Chapter 53


    LEAH


    The pain is unbearable.


    It’s like fire burning my body from the inside out. Everywhere. Every cell, every limb, every hair hurts.


    Whatever is happening, it’s hitting my nervous system.


    I bite down on this stu pid stick and try to block out the next


    st.


    After tonight, childbirth will be a breeze.


    If I survive this, that is.


    And the ca ncer.


    2


    And the mob of power-hungry wolves encircling me.


    And find a male to give me a baby.


    I nce up at Aaron. He hasn’t left my side. He fought like a madman to prevent Brian from killing me.


    I’m not sure how he found me. And truthfully, given how I told him I was done, I’m surprised he came at


    all.


    But then, maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.


    This is about power-an indescribable amount of it.


    If Aaron were to absorb mine, it’d be the ultimate coup for his pack, and he’s always been focused on


    his pack above anything else.


    “You’ve got this, Leah. Stay strong.”


    I’ve been married to this man for years, and I swear I wonder if I know him at all. Who is this Alpha


    holding me and cheering me on? A week ago, I would’veid odds that he would’ve torn out my throat


    with his own teeth to im this victory.


    He’d find a dozen ways to justify it, of course.


    As another flood hits me, I shudder and lose my thoughts. I can’t worry about what’s happening aroundContent is property of N?velDrama.Org.


    me. I can’t even care about being a spectacle to no fewer than thirty or forty wolves.


    I’m just trying to survive.


    I’m cold despite the fire zing in front of me. My mind and body feel detached.


    Aaron starts to rock me. The motion is gentle and subtle, hardly any movement at all, but I feel it, and I


    count each sway. It gives me something to focus on.


    Something other than the pain threatening to ki ll me.


    The next wave…it’s less.


    And the one after that, it lessens too.


    Aaron heaves a big sigh of relief.


    His arms loosen marginally.


    It’s maybe another thirty minutes before thest pulse fades. Even after it passes, I still don’t move for


    several minutes. Every muscle aches. My bones feel brittle. I’m not sure what sensation I should be


    feeling, or if the transition even really worked.


    Someone must’ve undone those shackles at some point because I’m able to move my feet. I stand


    very slowly. My knees give out and Aaron’s arm is the only thing holding me up. “Take it slow,” he tells


    me.


    But I want to run away from this ce and all these wolves who watch me.


    I keep testing my body for physical changes. But I don’t feel any stronger. My mind can’t connect to


    Aaron’s or anyone else’s-at least that I’m aware of. And though I search deep into my soul, there is no


    howl or growl or rumble of my wolf within me.


    Maybe it didn’t-


    “It worked, Leah. You survived.”


    I guess


    that I’m alive means the power has transitioned to me? Funny. It doesn’t feel like it.


    “You all right?” Aaron asks.


    I look at him. “You saved me.”


    He nods. “Let’s go home, honey.”


    “I’d like that,” I say.


    He smiles big and it reaches his eyes. This smile is maybe the first genuine one I’ve ever seen.


    Aaron smooths back my hair and kisses my forehead. It’s tender and sweet. And his packmates cheer.


    The other wolves, they just continue to watch everything.


    Aaron lets his hand slide down my arm and he twines our fingers.


    But when he tries to guide me toward his pack, I dig in my heels.


    “Leah?”


    I turn away from him. “Councilwoman Karolina, will you escort


    me?”


    She quirks her head, but nods. “Of course.”


    “Leah?” Aaron’s brows draw together. “What are you doing?”


    “I said I wanted to go home, Aaron, but that didn’t mean with you.”