Chapter 55
Her body jolted.
So violently I stumbled backward, the chair toppling behind me as I reached for her and masser
Her back arched like a bow pulled too tight, her mouth opening in a silent scream, eyes rolled hack until only the whites showed. Her arms flailed wildly, legs kicking beneath the blankets like her body was fighting something only she could see “No, no, no 1 lunged forward, grabbing her shoulders, trying to steady her as she convulsed
Her skin burned under my palmis
Scalding
Sweat poured down her face. Her breathing came in ragged, wheezing gasps between spasms, and my wolf went balistic in my chest
“Help” I roared, voice raw. “Somebody help me–she’s seizing!”
The door burst open. A nurse rushed in first, followed by another woman in pale scrubs and finally Bastain himself. His face was pale, drawn tight with alarm.
What happened?” he barked.
“I was about to mark her–she said yes–and then this happened
The nurse was already at her side, checking her vitals, shouting instructions to the assistant. A cool cloth was thrown over her forehead. A needle was inserted into her arm. I watched, helpless, as they fought to calm her. But her body wouldn’t stop Her limbs bucked wildly, her fingers curled unnaturally.
“She’s rejecting the initial mark Bastain said grimly, eyes scanning her trembling form. “Whatever’s inside her her wolf’s tearing itself apart trying to survive.”
I stepped back, my chest heaving, heart screaming.
I had done this
No–I hadn’t caused this, but I’d waited too long. I should’ve fought harder. I should’ve marked her before it ever got this “She chose you a voice in my head whispered. But I still failed her
“She needs a sedative! the nurse shouted. “We’ll burn through her core if this keeps up. She’s overheating again
Bastain looked at me. “You need to leave.”
“No”
“Nathaniel-
“Nor
His eyes flared with something between fury and pity, but he didn’t argue again. He just stepped back, letting the nurses work, letting me stay.
I dropped to my knees beside her bed, hands clenched into fists. I couldn’t touch her now–not while she gods, I wanted to. I wanted to hold her down and promise her she’d be okay. That I’d fix this. That I wouldn’t let her de
as seizing–but
But how could I promise something like that?
She bucked again, her head smashing into the pillow. Foam bubbled at the edge of her lips. Her breathing turned ragged “She’s losing consciousness, one nurse said. “We’re about to lose her-
No!
Но, по, по
“Please, baby” I whispered, my voice breaking “Stay with me. Don’t go. D
Don’t you dare leave me, Jiselle”
Her body jerked once more–then stilled
Too still
The room went deathly quiet
Successfully unlocked! ked!
“No,” choked. “No, come on No-*
“Her vitals are dropping the nurse said, panic in her voice now “I need an adrenaline shot”
Bastain cursed under his breath and turned toward the doorway “Get the doctor”
Chapter 65
The nurse injected her with something, and Jiselle’s body twitched. Her eyes fluttered once, twice, but didn’t open I leaned forward, pressing my forehead to her damp hair.
“Come back,” I begged her. “Come back to me. I’ll do anything. I’ll give anything. Just don’t die on me, Jiselle.”
This wasn’t supposed to happen,
This wasn’t how our story was supposed to end.
She had said yes
She had chosen me.
And now she was slipping through my fingers like smoke.
My hands shook as I pressed them gently to her cheeks, whispering words I couldn’t even hear over the blood rushing in my ears. I didn’t realize I was crying until a drop landed on her temple.
Please, moon goddess. Don’t take her from me.
Her fingers twitched again.
I froze.
“Do it” the nurse said, voice low but firm. “Mark her. She’s on the edge. It’s now or never.”
My eyes shot to Bastain, who stood frozen by the door.
“I thought it could kill her if she didn’t want it-”
“She wants it,” the nurse said. “She chose. You said it yourself. If she doesn’t want it now, she’s already gone.”
My pulse roared in my ears.
Slowly, I leaned over her, brushing her hair aside again. I looked at her face–at the freckles I’d memorized, the lips I’d kissed, the lashes fluttering weakly against flushed skin–and then I lowered my mouth to her neck
“I love you,” I whispered.
Then I sank my teeth into her.
The taste of her blood was like fire and stars–ancient and wild and searing. It surged into me like lightning, filling my veins with warmth, power, something primal and sacred. My wolf howled in my chest as our bond surged back to life, full and fierce.
Her body arched once beneath me–but this time it wasn’t pain.
This time…she accepted it.
The moment my teeth retracted, I collapsed beside her, panting.
Then relief.
The mark glowed faintly beneath the bruises Max had left. His mark was gone. Faded. Replaced.
By mine.
She was mine:
Truly, finally mine.
She let out a shaky breath, and I heard as her heart rate steadied.
And then–miraculously–she opened her eyes.
They were hazy, soft, but real
Alive.
I cupped her cheek. “You’re okay.”
She blinked. “Nathaniel?”
Relief crashed through me like a wave, dragging me under.
Tm here” 1 whispered “You’re safe now”
She blinked again. A tear slid down her cheek
And then, finally, she passed out–this time peacefully. Her fever dropped instantly, her skin cooled, and the shaking stopped
“She stabilizing, the nurse whispered, staring at the monitor. “It worked.”
I collapsed into the chair, heart pounding, body shaking, unable to believe what just happened.
She was alive.
And Maximus sker was as good as dead
Π
