After a day and night of fighting for my life, the healers finally pulled me back from the edge. As they wheeled me into surgery, I caught fragments of a conversation that still haunts me.
"The birth-block ring tore through her womb," a healer said, voice grim. "It's caused massive infection and scarring. To save her life, we have to remove it—all of it."
Before I could process, Hazel's voice cut in, sharp and decisive. "Damian, don't worry. Any pups I bear, I'll let Amelia raise. Right now, saving her is what matters!"
And Damian—my mate, my everything—agreed. "You're right. Do it."
I woke with a jolt, praying it was a nightmare. But then I saw Damian, his eyes bloodshot, clutching me like I might slip away. "Amelia, if you'd died, I'd have burned this whole healer's den to the ground
