MIA’S POV
I had barely settled into the couch, enjoying the silence after a long walk with Lucas, when Daisy stormed in, her face pale with panic.
“Mia,” she gasped, gripping my wrist like she was about to shake me. “It’s Nathan-he’s not doing well.”
My heart stopped for a second before I quickly forced it back to normal.
I kept my expression blank, crossing my arms. “And?”
Daisy stared at me like I had just lost my mind. “What do you mean ‘and’?! He’s dying, Mia!”
I shrugged, though my wolf whimpered inside me, clawing at my chest.
“He should’ve thought about that before coming to me,” I muttered.
Daisy’s jaw dropped. “You’re seriously not going to help him?”
I turned away, forcing my breathing to stay steady.
It wasn’t my problem.
It wasn’t.
“He’s suffering, Mia,” Daisy pressed, stepping closer. “He’s barely breathing. If you don’t do something, he might-”
“I. Don’t. Care.”
The words felt like a lie the second they left my lips.
My chest tightened, my wolf growled, and my nails dug into my palms so hard it stung.
Daisy’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Fine. Don’t care. But at least go see for yourself.”
I didn’t respond…see. .. feel.
I didn’t want to-
A sharp pain pierced my chest, sudden and suffocating. I gasped, gripping my shirt as my wolf howled inside me.
I felt it. Nathan’s pain. My mate’s pain.
I clenched my teeth, cursing under my breath, then pushed past Daisy and stormed out the door.
I wasn’t going for him. I was just… checking. Right?
The second I stepped into the room, my breath caught in my throat.
Nathan lay there, his skin pale, his lips dry and cracked, his body shaking uncontrollably. Sweat dripped down his forehead, but his entire body was ice cold.
For the first time since I met him, he looked small. Weak. Breakable.
My stomach twisted. This wasn’t the arrogant, cocky Nathan who smirked at me like he owned the world.
This wasn’t the man who teased me, cornered me, and made my pulse race with every touch.
This was just… a dying man.
A dying mate. My wolf whimpered inside me.
He suddenly stirred, his brows furrowing as he weakly opened his eyes.
When his dazed gaze landed on me, a soft smile tugged at his cracked lips.
“Mia…” His voice barely above a whisper, yet it hit me like a bullet.
I swallowed, gripping my arms tighter to ground myself.
I couldn’t do this. I shouldn’t do this.
But my feet had a mind of their own as I stepped closer.
Nathan’s breathing hitched, his hand trembling as he lifted it toward me.
I hesitated. Then, slowly, I reached out, letting his fingers barely graze my skin before I yanked my hand back.
His smile faltered, but he didn’t look surprised.
“I knew…” His voice was so hoarse, so fragile. “You wouldn’t… let me die.”
I stiffened. Wouldn’t I?
My pulse raced as I watched Nathan struggle to breathe, his body shaking violently. His lips were turning blue, his hands clutching the sheets like he was trying to fight something inside him.
I couldn’t ignore it anymore.
“Dammit, Nathan,” I muttered under my breath, gritting my teeth as I grabbed a sharp dagger from the bedside table. My fingers trembled, but I didn’t hesitate.
With one quick slice, I cut my palm, feeling the sharp sting before warm blood trickled down.
Nathan’s dazed gaze flickered to my hand, his expression shifting between pain and something else-something raw.
I pressed my bleeding palm against his cold lips. “Drink,” I ordered, my voice firm, leaving no room for argument.
His lips parted, but he was too weak to move. His body twitched, his breathing ragged, and I felt my heart clench at the sight.
I leaned closer, watching as my blood dripped onto his tongue. He shuddered, a sharp inhale leaving him as if my blood was fire in his veins.
His fingers twitched, then grabbed onto my wrist, holding on tightly. I gasped at the sudden contact, the warmth of his fingers sending sparks up my arm.
The bond.
I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, his eyes darkening despite his weakened state.
“You shouldn’t…” His voice was a rough whisper, yet there was a hint of desperation in it.
“Shut up,” I snapped, trying to ignore the way my body reacted to him. “You don’t get to decide when you die.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips, his fingers still holding onto me like I was the only thing keeping him grounded.
“You care,” he murmured.
