Betrayed before the Altar

Damian had called early that morning explaining he was the one who'd carried me to the healer. He'd already paid for the medication and located the last available supply in the territory. With my foot still throbbing, I limped into the hospital and collected the precious drugs.

"This is our final stock in the entire region," the doctor warned. "Without the complete treatment, your tendons will deteriorate and your arm could become permanently disabled. Guard this medication with your life."

I held the precious medication and left his office, my mind spinning with relief that I could save my arm. As I turned the corner, I met with Kian and Vivian, holding hands in the hospital corridor.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he snarled, stepping forward. "Didn't I make myself clear when I told you to disappear?"

I stepped back. "You told me not to come home. You never said I couldn't seek medical attention for the injury you caused."

"I caused?" Kian laughed. "You're the one who smashed Vivian's gift and nearly killed her with those glass shards. She still has nightmares about your violent outburst."

"Are you serious right now? Because of your games, my arm might be permanently damaged," I choked out, holding up the medication package. "The tendons are barely holding together."

Kian rolled his eyes. "Oh, here we go again with the victim routine. First it was your foot, now suddenly it's your arm? You'll say anything for attention, won't you?"

I couldn't bear to look at their faces anymore. I ran back home, knowing that the man who once promised to protect me was the very one who had caused my injury.

Not even ten minutes later, the front door swung open. Kian walked in with concern.

"Baby, I'm sorry for how I spoke to you earlier," he murmured, reaching for my hands. "You know how protective I get of pack members when they're threatened. It's my Alpha nature."

Kian examined my arm with care. "Where exactly is this terrible injury you keep talking about? There's not even a bruise visible. Are you sure the doctor isn't scamming you for money?"

"The damage is internal!" I protested, my voice rising. "The glass severed tendons that connect to…"

"Violet, Violet, Violet," he interrupted. "If your arm was really injured that badly, you wouldn't be able to move it like you are right now. Stop being so dramatic over a few little cuts."

The door swung open as Vivian walked in uninvited.

"Thank God you're okay!" she exclaimed, rushing toward me with theatrical concern. "I was so worried about you after our encounter at the hospital!"

"It's nothing," I muttered.

Her eyes darted to my open drawer where the medication was visible. "What's that? Why does that medicine look so strange?"

"It's for my arm," I explained carefully. "The tendons were damaged when I fell on the glass."

Vivian's eyebrows shot up. "The only medication I know that looks like that is Moonroot Extract, and it's incredibly expensive. There's no way you could afford it."

She snatched the package from my drawer before I could stop her. "Who would give you money for this? The doctor must be giving you counterfeits."

"Her father was the pack's lead healer for twenty years," Kian added, crossing his arms. "Vivian knows what she's talking about."

"Please give that back," I begged. "It's legitimate, I promise."

With a smile, Vivian crushed the pills in her hand, letting the precious powder scatter across the floor.

"This is for your own good. We're not going to let you poison yourself with fake medications from some quack doctor."

Horror washed over me as I stared at my destroyed lifeline. "You don't understand what you've done! That was the last supply! The doctor said without the complete treatment my arm could…"

"Oh please, enough with the theatrics," Kian scoffed, throwing his hands up. "Next you'll be claiming you need brain surgery from the stress we've caused you."

He hugged me then, and I was too numb to push him away, too devastated by the loss of my only chance at healing.

The next day, he approached me with a smile. "Vivian wants us all to have dinner together. It'll help decrease the tension from yesterday. Consider it our apology."

That evening, Vivian arrived with several covered dishes. "I made all your favorites, Violet," she announced cheerfully. "I had to ask Kian what you like since we never really got the chance to know each other properly."

Kian took a bite and moaned with pleasure. "This is incredible, Viv. You're the best."

I hesitantly took a bite. Almost immediately, my throat began to tighten and my tongue swelled. I recognized the symptoms instantly – I was having an allergic reaction to shellfish that Kian had known about for years.

"I—I can't breathe," I gasped, pushing away from the table. "Shellfish—there's shellfish in this!"

Kian's expression hardened. "Are you serious right now? First you destroy her gift, now you're insulting her cooking?"

"No—I'm allergic—" I wheezed. "My medication—in my purse—"

"This is pathetic," Kian growled. "You're faking an allergic reaction because I complimented her cooking instead of yours?"

"Kian, this isn't—" I tried to explain as my vision began to blur. "I really can't see well, please help me find my medicine."

Vivian stood with her hands on her hips. "I specifically asked Kian about any allergies, and he never mentioned strawberries. Are you calling him a liar?"

I moved forward with my hands outstretched blindly. My fingertips brushed against something, Vivian and I accidentally knocked into her as I held for support.

"She hit me!" Vivian cried out with pain. "My head! She's attacking me again!"

"Kian, please," I begged, now struggling to breathe. "My medicine—I can't see…"

"Stop it!" Kian roared. "Stop trying to make everything about you! Vivian is hurt because of you!"

I heard the scrape of a chair as Kian stood. For a moment, I thought he was coming to help me. Instead, his footsteps moved toward Vivian.

"Let me look at your head, baby," he murmured tenderly. "Did she hurt you badly?"

"Kian," I choked out.

"Common, it's just a minor allergy," he responded dismissively. "You'll be fine in a few minutes."

"Shouldn't you help her anyway?" Vivian asked with false concern. "I'd feel terrible if something happened."

Kian sighed heavily. "She'll be fine. Her body will fight it off. Come on, let's go take care of your head. I'll give you one of my special massages."

They left me there on the floor, gasping for breath. In my desperation, I tried to move blindly toward where I thought my purse might be. My foot caught on the edge of the carpet, sending me falling down the three steps that led from the dining area to the living room.

I landed directly on my injured arm, hearing a crunch as something gave way inside. The pain was immediate and blinding.

Somehow, I dragged myself out the door and toward the hospital, my vision spotty from the allergic reaction and my arm hanging uselessly at my side.

The same doctor who had given me the medication earlier looked at me with horror.

"What happened to the Moonroot Extract?" he asked, examining my now severely damaged arm.

Through tears, I explained what had happened.

His face grew grim as he completed his examination. "I'm sorry, but the damage is too extensive now. Without the medication and with this new injury..." He paused, meeting my eyes with genuine regret. "We'll need to amputate your arm."