Saving the dying alpha.

Lilith's POV.

How did he get involved with those bad guys? And why did they want him dead?

“Alpha Oliver" I called in a low voice.

His body lay cold still.

For a moment, fear gripped me so tightly I couldn’t move or think; I couldn’t do anything but stare at him in horror as the reality of the situation settled in.

How can Alpha Oliver be reduced to this? Someone must have set him up, because he's one of the most strongest Alpha in the history of werewolf clans, there's no way those men could have taken him down fairly.

My hands trembled as I reached out, hesitating just before touching him as though afraid that doing so would confirm the worst.

But then I pressed my fingers lightly against his shoulder.

“Alpha Oliver…?” My voice shook, barely audible as I leaned closer. “Can you hear me…?”

There was no response and panic flared in my chest.

I shook him slightly, my grip tightening despite the fear coursing through me.

“Please…” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Please don’t be dead… please…”

For a second... There was nothing, then...

He coughed.

My breath caught sharply as relief flooded through me so hard it left me dizzy.

“You’re alive…” I breathed, my hands hovering uncertainly as I leaned closer, desperate for any sign of awareness. “You’re alive.”

His lips moved faintly, and I leaned in, straining to hear him.

“Out…” he whispered, his voice was barely above a whisper. “Take me… out…”

I nodded quickly, even though I wasn’t sure he could see me.

“Yes! yes, I will, I’ll get you out, just… just hold on”

The words tumbled out in a rush as I shifted my position, sliding my arms beneath him as I attempted to lift him.

He was heavy, far heavier than I expected.

My muscles strained almost immediately, my grip slipping slightly as I tried to pull him up, my breath coming faster as the effort took its toll.

“I can do this.." I muttered to myself under my breath, gritting my teeth as I adjusted my hold, dragging him inch by inch across the ground.

I forced my body to keep going despite the exhaustion creeping in, including the fear that we were still not safe, and that the men could return at any moment.

But eventually, we reached the entrance.

The moment the cold breeze touched him, I felt him twitch slightly.

His breathing, though still weak, grew steadier.

I carefully lowered him onto the ground, my arms trembling from the effort as I adjusted his position, lifting his head gently before settling it onto my lap.

“There…” I whispered softly, brushing a strand of hair away from his face. “You’re okay… you’re out now…”

He didn’t respond.

His eyes remained closed, his expression still strained despite the slight improvement in his breathing.

Panic flickered again.

What if it wasn’t enough?

What if he needed more?

I looked around quickly, my mind racing as I tried to think, tried to figure out what else I could do.

And then...

Without thinking too much about it, I reached for the hem of my dress and pulled it over my head, leaving myself in only my inner vest as the cold air brushed against my skin.

I didn’t care, not right now.

I folded the fabric quickly, then began fanning him gently, while watching for any change, any sign that it was helping.

“Please…” I murmured softly. “Please wake up…”

Minutes passed... Long panic stricken minutes where nothing seemed to happen, and then...

His eyelids fluttered.

My breath caught instantly, my movements halting for just a second before I leaned forward, my heart racing.

“Alpha…?” I called softly.

His eyes opened, although weakly.

Relief flooded through me so strongly it almost made me dizzy.

“You’re awake…” I whispered, a small smile tugging at my lips.

His gaze found mine, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“Who…” His voice was hoarse as he tried to get the words out. “Who are you…?”

“Lilith,” I answered quickly. “My name is Lilith.”

He held my gaze for a moment longer, as though trying to let it sink in.

“Thank you, Lilith,” he murmured again.

And then suddenly, his eyes closed again.

His eyes closed again.

“Wait...” Panic surged instantly as I leaned forward, my hand hovering over him. “Alpha, don’t...”

But he didn’t respond.

His breathing remained steady, though, and after a moment, I realized he wasn't gone, he had simply fallen unconscious again.

Relief washed over me.

I let out a shaky breath, my shoulders sagging slightly as the tension began to drain from my body, leaving me overwhelmingly tired, but still, I didn't move.

I stayed there, his head resting on my lap, my hand occasionally brushing against his hair, my eyes scanning his face as though afraid that if I looked away, something would happen to him.

But at some point, without realizing it, sleep blew me over too.

When I woke, it was already morning.

For a moment, I didn’t move.

And then, it all came rushing back.

My eyes snapped open, my body tensing instantly as I looked down... And I froze realizing he was gone.

“Alpha?” I whispered, my voice barely audible as I looked around quickly, my heart beginning to race again. “Alpha Oliver…?”

No answer came, all there is was silence.

I couldn't help but wonder if it all really happened or I was hallucinating the whole time.

After what felt like forever, sitting still and trying to make sense of what just happened, I quietly stood to my feet and headed home.

My mind was a thinking mess as I staggered home

Because despite everything…

Despite the terror of the night, my mind kept circling back to the same thing.

Xavier and Nora.

They hadn't felt any form of remorse whatsoever, they said those horrible things to me.

I forced the thought away before it could break me any further.

“Where have you been?” a cold voice jolted me back from my chain of thoughts.

I hadn't realized that I was inside the house already.

My heart dropped instantly, dread curling tightly in my chest as I slowly lifted my gaze from the floor.

Father stood few steps away from me.

The look in his eyes made it clear that my absence had not gone unnoticed, and not in any way that would end well for me.

“I…” My voice faltered before I could even form a proper response, my exhaustion making it harder to think.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?” he demanded, his tone rising. “Or have you completely forgotten that you are still under my roof?”

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, lowering my gaze instinctively. "I didn’t mean to stay out so long, I just..

“You just what?” he cut me off quickly, taking a step closer. “You spent the night outside like some… disgraceful girl who has no regard for her family’s reputation?”

My heart squeezed tightly hearing such hard accusation as though my dignity was nothing more than a passing thought to be discarded.

"Not that you will believe me, but I slept in the woods." I blurted, my anger was beginning to rise. "I caught Nora and Xavier together last night, I couldn't take it."

I waited for a reaction from him, even a small sign that what I had experienced mattered.

But instead, he exhaled slowly. "Is that all?” he asked.

The question hit me harder than anything else. "I'm sorry, what?" I mumbled in disbelief.

“What exactly do you expect me to say?” he replied. "Xavier simply made a better choice."

The words landed like a blow against my gut.

“You cannot honestly believe that someone like Xavier would choose you over Nora?” he continued. "You should be grateful he looked your way at all.”

I struggled to breathe, my chest tightening so painfully.

"Stop sulking already Lilith, Xavier was never yours, you just didn't realize sooner, that's not my fault." Nora's voice cut through the conversation as she walked into the living room.

My throat tightened, I wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn't come.

“Really, Lilith,” she sighed lightly, shaking her head as though disappointed. “You make everything so… dramatic.”

She took a step closer towards me. “Since you clearly had enough energy to wander around all night,” she blurted. “you can make yourself useful this morning.”

My stomach sank.

“Nora…” I whispered faintly, already knowing where this was going.

“Go to my room,” she continued, ignoring my protest. “There’s a pile of clothes waiting.”

“And make sure they’re done properly this time. I don’t want to see stains like the last time.”