Chapter 4

"She is the Alpha's fated mate."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire forest fell silent.

Standing behind the black wolf, I forgot how to breathe.

Fated mate.

The term was not unfamiliar to me.

Over the past three years, I had watched too many werewolves lose all reason because of the bond they believed was blessed by the Moon Goddess.

They said the scent was impossible to resist.

That the soul could not reject it.

Once the bond was formed, nothing could tear them apart.

Not clan loyalty.

Not hatred.

Not even death.

But I was human.

There was no werewolf blood in my veins.

I could not possibly be an Alpha's fated mate.

"You're mistaken."

I was the first to break the silence.

"I only saved him."

The lead warrior shook his head.

"Alpha never allows strangers near him."

"And he has never protected anyone willingly."

I said nothing.

Because only I knew that the wrist Kael had touched was still burning hot.

Then the black wolf's massive body suddenly swayed.

My expression changed.

I immediately crouched beside him and checked the wound.

The bandage I had just tied was already soaked through with blood.

The dark purple discoloration around the injury had not faded.

Instead, it was spreading rapidly through his veins.

"This is bad."

I looked up sharply.

"The poison is taking effect."

Every werewolf around us went pale.

"How is that possible?"

I lowered my head and smelled the wound.

Beneath the scent of blood was another faint, bitter fragrance.

My heart sank.

"There was a second poison on the arrow."

"Moonshade vine."

Several wolves sucked in a sharp breath.

At that exact moment, the clouds parted.

The full moon rose overhead.

Silver light spilled across the forest.

The black wolf suddenly threw back his head.

"Awooo—"

His howl thundered through the mountains.

Every muscle in his body locked tight.

The wound in his abdomen tore open again.

Blood streamed through his black fur.

And his golden eyes slowly began to turn red.

The lead warrior's face drained of color.

"Back away!"

"Alpha is losing control!"

The werewolves retreated at once.

No one dared remain close.

No one except me.

"You need to move too!"

The lead warrior shouted at me.

"An Alpha in this state will kill anyone who comes near him!"

The words had barely left his mouth when Kael struck out with one massive paw.

Boom!

A tree wide enough for two men to wrap their arms around exploded into splinters.

Wood flew through the air.

Every wolf lowered his head.

Not one of them dared take another step forward.

But my eyes remained fixed on the blood pouring from Kael's wound.

The more he struggled, the faster the poison would reach his heart.

He really would die.

The sight dragged me back three years.

To Damon lying in a pile of bodies.

Everyone had said there was no saving him.

I had been the only one who knelt in his blood and refused to let him die.

And in the end, he had stood by while the entire clan ground me into the dirt.

I had saved the wrong man once.

But I was still a doctor.

One mistake did not give me the right to stand there and watch another person die.

I drew in a slow breath.

Then I stepped around the wolf blocking my path.

"Stop!"

The lead warrior moved in front of me.

"Going near him is suicide!"

I gently pushed his arm aside.

One step at a time, I walked toward the black wolf who had completely lost control.

"Kael."

It was the first time I had spoken his name.

His head snapped toward me.

Those blood-red eyes locked onto mine.

The killing intent rolling off him was almost physical.

He slowly lowered his body.

Sharp fangs slid into view.

One step.

Two.

Three.

At last, I stood directly in front of him.

Kael lowered his head.

His burning breath washed over my face.

There was no trace of reason left in his scarlet eyes.

Only raw, primal bloodlust.

Slowly, I raised my left hand.

Then I rested it against his burning forehead.

"Kael."

"Trust me."

For one heartbeat, he went completely still.

Then his gaze dropped to the pulse beating beneath my skin.

A savage growl tore from his chest.

Before I could take another breath, the black wolf lunged.

His jaws opened—

Straight over my throat.