tains, pale and indifferent. I stared at it, Liam's note crumpled in my fist. *Come see

er-skin gray, lips bloodless. The cough had worsened overnight, each hack tearing at my r

crubbed floors, eyes downcast. No

*delicate nerves*. The forest path to the hospital was slick with dew, the air sharp with pine.

keep m

on territory. He stood outside, arms crossed, like he'd been wa

s," I

urning my nose. The exam room was cold, sterile

start?" He snapped on

ks a

ood

odd

rough his messy hair. "I tol

wouldn't

pressed a stethoscope

machines. Liam's frown deepened with each resul

e said quietly. "Reject

ked. "

y, every time he... *hurts* you..." He hesitated. "It

tilted. "

y eyes. "A few mon

. Two. Time to fix things. To make Xander see. Now? No

My voice soun

ond. Let you

er. "Xander wou

am gripped my arm. "S

"Don't you thin

linc

k and suffocating. Ou

sfusion. Werewolf blood, strong enough to buy you

e blo

in

d at hi

e only w

he table, legs wobbling. "I

ragging me. I

hy

d. "Because some

d always been there-bandaging cuts Xander never noticed, slippin

hispered. "But I

y to stop me

-

t the edge of the woods, watching the packhouse. Lillian stood on the porch, Xander's jacket drap

outh, smothering a cough

Always h

the time I reached the porch, Lillian was gone. Xander leaned

?" he asked, no

whe

r. "Liam called. Said you

iked. "I re

hy

your bu

narrowing. "Everything a

ed. "You haven't care

hing it under his boot. "You'r

use mates don't let each other

pping around me-smoke and anger.

The words tore loose, ragged. "Not

gripping my chin.

h. "Or what? Y

gaze-shame? He released me.

hed past him. "Funny how tha

ze. "W

d. Stu

lking. "F

spinning me around.

thi

lin

t.

ightened.

perate. *I'm dying. Your hate is k

er face a perfect mask of concern. "Xander?

d, eyes loc

I whis

e, he d

e sharpened. "

illian lingered, her smile venomous. "You lo

ell," I m

followed m

-

words haunted me. *A few months. Maybe less.* I pressed

here, his expression unreadable. "Wha

o the wall. "Figur

bed dipped as he s

racked. "You'll j

back, close enough to f

*just once*, I wante

one bu

. "I hav

cou

oor c

iet, crushing weight of the truth-I'd die here, in

ed Liam's offer. *A

umbling for

l take th

stantly. **Liam:

pillow, the vial of medi

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