17 years ago -
Five-year-old Selena was with her nanny, Mary. She was ancient, at least 200 years old, since werewolves live long. Her mother was away on some "pack business". Selena didn't mind, as Mary told her fascinating bedtime stories.
"Come on, it's past your bedtime, love. Your mum would be angry if you stayed awake this long," Mary said to little Selena.
"But I want to colour, I am making this pretty picture for Daddy," Selena replied, grinning.
"As if your daddy cares," Mary sighed softly, making sure that Selena didn't hear it. "Alright, five more minutes." Selena smiled and started rubbing her crayons on the paper with vigour.
The door suddenly burst open, and a worried Jennifer stepped inside. She wasn't alone. She was with Hawk. He slouched over her shoulder. Several gashes and bullet holes riddled his body.
"Daddy!" Selena screamed at the sight of blood. "Take her away," Jennifer commanded Mary. Mary immediately carried a crying Selena into her bedroom.
"What happened to mommy and daddy? Is he going to die?" Selena asked through sobs.
"My dear, your mother is his mate, so he will live. She'll keep him alive," Mary said, while soothing the little girl.
"Mate?" Selena inquired.
"Yes, they are soulmates. The mate bond between werewolves is a powerful thing. It is a connection that runs deep, a merging of souls that is rare and precious. When two werewolves are mates, they can feel each other's emotions and thoughts and even share their life force. In times of danger or illness, a mate can save the other from death by sacrificing their own energy to heal them," Mary explained.
"So, mommy is healing daddy?" Selena inquired with hope.
"Yes, my dear, your daddy will be fine by tomorrow," Mary reassured her.
"When I'm older, I'll also be my mate's healer. And I would never let him die," Selena declared while yawning. Mary laughed. "Of course, my dear. Your mate will be a lucky man to have you."
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Current time
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Dr. Colin was pacing in the white infirmary, checking on the Alpha. Cayden lay on his deathbed, his once-powerful form now reduced to a shell of what it once was. The scent of death hung heavy in the air, and the pack mourned for their leader. The only thing left to do was to wait for his last breath.
But then, out of nowhere, he heard screaming and commotion outside.
Suddenly, the door to the room burst open, and a woman rushed in. She was wild-eyed and breathless. "Let me see Cayden," she demanded. "I can save him. I'm his mate."
Dr. Colin usually kept to himself, aware of Selena and her past ties with the rival pack, and he could not believe that she could help. But everyone knew Selena and her past ties with the pack. He knew also that she was Cayden's unmarked mate.
"She's lying," Oscar growled. "She wants to kill him, not save him. We can't let her near him."
"Where is Max? I must talk to him," Selena pleaded with the Doctor.
"He is away, attending the council...."
Oscar grabbed Selena's arm and tried to pull her away.
"I am sorry, Doctor. She escaped from her room. I will get her back."
Dr. Colin listened carefully to Selena's words. He knew she was telling the truth.
Dr Colin listened carefully to Selena's words. He knew she was telling the truth: mates could save each other's lives. Why didn't he think of that before?
"Let her go," he said calmly. "I will judge whether she can help our Alpha."
Beta Oscar refused to be convinced. "Don't be foolish," he sneered. "This is just a trick. You know she has been colluding with her dad?"
Selena glared at Oscar. "I'm not lying," she said. "I can save him."
Oscar stepped forward, blocking her way. "I don't believe you," he growled. "And I won't let you near him. You're probably just trying to finish him."
The hospital staff watched in horror as Oscar and his men advanced on Selena. But Dr Colin stood his ground. "Enough," he said sternly.
"This is my territory. You might be the beta of the pack, but the hospital follows my rules. Even the Alpha cannot challenge my decision," Dr Colin said calmly. He was old and a wise Alpha. Few people knew Dr Colin was Cayden's uncle from his mother's side. He was Luna Kristen's cousin, who was interested in becoming a healer rather than ruling a pack.
Oscar gritted his teeth in anger. "Do you want our alpha to die?"
"I have the same question for you. Do you want Cayden to die?" Dr Colin asked, staring at Oscar. He had never liked that man.
"I.... I am just trying to safeguard the pack. Max isn't here. What if she kills Alpha Cayden? We can't trust her." Oscar was adamant, though his resolve was faltering. He knew he could not fight Dr Colin. Everyone in the pack, including the warriors, would side with him.
"I will take the responsibility. If something goes wrong, Selena has as much right to save Cayden as anyone else. And I, as the pack healer, will allow it."
Oscar snarled, but he knew better than to defy Elder Dr Colin. He and his followers slunk back into the shadows, waiting to see what would happen.
"Come with me," Dr Colin said to Selena.
The door swung open slowly, heavy as it swung open to reveal the private bedroom. The light from the window behind the bed shone through the room, obscuring Cayden's sight at first glance. He remained silent as he lay in the large, comfortable bed. It was as if you were looking into a hospital room with a dying patient in front of you. His skin was soft and pale from the loss of blood. Heavy bags under his eyes gave the impression that he was much older than he appeared. Everything about him seemed to show that Death was closing in on him, ready to kiss his chest fatally. Selena's heart sank at the sight of him when she first saw him through the blinding glare of the light. As she saw him, tears welled up in her eyes, the sight of her terminally ill master ripping at her heart. She crept cautiously into the bedroom, closing the door behind her with as much care as she could to avoid disturbing him.
The closer she came to him, the more and more she could see of the damage and carnage of the previous night. Her eyes went wide at the sight of the bloody bandages piled up within a wastebasket, remnants of the night that had taken its toll upon him.
"Your wolves are still unmarked. Do you know what you must do?" He asked Selena.
She was instantly drawn away from the wastebasket and medical supplies to the sight of Cayden lying peacefully in the bed. Slowly, she approached the bed, unsure of what she should do as she stood beside him.
"No, I do not know what to do. I just know that my mom could heal my dad because they were mates, even though he never marked her," Selena said.
"That's interesting. It means your mom really loved your dad. But it's difficult. You will share your life force with Cayden. Are you sure you want to do this?" Dr Colin spoke.
Selena nodded and said, "But I don't know how."
"Your wolf will guide you. Let her take over," Dr Colin gave her an encouraging smile before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.