Kennedy’s Pov

I stood over the unconscious woman lying at my feet, the soft glow of the moonlight catching the blood staining her torn clothes. Her breathing was shallow but steady. Her dark hair was matted, strands sticking to her sweat-dampened face. A face so delicate, yet marked with bruises and scratches from the fight.

I frowned. This was supposed to be a simple patrol.

I hadn’t come to this part of the Northern borders out of duty. I only needed to clear my head after another exhausting argument with my council members. The rogues had been nothing more than a distraction, an irritation that needed to be dealt with quickly.

And this girl…

She was an unexpected complication.

“Troublesome,” I muttered, crouching beside her.

That was when her scent reached me.

It was faint and soft, something sweet, but beneath it was a deep sorrow that cut through the cold control I had built over the years. My wolf stirred at once, restless and alert.

I ignored him.

She was a stranger. Weak. Most likely a burden.

Yet here I was.

“What am I supposed to do with you?” I asked quietly.

She didn’t answer, of course. But the moment I even thought of leaving her there, my wolf growled low and dangerous inside me.

No.

The refusal was not mine.

It was his.

There was no hesitation in it. No doubt. No room for argument.

I exhaled sharply.

“Fine,” I said, sliding my arms under her injured body and lifting her carefully. “But don’t make me regret this.”

***

The journey back to the pack was silent.

Her scent filled my senses, distracting me in a way I didn’t like. I kept my focus ahead.

When we reached the gates of the Northern Pack, the guards straightened immediately, their bodies stiff with respect… and fear.

“Alpha,” one of them greeted, his voice steady. His eyes flicked briefly to the girl in my arms, but he didn’t ask questions.

They never did.

“Get Jerry to the infirmary,” I ordered. “Now.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I walked through the pack grounds, ignoring the stares that followed me. Wolves slowed, turned, and whispered. It wasn’t often their Alpha returned carrying someone, especially not an unconscious woman covered in blood.

I paid them no attention.

My only focus was the infirmary.

***

Jerry was already there when I arrived.

He leaned against the counter, arms crossed, a familiar grin on his face.

“Well, well,” he said, pushing himself upright and walking toward me. “What do we have here? A damsel in distress? Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft, Ken.”

I gave him a cold look. “Save it. She’s injured.”

He raised his hands in mock surrender, though the grin stayed. “Alright, alright. Bring her here.”

I placed her gently on the nearest cot and stepped back.

Jerry’s attitude changed instantly as he got to work. Whatever jokes he made, he never played around when it came to healing.

“She’s in bad shape,” he muttered, pulling out herbs and salves. “What happened?”

“Rogues,” I said, leaning back against the wall with my arms crossed. “She was fighting them when I found her.”

Jerry glanced at me over his shoulder. “She survived a rogue attack… like this?”

“She fought.”

It wasn’t praise. Just the truth.

She was thin, clearly underfed, but there had been something in her eyes when she fought. Something stubborn.

Jerry hummed and turned back to her. “She’s lucky you showed up. A few more minutes and…”

He didn’t finish.

I said nothing.

I didn’t know why I had saved her.

I didn’t save strangers.

“Well,” Jerry said after a while, his tone lighter again, “she’ll live. A few deep cuts, bruises, and she’s exhausted. But nothing I can’t handle.”

“Good. Finish it.”

He snorted. “Always so demanding. You know, most people would say ‘thank you’ when someone’s saving the life of the girl they brought in.”

“Don’t push it.”

Jerry chuckled. “You’re no fun.”

***

Not long after, he finished.

Bandages covered most of her wounds. Her breathing was stronger now, more even.

“She’ll wake up soon,” Jerry said, putting his things away. “And when she does, try not to scare her. You already look like you want to kill someone.”

I ignored him, my gaze fixed on her.

Jerry sighed under his breath, muttering something about me being hopeless, and then left the room.

The silence that followed was heavy.

I stood there, watching her.

Even in sleep, her face was tight with pain. My wolf shifted again, restless, watching her as closely as I was.

Then—

Her eyes fluttered open.

Dark. Wide. Uncertain.

She blinked a few times, staring up at the ceiling as if trying to understand where she was. Confusion filled her expression.

Then her gaze moved.

And landed on me.

The moment our eyes met, something snapped inside me.

Heat surged through my body. Every nerve came alive with a force I had never felt before. My wolf roared, loud and possessive, his voice echoing in my mind.

Mate.

The word hit like a command.

Strong. Absolute.

Unavoidable.

“Mate,” I said, the word leaving my lips before I could stop it. My voice came out low, rough, filled with an intensity I didn’t bother to hide.

Her eyes widened instantly, shock replacing the confusion.

“Mine,” I added, the word falling from my lips like a claim.

She went still.

Completely still.

She didn’t speak. Didn’t move.

She just stared at me, like she didn’t understand what I had just said.

And I couldn’t blame her.

Kennedy’s Pov

I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She lay completely still on the cot, her wide, stunned eyes fixed on me. The word still echoed in my mind.

Mate.

