Astrid woke up slowly, her senses slowly adjusting to her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was the smell—a mix of chemicals, medicine, and something sterile. She tried to open her eyes, but it felt like trying to lift heavy bricks. Everything hurt, but the sharp pain she had felt before was gone. Her body still felt weak, drained of all energy.
She lay still, trying to focus on the voices she could hear nearby. One voice was familiar, deep and commanding. It was Alpha Jeremiah. The other was softer, feminine, and filled with concern.
“How could you let this happen to your mate?” the female voice asked, frustration evident in her tone. “What were you thinking?”
Astrid tried to focus more, her heart racing. She wanted to know what Jeremiah had to say, why he was doing this to her
