From that moment, I refused to speak to him. My heart filled with resentment.
When Caelan came to tutor me, I discovered my gift for medicine. I chose to become a doctor to heal others, so they wouldn’t lose loved ones like I had.
I asked Dad about the enemies who hurt Mom in battle. He only shook his head, saying he was fighting other foes and didn’t know what happened. When he reached Mom, she was already seriously wounded. All these years I’ve tried to gather information about that day, but found nothing. I want to find those enemies and kill them myself.
During college our relationship improved slightly, but then Dad demanded I marry Caelan.
The real pain wasn’t the arranged marriage itself – it was Dad’s betrayal of Mom’s memory.
The marriage proposal was just the final straw. The real wound was his remarriage.
Pain over Mom’s death.
Rage at Dad’s remarriage.
Despair over Darrell’s betrayal.
Fear and confusion about the future.
“Mom, I’m sorry… I let someone destroy what we made together…” My voice broke..
‘Am I destined to bear all this pain alone?”
I held the sapphire fragments against my chest. Each piece felt like a shard of my broken heart.
But then Mom’s voice echoed in my memory: “Always stay strong and kind.”
I wiped my tears and sat up straighter.
The necklace was broken, but Mom’s love and guidance lived in my heart.
Maybe it couldn’t be perfectly restored, but I could try.
I picked up my phone and photographed the broken pieces carefully. Then I sent the images to Caelan with a message:
“Do you know any jewelry craftsmen who might be able to repair this?”
My phone buzzed barely thirty seconds after I’d sent the photos.
Caelan’s name flashed on the screen.
I pressed answer with trembling fingers. “Hello?”
“Sabi. His voice came through low and filled with something I couldn’t identify. “This is your mother’s necklace, isn’t it?”
My breath caught. “How did you-“.
“You’re hurt. The concern in his tone made my chest tighten. “Tell me what happened.”
I gripped the phone tighter. “How did you know?”
“I remember Isabella always wore this exact sapphire necklace. His voice softened with memory. “And there’s blood on the metal in your pictures.”
My eyes darted to the broken pieces scattered on the carpet. I picked up a fragment of chain and held it to the light. Dark crimson stained the silver – so faint I’d missed it completely.
He noticed that? From a phone photo?
How is that even possible? The blood is barely visible.
For some reason, heat crept up my neck. “It’s just… a small cut. Nothing serious.”
“Sabi.” His tone grew gentle but insistent. “You sound exhausted. Not just tired – emotionally drained. What happened tonight?”
The question hit too close to home. I pressed my free hand against my eyes, fighting the urge to break down completely.
I’m fine. Really.
“You know what? I have a superpower.”
The random statement caught me off guard. “What kind of superpower?”
“I can hear through the phone when someone’s pretending to be okay.” His voice carried a hint of teasing warmth. ‘Works every time.”
Despite everything, I found myself almost smiling. “That’s not a real superpower.”
“It’s very real. For instance, right now I can tell you desperately want someone there with you, but you’re too stubborn to admit it.”
The accuracy of his observation stole my breath. Silence stretched between us as I fought the truth of his words.
“Maybe,” I whispered finally.
“Then I’m coming to you.” His tone shifted to one of decision. “I was just finishing some territory reports anyway.”
‘Caelan, you don’t need to-“
“Actually, I was hoping for an excuse.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Being Lycan King gets boring sometimes.”
“Boring?” I let out a watery laugh. “Don’t you have important royal duties?”
“Very important. Like making sure my future queen isn’t sitting alone in a hotel room piecing together broken jewelry.”
My heart did something stupid in my chest.
Before I could protest, he continued. “I’m already arranging the flight. Three hours, and I’ll be there.”
“What if I refuse to see you?”
–
“Then I’ll camp outside your hotel until you change your mind.” His voice carried mock desperation. “Think of the scandal – Lycan King reduced to sleeping on sidewalks.”
This time my laugh was genuine. “Oh, well…” I played along with his mock-serious tone. “I suppose camping on sidewalks could be entertaining. Very avant- garde for a king.”
“You’re so heartless. Sable Crawford, I hereby command you, as your future husband and king, not to reject my company tonight.”
The gentle authority in his tone sent unexpected warmth through my limbs. “Is that an official royal decree?”
‘Absolutely. Disobedience will result in severe punishment.”
“What kind of punishment?”
I’ll have to think of something terrible. Maybe forced Netflix marathons with excessive takeout food.”
Oh no, I deadpanned. “Anything but comfort and relaxation.”
“See? I’m very intimidating.”
I curled into the hotel suite’s plush sofa, phone pressed to my ear. “Okay. You win.”
“Good. And Sabi?”
“Yeah?”
“Whatever happened tonight – you don’t have to carry it alone anymore.”
The promise in his words made my throat tight with unshed tears.
After we hung up, I sat staring at my phone. For the first time in days, I didn’t feel completely hollow inside.
Then a new message notification popped up. Unknown number.
My stomach sank as I opened it.
A photo filled the screen sterile sheets.
–
Camila lying in a hospital bed with white bandages wrapped around most of her head. She looked pale and fragile against the
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