I didn’t mean to move closer. I didn’t mean to let my guard down.

But my body moved on its own.

In the next second, I was beside her, pulling her into my arms.

“You’re my mate,” I said, my voice low and rough as I drew her closer.

She fit perfectly against me. My wolf stirred in satisfaction.

But she didn’t react.

She didn’t push me away… but she didn’t respond either.

Her arms hung loosely at her sides. Her face stayed frozen in shock, like she couldn’t understand what was happening.

I didn’t care.

Nothing made sense. Not even to me.

All I knew was the heat in my chest… the way my heart pounded like it never had before.

She was mine.

But why?

How?

I loosened my hold on her and leaned back slightly so I could look at her face.

Her eyes were beautiful. Dark, deep… filled with something heavy. Pain. Loss.

“What are you doing to me?” I murmured, more to myself than to her.

My wolf was restless, pacing, growling softly in my mind.

I searched her face for answers.

But she looked completely lost.

Then she tried to speak. Her lips parted. Her brows drew together as if forming words took effort.

But nothing came out.

Her hands flew to her throat. Panic flashed in her eyes.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Something was wrong.

“Stop,” I said quickly, my hands gripping her shoulders. My voice came out sharper than I meant. “Don’t force it.”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she clawed at her throat. Fear rolled off her in waves, hitting me harder than I expected.

It twisted something deep inside me.

“Here,” I said, grabbing a glass of water from the table and holding it out to her. “Drink.”

She took it with trembling hands and raised it to her lips.

But the moment she tried to swallow, the water spilled out. She choked, coughing harshly as her body shook.

I took the glass from her and set it aside.

“Damn it,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

Her panic grew worse.

Her eyes darted around the room, wild and desperate, before landing on me again. Tears filled them, spilling down her cheeks as she shook her head.

“No,” I said firmly, cupping her face in my hands. “Look at me.”

Her gaze locked onto mine.

I softened my voice.

“Don’t panic. We’ll figure this out.”

She didn’t speak, but her breathing slowed slightly.

“Stay here,” I said, pulling away even though I didn’t want to. “I’m getting Jerry.”

He was already in the hallway when I stepped out, likely drawn by the noise.

He barely had time to react before I grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.

“What now?” he said, irritated. “You can’t expect me to fix everything in one night, Ken—”

“She can’t talk,” I cut in.

His expression changed instantly.

“Can’t talk? What do you mean?”

“She’s trying,” I said, nodding toward her. “Nothing comes out.”

Jerry moved toward her, all traces of humor gone.

“Alright… easy,” he said softly as he examined her.

Her hands stayed locked around her throat. She flinched when he touched her.

My wolf growled low, warning me to push him away.

I forced myself to stay still.

A moment later, Jerry straightened, his face serious.

“Her throat is swollen,” he said. “Probably from a hit during the fight. Her vocal cords could be inflamed… or worse.”

“How long?” I asked.

He hesitated.

“I don’t know. It might heal on its own… if she rests.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

He looked at me.

“Then it might not come back.”

My gaze snapped back to her.

She sat there, clutching her throat, tears in her eyes.

Then she looked at me.

And I saw it clearly this time.

Fear. Anger. Despair.

All of it.

I moved closer and knelt in front of her.

“Listen to me,” I said quietly, keeping my voice steady even though something inside me felt tight. “You’re going to be fine. You hear me? You’re safe now. We’ll fix this.”

A tear slipped down her cheek.

For a second, she just stared at me.

Then something changed.

She shook her head violently and pushed my hand away.

Her lips moved again, trying to form words that wouldn’t come. Frustration filled her face. She hit her chest lightly, then pointed at her throat.

“Don’t,” I said quickly, grabbing her wrists before she could hurt herself. “Don’t do that.”

She gasped.

Then suddenly—

She froze.

I saw it in her eyes first.

Pain.

Her hands flew back to her throat. Her face twisted as she struggled to breathe. A broken sound tore from her, raw and strained, like something trapped inside her.

“Jerry!” I shouted.

She coughed violently, her whole body shaking. Blood appeared at the corner of her mouth.

My chest tightened.

“Hey,” I said, my voice softer now as I held her shoulders. “Stop. You’re making it worse.”

She couldn’t hear me. Panic had taken over.

Her breathing turned uneven, broken. She doubled over, shaking.

“Do something!” I snapped at Jerry.

“I need her calm!” he shot back, already moving toward us with something in his hand.

I pulled her against me.

“Breathe,” I said into her hair, my voice low and steady despite the tension in my chest. “Just breathe.”

Her hands clawed at my shirt, gripping tightly.

“I’ve got you,” I murmured. “You’re not alone.”

Slowly… slowly… her movements weakened.

Her breathing eased into uneven, shaky breaths.

Jerry knelt beside us and carefully applied a soothing salve to her throat.

“She’s exhausted,” he said quietly. “The injury isn’t fatal, but the strain is making it worse. She needs rest, Ken. Real rest.”

I didn’t respond.

All my attention was on the girl in my arms.

