch with all my raw strength. Sweat dripped down my face, but I could not stop thinking about my dying father.

Hello, Michael.

I paused, dropping my fists. I knew that sweet, annoying voice anywhere. Lucy. Everyone in the pack thought we were mates since we were little kids. But I only ever looked at her like a sister. I rejected her flirting a million times, but she never gave up.

What do you want, Lucy? I stared blankly at the punching bag, wiping sweat from my neck.

There is a huge pack meeting today with all the neighbor packs. She walked closer, her shoes clicking on the stones. Every Alpha must attend with their Luna. So I was wondering why you have not asked me to go with you yet.

I finally turned around, giving her a very cold stare. I am not going to that meeting, Lucy. Leave me alone.

She stepped right in front of me, blocking my path back to the castle. Michael, you cannot keep ignoring me. A sly, nasty smile crept onto her lips. You know that I know your dark secret. And I know all about how you...

Alpha Michael!

A breathless guard ran up to us, cutting Lucy off. We found something strange down by the shore!

I pushed past Lucy without another glance and followed the running guard.

The smell of salt and wet sand filled the air as we reached the water. A small crowd of pack members stood in a circle. I pushed through them to see what they found.

A girl lay completely still on the wet sand.

She was badly hurt. Her clothes were torn, and a massive, bloody wound covered the side of her neck. She looked like she was barely breathing. Long, wet hair stuck to her pale face.

Even covered in dirt and blood, she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life.

I took a step closer, my heart suddenly beating completely out of control. There was something very different about this stranger. Deep inside my chest, my wolf woke up. He clawed at my mind, howling louder than he ever had before.