We were on a mission deep in Evergreen Mountain, searching for precious herbs, when the rogues came—vicious, relentless. I fought like hell as the best warrior of our group, but we were outnumbered. I protected what I could, but not without a price—deep cuts bled freely, and my leg snapped under the weight of battle. The pain was blinding, but I kept fighting until there was nothing left in me.
We barely made it back to the pack, battered and broken. As I was rushed to the infirmary, I mindlinked Bryce over and over, needing him more than ever. But all I got was silence.
My heart clenched with worry—was something wrong? When we finally arrived, the answer hit me like a punch to the gut.
Through the window of one of the infirmary rooms, I saw Bryce bent over Lucia, healing a severe burn on her arm. His face was filled with concern, and I could almost feel the weight of his hands on her skin, hands that should’ve been healing me. His attention was so consumed with her that he didn’t even notice my scent. My bloodied, broken self didn’t seem to matter.
Anger burned hotter than my wounds as I texted him.
[Isla: So, you're with her—that’s why you’re ignoring me.]