Mine.

The word came again but this time, it felt different.

Not possessive but protective.

A promise.

She was mine.

And I would fix this.

I had to.

Alina’s Pov

The warm light coming through the window felt too harsh against my skin.

My body ached, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest.

I lay staring at the ceiling, trying to gather the broken pieces of my life. Every breath reminded me of how weak I was… how powerless I had become. My throat throbbed with every inhale, a sharp reminder that even my voice—my only way to cry out my pain—was gone.

My parents…

The memory hit me all at once.

Their struggles. Their muffled cries. The pack’s laughter.

I clutched my chest, as if I could hold my heart together, keep it from breaking apart completely. But it didn’t help.

It never did.

I had sworn revenge. I had promised I would destroy them all.

But now…

I couldn’t even say the words.

Tears slid down my cheeks, hot and endless.

Mom and Dad are gone. My pack is gone. Everything I had ever known… taken from me.

I should have died in that forest, maybe that would have been easier.

But instead…

I was here.

Saved by him.

The man with cold, sharp eyes. The man whose presence alone made it hard to breathe.

Mate?

A bitter laugh rose in my chest, but no sound came out. Pain shot through my throat, and I winced, clutching it.

It was impossible.

Marcus had rejected me yesterday and now this stranger claimed I was his?

I clenched my fists.

None of it made sense but none of it mattered right now.

What mattered was my parents.

What mattered was revenge.

No matter how much I wanted to break, I couldn’t afford to.

My body shook as silent sobs took over. I pressed my face into the pillow, trying to hide the broken sounds escaping me.

I didn’t even hear the door open.

A soft knock pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned my head.

He was standing there.

The same man.

Tall. Strong. Dangerous.

His sharp features looked even colder in the light, his silver-gray eyes steady and unreadable.

But something about him was different this time.

He hesitated.

“Good,” he said quietly. “You’re awake.”

I pushed myself up slowly, wincing as pain spread through my ribs.

His gaze dropped to my throat, and something flickered in his eyes.

Regret.

“Don’t strain yourself,” he said, stepping closer.

I moved back without thinking.

He stopped immediately, his jaw tightening.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, his voice softer.

And somehow… I believed him.

He pulled a chair closer and sat down, watching me carefully.

“You’ve been through a lot,” he said quietly. “But you’re safe here. No one will hurt you again.”

Safe.

The word felt strange.

Unreal.

What was safety when everything I loved was gone?

He seemed to read the doubt in my eyes.

“I mean it,” he said, holding my gaze. “I’ll protect you. No one will touch you. Not while I’m here.”

Something in his voice stirred something deep inside me.

Something I didn’t want to feel.

Then he did something I didn’t expect.

He leaned forward and gently brushed a tear from my cheek.

The touch was soft.

Careful.

It sent a small shiver through me.

“I’ll make this right,” he said quietly. “Whatever it takes.”

I froze as his lips touched my forehead.

My heart skipped.

Why was he doing this? Why did it feel real?

“I need to know your name,” he said, pulling back slightly. “I can’t keep calling you… nothing.”

He reached into his pocket and brought out a small notebook and pen.

“Write it.”

My hands trembled as I took them.

The pen felt strange in my fingers.

Slowly, carefully, I wrote:

Alina.

He took the notebook and looked at it.

“Alina,” he repeated, his voice low.

He said it again.

“Alina.”

The way he said my name made something in my chest tighten.

He set the notebook aside and stood, reaching for a tray near the bed.

“You need to eat,” he said.

I wanted to refuse. I wasn’t hungry.

But he was already holding a spoon toward me.

“Open.”

I hesitated.

But something in his eyes told me he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

So I did.

The soup was warm. It burned slightly as it went down my throat, but it didn’t hurt as much as I expected.

It felt… comforting.

“Good,” he said, his voice softer now.

I took a few more small sips before shaking my head.

He didn’t push me.

He simply set the bowl aside and sat back down.

“My name is Kennedy,” he said, his gaze steady. “You’ll be safe here, Alina. I promise.”

His voice was firm.

Certain.

It made me want to believe him.

I opened my mouth, trying to speak but Nothing came out.

The silence crushed me.

My chest tightened, and I turned away, ashamed.

Kennedy leaned forward again, his expression softer.

“We’ll fix this,” he said quietly. “You will speak again. I’ll find a way.”

I wanted to believe him but fear held me back.

After everything I had lost… how could anything be fixed?

“Why were they after you?” he asked suddenly, his tone sharper now. “Who are you running from?”

The question hung between us.

Heavy.

I tried to answer. I tried to explain.

But I couldn’t.

My hands trembled, and all I could do was shake my head.

Something dark flashed in his eyes.

“You don’t have to worry,” he said, his voice low. “Whoever they are… they’ll regret ever touching you.”

A chill ran down my spine at the promise in his voice.

I didn’t understand him.

This cold, powerful man who had somehow become my protector.

But as I looked at him…

Something strange happened.

For the first time since everything fell apart…

I felt a small flicker of hope.