SLADE POVI paced the office for what felt like the hundredth time, groaning as a fresh wave of pain shot through my head. The ache had been present intermittently for the past week, but today it had become unbearable. I kneaded my brows, trying to ease the discomfort.I had been dismissive of the pain before, believing it would disappear. But as I swallowed the pills I had taken from my desk, I knew I couldn't ignore them any longer. Werewolves had strong healing abilities, but sometimes medications were necessary for complete recovery.Despite my abilities, the past few days and the thought of losing Winter had made it difficult for my healing reflexes to kick in.Jude entered the room, snapping me out of my thoughts."Everyone's gathered," he informed me.I nodded, snatching my phone before leaving the office and heading towards the meeting hall.Winter was already there, and she walked over to me as soon as she saw me. I enveloped her in a warm embrace before pulling out a chair f

SLADE POVI sighed, tugging at my hair and pacing around the room. I had been doing this for hours since Winter had angrily left. I couldn't bring myself to face her, not after how she had spoken to me. I wondered if she would curse at me even more if I tried to make her understand.Part of me knew that it was my fault. I had been too selfish, assuming she would be okay with everything I said. I should have found a better way for both of us.My attention snapped to the door as the doorknob twisted, and Winter walked into the room. I jumped from the bed and rushed towards her. "Darling!" I extended my hands to her, but she walked past me, making me frown.Winter wandered around the room for a while before walking towards the door."Are you still mad at me?!" I shouted at her retreating form before exhaling in frustration.Using my super speed, I swooshed towards her, slammed the door shut, and nudged her gently.Winter gasped and glared up at me, clenching her teeth. "I told you to leav

WINTER'S POVTears streamed down my face as Slade wrapped his arms around me. "Please don't!" I sobbed, trembling.He caressed my back slowly, muttering incoherently before I snapped my attention to his face. "You promised me, Slade. Please don't leave me as a widow! You know how I'd be stigmatised...." I couldn't even bear to think about it. The thought of Slade dying and I kicked out of the pack by Denise or anyone else terrified me.My arms wound around Slade tightly, and he groaned loudly. "It's what needed to be done....""No!" I glared at his face. "You can go against it. We can make this work, and I don't care if I'm not making any sense right now. Do not sacrifice yourself! You promised me, Slade, and you need to keep your word!" I said firmly.My hands scrunched up his clothes as I stared at his cold face before he shook his head. Slade cupped my face and leaned in so that we were at the same eye level. "I'm sorry for pushing you into all that's happening. I never meant to hu

WINTER POVI stood frozen, staring at my mother with wide eyes. A loud voice snapped me out of my thoughts."The Alpha is convulsing!" Without a second thought, I rushed inside the infirmary.Slade, the Alpha, and my mate lay on the wooden bed, his large frame jerking back and forth. He gripped the duvet tightly, writhing in agony.The small bed barely accommodated his thrashing body, and the situation looked absurd.As I darted forward to help, my mother yanked me back. I swirled around, and our eyes met. "Why?" I raised a brow."Do you know what might be going on?" She asked."If I don't check on him, how can I?" I stared at her hand, and she nodded."Please, be careful," she mumbled.I wanted to retort that I had been in worse situations, but I bit my lip and walked towards Slade instead. Gingerly, I reached out and smoothened his creased brows. My lips quivered, and I gripped his hand. "Slade...." I muttered, but he didn't respond.I attempted to shake him, but he sat up abruptly,

WINTER'S POVI couldn't stop staring at Jude, who stared back at me. After a while, I cleared my throat and spoke softly, "We need to have a gathering to explain what's going on so that no one gets the wrong idea.""Yes, my lady, you're right," Jude replied. He leaned in towards Lowry and whispered in his ear. Lowry nodded before leaving the room."We'll all be seated in an hour, including the elders," Jude said. "Do you have any further instructions?"I shook my head, and Jude left the room, leaving me alone with Lisa and Denise.The room was quiet and peaceful, and I wished it could stay that way. But the tranquillity was short-lived."So, do you feel like a queen now, Winter darling?" Denise sneered.Ignoring her, I walked over to Lisa and picked up a syringe from the tray near her. Furrowing my brow, I asked, "Is this the mixture?"The liquid inside the syringe was darker than usual. All the ones I had administered to other patients were dark, but not like this."Yes, my lady. I f