Chapter 48
CHAPTER 48
CHAPTER 48
WADE
I thought the blackness would swallow me whole. It doesn’t. I’m not dead yet. The first thing I feel is heat.
Not the kind that warms your bones. The kind that bites. The kind that crawls up your throat and coats your lungs in smoke.
Fire shit. I was in a fire. What’s happening?
I try to move, but my body’s heavy. It feels like someone parked a damn carriage on my chest. Every breath is a chore–hot air, grit, pain. My head’s ringing so loud it feels like someone split it open.
There’s shouting somewhere close. Muffled, like I’m underwater. Then–footsteps. Fast footsteps. A woman’s voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and absolutely irritated.
“Gods, he’s heavier than he did back then. You could actually help, you know p>
That voice-
I know that voice.
It digs straight into a place I buried years ago. Not even years ago. Just a couple of months ago when I shoved her in that cell.
A man answers, lazy and deep, the kind of tone that sounds both annoyed and amused. I also know that voice. Who are these people? “I don’t see why I should. He’s your problem p>
“My problem?” she snaps. “He’s dying, Alaric p>
Alaric? The Lycan King?
My head’s spinning too hard to process it.
“Barely,” the man says. I can hear the smirk in his voice. “He’s still breathing. That’s more than he deserves.” “Unbelievable,” the woman mutters, her breath ragged as she tries to lift me. “You’re supposed to be the King. Maybe act like one instead of a stubborn-” She grunts, tugging harder. “-immature overgrown wolf p>
“Careful, sweetheart. That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble p>
Sweetheart.
The word hits something in me. It feels like a punch. I know that tone. I know that woman’s voice.
No. It can’t be.
“Would you stop staring at me and help me pull him p>
A low growl rolls through the air, thick and dangerous. “If you think I’m touching him, you’ve lost your damn mind p>
“Oh, for Moon’s sake–he’s unconscious, Alaric! He’s not going to bite you p>
“I might if you keep yelling,” I mutter hoarsely, surprising even myself. My voice comes out raw, cracked. There’s a pause. Silence sharp enough to slice through the smoke as though they have been caught. “Shit.” The woman murmurs. I can’t see his face. My eyes are both teary and blurry and the smoke that’s engulfing the place is preventing me from seeing even a hint of his face.
As if seeing my distress in trying to clear my vision and see her, a soft laughter follows. Low. Disbelieving. “Look who’s awake,” the woman murmurs. A bit confident now p>
I try to open my eyes, but everything’s blurry. Light. Fire. Shadows. The shape leaning over me looks like her. Hair falling out of a braid. Ash on her cheek. The curve of her jaw–familiar as sin.
No fucking way.
I don’t want to believe it. It;s not her and this is a dream.
CHAPTER 48
“Stay still,” she says, tone brisk, like she’s annoyed I didn’t die fast enough. “You’re not exactly in shape to play hero right now p>
“Yeah, no shit,” I rasp, coughing. “What–where-” who are you?
“Later,” she cuts me off, pressing something cool against my face. A wet cloth. Her hands tremble slightly, but her movements are steady. “You’re burned, you idiot. Don’t move p>
Behind her, the King scoffs. “You’re wasting your time. Let the past burn with the rest of it. That’s what he did with you p>
Her head snaps toward him and this time, it seems aa if the Alpha King hit a nerve. “I said help me p>
“Why? So he can crawl back to that snake of a woman and get you killed next time?” His voice darkens, every word dripping with possessive venom. “Not happening p>
She turns back to me, muttering under her breath. “You’re impossible p>
“You two always argue like this?” I croak.
Her gaze flickers to mine for half a second–wide, sharp, emotional. Then she looks away too fast. “Shut up, Wade p>
She knows my name.
That’s all I get before the black edges swallow me again.
It’s her.
When I open my eyes again, everything’s quiet.
No fire. No shouting. Just the crackle of a smaller flame–controlled now. My head feels heavy, my mouth tastes like ash and iron.
Something cold touches my skin. A damp cloth again, wiping across my jaw with slow, practiced care.
She’s humming a familiar tune.
The tune’s soft, something she used to do after every battle, when I’d come home half–broken and bloody, and she’d curse me for being a reckless idiot while patching me up anyway.
I remember her smile. The one that started in her eyes. The way she’d press her lips together when she was trying not to laugh.
“Sorin?” I murmur, voice rough.
“Hmm p>
My chest tightens. “You’re still here p>
“Always am,” she whispers.
For a moment, it’s like nothing’s changed. The world feels still. Safe. Like I’m twenty again, lying in our bed after a fight, her fingers brushing soot off my skin.
I almost smile.
Then the voice changes.
“Oh, Wade, thank the Goddess–you’re awake p>
My eyes snap open. The blur sharpens into the last person I want to see.
Ariel.
Not Sorin.
Never fucking Sorin.
She’s hovering over me, mascara smudged, cheeks streaked with dirt and tears. Her hands flutter uselessly near my shoulder, like she’s debating between comforting me or posing for pity.
2/3
CHAPTER 48
“I was so scared,” she breathes, voice trembling. “I didn’t know if you’d make it p>
I stare at her, too dazed to speak. My head still rings. “Where’s-” I stop myself. “What happened p>
“The fire,” she says quickly. “It spread too fast. You were trapped. I–I tried to save you, but the smoke-” She sniffles, dramatically. “I was so afraid I’d lose you p>
Sure. She bolted the moment it got bad. I remember that much.
But she must have been thinking of the baby. I don’t understand why I’m thinking of her like this.
I groan, pushing myself upright. Pain spikes down my leg like lightning, but I grit my teeth and ignore it. “You didn’t have to act so soon,” I mutter.
She blinks. “What p>
“Nothing p>
She forces a watery smile. “You should eat something. I made soup p>
I eye the bowl she holds out. The color’s weird–muddy tan. Smells faintly sweet and nutty.
“What the hell is that p>
“Peanut soup,” she says proudly. “It’s good for recovery. I made it myself p>
I blink at her. “Peanut p>
“Yes p>
“As in, the thing that makes my throat close and kills me in five minutes p>
Her eyes widen, mouth falling open. “Oh. I–I forgot p>
I drag a hand down my face. “You forgot that I’m allergic to peanuts? Jesus, Ariel p>
“I’m sorry!” she cries, voice pitching higher. “I just wanted to help! I didn’t mean to!” She sniffles again, grabbing a cloth. “You don’t have to yell, Wade. I’m just trying p>
“Don’t,” I cut her off, my voice sharper than I intend. The pounding in my head returns full force. “Don’t start crying over this. I don’t have the energy p>
Her lip trembles. “You’ve changed p>
What?
I look down at my hands and the injuries I have sustained. I didn’t… I didn’t change. I still love Ariel like always. Like before.
Subscribed
3 Likes
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.