The steady beep of monitors pulled me from darkness. Every breath sent sharp pain through my chest where the silver bullet had torn through. I kept my eyes closed, listening to the muffled voices beyond my hospital room door.
"The council meeting is tomorrow night." A male voice, deep and authoritative. "Adrian, you need to announce your candidacy for Prime Alpha."
"I have discussed it with Elena already. She supports me." I recognized the second voice as Alpha Adrian Delmark, one of the most respected leaders in the Northern Territories. "But Richard's opinion matters too. We make decisions as a pack, as a family."
"You have my full support, Father." A younger male voice responded. "Your two terms as Regional Alpha were legendary. The wolves of our territory still speak of your leadership with reverence. You are the only one who can unite the council right now."
I shifted slightly, trying to find a position that did not make my ribs scream. The morphine drip kept the worst pain at bay, but nothing could dull the memory of stepping between Jack and that silver bullet.
"Thank you, son." Alpha Adrian's voice softened. "Your mother and you are my strength. Together, we will restore order to this kingdom."
Their footsteps faded down the hallway. I opened my eyes to stare at the white ceiling tiles. Political maneuvering continued even while pack members lay bleeding. The werewolf kingdom never stopped moving, never stopped scheming.
My phone buzzed on the side table. I ignored it. Probably my mother calling again to lecture me about reckless heroism.
The door burst open without warning. I tensed, my wolf instincts flaring despite my weakened state. A woman stalked into my room without invitation. She was beautiful in that calculated way, with long black hair that cascaded over her shoulders and amber eyes that assessed me like a predator sizing up competition. Her designer clothes screamed money and status.
"You must be Aurora." She did not wait for my response. "I am Tayo Dante."
I said nothing. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin. This woman radiated danger wrapped in false sweetness.
"I wanted to thank you personally for saving my fiance." Tayo moved closer to my bed, holding a small gift bag. "Jack told me how brave you were."
The lie settled between us like poison. Jack had not told her anything. I could smell the deception on her skin, sharp and acrid.
"He is not your fiance." My voice came out rougher than intended.
Tayo's smile sharpened. "Not officially announced yet, but our families have an understanding. The Dante pack and the Hudson pack will unite through marriage. It benefits both territories economically and politically."
She set the gift bag on my table with deliberate care. "I brought you a token of my appreciation. A bracelet. Small compensation for nearly dying, I suppose."
"Keep it." I turned my head to look directly at her. "I did not save Jack for you or your political alliance. I saved him because someone tried to murder him. That matters more than your territorial games."
Her amber eyes flashed with barely controlled rage. For a moment, I saw her true nature beneath the polished exterior. She was all claws and venom.
"How noble." Tayo's voice dripped with sarcasm. "But nobility does not change reality. Jack Hudson will be mine. The contracts are already drawn up. Whatever fantasy you have constructed in your mind while playing hero needs to end now."
"Get out of my room."
"Gladly." She picked up her gift bag with exaggerated care. "Recover quickly, Aurora. I would hate for you to miss the engagement announcement."
The door closed with a soft click. I released a breath I had not realized I was holding. My hands shook with rage and residual pain. Tayo Dante was a viper in designer heels, and she had just marked her territory.
Hours crawled past. Nurses came and went, checking vitals and adjusting medication. The pack doctor examined my wound and declared I was healing faster than expected. Werewolf metabolism worked wonders, even with silver poisoning.
Night fell over the hospital. Most visitors had left. I drifted in that space between sleep and waking when I heard my door open again.
"Aurora." Jack's voice was barely a whisper.
I opened my eyes. He stood in the doorway like he was afraid to come closer. The powerful Alpha King of the Hudson territory looked broken. Dark circles shadowed his eyes. His usual confidence had crumbled into something raw and vulnerable.
"You should not be here." I meant to sound harsh, but the words came out soft.
"I had to see you." He moved to my bedside, his movements careful and hesitant. "I have been going insane not knowing if you would wake up."
"I am awake."
"Because of me, you nearly died." His voice cracked. "That bullet was meant for me. You stepped in front of it without hesitation. Why would you do something so reckless?"
"Would you rather be dead?" I asked bluntly.
"I would rather you be safe." He reached for my hand, then stopped himself. "After everything I have done to you, all the ways I hurt you, you still saved my life. I do not deserve your sacrifice."
"No, you do not." I agreed. "But I did not do it for you. I did it because murder is wrong, even when the victim is an arrogant Alpha who broke my heart."
Jack flinched like I had struck him. "I know. I know I destroyed everything between us. But I swear to you, Aurora, I will spend the rest of my life making this right. You own my life now. I will protect you from anyone who tries to hurt you."
"Even from Tayo Dante?" I watched his reaction carefully.
His entire body went rigid. "She came here?"
"She wanted to make sure I understood that you belong to her. Something about family contracts and territorial alliances."
"There is no contract." Jack's voice turned hard and cold. "There is no engagement. My parents and her parents might have delusions, but I have made my choice. It will never be Tayo."
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed again. This time, I glanced at the screen.
A text message from an unknown number appeared. Just two words that made my blood run cold.
He is awake.
"What is it?" Jack noticed my expression change.
I showed him the message. "The attacker. Someone just told me he regained consciousness."
Jack's eyes flashed golden as his wolf surged forward. "Then it is time to get answers."
He turned toward the door with deadly purpose, and I knew that whoever had tried to kill him was about to face the full wrath of an Alpha King.