Chapter 2
I carefully laid Anastasia down on the couch, her pallid skin stark against the deep leather. My eyes darted to Gregory and Milana, who were on their knees on the rug, under Ace’s vigilant gaze. My voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding. ‘Dr. Franklin, draw the blood. Now.’
The healer paused, his gaze shifting nervously to Katherine, who stood trembling by the window. ‘Alpha, the Luna just delivered. She’s fragile. Taking blood could—’
‘And the pup?’ I interjected, my tone slicing through the room like a blade. ‘She shares the same rare blood type, doesn’t she?’
Katherine’s eyes widened in horror as she clutched Milana tighter to her chest. ‘No, Marshall. You can’t.’
Dr. Franklin shook his head, his voice steady but insistent. ‘Alpha, the pup is too young. Miss Cook can use the pack’s blood reserves. It’s safer.’
For a fleeting second, doubt crept into my chest, but Anastasia’s grip tightened around mine, her voice faint yet frantic. ‘Marshall, if it’s not her blood, I’d rather die.’
Her words snapped me back to reality. My command was swift, unyielding. ‘Take it.’
Katherine’s voice quivered, though she tried to steady it. ‘Take it, and then we’re done. I want a pre-mate separation.’
Rage surged within me, fierce and uncontainable. ‘It’s just blood, Katherine. It’s not fatal. Why are you turning this into a drama?’
She didn’t respond, just hugged Milana closer and shut her eyes. The healer approached, and I watched as he drew the blood, the crimson fluid filling the vial. Katherine’s legs wobbled, but she stood her ground—for now.
Once the transfusion began in the adjacent room, I returned to the living room to find Katherine slumped on the floor, Milana cradled in her arms. My heart twinged, but I shoved the emotion aside. She was resilient. She’d pull through. She always did.
When she awoke in the hospital, the sharp scent of antiseptic filling the air, her first instinct was to reach for Milana. I stood in the doorway, exhaustion heavy on my shoulders. ‘You’re awake,’ I said, my voice devoid of emotion.
Her eyes met mine, dull and empty. ‘I’m fine.’
I handed her a bowl of soup, the broth rich and steaming. ‘You’re underweight. The healer says you need to eat.’
She accepted the bowl without protest, sipping quietly. For a moment, silence enveloped the room, the tension between us palpable. Then her phone buzzed, the sound piercing the stillness.
My eyes narrowed as she glanced at the screen, her face paling. ‘Who’s calling?’
She shrugged, her tone indifferent. ‘Spam. Loan offers. I’m sick and broke, Marshall. Maybe you could spare some change.’
Anger flared again, and I closed the distance in two strides, gripping her neck. ‘Katherine, how long are you going to keep lying to me? Do you think joking about a terminal illness is amusing?’
Her gaze met mine, defiant despite the pain in her eyes. ‘Without your permission, I’m not allowed to die, right? You’ve made that crystal clear.’
The words stung, but I brushed them off, releasing her as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Anastasia’s name flashed on the screen, and I turned away, my voice softer than I intended. ‘Rest. We’ll talk later.’
As I left the room, I caught a glimpse of her quickly switching screens on her phone, her expression guarded. My wolf growled low in my mind, a warning I chose to ignore. Katherine was hiding something, but for now, I had bigger concerns.
Anastasia needed me, and I couldn’t afford to let my focus waver. Not now. Not ever.