THR WEIGHT OF FATE

ALARIC

The hallways of Valemont Hall fell silent as I strode in, my mate cradled against me. Her scent was faint, her breathing shallow. The blood smeared across her skin filled my mouth with the taste of iron, and every step I took pressed fury deeper into my bones.

Servants lowered their heads, guards stepped back, and the heavy chamber doors opened before me.

I carried her straight into my chambers and laid her on my bed, her body looking far too small against the dark furs. My jaw clenched as I saw the cuts on her arms, the dirt marring her cheeks. She looked as though the world itself had tried to break her.

Orion stirred inside me, his voice low, steady. “She needs you. Not as Alpha. Not as Lycan. As her mate.”

I opened the mind-link, sharp and commanding. Physician. Now. To my chambers. Bring everything.

"Yes, Alpha" , the physician replied instantly.

Within minutes, Evelina and Dorian slipped in behind the physician, who entered quickly, bowing. The scent of herbs and tinctures filled the air as he set his bag on the table.

“Examine her,” I ordered, my tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The physician’s hands were steady as he peeled back blood-matted hair, fingers probing gently at the wound. His frown deepened. “The head injury is grave. She may lose memory or fall into a state she cannot wake from for days, weeks, even. The bruising across her back is severe. Her body will ache as though broken. She will require time, care, and stillness if she is to recover.”

My claws pricked against my palms, fury clawing to the surface. “Then fix it. Heal her.”

“There are limits even to my craft, Alpha,” the physician said softly, eyes flicking nervously toward my sister and Beta. “I have cleaned and bandaged her wounds. But time will decide the rest.”

“Time is not enough,” I snapped, the growl reverberating through the chamber. Orion pressed forward, his rage bleeding into mine.

The physician bowed low. “I will return in the morning to check her progress. For now, she must rest.”

His words burned like acid in my chest. Still, I forced a nod, unwilling to tear him apart when his skill was all I had. “Leave us.”

The physician slipped out quickly, leaving Evelina and Dorian. My sister’s eyes, wide and searching, found mine.

I straightened, chest heaving, and only then did I realize I was still in my half-shift. My claws were out, the sharp tips brushing against the bedding, and my chest was bare, streaked with blood that wasn’t mine. My breath hissed through clenched teeth. She was hurt. My mate was hurt.

My jaw locked. “This shouldn’t have happened.”

Behind me, Evelina lingered, her hands knotted together, her eyes wide and unsure. She stepped forward, her voice soft but insistent.

“Alaric… she’s—”

“Not now.” My voice is sharper than steel. I wasn’t ready for words. Not from her.

Her lips trembled, but she pressed on. “You’ve been waiting for this for years. Now she’s here, and she’s—”

“I said don’t,” I growled, the edge of my Lycan voice lacing through. My eyes burned gold, the beast pushing at my skin.

“OUT!”

The roar cracked from my chest, vibrating the very walls. Orion’s power surged through the word, layered with Alpha command, leaving no room for argument.

Evelina froze, her mouth parting in shock. For a breath, I hated myself, hated that I had turned my wrath on her when she had always been my one tether. But I had no choice. If she stayed, if she said one more word, I would break apart. Dorian caught Evelina’s arm, steadying her, his own gaze unreadable. A silent understanding passed between us. He bowed his head once, then guided my sister out. The door shut behind them with a heavy thud.

Silence fell.

I turned back to her. For the first time that night, the weight of the command slipped from my shoulders. I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at her broken form.

Then I fetched a basin of water.

Slowly, carefully, I dipped a cloth and began to wipe the blood from her face. Her skin was cool, clammy, yet soft beneath the dirt. I brushed strands of damp hair from her cheek, cleaned the scratches along her arms, her neck, her legs. Every mark carved fury deeper into me.

When the last of the grime was gone, I stripped away the torn remnants of her dress. She looked fragile, almost breakable. My breath came hard, but I forced my hands steady.

“No one touches you but me,” I muttered under my breath. My shirt slid easily over her small frame, swallowing her whole. My scent wrapped around her, blotting out the stench of blood and pain.

Orion’s growl softened into a low hum of satisfaction. “Better. She belongs here. She belongs with us.”

I sat back, drinking her in. Freckles dotted her nose, her lips were chapped, her brows thick and untamed. She was not polished, not flawless, but she was mine.

I brushed my thumb gently along her jaw. “You won’t fight alone anymore,” I whispered, a vow sinking into the marrow of my bones. “Not while I breathe.”

And with that, I stayed by her side, guarding her through the night, the great Alpha of Valemont undone by the fragile girl sleeping in his bed.