Chapter 69 Fire in the Blood


    Aubrey’s POV


    “Aubrey?”


    Finished


    Henry’s deep Alpha voice cut into my mind just as I scraped a fourth bloody line across my corbone with my fingernails. That single, questioning word–low, masculine, filled with concern–was like a bucket of ice. water dousing my brain.


    What was I doing?


    I had initiated a mind link with Alpha Henry. I had been about to ask for his help.


    No. Absolutely not.


    “That’s enough!” E’s voice snapped inside me, pacing furiously. “He’s our mate! So what if something happens–he’s meant to be with us!”


    No… I pushed back. It wasn’t like that. Alpha Henry… he wasn’t just any man. I had once loved him sopletely, so devastatingly, that just thinking about turning to him again felt like ying with fire. One spark… and I might burn all over again.


    That fear–that truth–was more terrifying than the heat of my own body.


    I severed the mind link immediately.


    This drug–if I could just hold on a little longer, I’d get through it. Just a little longer!


    I bit down hard on my lip and pinched my thigh until the pain jolted me, then forced myself forward, stumbling toward the woods.


    Henry’s POV


    What the hell is she doing?


    I was just about to evaluate the Beta warriors‘ training when Aubrey’s mind link suddenly came through. Her voice, soft and uncertain, filled my head.


    She was contacting me. Voluntarily.


    After the way she coldly shut me downst time, she hadn’t returned a single call. Not even a nce. But now she was reaching out?


    Something wasn’t right.


    But before I could ask anything, she cut the link–just like that. A few seconds of silence… then nothing.


    Damn it.


    Logic told me to stay put. I had hundreds of warriors waiting, an inspection to lead, and no reason to chase after an Omega who clearly didn’t want me.


    But my gut said otherwise. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. And when I tried to reestablish the mind link and failed-


    15:08 Fri, 15 Aug


    Chapter 69 Fire in the Blood


    I knew something was wrong.


    The thought of someone–anyone–hurting her made my vision go red.


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    Finished


    I stood up at once and barked to the Beta next to me, “Training’s over. Dismiss everyone. We continue


    tomorrow.”


    He blinked. “Alpha, but–these warriors have been preparing for this evaluation for weeks-”


    “I said, dismiss!”


    Without waiting for a reply, I shifted into wolf form and shot off across the pack grounds. I barely registered the stunned stares behind me.


    Aubrey had a few ces she frequented. I checked her apartment first–nothing. Then headed for the outskirts near the Mary estate.


    And finally–I caught her scent.


    She was walking alone down a remote path, no injuries, but… she didn’t look right.


    Relief mmed into me like a wave. She was okay. I could breathe again.


    What the hell was I doing? I’d told myself I was done with her, that I didn’t care anymore. And yet here I was -acting like a fool, chasing her through the pack like some lovesick pup.


    I gritted my teeth and was just about to turn away when-


    Aubrey suddenly stumbled.


    “Aubrey!”


    I bolted forward and caught her as she copsed, shifting back to human form mid–motion. Her skin burned like fire. Her cheeks were flushed red, her breath ragged, as if she were battling something deep and merciless.


    “What’s wrong? Are you burning up?” I frowned. Werewolves rarely got sick, but she was an Omega with no wolf. Her body was weaker–fragile.


    “Alpha… Henry?”


    She looked up at me with dazed, shimmering eyes–ssy and wet like stars drowning in water. Her voice. was soft, hoarse, and it knocked the air right out of my lungs.


    Before I could respond, she threw herself forward-


    And kissed me.


    Hard.


    Her lips clung to mine with desperate force, scorching and sweet. Her fingers, blistering with heat, trailed up from my jaw to my eyes, like she was trying to im every inch of me.


    When the kiss finally broke, she gasped for air, ring at me, her lips flushed bright red. Her eyes gleamed with a stubborn fire.


    <b>15:08 </b>FH, 15 Aug D


    Chapter 69 Fire in the Blood


    Finished


    “Alpha Henry… why don’t you like me? Is it because of Mariana? Even if it is, give it up!” she snapped, breathless. “I’m not calling off the engagement. And don’t think you can push me away–I’ll ding to you no matter what, until you fall for me too!”


    Damn it.


    Something about the way she said it–so fierce, so raw–hit me like a hammer to the chest.


    And for a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.


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