I tore myself from his grasp using the Alpha blood running in me, shoved past him and fled down with my wolf speed the stone passageway. I did not care where my feet carried me. I only needed distance.
Then my boot caught the edge of the stairs.
The world spun.
The fall came fast.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
I woke to a clean scent and low rune-humming. White stone above. My body ached, but it was whole. A healer entered, her face calm.
“You have awakened,” she said gently. “You are fortunate you have an Alpha blood. No broken bones, only heavy bruises. You must rest.”
I blinked. “Was… anyone here with me?”
She tilted her head. “You do not recall?”
“I thought there was… a man. Perhaps I dreamed it.”
“You did not. A man named Kaegan brought you to the Mooncrown Healer Sanctum. Paid most of the healing cost. Stayed beside you through the night.”
My chest tightened. “Kaegan…”
“Yes,” she nodded. “And he nearly fought two wolves who tried to enter. One with brown eyes, one taller. He ordered them away. They obeyed.”
My breath caught. “Did he leave word?”
“No,” she said softly. “He departed at dawn. Said you would understand.”
I did not. And yet… I did.