LOGINRue's POVThe closed convalescent ward was silent except for the sound of medical instruments and the occasional low growls that escaped from Percy. My heart was pained every time I heard them.Outside the room, Dr. Elias Virel looked unusually grave."The blood donation preparations are accelerating the blood bond backlash," he said quietly. "Combined with his old injuries, his body is under tremendous strain."I looked through the observation window. Percy was lying on the bed, his body trembling violently. Sweat soaked his clothes, and his face was pale. The veins beneath his skin were clear.Then, before my eyes, his body suddenly shifted. Fur spread across his skin and his wolf form emerged.The next second, he shifted back into human form again and his breathing became rough and painful.Then his wolf emerged once more, but then he shifted back. The instability terrified me."He's suffering," I whispered.Dr. Virel sighed."His blood flow is too volatile."He looked at me."The
“Yes,” Dr. Virel said. “If done carefully. Your bond can help lower the pressure on his wolf and stop the pact from breaking down further.”Percy’s Beta looked serious. “But if Alpha Percy refuses help, the risk will remain.”Dr. Virel continued, “Because of the donation preparation, his body is already under stress. Add the old backlash, lack of sleep, and unstable wolf form, and he faces long-term risk of his body failing.” I felt afraid, but I forced myself to ask, “How bad is it?”“If he continues like this, he may lose control during transformation,” Dr. Virel said. “His wolf may come out halfway and fail to settle. That can damage both his body and mind.”I pressed my lips together. Percy had been walking around as if he was fine, while his body was close to failing.Before I could ask more, a low growl came from the end of the hallway. Percy’s Beta reacted first. “Alpha,” he said, rushing forward.I turned and saw Percy leaning against the wall. His shoulders were tense, and on
Rue’s POV“One month is too soon,” I said again. “You are still injured, and the blood pact backlash has not settled.”Percy looked at me. “I heard you,” he said. “But I am not changing my decision.”Cole stepped between us before I could speak again. “Both of you should stop arguing in the hospital hallway.”Percy’s face remained cold. “This is not an argument. I have already decided.”I looked at Cole, hoping he would support me. He was silent for a moment, then sighed.“Rue, I understand why you are angry,” Cole said. “But if Dr. Virel thinks Percy can be stabilized within a month, then we need to prepare properly instead of fighting here.” I stared at him. “Cole.”“I am not saying Percy should risk his life,” Cole said quickly. “But Amelia is running out of time. We need a plan that keeps both of them alive.”Percy’s expression softened a little when Cole mentioned Amelia, but he did not speak.Cole looked at me again. “And there is another thing. I know the truth about your break
I did not fully trust that answer, but I nodded. Percy walked me to Amelia’s door, then left with his Beta.Amelia was lying on the bed, pale but awake. When she saw me, she tried to smile. “Rue.”I went to her side. “Don’t move too much. How do you feel?”“Tired,” she said. “But better than yesterday.”I sat beside her and held her hand. “We are still looking for the safest treatment. I know you have been waiting for answers, and I am sorry it has taken this long.”Amelia shook her head weakly. “You do not need to apologize. Cole told me you have been helping nonstop.”“You matter to Cole,” I said. “That means you matter to me too.” Her eyes became wet. “He must be scared.”“He is,” I said. “But he is trying to stay strong for you.” The door opened, and Cole walked in with a food container. He stopped when he saw me.“You came,” he said. “I wanted to see her,” I answered.Amelia looked between us. “Is something wrong?”Cole quickly walked to her bedside. “No. I brought food. You need
Rue’s POVPercy tried to sit up after Dr. Virel left, but his hand moved toward the bandage near his side. He thought I did not notice, but I noticed everything now.“You know,” I said, sitting beside him, “for someone who acts so cold, you blush too easily when your doctor sides with me.” Percy looked at me. “I did not blush.”“You did,” I said. “Your ears became red.” His face tightened, but he looked more embarrassed than angry. “Rue, do not make fun of me.”“I am not making fun of you,” I said. “I am reminding you that you are still handsome even when you look awkward.”Percy looked away. His fingers moved close to the scars on his arm. I reached for his hand before he could hide them.“Do not look at them like that,” I said. He became quiet. “They are not pleasant to look at.”“They are part of you,” I said. “Some came from old injuries. Some came from the blood pact backlash. Some came because you suffered too much alone. I hate that you were hurt, but I do not hate your scars.”
I nodded slowly. “Then I will show you.” Percy looked at me with doubt. “Words are easy.”“Then don’t believe only my words,” I said. “Watch what I do.”He did not answer, but he did not push me away. I helped him lie back down and fixed the blanket over him. When his body relaxed again, I sat beside him and held his hand.The rest of the night passed quietly. Sometimes Percy opened his eyes and looked at me, as if checking whether I was still there. Each time, I looked back and squeezed his hand.“I’m here,” I said once. He closed his eyes again, but this time, his hand stayed loose in mine.When morning came, Percy woke before me, but he did not move away. I opened my eyes and found him looking at me carefully. “You slept sitting up,” he said.“I said I would stay,” I answered. “You finally slept. That was enough.”He looked away, but I saw his ears turn slightly red. It was a small reaction, but it made me feel a little less sad.A knock came at the door soon after. Dr. Virel enter
Haven’s POVPain woke me before memory did. It was deep consuming pain, everywhere at once, like my body had been sticked with needles. I screamed but the room answered me with silence. Only the faint, mechanical hum of emergency power and t
Aiden’s POVI found the phone by accident. It was buried beneath layers of abandoned supplies in a storage tent within the Safe Zone. An old device, its casing scratched, its screen cracked at the corner like a spiderweb frozen mid-collapse.Rue’s phone.The moment I recognized it, my fingers went
Rue’s POVThe first thing I felt was breath on my skin. A hot, rotten, wet breath.It came in waves, accompanied by a low, vibrating growl that crawled into my bones and shook them from the inside. Even without seeing them clearly, my instincts screamed the reality of the situation.They were close
Haven’s PerspectiveI had always believed that if you wanted something badly enough, you didn’t wait for fate to hand it to you. You designed fate. Took charge of it and get what you want.That was what I was doing now.Everything had been arranged with meticulous care, so precise that even I felt







