Chapter 8
Kora POV
The question made my brows shoot up. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. My lips parted slightly, unsure whether to nod or deny it, because deep inside, I knew the fire of vengeance was already burning in me.
I looked away, my fingers tightening on the blanket. “Revenge...” I whispered, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. “I shouldn’t want it, but I do. I want them to feel every pain they made me live through. I want them to lose what they hold dear, just like they made me lose everything.”
Edward leaned closer, his presence overwhelming, his voice deep and steady. “Good. Stop wasting tears on people who betrayed you. Use that pain, turn it into strength. If it’s revenge you want... then I’ll help you get it.”
My eyes flew back to him, wide in disbelief. “Why? Why would you do that for me?”
A faint smirk tugged at his lips, but his eyes were sharp as blades. “Because anyone who tries to destroy what’s mine will face my wrath. And for the next year, Kora, you belong to me. That means your enemies are mine too.”
A shiver ran down my spine. His words were dangerous, but they stirred something inside me—something darker than fear.
“I don’t belong to you,” I said stubbornly, my chin lifted in defiance.
Edward groaned low, the sound deep and dangerous, like his wolf was clawing just beneath the surface. His eyes darkened, holding me in place as if daring me to repeat the words.
“You are stubborn, Kora,” he said through clenched teeth, his voice carrying both warning and admiration.
A small smile tugged at my lips. “I know I’m stubborn. I’ve always been that way. It’s the only thing that kept me alive when everyone else wanted me broken.”
His gaze lingered on me, sharp yet unreadable. For a moment, I thought he might lash out, but instead he leaned back, studying me as if I were a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
“You’re playing with fire,” he muttered, his tone softer now. “But maybe that fire is what makes you different.”
My heart pounded, but I refused to look away. I wasn’t just being bold; I wanted him to see that I wasn’t the weak girl everyone thought I was.
“I’ll give you space to rest. The maid will bring something for you,” Alpha Edward said before walking out, his voice calm but his eyes still stormy with unspoken thoughts.
I lowered my gaze to the fresh bandages wrapped around my fingers. They looked so fragile, yet they were proof of how close I’d come to losing everything. Slowly, I eased myself back against the pillows, trying to find comfort.
I needed to be more careful now. I wasn’t just one person anymore. Every step, every choice, carried more weight than before. My hand instinctively brushed over my stomach, relief washing through me. At least the baby is safe.
A bitter thought slipped in—maybe that was the only reason I was still here. Maybe if it weren’t for this child, Alpha Edward would have already chased me out, erased me from his world.
The creak of the door pulled me from my thoughts. I expected the maids with a tray, but instead, Alina stepped in. Her face was pale, her expression filled with worry.
“Alina,” I whispered softly, surprised.
She crossed the room quickly, her eyes scanning me as if to make sure I hadn’t been broken into pieces. “How are you feeling?” she asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“My brother told me what happened,” she added quickly, almost breathlessly. “Are you okay?” Her questions came without pause, giving me no space to answer.
“I’m fine,” I said at last, my voice steadier than I felt. But the way she looked at me, eyes sharp, searching—told me she wasn’t convinced.
She reached out, brushing her fingers gently against my arm, her touch lingering. “You don’t look fine, Kora. And... you have to be careful.”
“I will be careful,” I said quietly, though the words felt more like a promise to myself than to her.
Alina tilted her head, her eyes softening. “I wouldn’t have known if not for my brother. He was shouting at the guards downstairs—it drew my attention. That’s how I found out.” She gave a small, teasing smile. “He also told me you’ve missed me.”
A laugh escaped my lips, light but genuine, easing some of the heaviness inside me. “The mansion is too big for me to be alone all the time. I need someone to talk to.”
“I understand,” Alina said, her voice laced with sincerity. For a moment, her hand brushed mine, a gentle reminder that she was here.
But even as I smiled at her, a part of me couldn’t stop wondering—was her understanding truly genuine, or was it pity... or perhaps something else?
Alpha Aaron’s betrayal still sat heavily on my chest like a wound that refused to heal. It made me doubt people, made me look twice at every smile, every kind word. I couldn’t trust easily anymore, and I wasn’t ready to go through that kind of pain again. Not ever.
“Are you okay?” Alina’s voice pulled me out of the storm of my thoughts. She was leaning closer, concern written all over her face.
“Yes... Thank you,” I replied, forcing a small smile even though my heart wasn’t in it.
“Let’s go out,” she said suddenly, her tone light, almost playful, as though fresh air could mend the cracks inside me.
But the word slipped out of my lips before I could even think. “No.” Her brows knitted. “Why? Did he tell you not to come out?”
I gave a small nod.
Alina sighed knowingly. “I thought as much.”
I looked down at my hands, twisting them nervously. “It’s not just because of that... my leg is still injured too,” I admitted softly, my voice laced with a vulnerability I didn’t want her to hear.
Her gaze softened even more, and for a moment, the room was silent except for the faint throb in my chest. I couldn’t tell if her sympathy was a comfort... or a reminder of just how broken I’d become.
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