My Alpha Wanted My Heart Ripped Out—Then Begged Me to Live

Chapter 3

Iris's POV:

The master bedroom looked exactly as it had when I'd left, except that the framed photograph on the nightstand had been turned facedown, and a bottle of Sienna's perfume now stood beside it.

Wrapped in the blanket, Sienna stirred when she heard me enter. She opened her eyes slowly, wearing a languid, satisfied smile.

"Thank you, Iris."

She took my hand and leaned against me, letting me support nearly all her weight.

"Cornell was so..."

"Watch your step," I said, helping her toward the bathroom.

I knelt beside the bathtub, tested the water, and picked up a washcloth to bathe her.

Sienna swept her hair over one shoulder, deliberately exposing the faint impression of a wolf's fangs on her neck.

It was only a bite left in the heat of passion, one that would fade within days. A true mate mark lasted a lifetime.

Still, she kept touching it as she turned toward Cornell, who was standing in the doorway.

"Did he ever do this for you?" she asked softly, making no attempt to conceal the triumph in her eyes.

I handed her a clean towel without answering.

Cornell remained in the doorway, watching the entire time.

After helping Sienna back into bed, I gathered the clothes scattered across the floor.

I was about to leave when Cornell stopped me.

"Iris, aren't you forgetting to tell me something today?"

His gaze dropped to my abdomen.

My entire body stiffened.

He must have detected the pup's scent before.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, he studied me with a faint, knowing smile.

The pup was already gone.

I couldn't bear to hear him joke about taking its life again.

"No," I answered, swallowing the ache in my throat.

Avoiding his eyes, I made my way downstairs, steadying myself against the banister.

I returned to the tiny room beside the laundry, which had once been the gardener's quarters. Whenever the estate hosted a banquet, I was made to hide there so the guests wouldn't see me.

I closed the door and slowly slid down until I was sitting on the floor.

Only after taking my medication and waiting for the pain to ease did I change out of my soaked clothes.

I curled up on the narrow bed and instinctively laid a hand over my abdomen.

A moment later, I remembered there was no longer a pup to protect.

All the pain and humiliation I'd forced myself to swallow on the journey home finally overwhelmed me.

I buried my face in the pillow and broke down sobbing.

I had no idea how long I'd been asleep when the door was kicked open.

Cornell stood in the doorway, his expression thunderous and blood staining his cuff.

"What did you do to Sienna while you were bathing her?"

I struggled upright.

"What?"

"She's bleeding."

He seized my wrist and dragged me off the bed.

I hadn't even managed to put my shoes on properly. The top of my bare foot scraped painfully against the threshold, making me flinch.

"If anything happens to her, you'll pay with your life."

Inside the car, Sienna lay pale and weak in Cornell's arms.

"Drive faster!" he snapped at the driver.

I sat alone in the back row, hugging myself.

As soon as we reached Black Ridge Hospital, the staff hurried to clear a path for Cornell.

I leaned against the wall before sinking into a chair in a deserted corner of the lobby.

No one spared me a glance.

The wolf heart in my chest was beating too fast, its rhythm dangerously uneven. Every beat sent another stab of pain through me.

A few minutes later, Cornell emerged.

"Sienna has an ectopic pregnancy. She's hemorrhaging. Come with me to the transfusion room."

I looked up.

"She has a rare blood type," he snapped. "You're the only compatible donor. Hurry up!"

I stared at the red light glowing at the end of the corridor.

Silas's warning echoed in my mind.

"You haven't recovered yet. If you lose any more blood, we'll have to postpone the heart transplant."

I'd waited so long for this.

I couldn't afford to lose my chance again.

"No."

My voice was quiet, but Cornell stopped. "What did you say?"

"Cornell, I can't give her my blood."

He spun around.

Surprise flashed across his face before his expression darkened.

After staring at me for several seconds, he gave a cold laugh.

"You think you have the right to refuse me?"

His Alpha command crashed down on me.

Skye curled in on herself, whimpering in pain.

I gripped the edge of the chair, my knees trembling so violently that I nearly slid onto the floor.

"Get up. You're coming with me."

I bit my lip and shook my head.

My fingernail snapped against the chair as I struggled to withstand his command.

Cornell's expression turned glacial.

He reached into his coat and drew out a silver-handled dagger, placing it beside me.

I recognized it immediately.

It was the knife Carmelita used to take on camping trips.

"Two choices."

He bent down until his eyes were level with mine.

"Either give Sienna your blood, or give me my sister's heart back. Right now."