Chapter 74
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain. Classic Alaric–marking his territory like he was spraying trees in the forest. And poor Rylan, stuck between professional courtesy and what had to be the werewolf equivalent of a shovel talk.
The doctor’s diplomatic response somehow managed to be both appropriately deferential and subtly sarcastic, making me bite back a smile despite my embarrassment. In another life, he’d have made an excellent politician–or comedian.
Alaric nodded, apparently satisfied. When Rylan left to prepare my discharge papers, I glared at my
brother.
“Why did you say that? You embarrassed me!”
“Why are you upset? Do you like the guy?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What? No. But he’s a good friend. He was the first to help me hide the truth from Tristan. I told you
about that, remember?”
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“So I respect him for that. But as a man, I can read other men’s intentions.”
“You’re saying he has feelings for me?”
“Who wouldn’t?” He pinched my cheek playfully. “You’re my adorable little sister.”
“Ow! Let go of my cheek!”
His playful expression suddenly shifted, eyes narrowing as he leaned closer to examine my face. “What the hell happened to your lip? It looks like you made out with a paper shredder.”
I instinctively touched the sore spot, wincing. “I bit it during the accident. No big deal.”
“Oh please.” Alaric rolled his eyes dramatically. “I’ve seen enough werewolf marks to write a textbook. That’s a dominance bite.” He studied my face, expression darkening. “Who decided to treat my sister like a chew toy?”
“Nobody decided anything,” I muttered, looking anywhere but at him. “And I’d appreciate not being referred to as a ‘chew toy,‘ thank you very much.”
“Was it one of the doctors? A nurse? That Beta who keeps staring at you?” His eyes suddenly widened with horrified realization. “Please tell me it wasn’t-
“Can we save the interrogation for when I’m not half–dead in a hospital bed?” I interrupted, shooting him my best pathetic–injured–sister look. “I just want to go home to my kids.”
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He stared at me for a long moment, clearly torn between his Alpha need to hunt down whoever had marked me and his brotherly instinct to get me to safety. Finally, he sighed dramatically.
“Fine, fine, sorry. Now get ready. We’re leaving immediately.”
A nurse helped me change into the fresh clothes Alaric had brought–simple black leggings and an oversized sweater that wouldn’t press against my injuries. Each movement sent pain shooting through my bandaged hand and throbbing head.
When Alaric returned, I was sitting on the edge of the bed, fighting waves of dizziness. He took one look at me and frowned.
“You look pale. Maybe we should wait-”
“No,” I cut him off. “I want to leave. Now.”
He didn’t argue further, just offered his arm for support. Together we made our way through the corridors, my legs unsteady beneath me. Every pack member we passed stared openly, whispers trailing in our wake.
Look at how they’re staring at you, Astrid commented. Imagine their expressions if they knew how intimate you just were with their Alpha.
He only bit me. That wasn’t intimacy, it was a warning, I replied, unconsciously running my tongue over my still–tingling lip.
Oh, sweetie, in werewolf society, biting is very intimate, Astrid’s voice was all suggestion. Especially
when it makes you wet-
I said shut up! I clenched my jaw, feeling heat crawl up my neck to my cheeks. A passing nurse gave me a curious glance, and I awkwardly looked away.
We’d almost reached the exit when a familiar voice called out behind us.
“Lysandra!”
We turned to find Isolde Wolfbane hurrying toward us, concern etched into her elegant features. Her silver hair was pulled back in a simple knot, her clothes unusually casual compared to her typical formal attire.
“Isolde,” I managed a weak smile.
“Lysandra, what happened? I thought you left the pack last night.”
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“I’m fine, Isolde, just a small injury.”
Her eyes traveled over the bandages on my head and hand, disbelief clear in her expression. “Where are you going?”
“I’m leaving Silverblood Pack.”
“But you look unwell. Please stay a few more days to rest.”
“I can’t, Isolde. Thank you for your concern, but I can’t stay here anymore. I need to return to
Moonshade.”
She reached out, touching my uninjured hand gently. “Take care, then.”
Alaric cleared his throat. “How is Fenris Alpha? I heard Lysandra helped restore his health.”
“Yes, she came into our lives like a miracle,” Isolde’s voice softened. “She helped us, saved my husband’s life. He’s under observation now.”
“We should go, Isolde. It was nice meeting you,” Alaric’s tone remained polite but distant as he guided me toward the exit.
The bright sunlight outside made me wince, my head throbbing in protest. Alaric’s sleek black car waited at the curb, a driver holding the door open. Once inside, I sank against the leather seat, exhaustion overtaking me.
“That loser and his family are bad influences. If they hadn’t forced you to stay, maybe you wouldn’t have had this accident,” Alaric said as we drove away from Silverblood territory.
“Ric, please. Fenris and Isolde are good people. They treated me like a daughter.”
“Yeah, right,” he scoffed, checking his phone. “While signing your discharge papers, they gave me your bag.”
I nodded, reaching for my purse. Inside, my phone showed dozens of missed calls–from Kieran, my parents, even from the twins‘ caretaker.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already informed everyone I’m bringing you home.”
“What about Lyra and Orion? Did you tell them about my accident?”
from
“No.”
“Thank you, Ric.”
We drove in silence for a while, trees blurring past the windows. The further we got from Silverblood
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territory, the lighter I felt, as if physical distance could somehow sever the emotional turmoil Tristan
had created.
“How did you get out of the car?” Alaric finally asked, his voice carefully neutral.
I stared at my bandaged hand. “Tristan rescued me.”
Alaric’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing more about it. Instead, he changed the subject.
“Kieran was worried sick about you. When he heard what happened, he wanted to come. I stopped
him.”
“He’s a caring person.”
“He doesn’t care for anyone the way he cares for you.”
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JAX
he loves her. if only he was her mate
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