Steven’s POV
“She’s not my mate yet, so she’s not part of the family,” I declared, my voice leaving no room for argument.
“But she will be soon,” Freya replied, a knowing look in her eyes.
“By tomorrow night, she’ll be your mate, Steven. You need to start accepting that she’s part of the family now,” Freja added, her tone both gentle and unyielding.
I watched them, Freya and Freja, laughing with Ashley. They were chatting, their joy echoing through the house. But instead of feeling at ease, a strange discomfort twisted inside me. Without another word, I turned and headed upstairs, hoping to escape the tension building in my chest.
“Where are you going, Steven?” Freja called out, but I didn’t respond.
In my room, I sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the wall. This was really happening. Ashley was becoming part of my life. The weight of it all pressed down, tightening around me like a vice.
Moments later, Liam knocked softly, then entered, closing the door behind him.
“You alright, Steven?” he asked, his gaze steady, his concern obvious as he sat beside me. “It’s normal to feel a little shaky with a wedding so close.”
“I don’t get ‘cold feet,'” I retorted, my voice harsher than I intended.
Liam looked at me, a mix of patience and worry in his eyes. “Then what’s bothering you? I thought you’d be happy now that Freya and Freja are back. I know how much they mean to you.”
I clenched my jaw, frustration boiling beneath the surface. “I am like this because I care about them!” I snapped, the anger thick in my throat.
He looked taken aback. “Why did you bring them back, Steven?”
I let out a harsh breath. “I thought you knew me better. I sent them away to protect them, Liam! We’re in the middle of a silent war, a dangerous game. My betas-every one of them-have been picked off, one by one. Whoever’s out there, they know how to get to me. They’ll come for my family if they can.”
Liam’s expression softened, but he shook his head. “Loving someone doesn’t make them a liability, Steven.”
“It does,” I replied, my voice deadly quiet. “Until I know exactly who my enemy is, everyone around me is a target. Now go back downstairs. Make sure they understand-they don’t leave this house without my say-so. I can’t protect them if they’re out of my sight.”
Liam sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Yes, Alpha.” He rose and left, his footsteps fading into silence.
But barely a minute later, he burst back in, his face pale and panicked. “They’re gone, Steven. They offered to take Ashley home.”
Cold dread seeped through me. “What? I told you to take them yourself. Why did you let them go alone?”
Liam stammered, guilt twisting his features. “I… I didn’t think they’d volunteer.”
“Then go find them!” I roared, my fury shaking the room. He nodded, bowed, and bolted out of the room.
I paced for a few tense moments, trying to calm the pounding of my heart. Grabbing my jacket, I stormed out of my room, determined to take matters into my own hands. Roy stepped forward, noticing my urgency.
“Heading out, Alpha? Where to?” he asked, eyes alert.
“I need to speak to the priestess,” I replied shortly.
“If it’s about the shadow killer, let me join you,” he said, his expression hardening with resolve.
I hesitated, but the loyalty in his gaze was unshakable.
“Steven, they were my friends too. Whoever took them-I want him as much as you do.”
I nodded, a grim determination between us. “Let’s go.”
*****
Ashley’s POV
“Where to?” Freya asked, her hands on the steering wheel as she glanced at me.
“The Sacred Hospital,” I replied softly.
Freya shot me a curious look. “The hospital? I thought we were taking you home.”
“My mom is there,” I answered quietly.
Freja, seated in the back, leaned forward, concern written on her face. “Your mom? Is she… a doctor?”
I shook my head, feeling a familiar ache in my chest. “No, she’s a patient. She’s been in a coma for seven months.”
Freja’s face softened, and she reached over to gently touch my shoulder. “Ashley, I’m so sorry. We had no idea.”
A spark of hope flickered inside me, a desperate thought. “You’re werewolves too, right? Can’t either of you help my mom? Steven mentioned something about drawing her pain into himself.”
Freja exchanged a sorrowful look with Freya. “We’re sorry, Ashley, but it’s not something we can do. Only Steven, as the Alpha, has that kind of power.”
Freya nodded, her face full of sympathy. “He’s the strongest among us. That’s why he can do it, and we can’t.”
A dull ache filled my heart. The small hope I’d held onto was crushed.
When we arrived at the hospital, I led them to my mother’s room. She lay there, so still, her face pale and fragile.
Freya’s eyes softened. “She’s beautiful, Ashley. You look just like her.”
Freja added with a gentle smile, “She seems like a kind soul.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, touched by their words.
Just then, Dr. James walked in, his face expressionless as he scanned my mother’s chart.
“Miss Ashley Green, correct?”
I nodded, my heart sinking at his tone.
“I’m Dr. James, newly assigned to your mother’s case,” he said, his voice devoid of warmth. “From what I see here, her injuries are severe. She’s in a vegetative state. The truth is… she won’t wake up.”
His words hit me like a punch. I struggled to breathe.
“As her doctor,” he continued, “I have to advise you to consider organ donation. That way, at least her body could serve some purpose before time runs out.”
I stared at him, horror freezing me in place.
Freya stepped forward, eyes blazing. “You will not say another word.”
Dr. James looked at her, confused. “And you are?”
“A better person than you,” she snapped. “How can you speak to Ashley like that-without an ounce of compassion?”
Dr. James stiffened. “I’m simply being practical-”
“No,” Freja cut in, her voice like ice. “You’re being cruel. A doctor’s duty is to heal, not to strip away hope.”
Dr. James opened his mouth, but Freya silenced him with a cold glare. “Not. Another. Word.”
A chill ran through me. The strength in Freya’s voice was like a storm held barely in check.
Dr. James sneered, muttering under his breath, “If Ashley’s sensible, she’ll face reality.”
“What did you say?!” Freya lunged forward, but Freja caught her arm.
“Calm down,” Freja whispered, her voice soothing. “If you cause a scene, Steven will have to deal with it.”
Freya let out a sharp breath, her fists clenching. “You’re lucky she saved you. But if I see you again, I’ll make you regret it.”
Freja turned to me, her eyes softening. “Don’t let his words get to you, Ashley. Your mom is still fighting.”
I looked at them, tears slipping down my cheeks. Their presence was a comfort I hadn’t known I needed. Unable to stop myself, I hugged them, the warmth of their embrace melting the weight of Dr. James’s words.
“Thank you,” I whispered, voice breaking. “I’m just… not used to people standing up for me like this.”
Freja wrapped her arms around me tightly. “You’re not alone, Ashley. Not anymore.”
“Yeah,” Freya added with a smile. “That’s what family’s for.”
A small, hopeful smile crept onto my face. “Maybe having werewolf sisters-in-law won’t be so bad after all.”