Chapter 4

I screamed as my body hit the ground with a heavy thud. Pain exploded through me as I rolled across the scorching asphalt, my arms wrapping tightly around my stomach to shield it.

“Please let my baby be okay.”

I had landed awkwardly, and I heard something crack, maybe my arm, maybe my ribs, I didn’t know. The pain was everywhere. My face stung, my legs throbbed, and I could barely breathe.

What was I thinking, jumping out of the car?

Tires screeched behind me as the jeep came to a sudden stop. I lay on my side, trembling, blood pounding in my ears.

I needed to run. I had to move.

If I stayed here, they’d come for me. Drag me back. I couldn’t let that happen but my body didn’t listen.

Tears filled my eyes as I tried to push myself up. Nothing worked. My arms shook, and my legs refused to move. The pain was too much.

Then my vision started to blur.

Footsteps pounded toward me. I heard voices close.

“I told you we should’ve watched her better!” Lucian snapped.

“What the hell, man, this is bad.” Kellan said, his voice was a little bit filled with panic.

I wanted to speak. To ask if I was okay. But no sound came out. Just a weak breath.

Everything around me spun as strong arms lifted me off the ground.

I couldn’t fight anymore and I closed my eyes as darkness pulled me in.

I gasped as my eyes flew open.

My chest rose and fell quickly as I looked around, trying to figure out where I was. The room was dim, quiet, and unfamiliar. I couldn’t move. My arms felt heavy. My legs too.

Panic gripped me. I took in deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down.

Then it hit me, everything that happened. The jump, the crash and the pain.

I had thrown myself out of a moving car. The plan had seemed so perfect in my head, so easy. I just wanted to escape. I was desperate. Too desperate to think it through.

“Oh my God… my baby,” I choked, feeling tears sting my eyes.

I placed my hands on my stomach, straining to hear something, anything.

At first, there was nothing. Just silence.

A sob broke from my lips as I pressed harder, begging the Goddess for a sign.

Then… I heard it but it was faint like it was barely there but still there. A heartbeat. A very weak heartbeat

I let out a shaky sigh, my chest trembling. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered, rubbing my belly. “I’m so sorry I put you in danger. Please stay with me.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I laid there, just breathing.

After a few minutes, I forced myself to look around and take in my surroundings.

I looked out the window beside me. It was dark outside, which meant I had been out for most of the day.

The room was dimly lit, and I couldn’t tell exactly where I was. But the smell of antiseptic, medicine, and wolves, told me all I needed to know.

I was in a pack hospital. I expected it. Deep down, I knew I would end up back here.

I tried to move, but a sharp pain shot through my chest. My ribs, no, my whole body ached. I looked down and saw that my torso had been tightly wrapped in white bandages.

Then the door opened. Without thinking, I shut my eyes and pretended to be asleep.

“When do you think she’ll wake up, Doctor? It’s been hours,” I heard Kellan’s voice.

“She should wake up anytime now,” the doctor replied. “But with injuries like hers, it might take a bit longer. Her ribs were badly broken in several places, and she also broke a leg. There were burns and scalds too. It’s honestly a miracle the bones didn’t puncture her lungs.”

I held my breath, trying not to react.

“It’s even more surprising that the baby’s still doing well,” the doctor continued. “Just weak from malnutrition. Same with her. She hasn’t been eating properly. I’ve started giving her nutrients through fluids. She’ll recover, but it’ll take time.”

They were close now, standing beside my bed. I fought hard not to wince at everything I just heard.

So I really did break my ribs. That explained the pain and the tight wrapping. I really almost killed myself.

“I have to check on other patients,” the doctor said. “I’ll come back soon to check on her again.”

I waited, hoping Kellan would leave too but he didn’t.

Instead of leaving, he pulled a chair closer and sat beside me, saying nothing.

“Why is he still here? Why isn’t he going out?” I groaned in my head, frustrated.

“You really don’t know how to act, do you?” he said suddenly, his voice holding a teasing edge. “What did you think? That you could fake sleep and I wouldn’t notice?”

He laughed softly.

Shit. I have been caught.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw him sitting way too close. His scent, strong, masculine, and strangely comforting filled the air around me. It was ridiculous, but for a second, I actually felt safe.

I shook my head, trying to get that thought out. “I wasn’t faking. I was really sleeping,” I said, clearing my throat.

“Really?” he smirked. “I could hear your heartbeat the whole time. The way it jumped when the doctor mentioned your injuries? Yeah, not exactly the best lie.”

I glared at him, but he only chuckled more.

“So yes,” he said, sitting up straighter, his tone turning serious. “We need to talk about the stunt you just pulled. That was dangerous. You could’ve killed yourself and put us in serious trouble.”

I scoffed and looked away. “It’s not like I had a choice. I had to think of myself first. I’d rather die than be forced to stay here or be sent back to my mate.”

“I told you that you had our trust,” Kellan said. “We weren’t going to harm you. We trusted you, and you broke that trust by almost dying on us. Why would you even think we’d force you to stay or take you back to him?”

I didn’t reply immediately. I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before speaking again. “Fine. I believe you. But not Lucian. He’s the one in charge. What if he decides I’m a problem and wants to send me back? Or worse, force me to stay here like a prisoner?”

“He won’t do that,” Kellan replied, shaking his head. “He’s not like that.”

“How do you know that?” I snapped. “You’re not him. And from what I know, Betas don’t make decisions for their Alphas.”

“I’m not making decisions for him,” Kellan replied calmly. “I’m telling you what I know. He won’t.”

Just then, the door flung open and Alpha Lucian walked in.

“I, Alpha Lucian of the Obsidian Fang Pack, give you my word,” he said, his eyes locking onto mine. “I will not force you to do anything you do not want to do and I will also make sure no one does the same. You have my word.”

I blinked, stunned.

Well… I didn’t see that coming.