Lennox POV
For years, I’d shared my mind with him, my wolf, my partner, my rage, and balance. Without him, I was half alive. Less than that. I forced myself to focus, straining harder, calling out through the link. Come on... answer me. Please. Still nothing. I opened my eyes again, sweat breaking across my forehead. My pulse thundered in my ears. My hands were shaking, my breath coming too fast. The silence in my head was louder than any scream.
I glanced around the room, at the small window covered with a thin curtain, at the old wooden desk pushed against the wall, at the single lantern flickering weakly beside my bed. This wasn’t a room. This was exile.
"Four years..." I murmured, my voice hoarse. "And they left me here like this?"
My jaw clenched, rage slowly overtaking fear. If what that woman said was true, if Olivia, Levi, and Louis hadn’t come, then what had become of them? What did she mean by what they built without you?
The door opened suddenly, and the young woman from earlier entered, escorted by an older lady. From their resemblance, I could tell this was her mother. The elderly woman immediately bowed her head in deep respect.
"Welcome back, Alpha Lennox," she greeted softly. Her tone was respectful, but I didn’t feel like an Alpha anymore. I felt like a vegetable.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, concerned, as she slowly and respectfully approached me.
I frowned. "Why can’t I move my legs? Why is my wolf silent? Where is this place? Where is my family? What the hell is going on?" I didn’t even realize I was shouting until my voice echoed back at me from the walls.
The elderly woman, who was old enough to be my mother, had a calm look on her face, and it annoyed me even more.
"Please, Alpha," she said gently. "Calm yourself. I will answer all your questions, but first, allow me to examine you."
I glared at her. "And who the hell are you?"
She didn’t look offended. Instead, she pulled up a wooden chair and sat beside me. "My name is Martha," she said calmly. "And this is my daughter, Annabel. We are healers and diviners. This is our home. Four years ago, you were brought here by your brother, Alpha Levi. Since then, we’ve been the ones caring for you."
Her voice was respectful, but her eyes held pity, and that made my blood boil. I hated pity. I hated sympathy.
I clenched my jaw. "So Levi brought me here and just left me?"
Martha sighed quietly. "Your case was delicate. Many thought there was no hope. Your body was broken beyond natural healing. Even your wolf had gone silent. The healers of your pack tried everything, but your condition worsened. Everyone believed you would never wake again."
I stared at her, my mind spinning. "Everyone... lost hope," I repeated hollowly.
She nodded slowly. "Yes."
"Please, let me examine you," Annabel urged softly, and this time I didn’t argue.
Annabel stepped closer, her hands glowing faintly with soft golden light as she checked the markings on my arms and chest. The gentle warmth of her healing energy spread through me, but it felt muted, disconnected.
"What’s wrong with me?" I asked again, my voice cracking this time. "Why can’t I move my legs? Why can’t I feel my wolf?"
Martha’s calm expression faltered slightly. She exchanged a look with her daughter, who stopped her examination midway. Something in their silence made my stomach twist. Something was very wrong.
"Tell me," I demanded, my tone rude and panicked. "Tell me what’s wrong!"
Martha drew in a long, slow breath. "Alpha Lennox..." She hesitated, her voice dropping lower. "I’m afraid the Moon Goddess’ second chance came with a heavy cost."
My heart pounded. "What are you talking about?"
She met my gaze, her eyes filled with sorrow and pity. "Your wolf, he’s gone. You’re wolfless. The bond between you and him was severed when you were brought back."
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. "No," I whispered.
Martha’s voice wavered as she continued, "And your legs, the lower part of your body sustained damage beyond what healing can restore. You’ve been paralyzed too... but it might be temporary."
"No." My voice rose, trembling. "You’re wrong."
Annabel stepped back, her expression full of pity. "We’ve checked, Alpha. Many times. You were given another chance at life, but it came with a price."
I shook my head violently. "No! That’s impossible! You’re lying!"
Martha reached for my arm, but I jerked away. "No! You don’t understand!" My voice broke, echoing through the small room. "I’m an Alpha! I can’t be wolfless! And crippled!"
The walls seemed to close in. I slammed my fists against the bed, the pain barely registering. "I should’ve died then! Not this... not like this!"
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