Chapter 4

Kelsey POV:

I had twenty-four hours before the extraction team arrived.

I needed to keep up appearances. If Bennett suspected I was leaving, he would lock me in the dungeon. An Alpha's possession was absolute, even if he didn't want the toy anymore.

Bennett called me the next morning.

"Meet us at the History Museum," he said. "The Elders want a photo op. A show of unity after the 'accident' at the party."

Us. He was bringing her.

I dressed in a high-necked sweater to hide my bandages. I took a cab to the museum.

They were waiting in the main hall, under the skeleton of a blue whale. Bennett looked tired, but Aria looked radiant, clinging to his arm like a parasite.

"Kelsey," Bennett nodded, barely acknowledging me. "Try not to cause a scene today."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said.

We walked through the exhibits. A photographer hired by the pack followed us, snapping pictures.

"Closer," the photographer directed. "Alpha, put your arm around the Luna."

Bennett hesitated. Then, stiffly, he placed his hand on my shoulder. It felt cold.

Aria stood to the side, watching with narrowed eyes. We walked toward a display of ancient wolf artifacts. A heavy bronze plaque hung on the wall above a display case.

As I walked past it, Aria stumbled. She didn't just trip; she threw herself forward, right into my path.

I instinctively stepped back to avoid colliding with her.

Aria fell to the floor with a dramatic cry. "My ankle!"

At that exact moment, the heavy bronze plaque above us rattled and fell. Bang! It smashed into the spot where I had been standing a second ago. If I hadn't stepped back, it would have crushed my skull.

But Bennett didn't see that.

He heard Aria cry out. He saw her on the floor.

A roar ripped from his throat-a sound so loud it shook the glass cases. He shifted partially, his eyes glowing a violent crimson. His claws extended.

"You tried to kill her!" he bellowed, turning on me.

"What? No! The plaque fell-"

"You pushed her!" Bennett grabbed me by the throat. He lifted me off the ground.

My feet dangled. I clawed at his hand, gasping for air. The Alpha Command in his grip paralyzed me.

"Bennett..." I wheezed.

"If anything happens to those twins," he snarled, his face inches from mine, "I will kill you myself, laws be damned."

He threw me aside. I hit the floor hard, my injured arm screaming in protest.

He scooped Aria up again. "Get the healer!"

At the hospital-again-the doctor came out looking grave. It was the Head Healer, a man loyal only to Bennett.

"She is weak, Alpha," the Healer said. "The shock... the twins are drawing too much energy. She needs a transfusion. Direct Alpha blood. It will strengthen the bond and feed the pups."

It was an ancient, intimate ritual. Giving blood was giving life force. It created a bond almost as strong as mating.

"Take it," Bennett said immediately. He rolled up his sleeve. "Take whatever she needs."

I stood in the hallway, watching through the glass. I saw the needle go into Bennett's arm. I saw his dark blood flowing into the tube, flowing into her.

He was giving away his vitality, his essence, for a woman he had known for a week. For children that weren't even born yet.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Shadow Runners: The package is ready. Your new identity is 'Kelsey Vane, Artist.' Flight leaves in 3 hours. Do you have the passport?

I touched the pocket of my coat. The fake passport was there.

I looked at Bennett one last time. He looked pale, drained, but his eyes were fixed on Aria with a look of desperate devotion.

The Pack Bond-that invisible thread that tied a Luna to her Alpha-snapped. I felt it break in my chest. It didn't hurt. It felt like a heavy chain falling off my ribs.

I turned and walked away.