CHAPTER 5

Michael’s POV

The girl looked like she had been through hell; blood trickled from the wounds on her arm, and her breathing was hard as the wolfsbane coursed through her veins. It won't be long until she passes out. 

“Are you deaf?” I asked her again, with my voice louder than I had intended it to be.

She looked at me with fear and confusion. “I don't know,” she whispered in pain.

“You don’t know if you are deaf?” I questioned.

She hesitated and glanced back at her mate. “I don't know if I should go with you.” 

She was reluctant to go with me, and I understood her fears; her body trembled and was weak as she reeked of blood and wolfsbane.

“I will not ask again.” I said in annoyance, “This is not a request; it is an order.”

Her lips opened a bit, probably to argue, but she shut it almost immediately; her eyes flickered between I and the mate, who stood frozen to the ground. 

I turned to face him; my wolf growled in anger, and I tried to calm down. I was enraged; he had dared to harm his mate… hunt her down like a prey. I wanted to rip him apart.

“You!” I yelled, “You will forget this woman exists; you will not speak of her name, search for her, or even think about her. Do you understand me?” 

He hesitated, but I gave a low growl, and he quickly nodded. “Yes, Alpha Michael,” he responded.

I stepped closer. “And your men?”

“They will forget as well,” he stammered a bit.

I didn't trust his words, so I raised my hands, compelling a group of men behind him, “Forget her,” I commanded, “forget everything that happened here. Leave”

The men blinked in unison, and without a word, they turned and began walking back into the woods. Their leader gave her one last look and followed them.

I turned back to her, and she was clutching her stomach; her face had turned pale, and strength was nearly gone; I couldn't even feel her wolf anymore.

“You’re coming with me, pup,” I said with authority as I scooped her into my arms; she whimpered softly and relaxed into my hands with her head falling against my chest.

“I will take care of you,” my wolf murmured.

Her breathing was shallow; her weight was very light, which wasn't surprising considering how malnourished she looked.

I carried her through the woods to my car, where my driver was waiting. I noticed his eyes widened and his brows furrowed at the sight of the bloodied woman in my arms, but he said nothing.

“Open the door, Mark,” I ordered. He hurriedly opened the door, and I placed her gently; she whimpered softly again as her body settled on the leather seats. I climbed in beside her and gestured for Mark to start moving.

As the car sped through the streets, I glanced down at her.

Her eyes were closed; she was slipping in and out of consciousness; her body was struggling against the effects of the poison.

“You will be fine,” I said, even though I was not sure she could hear me.

Her head tilted to the side, and a faint whisper escaped her lips, “Freedom…”

My heart skipped a beat at her words; she had been desperate enough to reject her mate and face death just for a chance to escape.

Whatever hell she had endured had broken her to the point where she would rather die than remain bound to that pack.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my doctor's number. “Dr. Jay,” I said as soon as he picked up. “I need you at my penthouse ASAP—severe wolfsbane poisoning; bring everything you need.”

“I’m on my way, Alpha,” he replied.

I ended the call and turned back to her; beneath her bloodied face was a beautiful girl with perfect eyebrows and full lips.

The car ride to the city was a silent and quick one. We finally arrived at my penthouse; I nodded to the security guards, who quickly stepped aside.

The elevator to the top floor felt like a whole eternity; every second felt like a thousand years as I kept glancing at her pale face.

We finally got to my door, and I gently lay her down on the couch; my head fell to the side, and her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Her eyes fluttered open briefly. “You saved me…” She said, her voice was soft.

I kneeled beside her. “You need to save your strength; the doctor will soon be here.”

She smiled as she struggled to keep her eyes open. “You're an angel,” she whispered.

I froze at her words, unsure of how to respond. Over the years, people had called me names; they had referred to me as a demon, as a monster, even called me the devil, but this… this was new.

“You are my angel.” She repeated, her fingers reached out and brushed my face before falling back.

Her delusional state tugged at my heart; I knew it was the wolfsbane, but her words made my heart race. 

I wasn't an angel; I was far from being an angel, but the way she looked at me, the way she touched me even in her weakened state, made me wonder if I could be something better.

The doorbell rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. I stood up and went to open the door.

I opened the door to see the doctor; I stepped aside to let him through. “She is on the couch,” I said.

Dr. Jay wasted no time; he set his medical bag down and began examining her. In a few minutes he had cleaned up her wounds and administered antidote to neutralize the wolfsbane.

“She will recover,” he said. “She just needs to rest and replenish her strength, keep her hydrated, and ensure she eats as soon as she throws up—the next 24 hours will be difficult for her,” he said.

I knew what he was talking about; she was going to see things that weren't there and also hear strange things.

I turned back to the couch; her body seemed to have eased a bit. I took a seat beside her; she stirred slightly and turned her head towards me.

She opened her eyes slowly. “Where…” she started to say, but her voice trailed off.

“You are safe,” I said as I leaned in closer, “You are in my home.”

Her brows furrowed, and she tried to sit up, but her body refused to cooperate. “Why?” 

“Because you are mine,” I said.