Shadows on her heart

Author's POV

Arabella's head spun, her vision blurring as she stumbled forward. She tried to steady herself, but her body gave way. Darkness closed in, and the last thing she felt was a pair of strong arms catching her before she fell.

When she came to, the first thing she noticed was the sound of hurried footsteps and a low, tense voice. She cracked her eyes open slightly, her vision still hazy, and recognized Ash's face hovering above her.

"Stay with me, Bella. Don't you dare give up now," he muttered, his tone sharp but filled with an undertone of worry.

Arabella wanted to respond, to tell him she was fine, but her lips would not move. Her body felt like lead.

The jostling stopped, and she heard the familiar creak of a wooden door. A new voice joined Ash's, the tone brisk and professional.

"What happened? Lay her down here. Quickly."

Arabella felt herself being placed gently onto a soft surface. The sudden stillness made her realize how heavy her limbs felt. Her head lolled to the side as she tried to focus on the voices around her.

"She fainted," Ger's voice rang out again, frustration lacing his words. "She has been pushing herself too hard I think. Tell us what's wrong with her."

There was a pause. "I will need to examine her first, Alpha, unless you think I am a wizard. Step back and let me work."

Arabella wanted to laugh at the subtle jab at Ash's overbearing nature but settled for a faint groan.

"Arabella, can you hear me?" The healer's voice was softer now, coaxing. She felt the touch of cool fingers on her wrist, then her forehead.

She managed a weak nod. "...Yes," she rasped, her throat dry.

"Good. That is good," the healer murmured. He continued his examination, checking her pulse and lifting her eyelids to peer into her eyes. "You are severely dehydrated, and your body is overworked. When was the last time you ate properly?"

Arabella blinked, her thoughts sluggish. She could not remember. Everything felt like a blur.

"I knew it," Asher muttered. "She has been pushing herself too hard over the years. Always stubborn.No one had to die to become a doctor."

The healer gave a soft hum of agreement. "She needs rest and proper care. I will keep her here under observation for tonight."

"No. She is coming back with me," Asher argued immediately.

Arabella felt a twinge of amusement at his tone, but it was quickly overshadowed by the healer's calm response.

"Alpha, she is not moving from this bed until I say so. If you want her to recover, you will let her stay. Now, if you are done barking orders, please step aside."

Arabella's lips twitched into the faintest hint of a smile as Asher huffed in reluctant agreement.

"Fine. But if anything happens to her..."

"Yes, yes, annihilate my bloodline, blah blah," the healer interrupted dismissively. "Now, will you let me do my job?"

Arabella wanted to chuckle, but the effort was too much. She drifted off again, the voices around her fading as exhaustion claimed her once more.

Asher could not help himself as snippets from their past came floating by -

( start of flash back)

"And don't come crying to me when you realize no one else wants you either."

Asher knew exactly what he was doing.

" Come on! Dress up and leave! "

He growled at Moana as soon as Arabella left.

" But, Asher, we were having so much fun... let's continue a little longer... "

" Grab your dress and get out of here! "

Moana literally ran for her life grabbing her clothes as Asher smashed the entire cupboard with lines of bottles, wrecking his fist and the room.

( end of flashback)

Rejecting Arabella was not easy. She was a pure soul. And he loved her way too much to do that. He loved her more than he loved his throne. He would have run away if he could with her and lived a life on a deserted island, away from all the pack responsibility and politics.

But he could not.

Not with his father terminally ill and him being the only child.

It was not about his happiness, it was about a lot of innocent lives.

He could not risk dragging her down along with him.

When he hurt her , a part of him wished she would find someone to heal her from what he did. But another part , the selfish part, wanted her to return.

He wanted to hold her in his arms again.

He did not expect that he would have to summon her so soon and under such terrible circumstances.

He was happy.

He felt like his soul was back. He was finally breathing. But with her return, came another dread. The dread of losing her forever.

Asher tossed in his chair back at his room, the bottle of liquor half empty in his hand.

He chugged it down hoping to catch some sleep before the big event the next day.

Leaving her with the healer as soon as she returned to the pack was the worst that he could think off... It was as if it was setting off that trigger.