Halfdan's POV.
I stood on the balcony, hands behind my back, staring up at the sky. I had felt off all night, but something about being out here shifted my mood.
A small smile formed on my lips as I gazed at the red sky. It wasn't the death of an alpha; I would’ve been invited if that were the case. No, this meant something else—a moon healer had been born.
How fortunate their parents were. A child with such a rare gift was both a blessing and a burden.
The entire world would come for them, and I would have to protect that child. It was my duty.
But deep down, I wished I’d been given that choice, to have a child of my own to protect. I wanted it so badly, and I would die for my child if it came to that. But not everything in life goes the way we want it to.
A sharp knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I turned my head toward the sound.
“Alpha Halfdan!” Drake shouted as he burst onto the balcony, panting heavily.
“What is it now, Drake?” I asked, rolling my eyes. I hated when my peace was interrupted for no good reason.
Drake caught his breath and said, “I wish I brought better news, but... Luna Camilla has been found.”
A chill ran down my spine. “She’s alive?” I asked, eyes wide in disbelief.
Drake nodded quickly. “Yes, but there’s more. She’s in Alpha Dane’s pack, and he plans to kill her. She went after Luna Astrid again.”
I ran my hand through my hair, letting out a deep sigh. Of course. This was typical of her. Camilla never learned, never let go of her obsession with Astrid. She believed Astrid was the reason her life had spiraled into misery.
When she was the reason for it all.
“What do we do?” Drake asked, waiting for my decision.
I thought back to all the times Camilla had lied to me, the times she’d made me look like a fool. But despite everything, she was still my mate.
The bond was still there, and no matter how much she had hurt me, I didn’t want things to end this way.
“We’re running out of time,” I finally said, grabbing my shirt and slipping it on. “We’re going to the pack.”
Drake followed me silently to the garage, though I could tell he wasn’t happy with my decision. The drive was short, and after long, we arrived at Dane’s mansion.
“Dane!” I shouted as we stepped into the grounds.
Dane appeared, his voice rough and unwelcoming. “Why are you here, Halfdan? I didn’t invite you.”
As he stepped closer, I could see he wasn’t fully human. His fur covered patches of his skin, his ears were those of a wolf, and his claws were outstretched—but he hadn’t fully shifted yet.
“I don’t want to hurt you, so leave,” Dane growled, his bloodshot eyes locked on mine. He was cursed; the rumors were true.
“Give me my mate, and I will leave! Camilla is mine no matter how bad she was, and I won’t stand by while you kill her!” I shouted back, fury boiling in my veins.
“You want her? Fine, you can see her,” Dane sneered. He turned and led me deeper into the grounds.
My heart pounded as we approached. And there she was—Camilla. She was tied to a metal pole, blood dripping from her wounds. Her chest rose and fell weakly as she struggled for breath.
“Camilla!” I shouted, rushing toward her.
Dane’s voice stopped me cold. “I said you could see her, Halfdan. I never said you could take her. Now that you’ve seen her, leave. I don’t want to hurt you.”
But I wasn’t leaving. Not without her. I glanced around and noticed that Drake was gone—he must have fled after seeing Dane in his cursed form. I was alone.
Seeing Camilla like this made something inside me crack. I loved her more than I realized.
Without thinking, I lunged at Dane, tackling him to the ground in a blind rage. But he was fast—too fast.
He rolled me off and swiped at me with his claws, catching my side. The pain was sharp, but I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop.
I charged at him again, but Dane let out a feral growl and leaped toward me, claws aimed to strike.
In the blink of an eye, Camilla moved between us, taking the hit meant for me. Blood poured from her mouth as she collapsed. Her heart ripped out at sight.
Dane paused for a second but in a second, he grinned as he tossed away her heart to the side.
“No!” I screamed, racing to her side. Her body went limp in my arms as I frantically held her. But it was too late. She wasn’t breathing. Camilla was dead. My mate was gone.
A deep, agonizing howl ripped from my throat as I cradled her bloodied body to my chest. Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the rain that began to fall, washing away the blood and dirt. But nothing could wash away the pain.
Dane stood over me, his voice cold and distant. “I warned you, Halfdan. I didn’t want to hurt you. She tried to kill Astrid too many times. She may have been your mate, but she was a murderer who chose bloodlust over you.”
And with that, he walked away, leaving me alone in the pouring rain with Camilla’s lifeless body in my arms.
Thunder rumbled in the distance, the rain pounding harder, but none of it mattered anymore. My mate, my love, was gone. All that was left was the storm; inside and out.
“Camilla, please wake up…”