Chapter 72. Bella POV

Alexander’s breathing was tormented and ragged as I steeled myself to touch him. I could feel the pressure from Helena’s stare bearing down on me like a dropped anchor, willing me to somehow make him magically bounce back.

The fact most strongly in Alexander’s favour for survival was that the blade used by Alpha Francis had not been pure silver. Wolves cannot shifter heal from a blade made of silver. I thought of poor Lucien’s neck, forever burning, and crying out on his neck, his shifter healing constantly trying to make it better but failing.

I tried to take confidence from the fact my efforts, or at least my emerging love for him had made a difference. It must have, for him to speak up to Helena as though I had the ability. With Lucien’s green eyes, how he looked at me that first time outside, when we lay together, and he realised I wanted to touch him. Those gorgeous green, gentle eyes softened the rest of his harsh face as I slowly placed my hand on the ridged s