I ripped my hand away, ignoring the tingling sensation his touch left behind.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I muttered, standing up before he could say anything else.
Nathan let out a soft chuckle, though it was strained, like even laughing hurt. “Liar.”
I glared at him but chose to ignore it.
Instead, I took a deep breath and asked the question I had been avoiding.
“How do I save all of you?”
Nathan’s amusement faded, his jaw clenching as he looked away.
Silence.
A heavy silence that made my stomach twist.
“Nathan,” I pressed, stepping closer. “Tell me.”
His throat bobbed, like he was struggling to find the words.
Then, finally, he sighed. “There are two ways.”
I crossed my arms, waiting.
“One,” he said, “you mate with us.”
My entire body locked up.
“What?” I snapped, my pulse spiking.
Xavier sighed, stepping forward, his expression serious. “The curse is tied to the white wolf, Mia. Mating with you would-”
“Absolutely not,” I cut him off, holding up a hand.
Nathan smirked, despite his weak state. “You didn’t even hear the second option yet.”
I glared at him. “It better be good.”
He exhaled slowly. “You use your white wolf powers to break it.”
I stared at them, my thoughts spinning.
One option was out of the question.
The other? I had no idea if it would even work.
But looking at them now-the dark circles under their eyes, the exhaustion on their faces, the pain they hid behind smirks and playful words-I knew one thing.
I had to decide soon. Because whether I liked it or not…
They didn’t have much time left.
“I’ll do it,” I said, my voice firm, despite the uncertainty swirling inside me.
Nathan’s eyes widened slightly, then softened.
“Of course, you will,” he murmured, closing his eyes for a brief second. “You’re our little savior, after all.”
I clenched my teeth.
Savior.
I didn’t want to save them. I wanted them to suffer, just like I did.
But my stupid, traitorous heart wouldn’t let me. I paced back and forth in my room, my mind spinning with everything Nathan had told me.
Mating.
Or using my white wolf powers.
Both options made my stomach churn, but it wasn’t just about them. It was about me. About my freedom.
Did they really think I would just save them and let them continue clinging onto me? That I would pretend nothing ever happened?
No.
I stopped, clenching my fists. My wolf stirred in my mind, whispering something I didn’t want to hear.
“You can’t let them die.”
I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
“They are your mates.”
I froze, my jaw tightening.
“They belong to us.”
I shook my head, blocking her out.
No. I wasn’t theirs. Not anymore. The next morning, they tried everything.
Sean brought me breakfast-my favorite, freshly baked bread with honey and warm tea. Xavier left flowers by my door, ones I used to love. Tristan didn’t say much but stood guard outside, making sure I knew he was there.
Nathan? He simply waited. Watched me.
They were trying. But it wasn’t enough.
Not yet.
After hours of ignoring them, my wolf grew restless. She nudged me, urging me to listen.
“At least go talk to them.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
Fine.
When I finally walked into their room, the air felt heavy. They were all there, silent, waiting like I was about to hand them a death sentence.
Xavier’s eyes snapped to mine the second I stepped in, relief flickering through them. Nathan, sitting at the edge of the bed, straightened up, his face unreadable. Sean leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Tristan watched me with that intense stare of his.
I let the silence drag on, watching them shift uncomfortably under my gaze.
Good.
I wanted them uneasy. I wanted them to feel a fraction of the pain they put me through.
Finally, I spoke.
“I’ll save you,” I said flatly.
The room went still, like they didn’t expect me to actually say it.
“But on one condition,” I added, crossing my arms.
Xavier took a cautious step forward. “Anything.”
I tilted my head, studying them. “Once I break the curse… the mating bond is over.”
Their expressions dropped instantly.
Nathan’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into tight fists. Sean’s smirk vanished, replaced with something dark. Rolex let out a slow exhale, while Xavier just stared at me, like he didn’t quite believe what I just said.
“You want to break the bond?” Rolex finally spoke, his voice low, controlled.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.
Sean pushed off the wall, his eyes flashing with something dangerous. “You can’t just-”
“I can,” I cut him off, my voice hard. “And I will.”
Nathan suddenly stood up, stepping closer. Too close.
I held my ground.
“Do you really hate us that much?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I hesitated, my heart twisting painfully.
Did I?
I should. I wanted to. But the truth? I didn’t answer.