Chapter2

[Leila's POV]

Back at my cabin, the wolf inside me—Shana—was howling with rage.

"Leila, why did you agree to that?!" Her voice exploded through my mind. "You know he's using you!"

I closed my eyes and said nothing.

Why did I agree? Because I was exhausted.

Because I wanted to see his face when he realized I wasn't coming back.

Alrik first learned of my ability to resurrect two years ago, during the Night of Blood.

A pack of rogue wolves had ambushed the tribe. In the instant a clawed grip locked around Alrik's throat, I threw myself into its path and took the killing blow.

I felt the cold iron pierce my heart. I heard my own bones shatter.

But the next morning, I opened my eyes in my own bed.

Alrik had grabbed me like a madman, his tears soaking into my hair: "Leila—you gave me back my life. I will never let you be hurt again."

The second time was at the glacier river.

Alrik's mother's heirloom necklace had been stolen. I chased the thief and plunged into water cold enough to stop a heart.

As suffocating darkness swallowed me, my last sight was Alrik on the bank, screaming my name.

After I came back, he gripped my wrist and swore: "I'll protect you with my life. I'd freeze solid before I let anything touch you."

The third time was more absurd.

During an internal power struggle, a traitor's dagger came at Alrik from behind. I turned and caught the blade.

As I fell, he cradled me and wailed, his tears hitting my face like stones.

But three days later, when I opened my eyes—beneath the grief in his expression, I saw something else. A calculation.

He began keeping records. How long between each death and revival. What rhythm my heartbeat followed when it returned.

"You see it now, don't you?" I pressed my palm over the old scar on my chest, and spoke quietly to Shana. "No matter how deep the wound—bleed three times, and eventually you go numb."

Shana went silent.

I stood and began to pack. A few changes of clothes. Some worn books. And the dagger he had given me—that, I buried at the very bottom of the bag.

But there was still one last shred of hope left in me.

I gave him one final chance.

I pushed open the cabin door. Alrik was standing in the courtyard.

"Leila. You should rest—the ceremony starts tomorrow."

"Alrik." My voice was quiet but edged. "If I die this time and don't come back—would you grieve?"

His brow creased, then smoothed. He stepped forward and took my hand. "Stop thinking like that, my little wolf. Serena genuinely needs that heart. I'll be here when you wake, just like always."

"But—" I let a hint of fragility into my voice. "But I've already died three times. It really hurts, Alrik."

Something flickered in his eyes. His grip on my hand tightened. "This is for the tribe. For our future. You're my Omega—your sacrifice will be remembered. And I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

"No—I don't want it made up anymore. Alrik, can't you let me go this once? Just this once..."

His expression darkened. A trace of Alpha dominance crept in—and was quickly reined back.

He raised a hand and cupped my face. His voice softened. "Leila, don't. I know you're tired. I know you're hurting. But this is your calling—what you must carry as my Omega. I promise, this is the last step."

"Once she survives, I'll take you away from here. To the northern valley. Just the two of us. No tribe, no responsibilities—only you and me."

I looked at him. Those golden eyes that had once held me captive now seemed like nothing more than flames drawing in a moth.

He said it with such conviction, such feeling—as though I might actually believe him.

"You've said 'one last time' three times now," I told him softly.

He bent and pressed his lips to my forehead, his breath warm. "This time, I mean it. I swear."

I closed my eyes and let him hold me.

But I knew—this wasn't love. It was control.

"All right."

The last ember of hope in my chest went cold.

He smiled. A smile full of relief.

He released me and said gently, "Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

I lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, Alrik's tender face drifting through my mind.

He said this was the last time. He said he'd wait for me to come back.

But Alrik—do you know? This really is the last time.

The last time I ache for you. The last time I sacrifice myself for you. The last time I love you.

Because this time, I won't be coming back.

I closed my eyes. Tears slid down my temples and into my hair.