Chapter 5 I owe her a life

Magnus’s POV

We gathered around Luna’s body, which was wrapped in a sheet and lay on a bed of wood.

The girl finished her sad song. Michael stepped forward with the torch, and then everything happened so fast.

Diane burst through the doors, running toward her mother’s body.

Michael was almost there. I yelled out her name.

Adira saw Diane and jumped in front of her right as Michael lowered the torch. The fire burned part of Adira’s back and hair, but she protected Diane with her own body.

Jan rushed in, her hands over her mouth. Anger and panic took over, and I lost control, hitting her with my cane repeatedly. The shock of what I’d done brought me back. Jan cried quietly.

Guilt and horror replaced my anger when I remembered Adira. Michael took Diane from Adira’s arms, gave her to a woman, and then helped Adira stand.

I watched her. When Adira’s legs gave out, I caught her and held her close.

"Take her to my room and get the doctor."

"How bad is her burn?" I asked, looking at the doctor.

The doctor glanced at Adira's back and replied, "A large spot, but she started to heal. It's a good thing. I left the ointment. Someone needs to keep putting it on." He paused, looking at me as if weighing his words. "Most would take days for skin even to close up this much, but some healers in our world recover faster, especially if they have blood. Still, this is quicker than usual, even for us."

"Part of her hair was burned, so we cut it off. It’s still long, just..."

"She saved Diane," I said. "I owe her a life."

Alpha Magnus, she needs rest.

Yeah, I’ll make sure she gets it. I pulled up a chair and sat by the bed, watching her face. She looked so innocent and beautiful.

Adira opened her eyes. "It hurts," she whispered.

I sat up, moved over, and sat on the bed.

"I’ll put on the ointment. Stay still." With her back bare, I checked the burn. It looked better, but was still red. When I touched it, something changed. A soft, silvery light started to pulse under Adira’s skin, spreading in gentle waves from where my hand touched her.

The glow shimmered like moonlight, moving between her shoulder blades and down her spine. I held my breath as warmth from her skin spread through my palm, up my arm, and into my chest. My heartbeat sped up, wild energy rushing inside me.

Adira shivered under my touch, as if threads of light were tying us together. Her body tingled with something strange, but it also felt right.

Han, my wolf spirit, stirred. "Your mate," he whispered.

"Be quiet, Han," I told him.

I spread the ointment slowly. My hand burned. Han, my wolf, was losing control.

Then I stood up.

"Thank you, Alpha," she whispered, closing her eyes.

I decided I should lie down next to her, making sure to keep the distance. After a while, I fell asleep.

Woke up feeling warm. Adira was curled up next to me.

The sheet had slipped down, leaving her breast exposed.

I didn’t know what to do, so I closed my eyes. She’s so beautiful, I thought. Opened one eye, sneaking a peek. She turned, and her hand landed on my chest.

I stared at her, naked and sprawled on my bed. I needed to leave. Han was screaming inside me. Mate. Mate.

She opened her eyes and caught me looking. Shit. As she focused, she realized she was exposed, and her face turned bright red. sorry... Alpha Magnus?"

"Let me see your back," I said firmly.

She turned. The burn was almost gone. I was confused. What kind of potion did the doctor give her? Did it really heal this fast, or was something else going on? I wanted to kiss her shoulder, to touch the skin where the fire had tried to take her from me. Stop thinking like this, I told myself. Leave. Just leave.

"It’s better. Rest more. I have work to do."

"I’ll help you," she said, wrapping the sheet around herself. When she sat up, her hair fell over her shoulder.

"Oh, they cut my hair..."

I’m sorry about that. It was burned. But it looks good on you, I started to say, then I

coughed.

"No work today, just rest. I’ll have someone bring you clothes. Adira, thank you for saving my child."

I wanted to tell her how brave she was.

Rova Pack, Ancient Territory

Alexander’s POV

I walked into the office.

I dialed again. Why aren’t they answering? Alpha Edwin should have been here. I walked outside and saw the SUV pull up in front of the packhouse.

Morgana walked out. "Alexander," she said dramatically, "Alpha Edwin is dead."

"What? How? Where is he?"

We had an accident, she said, pointing to her head. There was a Band-Aid on her forehead. He didn’t make it. Morgana’s face remained oddly blank, her eyes downcast, lips tightly pressed together as if holding something back. She kept her posture straight and didn’t fidget, her voice calm and flat. It was hard to tell if she was in shock or simply untouched by grief. The way she avoided my gaze made a prickle of unease settle in my chest.

I just stared, unable to believe it. "We need to bring his body back. Tell me where he is."

Morgana sighed, then told him the name of the town.

She doesn’t even look sad, Alexander thought.

I gestured. "Get two cars. We’re leaving. We need to bring the alpha’s body back."