Lily “Is he going to be alright?” I ask Eva in a worried tone. Wesley passed out after the battle and is lying motionless on the ground while slightly shivering. “He will be just fine,” Eva assures me and taps my shoulder with a sad look on her face. “Lucas, on the other hand, can’t be saved,” her voice is hushed as if she doesn’t want anyone to hear her, and I can understand why. Juanita filled me in on what happened on the battlefield. Tess found out Lucas was her mate, and even though he was rude and brutish toward her, he saved her on the battlefield. He fought off some hybrids Tess couldn’t handle and then decided to bring her to the mansion since she isn’t the most talented fighter. But that’s when things went south. Mirelle’s hybrids jumped on Lucas, and his wounds are severe from the battle. The pack doctor and some nurses are picking him up on a stretcher, but I doubt he will make it. The hybrids ripped out his eyes, and his skin is burnt from dark flames and black magic.

Tess A week later I make a plane sound with the spoon of porridge leaving the plate and aim it at Lucas’ mouth. He doesn’t open up, and I frown at him. “Come on, one more bite!” Lucas huffs at me and moves his head to the side to avoid the spoon. He can’t see, but he has spider senses. “No, I don’t want more food. I’m stuffed.” “But you’re disappearing...” I mutter. Lucas doesn’t respond my heart clenches with worry. I’m not happy about him refusing to eat his food. Lucas will die quicker than the pack doctor estimated if this keeps up. He was given a month, but...that was a week ago. “You’re thinking too much again.” A little laugh slips out through my lips. “I am.” “Don’t,” Lucas says. “We might be mates, but you hardly know me. It might not have even worked out between us, and your second chance mate will probably be someone kinder.” My eyes flicker to Lucas’ unrecognizable form. He used to be huge, built like a football player, with wide shoulders and solid muscle. Unyield

TessThe world is spinning after I’ve given up my wolf to save Lucas’ life. I feel weaker, heavier. My movements are sluggish, and it feels like I’m deaf. No longer can I hear or smell things from a distance. I feel like a puppy and almost stumble over my own two feet before Jenny catches me.“You okay?” she asks me, her cool eyes boring into mine. Her nostrils flare, and I count the seconds it takes her to realize something is wrong with me: six before worry overtakes her features. “Why do you smell so strange?”“Strange?” I ask.Her eyes keep staring blankly down into mine as if she is hesitating before she finally whispers, “Like a human.”I swallow thickly and drag my arm out of her hold. Jenny allows me to create some distance, but she still studies me. She must be trying to figure out what is so different about me. I sigh and give her a pained smile. “Can we talk about this later? I would like to focus on one thing at a time, and right now, I can’t stop worrying about Lucas. I

TessI silently follow Lucas to his mansion. It’s not as big as the one belonging to our Alpha, but it’s in a more secluded spot on top of a hill. The ocean waves are crashing against it in the distance, and my insides flutter when Lucas peers down at me. His face is a collection of unyielding features and hard, beautiful lines, but his blue eyes are surprisingly curious.“Are you tired?” he asks. “Ummm…” My pulse beats quicker against my neck when I’m given Lucas’ full attention. He has the ability to make me go from silent and calm to a nervous mess within seconds. “I’m a little bit tired,” I admit. “Do you want me to ask my butler to take you to your room?”“I... I’m not that tired, but umm… I wouldn’t mind being shown to my room. I don’t know where that is,” I say in a voice so low I’m unsure if Lucas heard me.Lucas gives me a small smirk. “What room would you like?”His question gives me pause. Honestly, I think I would feel the safest if I had a room close to Lucas. Now that

Tess No matter how hard I try to stop them, my tears won’t stop falling. It feels like my soul has been ripped into a billion pieces, and I have no idea how to glue myself together again. Not only is my wolf gone, but now even my fated mate has decided I’m not good enough for him. And all because I’m a human. The irony is not lost on me: I had to give up on my wolf to save Lucas’ life, which resulted in him not wanting me. Damn. Should I have told him the truth? That I’m the reason he is still breathing? No. That would have made Lucas be with me out of obligation, not true love, which sucks... I keep sniffing into the dark while hugging my blanket tightly around my shivering body. I’m all alone inside my new room, probably the only person awake in the entire mansion because I doubt Lucas had trouble falling asleep. Did he even feel guilty for rejecting me like that? More tears drip down on my pillow, and I continue crying my heart out until I hear the balcony door opening. It slow