Rejected And Reborn As The Alpha King's Luna

Chapter 15: Enemy Territory

POV: Xavier

The moment I heard Beta Marcus's words, my wolf snarled with rage. After everything Thelma had been through, after all the people who had tried to use her, now my own pack wanted to turn her into a bargaining chip.

"No," I said firmly, adjusting my grip on Thelma's unconscious form. "She's not a weapon. She's not a tool. She's a person, and she's dying."

Beta Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Xavier, you seem to be forgetting your place. You're not in charge here. I am."

"And you seem to be forgetting that she's the rightful heir to the leadership of this pack," I shot back. "If anyone outranks you here, it's her."

Several of the other pack members exchanged glances. They remembered Alpha James and Luna Catherine, remembered how beloved they had been before their murder. The idea of their daughter being alive, being here among them, was clearly stirring up emotions they hadn't felt in years.

"Even if that's true," Marcus said slowly, "she's in no condition to challenge anyone for leadership. Look at her, Xavier. She's barely breathing."

He was right. Thelma's skin was pale and clammy, and I could feel her body temperature dropping by the minute. The magical backlash from the interrupted ritual was eating away at her life force like acid.

"Then help her," I pleaded. "Get the shamans. Do whatever it takes."

"Oh, we'll help her," Marcus said with that same calculating smile. "But not for free. The Tee pack has something we want in exchange for their precious princess."

"What are you talking about?"

"Territory," Marcus said simply. "Resources. Recognition from the other packs that we still exist and still have power. Your little girlfriend here is our ticket to getting all of that back."

I felt my control slipping. The exhaustion from my captivity, the pain from my injuries, and now the betrayal by my own pack were pushing me to the breaking point.

"Her name is Thelma," I growled. "And she's not a bargaining chip."

"She is whatever I say she is," Marcus replied coldly. "Unless you'd like to challenge me for leadership? Though I should warn you, you're in no shape for that kind of fight."

He was right about that too. I could barely stand upright, let alone take on the pack's Beta in single combat. But I couldn't just stand there and watch them use Thelma the way everyone else had.

"There has to be another way," I said desperately.

That's when an elderly voice spoke up from behind the crowd.

"There is."

Everyone turned to see Healer Sage approaching us, her ancient staff tapping against the ground with each step. She was the oldest member of our pack, old enough to remember when Alpha James and Luna Catherine were still alive.

"Sage," Beta Marcus said respectfully, though I could hear the irritation in his voice. "We weren't expecting you."

"I felt the magical disturbance from here," she said, studying Thelma with knowing eyes. "Blood magic gone wrong. Very dangerous. Very painful."

"Can you help her?" I asked urgently.

Sage moved closer, placing one gnarled hand on Thelma's forehead. She closed her eyes for a moment, and I saw her lips moving in some kind of silent chant.

"The ritual backlash is eating her alive from the inside," she said finally. "Like poison in her bloodstream. If nothing is done, she'll be dead within hours."

"Then do something!" I practically shouted.

"I cannot," Sage said simply. "This kind of magical damage... It requires a very specific kind of healing. The kind that can only come from a true mate bond."

Beta Marcus frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The girl's life force is scattered, broken by the interrupted ritual. To heal her, that life force must be anchored to something strong and stable. The mate bond is the strongest connection two wolves can share. If it were completed..."

"Completed how?" I asked, though part of me already knew the answer.

Sage looked at me with ancient, knowing eyes. "Full mating. Not just the emotional or spiritual connection, but the physical bond as well. Only that can create a strong enough anchor to pull her back from the edge."

My heart sank. "She's unconscious. She can't consent to something like that."

"Xavier," Beta Marcus said impatiently, "she's going to die anyway. Surely taking the necessary steps to save her life is more important than.."

"No," I cut him off firmly. "I won't take advantage of her when she can't say yes or no. I won't become like every other man who's tried to use her."

"You're being ridiculous," Marcus snapped. "This is life or death."

"This is about consent and respect," I replied. "Two things that have been stolen from her over and over again. I won't be another person who takes what she hasn't freely given."

Sage studied me for a long moment, then nodded approvingly. "You have honor, young one. James and Catherine would have liked you."

"Honor won't save her life," Marcus said coldly.

"Perhaps not," Sage agreed. "But there is one other option. A temporary measure that might buy us some time."

"What kind of temporary measure?"

"A partial bond," she explained. "Not full mating, but a deep sharing of life force. Skin to skin contact, sharing breath and heartbeat. It would stabilize her enough to keep her alive, but only for a few hours at most."

