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Crystal’s POV

Everything felt… weightless. I couldn’t feel the floor under my feet, and I wasn't sure whether I was breathing or floating. I blinked once and all I could see was nothing, just darkness. I blinked for the second time, and still saw darkness, nothing else.

Was this what dying felt like?

It was strangely peaceful. As I heard no voices of my traitors and I felt no pain. Everything was just still, dark, and quiet. My heart didn’t ache anymore. Mother…

Was she here?

Maybe I could finally get to rest in her arms at last?

My chest ached at the thought of that image, but then as I slowly sank into the calm, a searing pain slashed through my skull. I winced, clutching at the side of my head as my fingers trembled. I could feel the warmth from my skin. And suddenly it hit me.

I was… alive?

“No,” I whispered to myself. “No, no…”

There was another pain now, throbbing at my side. My shoulder—the arrow that had gone through me, skin there felt hot.

“You’re awake.” I flinched at the sound of the deep, low, and commanding voice. The voice came from somewhere nearby, but I could not yet see the owner's face.

“Don’t move,” the voice ordered again. And gradually, slowly, my vision came into focus and there he was. He was seated near the end of the room. His large form was resting comfortably against the wall and it looked so very easy, but there was no ease about him. Something in his grey eyes cut straight through me. His hair was a dark brown, and slightly mussed as though he’d raked his hand through it too casually. His jaw was square and his face was blank. But the aura he carried? It made my breath catch.

“Dremon…” I murmured, hardly able to believe what my eyes saw. “The Lycan King.” He didn’t speak. He only gave me a little nod.

“You saved me?” I wondered, still not sure if this was actually happening. Again, he didn't reply, just a nod. And his eyes didn’t waver from mine.

“Why?” My voice cracked. “Why would you save me?”

And with that, he stood now, stepping forward towards me. “You were kind,” he said flatly. You did it to protect my sister’s mate, my beta. That was unexpected.” I blinked slowly, confused.

“I did?” I asked, my voice small.

“You did,” he confirmed. “Whether you knew it or not.”

I laughed, as a broken hiss of air escaped through my teeth. “I have no idea… but I can thank you for telling me.”

I touched a place in my shoulder with my fingers. The pain was still there, sharp and deep, but it felt like nothing compared to what I was feeling within me.

“I should’ve died,” I whispered. “You should’ve left me there.”

“I’m all out,” I said, turning my head toward him. “ I have no one. Nothing. Just pain and endless betrayal. Why did you save someone like me?”

I watched as he narrowed his eyes slightly. “I don’t have time to make fun of that kind of nonsense.”

I blinked.

“If you’re thinking I did this out of charity, then don’t. I had a use for you. That’s all,” he added coldly.

A bitter chuckle escaped from my mouth as I spoke. “Then do me a favor, Dremon. If you’re not going to allow me to die, kill me yourself.”

“No.” His answer came fast, sharp, and sounded final.

“You’re not dying. Not just yet,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “And certainly not by my hands.”

“Why?” I asked with, hot tears of frustration pooling at the side of my eyes. “Why didn't you leave me alone?”

“Because I have things to do. And you … were actually useful at the moment.”

My lips parted, but I had no idea what else to say. His words hurt, but how he said them made me believe they were not unkind. He was just being honest. Brutally honest.

He turned to look partially at the door. “Leti.”

After a few seconds passed, the door was softly knocked upon and pushed open. A young woman with long black curls and kind, warm eyes came in through the door. She was nothing like Dremon in any way—his presence being hard, hers soft. She smiled at me; it was so sweet that it made my chest a little bit tight.

“You’re awake,” she said softly walking toward me without hesitation.

She knelt down beside me and pushed my hair away from my face. Her touch was soft. And when I felt her arms wrap around me in a gentle squeeze, I almost cried. No one had touched me like that in so long…enough to care.

“I’m Leti,” she said softly. “Dremon’s sister. And I am so, so sorry for what you’ve gone through.” I swallowed with difficulty, biting down on the inside of my cheek so that I wouldn't start crying.

“I… thank you,” I muttered.

She drew back a little, her eyes full of compassion. “You didn’t do anything to deserve any of this. That disgusting pack of yours… your sister and that lame Alpha—” I exhaled, holding her back with a glance.

Leti shook her head. “No, I won’t hold back. What they did was wrong. They’re monsters. All of them. I’ll tell you one thing—when I see your exes smug face again, I'll drag him out here.”

“What are you… What the devil were you and Dremon doing in Silver Stone?” I asked, cutting her off as her expression shifted.

“We, sort of… collected some data,” she said tentatively.

“Information?” I pressed. She hesitated, and gave a quick look at Dremon; he was back to standing against the wall.

“You’re plotting,” I said softly. “You’re not just watching them.” Neither of them said anything. I glanced at Leti, and then at Dremon, with my heart racing again. “You … are you planning to attack the Silver Stone pack?”