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SABLE’S POV

“Hold the left flank!” Dorian’s voice could be heard through the chaos. “Do not let them through!”

“I’m trying!” I shouted back, slamming into another enemy wolf. “There’s just too many of them!”

“Then fight harder!” he roared. “Kestrel does not break!”

“I’m fighting as hard as I can!”

“Then don’t stop!”

I cut through the next attacker, and blood sprayed across my arms. “Dorian, watch your right!”

He spun just in time, raking his claws across the wolf that had aimed for him. “I see it! Fall back, Sable! You’re already bleeding!”

“I’m fine!” I yelled. “Just keep your eyes open!”

“I said fall back!”

“And I said I’m fine! Stop arguing with me in the middle of a battle field!”

“You’re stubborn as hell!”

“And you’re not watching your back!”

The enemy pack had pushed deep into our territory. There were dead bodies already littered the ground—both ours and theirs.

Warriors I had known for years lay injured, some were not even moving at all. Still Dorian refused to call the retreat.

“Push them!” he shouted again. “Drive them out of our land!”

“We’re trying!” someone yelled from the left.

“Try harder!” Dorian barked.

I kept one eye on him while I fought, always on him.

That was how I spotted the dark-furred wolf slipping between the trees, with stealth and headed straight for Dorian’s unprotected back.

My heart almost escaped my ribs. “Dorian!” I screamed at him.

I didn’t think twice about the decision I was about to make, I just made a run for it.

I closed the distance within a minute, and threw myself in between them just before the enemy wolf could make a leap at him.

I felt the pain move across my side as its claws cut deep into my skin. The force from the hit knocked the air from my lungs and sent me crashing down.

Dorian’s arms caught me before I hit the dirt.

“Sable! Sable!” His voice cracked. “Healers! Now! Somebody get Bastian right now!”

I tried to speak, but blood filled my mouth instead.

“Are you… hurt?” I forced out.

He shook his head in response, pressing his hands against the wound. “I’m fine, don’t say anything. Just stay with me.”

“You better not be lying to me,” I whispered.

“I’m not lying, look at me. I’m right here. I’m not hurt.”

“Good… because if you were…”

“Stop talking and save your strength.”

“Don’t tell me what to do…”

Around us the battle was still going on, but our warriors had finally found their second wind. The enemy line had been conquered and howls of victory rose as the last of the invaders fled into the trees.

Dorian never left me. He lifted me himself, shouting orders the entire way to the infirmary. “Clear the table. Move! Bastian, where the hell are you?”

“I’m here!” Bastian’s voice came from inside. “Bring her in!”

The healer was already waiting when we burst through the doors.

“Lay her down carefully,” Bastian said steadily. “I need space to work.”

Dorian set me on the bed but refused to step away. His hand stayed locked around mine the entire time.

“She’s losing too much blood,” he said, shaking slightly. “Do something. Now.”

“I can see that,” Bastian answered. “Let me work. Alpha, please step back a little.”

“I’m not leaving her side.”

“Then stay out of my way so I can save her.”

“Just don’t let her die on me.”

“I’m not planning to.”

I heard more footsteps rush into the room. I spotted Talia first, then Finn trailied behind her, he looked terrified as he saw me.

“Mama?” Finn’s small voice trembled.

I forced a smile even though my entire body was in uttermost pain. “Hey, baby. Come here.”

He ran to the side of the bed and grabbed my hand with both of his. Tears were already streaking down his cheeks.

“You’re all bloody,” he whispered. “Does it hurt badly?”

“A little,” I admitted. “But I’m okay. Mama’s strong, remember?”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“You look scary.”

“I know. But I’m still me.”

Talia stood a few steps back, wrapping her arms around herself. Her eyes flicked between me and Dorian. “Is she going to be all right?” she asked quietly.

Bastian didn’t look up from the wound. “She’s lost a lot of blood, I need to stop the bleeding first. Then we’ll see.”

“Do whatever you have to,” Dorian said. “Just make sure she’s alive.”

Finn squeezed my fingers tighter. “Promise you’ll be here when I wake up tomorrow?”

I lifted my free hand and brushed a tear from his cheek. “I promise. First thing in the morning. We’ll have breakfast together, okay? Just you and me. Pancakes, the way you like them.”

He nodded hard, sniffling. “With the honey?”

“With the honey, and even extra.”

“And the little berries?”

“And the little berries. All of them.”

“You won’t forget?”

“I will never forget.”

Dorian leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine for a second. “I’ll protect both of you. No matter what happens. You hear me?”

I managed a weak smile. “You always do.”

“I mean it, Sable. Nothing touches either of you while I’m breathing.”

“I know.”

“Say it back to me.”

“I know you’ll protect us.”

Soon enough my vision started to fading out around the corners. The pain at my side had dulled out into a throbbing sensation.

I turned my head toward Dorian. “Promise me something.”

“Anything. You name it.”

“Don’t leave me.” My voice came out weaker than I had intended. “Stay right here. Please, don’t go anywhere.”

His grip on my hand tightened. “I already promised you that the day we married. You’re my Luna. The only woman I will ever choose. I’m not going anywhere. Not tonight, not ever.”

“You swear?”

“I swear it on my life.”

Talia’s face stayed blank the entire time, but I noticed she had been digging her fingers into her own arms.

I looked back at Finn one last time. “Be good for Aunt Talia, okay? Mama just needs to rest a little. Then I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” he whispered. “Don’t sleep for long.”

“I won’t.”

“You promise again?”

“I promise again.”

My eyes started growing heavier and the room had begun fading out faster than I had expected.

I took in the last of the people around me—Dorian’s worried face, Finn’s small hand still holding mine, Bastian’s steady movements, Talia standing silently in the corner.

I closed my eyes and fell into the darkness, believing I would open them again soon and wake up to the life I already knew.