Chapter 3
The shadow coiled tighter, dragging me deeper into the abyss.
Lily’s voice thundered in my mind, sharp with panic.
“Something’s wrong. It won’t let you take him. If this drags on, you’ll be the one in danger! What are you going to do, Kyla?”
I fought upward with all my strength, but the black fog yanked me back toward the altar. The moment the blue flames licked close, I made my choice—
I bit down hard and severed my left arm.
The agony ripped through me. I screamed, nearly losing my grip on Samuel with my right hand.
My severed arm was consumed in the altar’s flame, burned to nothing.
It was the only way. Otherwise, the dark spirit would have bound me forever, enslaving me for daring to steal away what it claimed. Blood fanned into the water, staining the sacred chamber crimson.
I kicked upward, every muscle straining. Finally, I dragged Samuel back to shore.
By then I had shifted into human form, collapsing on the bank. The torn sleeve of my missing arm flapped in the wind. An Omega rushed forward with a purple cloak to cover me. My daughter fell to her knees beside me, sobbing, clutching me with trembling hands.
“Mother, what happened? Please, don’t leave me!”
I coughed out river water, weak but steady.
“I’m fine, my darling. Don’t be afraid. I’m still here.”
Leo never spared me a glance. He strode past to Samuel’s side, barking orders for him to be carried away.
My vision blurred. The last thing I saw was the crowd clustered around Samuel—then blackness claimed me.
When I woke, the stump of my arm had been bandaged, but the ache gnawed deep.
In my mind, Lily wept with rage.
“You gave everything for him, and he left you bleeding! He rushed to that woman’s brother, not to you. He even told the Pack Doctor to heal Samuel first!”
I stared at the ceiling, numb.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m done. He can cherish whoever he wants—it has nothing to do with me. Saving Samuel once… I consider it repaying his mother’s debt. We’re even now.”
Beta Steve appeared, bowing. “Alpha Leo looks for you.”
Calmly, I followed him.
On the far side, Samuel lay pale and lifeless, his eyes hollow, his breathing faint. It was as if his soul had already fled, leaving only a shell behind.
The tribe’s shaman arrived; his eyes clouded with gray mist. He pressed gnarled fingers to Samuel’s brow, then frowned heavily.
“His soul is trapped in the Dark River. To retrieve it, something of immense value must be offered to the altar.”
Silence blanketed the hall. Then, all eyes turned to me.
My wolf eyes glowed gold. My voice cracked with pain and fury.
“I already gave an arm to bring him back! Now you want me to go again? That’s asking for my life!”
Leo’s gaze snapped to my wound. For the first time, shock crossed his face.
“Your arm… it’s really gone?”
His voice dropped, guilt lacing it.
“I thought… it was lie. A trick to make me come see you. You’ve always used every scheme to get my attention…”
My body trembled with rage. Even now, he doubted me. To him, my daughter’s cries had never mattered. He had never believed me.
Sandra seized the moment, stepping closer. Her voice was soft, her tone dripping false pity.
“I know a little healing. Judging from the wound… it looks self-inflicted.”
She sighed, feigning sorrow.
“Kyla, you really are cruel. To keep Leo’s heart, you’d cut off your own arm?”
Leo’s eyes hardened. He stared at me as if seeing a monster.
“So that’s what you’ve become. A woman willing to maim herself just to deceive me.”
Whatever guilt he had felt vanished in an instant.
His fingers toyed with his ring—his habit when impatience gnawed at him.
“One hand missing doesn’t stop you from diving again. Do this, and when it’s over, I’ll make it up to you. You wanted me to take you hunting for venison once, didn’t you? I’ll go with you this time.”
He pulled a silver-marked crest from his cloak and pressed it into my palm.
“The shaman says this is the most precious—an Alpha’s sigil. Offer it to the altar, and Samuel’s soul will return.”
I stared at the crest, my fists trembling, lips curving in a cold smile.
“Leo, doesn’t it strike you as strange? Why should your sigil be sacrificed for Sandra’s brother?”
His brows furrowed, his voice sharp.
“What are you implying?”
My voice was calm, low, edged with steel.
“If you trust me, keep it safe. No matter what Sandra or her brother says, do not give it up. If you ignore me… you’ll regret it.”
Sandra’s face drained of color. Her eyes widened in panic, then filled with tears.
“Leo, don’t listen to her! We’re just ordinary pack members—we’d never harm you. I only want my brother alive… if he dies, I can’t go on!”
Her lies shone through me like glass, but to Leo they were gospel.
His hand slammed the table with a crack. The room went still.
“I grew up with Sandra. I know her better than anyone. She would never betray me. Enough, Kyla. Do your duty as a Dark River Ferryman! Whatever the cost, I’ll bear it.”
I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly.
“Fine.”
He had never once asked how much my wound hurt. Never comforted my daughter. Never believed me.
If he was so eager to throw his life away, then so be it.
When I agreed, he turned and left with his entourage.
Only Sandra and I remained.
Her mask slipped at last. A smirk curled her lips.
“You’ll never beat me. He’ll believe every word I say. He’ll give me whatever I want. And you—” she sneered, “you’re nothing but a fool.”
I met her gaze, unshaken.
“If I hadn’t gone down there, your lover would already be chained to the Dark River. For him, I gave an arm.”
I leaned closer, voice quiet but razor-sharp.
“Tomorrow, I’ll go again. I’ll finish your bargain with the Dark River. But you’ll grant me one condition. Refuse, and I’ll let Samuel rot in the depths.”
Her eyes widened, shock flashing to terror. She knew I had uncovered her secret.
Her lips trembled before she finally whispered,
