Chapter 4

Astrid’s Pov

His eyes met mine, they were sharp, red, and impossible to read. Then, just as suddenly, they closed again. He collapsed back onto the bed, unconscious.

That was my sign to leave.

He probably wouldn’t remember any of it. It might have just been a momentary surge of energy. Either way, we were even now. He had saved me twice, and I had saved him. I couldn’t stay here any longer.

My body protested with every movement, my back burning like it was still under the whip, but I forced myself to slip out of the room. I limped down the hallway, careful not to draw attention. Chaos still filled the corridors — warriors shouting, injured wolves rushing past, unfamiliar faces darting in every direction. I didn’t belong here. I had no one.

Still, I couldn’t bring myself to go far.

I found a shadowed corner not too far from his door and stayed there, watching. I don’t know why. Maybe some part of me needed to know if he would be okay.

Time passed in a blur.

Then the door opened.

Alpha Xavier stepped out.

He looked completely healed. There was no trace of the deep gashes or the blood that had soaked his chest. His steps were strong and sure, like nothing had happened. A faint glow lingered on his neck where my fangs had pierced him. He looked renewed and powerful.

He turned, his gaze sweeping the hallway, and landed directly on me.

I froze.

Oh gods.

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn’t run. My body refused to move. I was still bleeding, weak, and exhausted. He started walking toward me.

One step. Then another.

He was coming straight for me.

I squeezed my eyes shut and braced myself. This was it. He would kill me now for what I had done. My heart hammered so loudly I could barely hear anything else.

But nothing happened.

No growl. No pain. No command.

When I finally dared to open my eyes, I saw his back. He had walked right past me.

I let out a shaky breath, my whole body trembling. Had he not seen me? Or had he chosen to ignore me?

I stayed hidden, watching as he moved with purpose toward the battlefield outside the palace walls. The enemy warriors were still there — rogues and traitors led by a tall, broad-shouldered man with a cruel face.

Xavier carved through them like a storm. His claws sliced through flesh with terrifying precision. Talon fought beside him, swift and brutal. Even some of the lower ranks had joined the fight. But Xavier was unstoppable. He pushed forward until he reached the rogue leader.

Their clash was savage. Growls shook the ground. Blood sprayed. The rogue was strong, but Xavier was stronger, faster, and filled with raw fury. In the end, with one final brutal strike, the rogue alpha fell dead at his feet.

The pack howled in victory.

I couldn’t share their triumph.

My legs gave out beneath me. My vision blurred. I looked down and saw fresh blood seeping through my torn clothes. I had given him too much. Lost too much of my own.

I tried to steady myself, but my fingers had gone numb.

Then everything went black.

****

Soft laughter pulled me back to consciousness.

I heard giggles and quiet conversations before I could even open my eyes. The ache in my bones reminded me I was still alive. I blinked slowly, taking in the dimly lit room. A few servants sat together at the far end, sharing bread and trading stories as if the world hadn’t nearly ended earlier.

I sat up with a groan. My body screamed in protest. Dried blood covered my skin and stuck my gown to my back. I felt pathetic — always fainting, always the weakest one.

One of the servants, Mara, glanced over at me. She wasn’t particularly kind, but she wasn’t the worst either.

“You should get to the hall,” she said flatly. “The Moon Goddess has summoned everyone. Don’t be late if you want to stay alive.”

They all left without waiting for a reply.

I forced myself up on trembling legs, slipped on my worn sandals, and stepped outside. The entire estate felt strangely quiet now. Servants and wolves moved in the same direction, toward the underground cavern. I followed.

The cavern was packed. The Moon Goddess stood at the front, radiant and imposing. Talon, the Beta, stood beside her with a grim expression. I didn’t see Alpha Xavier or Luna Aliyah anywhere. Oh yeah, she left.

My stomach twisted with unease.

The Moon Goddess’s voice rang out, clear and commanding.

“In this kingdom, we are one. United. But when a traitor or an outsider dares to infect us from within… we expose them. And we eliminate them.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Talon stepped forward. “After examining Alpha Xavier and hearing his account, we have confirmed that a vampire has infiltrated our ranks.”

Gasps and shouts erupted everywhere.

My blood ran cold.

A vampire? Here?

“They are among us,” the Moon Goddess continued. “Everyone will be tested. No one is exempt.”

Panic spread like wildfire. Warriors began grabbing people, forming lines, sniffing and inspecting them one by one.

I tried to slip backward, to disappear into the crowd, but a strong hand suddenly gripped my arm.

I didn’t even have time to scream.

I was dragged through the sea of bodies and shoved into a shadowy corridor. My back hit the stone wall hard.

Alpha Xavier towered over me, his presence overwhelming.

I dropped my gaze instantly, knees shaking.

“Look at me,” he ordered, his voice low and sharp beside my ear.

I slowly lifted my head, terrified but obedient.

He studied me carefully, tilting his head as he examined my face. His expression was unreadable.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

My throat felt tight. “A-Astrid,” I whispered. “My name is Astrid.”

A heavy silence stretched between us.

Then he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

“I know what you are, Astrid.”