CHAPTER 6
1624 Words
HAZEL BLACKVALE
I run without stopping, almost tripping and falling to the ground.
When I get close to him, my heart breaks when I see the deep bite on his shoulder.
His regeneration isn’t working properly.
Luke screams in pain, shifting back to human form, trying to contain the bleeding.
I kneel beside him, holding his cold hand.
“What are you doing here, Harper? I told you to stay in the d*mn mansion…”
“Shut up and let me help you.”
I don’t know exactly what to do, but I press my hands over the bite.
“Your regeneration… it’s not working.”
His eyes meet mine, and I see the fear I’ve rarely seen in him.
Luke is cold, but now he looks just like a man who doesn’t want to die here.
“I’m sorry… this is all my fault…” I whisper, sobbing.
“No, it’s not.”
He groans again, and I try to do everything I can.
“Pink sweater…” he suddenly murmurs.
“What?” I ask, surprised.
“That’s what you were wearing when I first saw you. A horrible pink sweater.”
I can’t hold back a laugh through my tears.
“You’ll never forget that, will you?”
“No…” he whispers, lifting his hand and touching my face.
I close my eyes.
“Stay with me, Luke.”
When I look back at him, I see his silver eyes slowly closing.
“No… not now… I can’t lose you.”
I call for his men, and together we carefully put him in the car.
I lay his head on my lap. I’ve already lost everyone. Even if he hates me, I can’t lose anyone else.
We finally arrive at his pack and the healer is called immediately.
She examines the wound, waves her hands, murmurs words I don’t understand, but nothing seems to work.
My Alpha, my mate, is dying, and I feel weak.
If he dies, I will be free of him.
Free from the curse, free from the hatred, free from everything.
But a part of me doesn’t want that. I can’t imagine my life without him, even if he hates me.
Is this love? I don’t know.
The healer sighs and looks at me with sorrow.
“Hazel, I’ve tried everything to save him, but there’s nothing else I can do, he’s dying…”
My eyes fall on the mark on his shoulder.
I remember the moon goddess, the stories my grandmother used to tell me.
“There’s still something I can do,” I whisper.
Everyone leaves, letting me be alone with Luke.
“I won’t let you die…” I whisper, kissing his forehead.
I take his dagger, take a deep breath, and cut my wrist, clenching my hand tightly.
“Moon goddess… hear me, please. I need you.
“Save my mate, please. I know we hate each other more than anything and that you condemned us to be mates forever… but I need you.”
A presence manifests almost instantly.
I feel the energy sweep through the room. A glowing shadow materializes before me.
“Sweet Hazel… you called me…”
“Please, save Luke. He’s dying. I can’t lose him!”
The moon goddess tilts her head.
“His soul is slipping away, Hazel… and bringing him back won’t be easy. There is a price.”
“Tell me what it is.”
“To save your mate, you must sacrifice something you’ve always wanted.”
“What do you mean?”
She steps closer, touching my face, and I close my eyes before her hand slides down to my stomach.
“To save this werewolf, you must make sacrifices that won’t be easy. You will never be able to create life, Hazel. You will never be able to have children or a family. That is the price to save the man who says he hates you.”
“One life for another life, Hazel.”
I open my eyes, looking at Luke as he keeps dying.
I blink. I have always wanted to be a mother and have a family.
Even after everything that happened, he is still my best friend, my mate, even if he rejects it.
“I accept,” I whisper through sobs, and she shakes her head.
“Not just that, dear.”
“What else do you want?”
“Are you willing to give years of your life to save his?”
I don’t answer.
“Do you accept giving up years of your life to save the man who hates you so much?”
I remember when he saved me without hesitation.
“I cursed you, Hazel. And now you have the chance you’ve always wanted. If Luke dies, you are free from my curse.”
“I would lose him…”
I move closer to Luke, holding his hand.
The tears keep falling nonstop.
“Tell me your choice now. He doesn’t have much time, Hazel.”
“Do it. Save him.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, groaning, holding Luke’s hand tightly when I feel the new mark being carved into my shoulder.
“It’s done, sweet Hazel.”
The moon goddess disappears, and I look at my shoulder, seeing the drawing of a moon.
I wouldn’t let him die even if it freed me.
My heart nearly stops when I feel Luke’s hand squeeze mine.
“Luke?”
He moves more before opening his silver eyes and looking at me.
I let out a relieved sigh.
I move closer and gently touch his face, caressing the short, messy beard.
“Thank the moon goddess…” I murmur.
He raises an eyebrow and, even weak, gives a crooked smile.
“So… you really were afraid of losing me. And crying over me… I always knew you had a thing for me, Hazel.”
I blink quickly, feeling ridiculous, and immediately push him lightly on the chest without thinking.
“i***t!” I complain.
He groans in pain.
“Oh.”
My eyes widen, instantly regretful.
“Sorry! I didn’t mean to…” I say, touching lightly where I hit.
As I adjust his position, my gaze falls on his exposed shoulder.
The deep bite that was once open and dark now shows only a reddish mark, as if it’s healing far too quickly.
I freeze for a second, knowing this isn’t natural.
“What did you do, Hazel?” he asks, his voice growing deeper.
I look away, pretending to be concerned with the blanket.
“It doesn’t matter.”
He watches me, narrowing his eyes, then notices my shoulder, where the silver moon-shaped mark glows faintly under my skin.
“You made a pact with the moon goddess, Hazel.”
My eyes fill with tears, but I just nod slowly.
“I had no other choice.”
“Yes, you did. You could have let me die.”
I shake my head, my fingers trembling as I grip the edge of the bed.
“I couldn’t do that.”
His hand lifts, despite the effort, and rests on my shoulder, right over the mark.
“Are you angry with me because I chose to save you?”
Luke takes a deep breath, staring at me as if he wants to memorize every detail of my face.
“I’m angry because you made a pact with her. You know everything has a price with the goddess. What did you give in return, Hazel?”
I look away again, pressing my lips tightly shut.
“It doesn’t matter. You’re alive now, and that’s all that matters.”
“I don’t know what you did, but thank you.”
For a moment, he stays silent. When he speaks again, his voice is lower, almost a whisper.
“The world is too dark a place for someone like you, Hazel.”
“What?”
“I said that we all change over time… but you… you’re still the same kind little Hazel as before.”
He smiles. A smile that isn’t mocking, but sad and sincere.
I can’t help but smile back.
The door opens and the healer comes in carrying some herbs and bottles.
“He’ll be fine.”
“Thanks to you.”
When the next morning comes, he looks much better. When I wake up, I search for him around the mansion.
“Luke?” I call, but get no answer.
Following the sound of running water, I realize it’s coming from the bathroom.
The door is slightly open and steam escapes into the hallway.
For a second, I hesitate. I shouldn’t… but curiosity wins.
I push the door open slowly and peek inside.
Luke has his back to me, his tall, muscular body taken by the hot water running down his hair and back.
The scar on his shoulder is almost gone.
I stay there for a few seconds, watching, until he turns and notices me. A mischievous smile spreads across his face.
“Enjoying the view, Hazel?”
I feel my face heat up and try to play it off.
“I… just wanted to make sure you weren’t dead again.”
He lets out a low laugh, tilting his head.
“Of course. You walk into my shower purely out of medical concern… very convincing.”
I huff, crossing my arms.
“You’re insufferable.”
“And you’re terrible at hiding when you’re staring too much.”
He winks at me, clearly amused.
I bite my lip when my Alpha steps closer to me, and I shiver at the feeling of his wet hand touching my face.
“Come…”
“What?”
“Shower with me…”
- Writer
