#####Chapter 5

Erica POV

Chris's knees hit the ground as he watched Erica collapse, a dark stain spreading across her neck as her body trembled and her eyes fluttered closed.His wolf let out a mournful howl that echoed through the halls. Max stormed inside, scooping Erica's unconscious body into his arms. Panic clawed at his chest.As he lifted her the alarming crimson stain spreading from the gash on her neck. Get the healer. Ken shouted as he ran behind him, while Chris stood frozen, his expression blank with shock.As if his mind couldn't process what was happening. My blood was everywhere on Max's shirt, on Ken's hands, dripping onto the marble floor as they ran through the Pack House halls.Move. Max roared at pack members who'd stopped to stare, get out of the way. I could hear them distantly like I was underwater. Their voices were muffled, panicked.Strange. I thought, hazily. I'd never heard them panic before. Erica stay with me. That was Max. His arms trembling beneath me.Don't you dare close your eyes. But my eyes were so heavy, and I was tired, so so tired. Ken, she's not responding.Max's voice cracked. Just get her to the room. Ken was right beside us. His hand pressed against my throat.I wanted to tell him it was useless, that the silver had already done its job, that I'd chosen the one medal, even an alpha's healing, couldn't fight. They burst into my bedroom, the one I'd slept in alone every night of our marriage.While they shared theirs with Becky. The bed dipped as Max lay me down, and I felt his hands shaking as he pulled away. My blood staining his palms crimson.No, no, no. Ken replaced him, instantly, pressing down on the wound with both hands. Erica, come on, fight this fight. But I didn't want to fight any.Where the hell is Chris Max's voice was wrong. I'm here. Chris appeared in the doorway, ashen-faced his eyes locked on me.On all the.But I called the healer. She's coming. She's not going to make it that long. Ken shouted, look at her. There was a horrible silence.Then. This is my fault. Chris said quietly, this is all of our faults. Max corrected his voice hollow.We did this. We drove her to don't Ken's command was sharp. Don't say it. She's not dead. She's not But I was close. I could feel it.The way my wolf had already retreated deep inside, not wanting to feel the pain of the severed mate bond, the way my body was growing cold, the way their voices were Fading.Erica Chris was suddenly beside the bed. His hand covering mine. His touch was warm.I'd forgotten what his warmth felt like. You don't get to leave, not like this, not when I he stopped, and I would never know what he was about to say, because the darkness was pulling me under.The last thing I heard was Ken. Her heart beats dropping, then nothing. Max's heart pounded in sync with his wolf's frantic howling, ignoring the warmth spreading across his clothes from her wound, he carried her straight into.To the packhouse and up to her room. He laid her on the bed and pressed his trembling hand to her neck, trying to staunch the bleeding.No, he choked out, staring at the crimson seeping between his fingers. It wasn't slowing. Wasn't stopping. Where is the damn healer?Ken shouted at the top of his lungs. Just then the door pushed open, and the pack healer rushed in, along with Erica's mother. The healer hurried to the bedside.Her eyes widening as she took in Erica's condition. What happened? The healer demanded. Dropping to her knees beside the bed, she stabbed herself.Max stammered his voice thick with fear. The healer's hands glowed with a soft, golden light as she hovered them over Erica's neck, murmuring an incantation.Max held his breath, hoping to see the bleeding slow or stop altogether. But nothing changed. The bleeding continued staining the sheets beneath her.The healer frowned, her hands trembling as the light flickered and faded. What's wrong?Chris asked his face, stricken with terror. I don't understand. The healer whispered. Sweat beading on her forehead. She's resisting my ability. It's as if she doesn't want to be healed.What do you mean? She doesn't want to be healed. Max snapped, barely containing the growl rumbling in his chest.She's unconscious. She doesn't even know she's hurt. The healer shook her head, clearly just as confused as the rest of them. Sometimes it happens when the spirit is rejecting life.When the will to survive is weakened, but I've never seen it this strong before. It's like her body is consciously fighting against my healing.Who was cursed under his breath, pacing by the door, while Chris remained frozen in shock, do something. Max pleaded his throat burning. There has to be something you can do. The healer closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. I'll try.And other methods. But if her spirit doesn't cooperate, it may not work. Someone needs to speak to her, call out to her. Sometimes hearing a loved one's voice can remind the soul why it needs to stay Ken Scott.Running a hand through his hair, clearly fighting his own frustration. He stepped closer to the bed. His jaw clenched tight.Erica, he muttered, his voice softer than before, almost reluctant. I swear, if you die on us now, after everything, I'm going to give you hell in the afterlife.You're not allowed to just leave like this. You think you're the only one hurting. You're not so Stop being so stubborn and wake up. I don't want to be a widower Yet.Chris cursed under his breath, hesitating before stepping forward as well. He looked away. His voice low and strained. You always act like you're some lone wolf, like you don't need anyone. I hate it.But you know what? You've got people who care about you, people who care the world.Apart to keep you safe. You can.Can't just give up now, not when we're still here, fighting for you, stop being selfish, and open your eyes. He hesitated, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard. Look, Erica, you always act like you don't care about anything.But I know you're not that heartless. You're just giving up now. Then you're proving us right. Proving that you're too weak to handle this. Don't be that coward. Prove us wrong for once.He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to hide the crack in his voice. Ken shook his head, pretending to be annoyed, but the guilt in his eyes betrayed him.They wouldn't admit it, but they were hurting equally. Swallowing back the tightness in his throat, Max leaned in close to Erica, brushing her hair from her face.Hear that, Erica, they're worried about you, even if they're too stubborn to say it right, you're not allowed to give up on us. We're not giving.Up on you. So come back, please. Silence. Erica remained still pale as death. The healer shook her head gravely. I've done all I can. Her spirit is slipping away. Even if she survives, I don't.Know what she'll be When she wakes, a guard rushed in, breathless and wide eyed.Alpha's forgive the interruption, but he glanced at Erica's unconscious form, then continued urgently. Becky, is he? She's demanding to see you. Immediately tell her to leave. Chris said coldly. His eyes Never.Leaving Erica's pale face. We're not seeing anyone, but alpha's She insists it's urgent. I said, no. Max's voice cut through like a blade For the first time since they've marked her, the three Alpha stood.United, not for Becky, but for the mate. They'd rejected the mate they might have just lost forever. And only then did they notice a faint silver glow began emanating from Erica's body, so subtle they'd almost missed it.The crescent shaped mark on her shoulder blade, barely visible before started to pulse with ethereal light.What is that? Ken whispered. His voice filled with wonder and fear. The healer's eyes widened in shock and awe. The goddess's mark.She looked up at the alphas. Her voice trembling. The moon goddess is claiming her. The silver glow intensified for just a moment, washing the room in divine light.Then faded back to a barely perceptible shimmer around Erica's still form. What does that mean? Chris demanded. Is she going to survive?She's caught between life and death. The healer whispered, the goddess is deciding her fate. All we can do is wait. The three alphas exchanged glances, fear, regret, and something else flickering in their eyes.Hope, perhaps, or the terrifying realization of what they stood to lose.