a's

reeling from the revelations of the past hour. The possibility that I

er's concerned voice cut

worried face. "I'm... I'm not sure," I a

Anya's suspicions were true. That I wasn't really Silas and Helen Moon's daughter. It would ex

re was no evidence, no proof. Just wishful thinkin

eed some

ough my chest. It felt like someone had plunged a white-

ld have collapsed if not f

ied, catching

as a choked gasp. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, and

ders, Kael shouting for help, Luna Anya's soothing tones. But they al

was on fire, every muscle screaming in protest. And beneath it all, a hollowness t

a warm chest. Asher's scent – pine and earth and something uniquely him

r, his voice tight with worry. "We

ing in a dizzying whirl of color and motion. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying t

n what appeared to be a medical room. Clean white walls, the sharp

ut, his voice echoing in the

d over, his face creased with concern. "Put her on the bed,

ovement sent fresh waves of pain coursing throug

his hands moving efficiently as he a

"We were just talking, and then she collapsed. She's co

tration. "Seraphina," he said, addressing me d

. "It... it hurts," I managed to gasp out

ed. "I see. And this pain,

orm words as another

hovering anxiously by my bedside. "I need to do a more

hought of Asher leaving, of facing this alone, sent a spi

not going anywhere," he said firmly, meeting D

argue. "Very well. But please

. Blood draws, scans, probing fingers that sent

tant presence at my side, his hand in

ours, Dr. Emerson stepped back,

I need to ask you about something that might be... d

nd tighten around mine. "Wha

ppened? What words were used, how you re

that horrible moment. But if it could he

r. "Marcus – my... my supposed mate – he stood up in front of everyone

u respond?" Dr.

k and pain that had followed. "I... I don't think I sa

picion. "And after that? Did you ever for

dawning. "I ran. I could

raying hair. "I was afraid of that. Seraphina, w

for the first time since the exa

d accept the severance. Without that..." He gestured to me, lying pale and trembling on the bed. "The bond remains, weake

ished, feeling sick. "That's wha

n in my chest now had nothing to do wi

rse. The loss of your wolf, your healing abilities – it's left you m

t I welcomed it. It was the only thing keeping me

e tight with barely controlled anger. "There h

to find her wolf again. Once she does, she'll need to perform a blood sacr

wolf," I said, despair creeping i

hidden, protecting herself from the trauma of the rejection. But s

sk ahead seemed monumental, especially with th

something for the pain. But until the bond is full

ed was some very strong painkillers, Asher lea

eath warm against my cheek. "I promise. Whatever i

e, the unwavering support. And for the first time since

ispered back

lf for what lay ahead. Finding my wolf, performing a blood sacri

unexpected support of his family...

to Marcus, feeling every betrayal, every moment

e sharp edges of my pain, I made a silent vow. I w

inally, I w