Chapter 3

Not only was I stunned, but Serena was too.

It was a full thirty-minute drive from where we were to the city center.

Instead of looking for another healer nearby, Dad and Leo were ordering the only person staying with me to go help Monica.

Looking at my eyes, which I could barely keep open, Serena instinctively refused. "No! It would take me over an hour to get there on foot. Why can't you find someone else?"

But the person on the other end of the walkie-talkie gave her no chance to refuse. "The ambulance is already on its way. You won't be needed once it arrives. Besides, this is an order. You have no right to refuse!"

I shook my head at Serena, signaling that she should go.

My fingertips weakly brushed against the ground, and an aching emptiness settled in my chest. For a moment, I thought I saw Leo smiling at me.

He'd worked relentlessly to become captain of the patrol team. He told me that only then would he be qualified to mark me.

The werewolf who had once promised to protect me for the rest of my life was now robbing me of my only chance to survive.

But I was going to die soon anyway. Whether Serena stayed or left no longer mattered.

Leo repeated his order through the walkie-talkie. "I'll say it one last time. This is an order, and the Alpha knows about it too."

Serena gave me one last look. She seemed reluctant. In the end, she could only leave the medical kit behind and hurry away.

After taking a few steps forward, she turned around and said, "Don't worry. I'll find someone to come back for you. I promise you will be saved."

I lay alone among the ruins. Every breath felt like broken glass scraping against my lungs.

A violent coughing fit forced out a mouthful of bloody phlegm. I tried to speak again and finally managed to utter a few words.

Facing the walkie-talkie, I asked the question that had been tormenting me. "Leo, why did you insist on sending Serena away?"

Leo sounded surprised and relieved that I could speak. Then came a long silence.

When he finally spoke, his voice was full of reproach. "Because you–"

I struggled to move my lips. "Why?"

I wanted to know the truth even if I was going to die.

Leo spoke slowly. "Because you're making Monica feel terribly guilty. She thinks she's responsible for your injuries and refuses to cooperate with her treatment.

"The Alpha and I came up with this solution. If Serena agrees to come back, it'll prove that your injuries aren't serious, and Monica can stop worrying and focus on her treatment."

I suddenly wanted to laugh. Even after Monica had been brought to the healer's den, she was still finding ways to rob me of my chance to survive.

My chest felt painfully tight. It was filled with resentment.

I hadn't cried when I was gravely injured. I hadn't cried when they chose to bring Monica back first.

But now, tears spilled from my eyes and mixed with the dirt on my face.

Not long after that, the walkie-talkie crackled again, and Leo's agitated voice came through. "Winnie, the ambulance has been delayed by a landslide blocking the road. It's going to be a while before it can get through. Hang on a little longer and try to keep your injuries under control."

Only a faint, hoarse sound came from my throat. I couldn't speak anymore.

He didn't notice anything was wrong and continued talking as if nothing had happened. "Monica's been worried about you the entire time. Don't make her worry even more. Be strong, and stop causing trouble for everyone.

"The Alpha has already sent an ambulance for you. You'll be rescued soon. Once you get back, I'll make it up to you."

Even at a time like this, they still thought I was the one at fault.

The agony I was going through from being on the verge of death meant nothing to them. Instead, I was expected to tiptoe around their feelings and make sure I wasn't a burden to anyone.

It didn't matter anymore. I could barely hear anything now.