Shadows of Alpha's fate

ng herbs that burned Elara's nose. Smoke twisted and flowed lazily from the pot on the fire, curling into the dimly

ce, once strong and calming, was now very thin and pale, etched with lines of pain. His body body-sh

under the weight of her desperation. "You can't le

f the man he used to be. "Elara..." His voice was a rasp, barely audible. "I p

rs streamed down Elara's cheeks as she held his hand, her grip shaking with fear . Memories of her m

" she sobbed. "You have

hink, my little star," he murmured, his lips curling into a fa

her plea was drowned by another fit of

y, willing herself to steady. The door creaked open, revealing Liam, her childho

side. "The medicine man is outside.

nd fell with alarming irregularity, before rising to

" he said, his voice steady but lac

a fresh wave of tears

ard, his face shadowed and grave. The wrinkles on hi

"I've done all I can. The herbs are not wor

her lungs. "No," she said firmly. "

s... one thing. A rare elixir made from the starflo

ssed, desperation s

" he said. "The herb is expensive, and the Alp

ackthorn, was a man known for his cruelty and greed

ulder, his expression grim. "I'm so

ted to the spot, the weight of his

er head in her hands. "What do I do, Liam?

vering hers. "We'll figure it out," he

attled the door. Both of them froze as the do

r gleaming even in the dim light. The leader, a

horn?" h

g her father with her body.

your father to the palace," the

ested, her voice shak

ior sneered. "That'

ragging him from the bed. He cried out i

ng against the warriors who rest

ughed up more blood, his voice too weak to prot

d for the forest, her heart pounding in her chest. Behind her, she

ice called out as

awed at her skin, roots threatened to trip her, but she didn't stop.

kicking and screaming, back to the palace. Liam was lef

designed to intimidate. At the center sat Alpha Kaelen, his cold, calc

ext, his frail form dumped

ing a long shadow over them. "You've been quite the n

rs streaming down her face. "We don't

tor. "Your father owes me a debt-a debt he has fai

ng on the cold stone floor. "Please

into a cruel smile.

chment. "Here's my offer. You will marry me and bear me a son.

ght in her throat.

ring into hers. "Then neither you nor y

th another fit of coughing. Blood splattered onto the floor

he glass doors, his face pale with anguis

t. Her father's cries, Liam's protests, and her

ice cold and final. "You ha

ne

or air, his frail b

wo

the glass, sho

hr

ied, her voice break

ently that her name was barely legible. The moment she finis

ke place tomorrow at

their eyes burning with jealousy. One of them sneere

heir," he snapped. "This one

er away. She collapsed onto the cold stone floor, her

r, and all she could do was wonder