Chapter 12

Kael – POV

She was trembling so hard I thought her bones might break from it.

Tears tracked down her face in silent streaks, and her whole body was folded in on itself like she was trying to disappear. Her scent hit me like a punch to the gut—panic,

so thick and raw it wrapped around my throat.

She was terrified of us.

And I couldn't fucking take it.

I stepped forward slowly, ignoring the way every other Alpha went still behind me. Damian didn't move. Riven's eyes followed me.

Lucas tensed, but didn't speak.

One step.

Two.

I kept my hands down at my sides. Open. Non-threatening. Every part of me screamed to reach for her—to pull her into my arms, wrap her up, fix this. But I didn't.

Because touching her without permission?

That would be the fastest way to destroy what little thread was holding her together.

I crouched a few feet away. Not close enough to crowd her. Just... enough.

Her head snapped up like she felt me.

And gods, those eyes.

Wide. Haunted. Brimming with too much pain for someone so small.

"You're safe now," I said, quiet.

No response. Just the sound of her breathing like it physically hurt.

I watched her chest rise and fall too fast. Watched the way her fingers curled around her knees like she was trying to hold herself together.

"You don't have to trust me," I said, keeping my voice as soft as I could make it. "But I need you to breathe, little one. Just breathe."

Her lip trembled.

She flinched again—but didn't run.

That was something.

She stared at me, and I swear the world narrowed to just the two of us. Nothing else existed. Not the hospital walls. Not the other Alphas. Not the blood drying on her skin.

Just her.

And that bond—wild, frayed, real—pulling like gravity between us.

My wolf was pacing, restless under my skin.

But I stayed still.

Because this moment? This choice?

Had to be hers.

She didn't move for what felt like forever.

Just stared.

My wolf paced harder, clawing to get closer, to shield her with our body—our scent—anything that might make her feel safe.

But I didn't move.

I didn't even breathe.

Because I knew what it meant if I pushed too hard.

Then—barely—barely—

Her fingers twitched.

Not much. Just a shift in her lap. Like she wasn't even sure she meant to do it. Like her body was acting without permission.

And then she reached.

Slow. Shaky.

Like the movement hurt.

Her hand lifted just slightly—trembling in the space between us—and for a second, I didn't think she was reaching for me at all. Maybe trying to shield herself. Maybe just testing if I'd flinch.

But I didn't.

I didn't even blink.

And then she touched me.

Just her fingertips against the back of my hand.

Soft.

So light I barely felt it.

But it was enough.

Everything inside me stilled.

My wolf went quiet.

Like the whole damn universe paused to breathe around her.

I didn't grab her. Didn't move a muscle.

But my heart was thundering in my chest like I'd just gone head-to-head with a rogue.

Because she chose me.

In that moment, in her pain, in her fear—she reached for me.

She chose me.

My voice broke when I spoke. "I've got you, little one."

Her fingers curled tighter.

And I knew then—

No matter what came next, no matter who or what hurt her—

I'd burn the whole damn world down before I let it happen again.