Chapter 6
I slept until sunset. My body still ached, but I felt much better.
For three days, Dr. Chandler never left the cabin. He focused entirely on helping me recover and hired a maid to apply salves to my silver burns.
On the fourth day. Dominic stormed in. The maid avoided my eyes guiltily as she opened the door and quickly slipped out.
“Maeve.” That familiar voice made me tremble uncontrollably.
Dominic didn’t notice. He walked straight up to me and glared at Dr. Chandler.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you contact me sooner? Why didn’t you fight back when they hurt you, Maeve?”
My face went pale. I instinctively backed away, which cut Dominic to the core.
“Maeve, I’m so, so sorry. I swear by the Moon Goddess I had no idea they were doing that to you. I just wanted to teach you pack discipline, make you struggle a little–not anything like this. I didn’t know…”
“Please back to me. Let me avenge you–I’ll personally hunt down every single wolf who touched you. No one will escape my kill. Just come home with me, please?”
By the end, his eyes were drowning in regrets.
Celeste arrived moments later, breathing heavily. When she looked at me, her eyes flashed with hatred before she quickly masked it with a fragile expression.
“Maeve, I’m so sorry,” she whispered tearfully. “You must hate me now. It’s all my fault. I should have kept silent. I’m the one who hurt you…”
“}
She sobbed dramatically. Dominic automatically wiped her tears, his scent mixing with hers in comfort.
I said nothing. I stood frozen beside Dr. Chandler, terrified to my core. But Celeste wouldn’t leave me alone.
“Why are you with Dr. Chandler? Are you two running away together? What about Dominic? He’s your destined mate!”
At this, Dominic finally turned to Dr. Chandler, his expression darkening, a low growl building in his chest.
“Silverbrook, I demand an explanation! You knew I was searching for my Luna. Why didn’t you contact me?”
“Maeve, come here to me. Let’s return to our pack. I’ll get revenge for you. I promise no one will ever hurt you again.”
My face turned chalk white. Suddenly I grabbed my head and screamed, dropping to my knees in front of Dominic. I banged my head on the floor wildly, unable to hear anything else.
“I’m sorry… I know I was wrong… please leave me alone, I don’t want your bond anymore… I’ll go àway, far away… please just let me go.”
“Don’t make me go back… please… Celeste, I apologize… It was my fault… I hurt you… I’m guilty… I can face exile or death… just don’t make me go back…”
When my parents arrived, this was the scene they found.
Mother rushed over and hugged me, collapsing in tears, apologizing over and over. Father’s eyes watered as he kept saying he’d take me back to Ebonvale Pack
“My pup, my poor pup,” Mother sobbed, her voice shattered with completely. It’s all our fault. I should have believed you.”
“I’m so sorry. We failed you guilt.But my pack had abandoned me long ago. I had no home anymore.
Finally, I nearly lost control of my wolf. I tore at my clothes, struggling wildly.
“Please, just leave me alone. I’ll do anything you want. Just don’t send me back!” Chapter 6
“Or kill me instead. Kill me… Let me die for my sins! I can’t go back there. Please let me go! I’d rather die…”
My stomach twisted violently. I retched and collapsed, vomiting blood mixed with silver flakes they’d forced me to swallow before I left
Crimson Cavern.
Dr. Chandler’s pupils contracted in horror as he held me in his arms.
Mother couldn’t take it and fainted. Dominic’s legs gave out. He fell to his knees in front of me, reaching to touch me, but I jerked away.
His eyes filled with anguish as he pounded his chest hard.
“Maeve, I’m sorry. This is all my fault. I ruined everything,” he choked out. “I know I was wrong. Let me take you to the pack healers. We can restore our mating bond. Please, Maeve, I’m begging you.”
As he reached to embrace me, I felt a surge of strength out of nowhere. I shoved him and staggered out through the open.
