Chapter 3: The wolf inside me

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the unfamiliar ceiling.

For a few seconds, I couldn't remember where I was.

Then everything came rushing back.

Damon.

Vanessa.

The rejection.

I sat up quickly, only to feel a wave of dizziness.

"Easy."

I turned towards the voice.

An older woman stood beside the bed, holding a small glass of water. Her silver hair was tied neatly behind her head, and her eyes were gentle.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Maeve. I'm the healer Alexander called."

I looked around the room.

"Where is he?"

"Alexander? He's downstairs. He wanted to make sure you were comfortable before leaving you to rest."

I lowered my eyes.

"How long have I been here?"

"About two hours."

She handed me the water.

"Drink slowly."

I accepted it and took a few sips.

"Thank you."

Maeve pulled a chair closer to the bed.

"Now, Serena, I need to ask you something. When was the last time you felt your wolf?"

I stared at her.

"My wolf?"

She nodded.

I hesitated before answering.

"I've never really felt her. Not properly."

Maeve's expression became thoughtful.

"Never?"

"I've always known she was there, but she's never spoken to me. I thought she was just weak."

The healer studied my face.

"And what happened before you collapsed?"

I remembered the strange warmth in my chest.

"I heard something."

"What did you hear?"

"A voice. It called my name."

Maeve went completely still.

I noticed the change in her expression.

"What's wrong?"

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she reached for my wrist and gently checked my pulse.

"Did the voice sound familiar?"

"No. But it felt like it came from inside me."

Maeve released my hand.

"Your wolf may be trying to reach you."

I frowned.

"After all these years?"

"Sometimes, what we believe is missing is simply waiting for the right moment."

I wanted to ask more, but a knock interrupted us.

Alexander entered carrying a tray.

"I brought something to eat."

His eyes moved from Maeve to me.

"How is she?"

"She needs rest," Maeve replied. "And proper food."

Alexander placed the tray on the small table beside my bed.

"Then she gets both."

I looked at him.

"You don't have to keep doing all this."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Doing what?"

"Helping me."

"Would you rather I leave you on the roadside?"

Despite everything, a small laugh escaped me.

It was brief, but genuine.

Alexander noticed.

"Good. At least you can still laugh."

I looked down, embarrassed.

Maeve stood.

"Let her eat. I'll come back later."

Before leaving, she gave me one last thoughtful look.

"Serena, don't be afraid of what you hear inside yourself. We'll talk more when you're stronger."

I nodded.

When the door closed, Alexander pulled the chair closer.

"Are you comfortable here?"

"Yes."

"Good."

He paused.

"You're welcome to stay until you're well enough to decide what you want to do next. There's no pressure."

I looked at him carefully.

"Why are you being so kind to a stranger?"

He leaned back.

"Because someone should have been kind to you."

His answer caught me off guard.

I quickly looked away, pretending to be interested in the food.

We sat quietly for a while.

Then he spoke again.

"Did something happen in Blackthorn territory?"

My fingers stopped moving.

I didn't want to talk about Damon. Not yet.

"I was rejected."

Alexander's expression hardened slightly.

"By your mate?"

I nodded.

"He chose someone else."

He didn't ask who.

He didn't tell me I should forgive him.

He simply said, "I'm sorry."

And somehow, that was enough.

After he left, I finished my meal and settled back against the pillows.

I was beginning to feel tired again when the warmth returned to my chest.

This time, it was stronger.

I closed my eyes.

"Who are you?" I whispered.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then a voice answered.

I am not weak, Serena.

My breath caught.

I sat up.

You were never weak.

My heart began beating faster.

"Who are you?"

A strange feeling spread through my body, like something powerful stretching after a very long sleep.

Then the voice spoke again.

I am the part of you they were never meant to see.

I froze.

Before I could ask another question, the bedroom door opened.

Maeve stood there.

She looked at my face, then at the faint glow appearing beneath the skin of my wrist.

The glass in her hand slipped and shattered against the floor.

"Impossible," she whispered.

I stared at her.

"What?"

Maeve stepped closer, her eyes filled with disbelief.

"Alexander needs to know about this."

"Why?"

She looked directly into my eyes.

"Because, Serena, I don't think your wolf is an ordinary wolf."

And before I could ask what she meant, she whispered a name I had never heard before.