chapter 6

Catherine laughed softly. "Leon, you deserved it."

Leon studied her for a long moment, his gaze steady and calculating. "You're counting on Edward to protect you now? That's interesting, because I heard he's been spending a lot of time with your good friend Jane lately."

Catherine didn't want to hear it. She pushed his hand away and turned to leave, but the moment she took a step, the world tilted violently. Her body went soft, weightless, and then everything went dark.

*****

At the Stormclaw Pack Alpha Manor, Edward leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed and his arm draped over his forehead.

The news from Werewolf Alliance Hospital was grim—finding a matching heart donor wouldn't be easy.

If they couldn't find a match, Jane would die. Edward yanked at his tie in frustration.

His phone rang on the coffee table. It was the hospital where Jane was staying.

"Alpha Edward, Ms. Greyson is awake."

The knot in his chest loosened just a little. He grabbed his suit jacket and headed for the door, but when he pulled out of the driveway, a black Bentley was blocking the entrance to the Alpha Manor. Edward's car couldn't get through.

He shoved his door open and strode toward the other vehicle.

"You've got some nerve, Alpha of the Thornhowl Pack," he said coldly once he saw who it was.

Leon licked his lips and rested his left arm on the window frame, tilting his chin toward the passenger seat. "I'm bringing Catherine back. She fell asleep."

Edward glanced into the car and saw Catherine asleep in the passenger seat, but his gaze didn't linger. His voice was flat and dismissive. "If she's asleep, you could've taken her back to Thornhowl Pack. Why bring her here?"

Catherine's eyes, which had been barely open, snapped shut. Her nose stung, and tears slipped down her cheeks before she could stop them.

Leon tilted his head. "Alpha Edward, you sure you won't regret this?"

Edward let out a cold laugh. "You think I give a damn about her?"

Without another word, Edward got back in his car and his icy gaze locked on Leon through the window, daring him to stay put.

Leon found the whole thing amusing. He slid back into his own car and moved out of the way, and within seconds, Edward's car disappeared down the road.

Catherine slowly opened her eyes and reached for her seatbelt, but Leon pressed his hand over hers. "You're sick."

His voice carried a rare tenderness. Catherine said nothing.

He turned to look at her. "Come back to Thornhowl Pack with me."

Catherine pulled her hand away and got out of the car.

Leon rolled down his window. "Catherine, he doesn't care about you. I just got word that Jane woke up, and I guarantee you he's on his way to Werewolf Alliance Hospital to see her right now. If you don't believe me, I'll take you there and you can see for yourself."

"It's none of my business." Catherine's spine was straight and steady as she walked toward the Alpha Manor, one step at a time.

Leon watched her go, and for reasons he couldn't explain, a restless unease settled in his chest. Like something was about to happen.

*****

At Werewolf Alliance Hospital, Jane lay in bed with red-rimmed eyes and a tear-streaked face.

"Edward, three years ago, I started having these terrible chest pains. I couldn't breathe. So I went to the werewolf hospital to get checked out, and the doctor said my wolf was injured and my heart was failing because of it.

"I've been taking medication for years, but it's only gotten worse. Tell me the truth. Am I dying?"

Edward closed his eyes. Three years ago, on that rainy night, Jane had saved his life. Her wolf had been badly injured protecting him and went into hiding, and after that, she became no different from an ordinary human. Her body grew weak and fragile, and the very next day, she spiked a high fever that lasted three full days.

She was like this because of him.

"You're not going to die," Edward said, his voice low and steady.

Jane clutched his hand and broke down crying. "But how are we ever going to find a matching heart?"

*****

That night, Catherine drifted somewhere between sleep and waking when she heard her bedroom door open. She stirred groggily and tried to sit up, but someone pressed her back down onto the bed.

The Alpha's scent hit her first, mixed with the heavy sweetness of alcohol. It flooded her senses like a tide she couldn't escape.

Her wolf recognized him instantly and howled with joy.

Moonlight filtered through the window, and Catherine could see his face now. Those eyes that were usually cold and distant were clouded tonight with something else—confusion, maybe. Struggle.