Chapter 13

Kael – POV

I didn't breathe when she reached for me.

Didn't fucking blink.

Her fingers brushed mine, light as air, like even that was a battle. Like the weight of the world was in her goddamn palm. My wolf went quiet, stunned. And something in my chest cracked open.

She touched me.

After all the flinching.

The crying.

The way she looked at us like we were monsters.

She chose me.

I didn't say a word. Didn't jolt. Just let her hand rest there— so light, and trembling like she was waiting for me to break her the moment I moved.

I didn't.

Not a damn muscle twitched.

I let her lead, even though every instinct inside of me was screaming to pull her in. To wrap her in my arms and keep her from ever hurting again.

Instead, I slowly turned my hand and let our palms press together.

Her breath hitched.

"Gonna help you stand," I said low. My voice was rougher than I meant it to be. Too much emotion sitting too close to the surface. "Only if you want to."

She nodded.

Barely.

But it was enough.

I moved slow. Careful. One hand still holding hers, the other coming to steady her back. She didn't pull away.

That alone nearly undid me.

Her legs wobbled, and for a second I thought she'd hit the floor. But I held her up. Not hard. Not forceful.

Just enough.

"You're okay," I murmured, keeping my tone even. "I've got you."

I guided her back down the hallway, every step slow, her weight trembling against me. Her fear still clung to her like a second skin, but she wasn't running anymore.

That had to mean something.

The others followed behind. I could feel their eyes. Their restraint.

Riven looked like he was one wrong breath away from losing it.

Lucas was pacing behind us like his wolf didn't know whether to guard or lash out.

And Damian... Damian was unreadable.

But not one of them moved closer.

Smart.

She glanced back once. Saw them. And didn't flinch.

That was the second miracle of the day.

I helped her back onto the bed. She sat down slowly, her hand still clinging to mine like she thought I might vanish.

"I'm right here," I said, quieter now.

She didn't let go.

And I didn't want her to.

I sat there, still crouched by her side, her fingers wrapped tight around mine like she was afraid the moment she let go, she'd disappear again.

She hadn't spoken since I got her back to the bed.

Didn't look around much. Didn't ask where she was. She just sat there, still trembling

I had to ask.

I had to know.

I kept my voice low. Gentle. Like I was trying not to scare a wounded animal, because that's exactly what she looked like.

"Can I get your name, sweetheart?"

Her head jerked up.

And the look she gave me—fuck.

She stared at me like I'd asked her to solve an equation in a language she didn't speak. Like she didn't even understand the question.

And then I heard it.

Just a whisper.

"Three-seven."

That was it.

Not a name.

A number.

She said it like it was all she knew. Like it was burned into her skin. Like it was who she was.

My jaw clenched.

I turned my head, met the eyes of the others standing at the edge of the room. Damian's face was stone. Lucas went still. Riven swore under his breath.

They all heard it.

And they all looked at me the same way.

Like something in them cracked open too.

Because whoever turned a living, breathing omega into a number?

They were going to pay for it.

In blood.