Chapter 5
Ravenna lay helpless under her mother’s assault until strong arms lifted her. Her father finally pulled her mother back.
Her father’s eyes widened at Alpha Valdrin’s presence: “Why are you here?”
Valdrin’s voice was measured: “I heard Winter’s wolf spirit was failing. Don’t worry. I’ve found a heart donor. She’ll heal soon.”
Her mother’s howls ceased instantly.
Truly?” “Where did you find a donor? Winter can be saved?”
Valdrin confirmed with quiet authority: “I have certain connections. I’ll perform the sacred heart ritual myself. Winter will survive.”
At the words ‘perform the ritual myself, Ravenna’s body trembled. Then she laughed bitterly, unsurprised.
After her mother left, Valdrin felt the fever burning through Ravenna’s skin and carried her to the healing chamber. He attentively provided furs and heated stones.
As she lay there, Valdrin pressed his palm to her forehead, his Alpha senses detecting the dangerous fever burning through her wolf spirit. His eyes darkened with concern at the unstable flicker of her life force. “Why didn’t you reach for our pack bond when your wolf started failing?”
Curled into herself, Ravenna’s words dripped venom: “The mighty Alpha Valdrin, with all his power and dominion, probably didn’t realize that forcing a wolf to endure the winter moon’s bite for three! hours might weaken their spirit.”
He simply hadn’t cared. Hadn’t cared about her, so why would he care about her health? All he cared about was the heart beating in her chest.
Valdrin’s movements halted. Then, seemingly remorseful, he whispered: “I’m sorry.
His voice was so low, Ravenna thought she’d imagined it.
Sitting beside her bed, Valdrin took her burning hand, speaking softly: “I’m sorry. After this, I promise we’ll have a proper life together.”
hatever you want, I’ll provide. I’ll love you properly.”
But Ravenna wouldn’t look at him, silently withdrawing her hand.
After a night of healing rituals, Ravenna’s condition improved slightly by the next moon’s rise.
Valdrin hadn’t returned to his duties as Alpha, instead remaining by her side. He brought her sacred. herbs wrapped in moon–blessed leaves.
The herbs were bitter against her tongue, making her grimace. Valdrin offered her spring water blessed by the pack healer.
“How long until
“How long until my wolf recovers?” she asked.
“For most wolves, spirit sickness passes with seven moons‘ cycle. Your fever runs deep in your wolf spirit it might take ten days before your strength returns,” Valdrin explained.
“Will that delay Winter’s heart ritual?”
She spoke so casually, as if discussing the weather rather than her own death.
Valdrin studied her with complex emotions in his eyes, suddenly feeling like he was facing a stranger rather than his mate.
He hesitated before answering.
“The fever won’t matter,” Ravenna continued, her voice eerily calm. “Once you take my heart, whether I’m sick or healthy won’t make any difference.”
The words were brutal, yet she spoke them with chilling serenity, like a blade of ice.
Valdrin felt an unfamiliar ache in his chest, insisting: “I’ll ensure your wolf is strong before the ritual.”
Strong enough to climb onto the ritual stone, only to leave it lifeless?
Ravenna couldn’t understand the purpose of his insistence.
Outside the chamber, her father entered with a pack binding scroll.
He threw the sealed document at her face, his voice cold: “As you demanded. All of Winter’s pack shares are now yours.”
Half had been hers originally, half Winter’s. Together, twenty percent of the pack’s hunting grounds and resources. Enough for a seat on the Pack Council.
The Alpha’s So
Ravenna signed the blood contract with satisfaction.
The
Chapter 6
