My attention immediately diverted to Sera as her knees buckled and she slid to the ground. Still bracing my arms around her, I pulled her to me, reaching for her injured leg.
“Ow,” she groaned, her face scrunched up in pain.
“Fuck,” I swore as my gaze dropped to the wound.
Two small, sharp puncture marks glistened against her skin, surrounded by a faint halo of redness.
Tiny droplets of blood clung to the edges, almost imperceptible, but the swelling had begun already, a subtle bulge that spoke of venom spreading.
“K-Kieran…” she stammered, voice trembling.
I gritted my teeth, fighting the surge of fear that clawed through me. “It’s okay, Sera. I’ve got you.”
Her leg shook under my hand as I bent closer. I could see the faint purpling of the skin where the venom was beginning its insidious crawl, a silent warning of what would happen if I didn’t act immediately.
My heart thudded in my chest-my body violently reacting to her vulnerability, to the thought of her in danger.
I knew what kind of snake that was, knew that the venom would paralyze her within minutes if left untreated.
Without hesitation, I pressed my lips to the bite, sucking carefully, tasting the metallic tang of blood and the sharp sting of venom.
Sera’s gasp of shock, the tremor in her body-none of it registered beyond the singular focus of saving her.
Even as I worked, I couldn’t stop the thoughts racing through me: how fragile she seemed in this moment, how much she relied on me even though I knew she hated that she did.
How I’d never let anything ever hurt her again.
“Don’t move,” I muttered between breaths. “Just a little more.”
Her hand gripped my shoulder, claws of fear digging into my skin, but she didn’t resist.
I felt her pulse under my lips, fluttering wildly with panic and adrenaline.
My own body trembled with effort, but I refused to let go until I knew the venom was completely out of her system.
Finally, I pulled back and spat one last time into the sand before wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.
Sera’s eyes were wide and unsteady, but alive.
“Come on,” I said, my voice low and steady. “We’re getting you to the clinic.”
She stumbled slightly, leaning against me as I scooped her up, carrying her the short distance to the small island clinic a few minutes away from the villa.
Daniel was still asleep, the villa unaware of the morning chaos, and that was as it should be.
This moment-as terrifying and overwhelming as it was-was between Sera and me.
We said nothing as I carried her. My arms tightened every time she shivered, and her head was resting against my chest, so I knew she could feel my thundering heartbeat.
The clinic was cool, sterile, and glaringly bright, a sharp contrast to the sun-washed vibrance of the beach.
I set her gently on the examination table, fingers lingering at her wrist, checking pulse, temperature, and reflexes even as the doctor approached.
Only two staff worked at the clinic-Doctor Lynch and a nurse who was nowhere in sight.
I studied Sera closely as the doctor gently examined the bite.
Her shoulders were tense, jaw tight. There was a faint sheen of sweat clinging to the nape of her neck even though her skin had cooled since the adrenaline spike.
Each detail anchored me in the present, tethered me to a responsibility I had never felt before, but now accepted wholeheartedly: to keep Sera safe, no matter the cost.
When he was finished with his examination, Doctor Lynch stepped back, his brows furrowed. “She’s…fine.”
He turned to me. “What first aid did you apply, Alpha?”
“I sucked the venom out.” My voice sounded rough, tight.
“Ah.” He nodded, smiling in approval. “Quick thinking, Alpha.”
He turned his smile to Sera. “You’ll be fine. The venom is out, and you’re in no danger. You’ll be sore, and your ankle will be tender for a while, but other than that, you’re all good. I’ll just give you some ointment for the swelling, some medication in case of infection, and bandage you up.”
Sera’s shoulders slumped. “Thank you,” she exhaled.
Doctor Lynch shook his head. “I didn’t do the hard part.”
Sera’s gaze flickered to me briefly.
“Now,” Doctor Lynch continued, pulling out a clipboard. “I just have a couple of questions about your diet and routine. When was your last meal? Any unusual foods? Supplements? What’s your exercise regimen like?
“I-“
“She usually eats fruit, yogurt, or oats for breakfast, though she doesn’t eat this early, so I doubt she’s had anything today. She drinks water, fresh juice, or coffee. Not a huge fan of snacking. As for exercise, she does rigorous cardio, strength training, and resistance work. She takes folic acid supplements but no new medications-at least nothing that would interfere with her system.”
I kept my gaze firmly on the doctor, but I didn’t miss the way Sera’s wide eyes darted to me, a shadow of shock on her face.
Frankly, I was shocked too. I didn’t realize I had paid so much attention to her until now.
“Ah,” the doctor said, jotting notes. “She’s well-cared-for. I can see why she handled the shock better than most. Most mates, even without the saliva, would barely manage this calmly.”
I stiffened at the same time Sera’s breath stuttered.
“E-excuse me?”
Doctor Lynch shrugged. “I’m just saying that Alpha Kieran clearly cares deeply for you, Luna.”
“I’m not his Luna!” Sera sputtered. “We’re not mates!”
The doctor raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Interesting. Even after drawing the venom out, you should still have been affected. Typically, only mates’ saliva can heal injuries in this manner.”
I frowned as he continued. “But you’re Alpha-” He shrugged. “Powerful enough that it may just be a coincidence.”
I nodded, neck stiff, trying to ignore the sharp stabbing pain in my chest that emanated from the fervent way she’d denied any connection with me.
‘I’ve let go.’
I watched as Doctor Lynch applied ointment to her injury and bandaged it up.
“Rest,” the doctor advised when he was done. “Stay off that ankle for at least twenty-four hours. Simple diet, hydrate well, and avoid stress.”
I nodded, guiding Sera out of the clinic. The morning sun was now high enough to burn through the lingering haze, warm on my shoulders.
She stumbled slightly on the sand, and I reached out, steadying her without a word. Surprisingly, she leaned in without resistance, letting me half-carry her, keeping the weight off her injured leg.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her first words to me since I sucked the venom out.
Her gaze met mine, still a little shaken and full of something I couldn’t name. Gratitude? Relief? A fraction of trust?
She exhaled. “Yesterday, too, at the beach. Thank you. You always seem to be saving me.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” I said, voice low, grip firm on her waist and arm. “I’d do it again. Anytime.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she didn’t say anything else.
We walked back to the villa slowly. Every step was measured, careful. The sound of the waves reminded me of yesterday, of the chaos that had nearly consumed her.
And yet, now, she was alive, steady in my arms, and for once, I allowed myself a moment to simply be present without desire, without resentment.
But beneath the quiet, the ache persisted. I couldn’t ignore how close I had been to losing her-again.
I couldn’t ignore the pull, the surge of protectiveness that flared at every step.
The villa came into view, the familiar whitewashed walls bathed in gold.
I set her down gently at the threshold, my fingers brushing her arm-a silent reminder: I was here. Always.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply