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.

Kennedy’s Pov

Days passed as Alina continued her treatment, but there was still no sign of her voice returning. Communication was difficult, though I was grateful she could at least write.

I watched her every day.

She slept. Woke. Ate little. Drifted through the hours like she wasn’t fully present. And all I could do was sit beside her, hoping my presence would help, even a little.

She was my mate.

But it didn’t feel like it to her.

And that… was driving me insane.

I wanted her attention. I wanted to know what she was thinking. What she had gone through. Who had hurt her so badly.

So I could kill them.

But she told me nothing.

And the mate bond only made it worse. It pulled at me constantly, strong and demanding, yet she seemed untouched by it.

It made me wonder…

Did she even accept me?

***

I sat in the infirmary with Jerry, watching him prepare another set of herbs for her.

“So, what do you plan to do?” he asked. “Are you going to keep her here? What if she has people looking for her?”

I frowned at him. “What do you mean? She’s my mate. She stays with me.”

My wolf growled in agreement.

Jerry stared at me, surprised, then sighed.

“I never thought I’d see you like this,” he said with a small laugh. “Possessive. It’s new.”

Then his expression turned serious.

“But have you asked what she wants?”

I didn’t respond.

“Does she even have a choice?” he continued. “Or have you already decided everything for her?”

My jaw tightened.

“Why would she leave?” I said coldly. “I can give her everything. She belongs here.”

Jerry’s expression shifted, something between disbelief and concern.

“She’s not an object, Ken,” he said firmly. “That girl is broken. What she needs is safety, not control.”

I exhaled sharply. “Then what do you suggest?”

“Talk to her,” he said simply. “Make her feel seen. Make her feel safe. Right now, she doesn’t trust anything… or anyone.”

His words lingered.

Had I made her feel unsafe?

Was that why she stayed so distant?

“Damn it,” I muttered.

It hadn’t even been two weeks, and she was already consuming my thoughts.

“Fine,” I said finally. “I’ll talk to her. But she’s not leaving. If she has family, I’ll bring them here. But she stays.”

With that, I took the medicine and left.

I knocked lightly on her door.

No answer.

I pushed it open and stepped inside.

She was asleep.

Curled up on the bed, knees drawn close to her chest, like she was trying to make herself small. Her hair spread across the pillow, partially covering her face.

I frowned.

That position couldn’t be comfortable then Jerry’s words echoed in my mind.

She lacks security.

My expression darkened.

She felt unsafe here?

In my home?

I walked closer and sat beside her quietly.

Up close, she looked even more fragile. Small. Breakable.

My chest tightened.

I reached out, brushing my fingers lightly over her face. Her skin was soft, warm. Her lashes are long, resting gently against her cheeks.

My gaze dropped to her lips.

A sudden rush of heat moved through me.

My wolf stirred, restless.

I wanted her.

The thought came fast and strong.

To claim her. To mark her. To make her mine in every way possible.

The desire was sharp, overwhelming.

I clenched my jaw. This wasn’t the time.

Not like this.

Not when she looked like she might break from a single touch.

I forced myself to pull back—

But she moved.

Her eyes opened slowly.

And I froze.

My hand was still at her neck.

Our eyes met.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Her gaze was soft, slightly dazed from sleep.

Something in my chest shifted.

“She’ll be the death of me,” I muttered under my breath.

She blinked, then raised her hand, gesturing softly.

Is something wrong?

Everything was wrong.

I wanted her in ways I couldn’t explain.

Ways she wouldn’t understand.

Ways that would probably scare her.

“How are you?” I asked instead, lowering myself slightly so I could meet her gaze. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded faintly, then gestured again.

I’m fine. You wanted to see me?

I hesitated.

This wasn’t easy but I had to say it.

“Alina…” My voice came out rougher than I expected.

I held her gaze.

“You know we’re mates, right?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Then confusion followed.

I sighed softly. “I thought so.”

A faint blush rose to her cheeks.

I continued, more carefully this time.

“I want to be there for you,” I said. “I want to understand you. Your pain. Your thoughts.”

My voice softened.

“I want to protect you. Take care of you. As my mate.”

I paused, searching her face.

“Will you let me?”