It wasn't ideal, but it was better than watching her die or violating her consent. "Show me what to do."

Sage led us to her healing hut, a small wooden structure filled with herbs and crystals. Beta Marcus followed, still muttering about missed opportunities and political advantages, but I ignored him.

"Lay her here," Sage instructed, pointing to a bed covered in soft furs.

I gently placed Thelma on the bed, brushing her hair back from her fevered face. Even unconscious, she looked like she was in pain.

"Remove her dress," Sage said. "And your shirt as well. For this to work, there must be direct contact between your hearts."

My hands shook as I carefully removed Thelma's torn ceremonial gown, leaving her in just her undergarments. She looked so fragile, so vulnerable. The angry red marks from the silver restraints were still visible on her wrists and ankles.

I stripped off my own shirt, wincing as the movement pulled at my injuries. Then I lay down beside Thelma, pulling her against my chest so that her heart was pressed against mine.

"Now," Sage said, "you must share your life force with her. Think of it as lending her your strength until she's strong enough to stand on her own."

I closed my eyes and focused on the mate bond between us, that invisible thread that connected our souls. I could feel how weak it had become, how the ritual backlash was trying to sever it completely.

Hold on, I whispered in my mind. I've got you.

Slowly, carefully, I began to pour my own energy into her through our connection. It was like giving blood, I could feel myself growing weaker as she grew slightly stronger.

"Good," Sage murmured. "I can see her life force stabilizing. But remember, this is only temporary. When your strength runs out, she'll be right back where she started."

"How long do we have?" I asked.

"A few hours at most. Maybe less, depending on how much energy you can spare."

Beta Marcus leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So we're back to the original problem. Either she wakes up and consents to full mating, or she dies."

"There has to be another way," I said desperately.

"There isn't," Sage said sadly. "I've seen this kind of magical damage before. The mate bond is the only thing strong enough to heal it."

I held Thelma closer, feeling her breath against my neck, her heartbeat gradually syncing with mine. She was so warm against me, but I could still feel the magical poison eating away at her from the inside.

"What if she doesn't want to complete the bond?" I asked quietly. "What if she wakes up and says no?"

"Then you'll have to respect her choice," Sage said simply. "Even if it kills her."

The thought made my chest tighten with panic. I'd just found my mate, just discovered what it felt like to love someone completely and have them love me back. The idea of losing her now, especially to something like this, was unbearable.

But I'd meant what I said about consent. I wouldn't force her into anything, not even to save her life. She'd had enough people make decisions for her without her permission.

Hours passed. I felt my own strength slowly draining away as I shared it with Thelma. Beta Marcus had left, probably to plan his political maneuvers, but Sage remained, monitoring Thelma's condition.

"Her fever is getting worse," Sage observed, pressing a cool cloth to Thelma's forehead.

She was right. Despite my efforts, Thelma's skin was burning hot to the touch. The temporary measure was failing.

"How much longer?" I asked, though I dreaded the answer.

"Not long," Sage said quietly. "An hour, maybe less."

I pressed my face against Thelma's hair, breathing in her scent of chocolate and vanilla. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

That's when her eyes fluttered open.

"Xavier?" Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard.

"I'm here," I said, pulling back to look at her face. "I'm right here."

Her green eyes were bright with fever, but they were focused and aware. "I feel... burning. Like I'm on fire from the inside."

"It's the ritual backlash," I explained gently. "The interrupted blood magic is attacking your life force."

She tried to sit up, but was too weak. "Am I dying?"

I couldn't lie to her. "Yes. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

I took a deep breath, hating that I had to put this choice on her when she was so sick. "Unless we complete the mate bond. All the way. It's the only thing strong enough to anchor your life force and stop the magical poison."

Thelma stared at me for a long moment, understanding flickering in her fevered eyes.

"You mean s*x," she said bluntly.

"Yes. But Thelma, I need you to know that you don't have to.."

"Xavier," she interrupted, her voice gaining strength. "How long do I have to decide?"

Sage spoke up from the corner. "Minutes, child. The fever is consuming what's left of your life force."

Thelma's hand found mine, her fingers burning hot against my skin. "I can feel it," she whispered. "The fire inside me. It's getting stronger."

"I won't pressure you," I said firmly. "If you say no, I'll respect that. I'll hold you until the end, but I won't force.."

"Xavier," she said again, her eyes boring into mine with desperate intensity. "Please. I'm begging you. Complete the bond. Save me."