Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Axel’s POV

“How is he?”

The question left my mouth the moment the pack healer stepped out of the bedroom.

My stomach twisted in dread as the elderly man let out a weary sigh, his shoulders sagging in defeat.

“I’m sorry Alpha,” he started, and I already knew what he was going to say next.

“His breathing has become increasingly unstable, and despite everything we’ve tried… Lord Vincent’s condition continues to worsen.”

When I didn’t respond, the healer quietly walked away, leaving me standing alone in the hallway.

I stood there for a long while, staring at the ground while my fists clenched at my sides.

It was happening again….

The vicious cycle that took the people I cared for.

Once again, I was left helpless, unable to do anything despite the resources and wealth at my disposal.

I gritted my teeth, my knuckles turning white.

“Fuck!” My fists slammed into the wall, drilling a hole into the concrete, but I didn’t flinch.

The pain was nothing compared to the throbbing ache inside me, like a wound that kept rotting with each passing day.

Letting out a shaky breath, I slowly walked into the room, welcomed by the pungent smell of medicinal herbs and sickness.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room in a warm glow that did little to chase away the heaviness clinging to every corner.

Vincent lay motionless beneath several blankets, his defined features turning hollow. He looked nothing like the fierce pack elder that I remembered, and after six months of being bedridden, it became even harder to look at him.

His silver hair darkened into an ashy grey, and his once broad frame looked so frail and thin against the bed.

As much as I hated to admit it. He was dying, and the fact I had to watch made it even more unbearable.

Growing up, I’d believed Vincent Caldwell was invincible. No matter what challenge stood before him, he always found a solution.

No matter how desperate the situation became, he never panicked. He faced everything with a calmness I wished I possessed, and because of this, everyone in the pack respected him.

Losing him wouldn’t just hurt me, it would be a huge blow to the pack itself.

My steps felt heavier as I moved closer, wondering if he could sense my presence.

I pulled a chair beside his bed and sat down, settling in silence as I unconsciously waited for some kind of acknowledgment.

Instead, his chest rose and fell slowly, but the rhythm was uneven, each breath sounding as though it could be his last.

“You always told me an Alpha shouldn’t wear such a gloomy expression,” I said, a bittersweet smile pulling at the corners of my lips. “So wake up and scold me then….”

I swallowed hard, pressing my lips into a straight line.

“It’s hard….” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s hard doing this alone.”

Contrary to what people believed, I wasn’t always the strong dependable Alpha the world knew today.

My mother had died during childbirth, and after her death, I barely got to see my father. Rumors spread throughout the pack that he wished she had survived instead of me, but I never heard those words from his own mouth.

He kept his distance, and for a long time, I believed those rumors. But everything changed when he suddenly came home one day, and with him was a little girl with the prettiest blue eyes.

She was shy and always clung to him, but I didn’t know how to act around her. Father often said she reminded him of my mother, and he only seemed to pay attention to me whenever I was with her.

It was strange, but I didn’t hate the feeling of finally being seen, so I kept her close. The more time we spent together, the more I realized the other pack members didn’t seem to like her very much.

She never stood up for herself, and although I didn’t think much of it at first, I found myself defending her without hesitation.

All I wanted was for my father to acknowledge me, but somewhere along the lines, I stopped doing it for him….and more for her.

That girl…was Leah.

And because of my recklessness, I lost her too.

Father died when I clocked eighteen, passing the burden of leading Silvermane Pack.

His illness had started just like this. Slow and dreadful.

Every remedy failed. Every healer admitted defeat. Until one morning…

The strongest Alpha Silvermane had ever known simply… never opened his eyes again.

No one ever discovered what had caused his illness, and his death had left a hole inside the pack—one I had yet to fill.

While the other pack leaders tried to manipulate me into doing their bidding, Vincent was the only one who truly cared for my well-being.

He trained me until my hands bled, pointed out my flaws, and taught me how to command respect without abusing authority.

I couldn’t do anything for my father…

But I won’t let history repeat itself.

After visiting Victor, I returned to my room to freshen up.

“You’re finally back.”

Zara sat on the master bed, already waiting for me when I arrived. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I walked past her, moving to unbutton my shirt.

Her gaze sharpened with a mixture of anger and frustration as they followed my every move.

“For over a year, you’ve barely looked at me,” Zara hissed, rising from the bed. “You avoid me, you ignore me, and you treat me like I don’t exist. I’m your mate, Axel. The woman destined to become your Luna. I deserve your respect.”

I continued unbuttoning my shirt, too tired to indulge another one of her antics.

But my silence only fueled her anger.

“Or are you still searching for that stupid orphan?”

That got my attention.

My hand froze on the last button, shoulders tensing up.

“Don’t.” I raised my gaze, my voice lowering dangerously. “Don’t ever mention Leah again.”

Her face twisted in envy. “So I’m right…” She scoffed, “You’re really searching for her? After what she did to me?”

Before she could say anything else, I crossed the room and seized her jaw, my fingers digging into her cheeks.

“You know exactly what happened six years ago,” I growled, struggling to keep my fury in check.

Zara glared at me through teary eyes, but this time, I wasn’t fooled. Not when I knew the truth.

“I know you provoked her. I know you pushed her until she snapped, then you stood there playing the victim while I sent guards to chase her down.”

She stubbornly raised her chin, a taunting glint flashing in her eyes. “It doesn’t matter anymore!” she shouted. “I’m your mate! I’m the one who’s supposed to be your Luna!”

“Luna?” A humorless laugh escaped me. “In case you’ve forgotten...”

I leaned closer, each word dripping with malice.

“A Luna must be able to bear the Alpha’s heir. But you haven’t managed to do that for the past five years.”

The color drained from her face, and with that, I let her go.

Zara staggered back, trembling like a tumbleweed.

“You…” she whispered, angrily wiping her tears. “You’re no better than I am.”

I watched as she stormed toward the door, but just as she yanked it open, she paused, looking back at me over her shoulder.

“And don’t fool yourself, Axel.” Her lips curled into a sinister smirk. “Even if you find her, she’ll never take you back.”

The door slammed shut.

I raked my fingers through my hair, not wanting to let her words get to me.

Just then, someone knocked on the door, and I mentally braced myself.

“Come in.”

“Alpha,” One of my men stepped inside, his hands clasped behind his back. “We’ve found a lead on the physician you asked us to investigate.”

My eyes narrowed, “And?”

“Her name is…”

One of my men stepped inside, his hands clasped behind his back.

“…Dr. W”