Chapter 31
Zachary’s POV
The days blurred into one endless stretch of pain and emptiness. The pack was healing, but I was not.
Amara lay still in the hospital, pale and fragile, her breathing shallow. Dr. Smith worked tirelessly, his team running every possible test and administering every antidote they could think of to counter the silver poisoning. Yet she remained unconscious, caught in some limbo between life and death.
The rogue’s knife had gone deeper than just her body, it had carved into my soul.
Alpha Greg and Luna Mary, had arrived at Night Blood the very next day.
Their worry was palpable, their faces drawn with grief.
Mary spent hours by Amara’s bedside, her hands trembling as she brushed the hair from her daughter’s face.
Greg, always the strong alpha, was visibly shaken.
Every time he looked at me, his eyes held a mix of sympathy and worry.
Ethan and his mate Bethany had come too, his bond with Amara stronger than I had ever understood before. He kept everyone hopeful, reassuring us all that Amara would wake up. His faith was unshakable, even when the rest of us faltered.
William and Rebecca stayed back at Blue Moon to look after the pack, but they called every day, asking for updates. Their voices carried the weight of their worry.
I was a living corpse.
I threw myself into pack duties, working from dawn until well past midnight, as if staying busy could drown out the pain.
I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw he r, her blood, her pale face, the knife sinking into her side.
I barely ate food had lost its taste. My body was running on fumes, but I didn’t care.
The only thing keeping me alive was the faint rise and fall of Amara’s chest.
Every night, I visited her room.
The hospital was quiet in those hours, the bustle of healers and visitors long gone. I would sit beside her, holding her hand, feeling the slight warmth of her skin against mine. It was the only thing that reminded me she was still here, still fighting.
I talked to her, pouring my heart out as if my words could reach her wherever she was.
“Amara, please wake up. I’m sorry for everything, every mistake I’ve made, every time I hurt you. I was a fool. I didn’t deserve you then, but I swear, I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Just... please come back to me”
Many times Aiden tried to reach out to Eva. But it was of no help. Our bond is also very weak since we havn’t marked each other. It’s like she is there but she can’t hear his voice. He looks helpless too. So he surfaces less these days.
Sometimes I begged. Other times, I just sat in silence, staring at her face, willing her eyes to open.
Mary once found me there, slumped over the bed, whispering to Amara. She didn’t say anything, just placed a hand on my shoulder. I could see her own pain mirrored in her eyes, but her touch was gentle, like she understood the storm inside me.
My mother also visited me on hospital. She never hoped, she would meet her daughter-in-law like this for the first time. She encouraged me not to lose hope. Then she left for her brother’s pack, he just had an accident and she went to aid him.
Dr. Smith told me it was a miracle she was even alive. The silver should have killed her instantly, but Amara was strong. “Her will to live is unlike anything I’ve seen” he said. “We just need to give her time. She’s fighting, Alpha. She’s not giving up”
Ethan echoed the same sentiment. “She’s stubborn, Alpha Zachary. You know that better than anyone. She’s not leaving us. You just have to hold on”
But holding on was agony.
Each day I watched her motionless body, I felt myself unraveling. The pack tried to pull me out of my misery, but I pushed them away. Mason forced me to eat once, practically shoving a plate of food in my face.
“You’re no good to her like this, Zach” he snapped. “You’re the strongest wolf I know, but right now, you’re killing yourself. She wouldn’t want this”
But I didn’t care. The world could crumble and it wouldn’t matter to me. Not without her.
I stayed up at night, restless and haunted, replaying the battle in my mind. If only I had been faster, more alert—if only I hadn’t let that rogue get so close.
This was my fault.
And yet, every time I looked at her, there was a flicker of hope. Amara was a fighter. If anyone could come back from this, it was her.
So I waited.
Each day was a war with my own demons. Each night, I sat by her side, praying to the Moon Goddess to bring her back to me. I didn’t care what it took or what price I had to pay.
I would wait for Amara forever if I had to.
I sat in my office with Mason and Sam, going over the last details of relief efforts for the pack after the rogue attack. My mother had just called, checking in like she did every few days.
She was still at her brother’s pack, helping care for him after his accident.
I had insisted she stay there longer, at least until things were calmer here.
Sam had already updated her on everything.
Though she wanted to return, we convinced her to stay a little while longer, promising to keep her updated.
When the call ended, I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. My mind kept drifting to Amara.
Aiden’s voice broke through the fog. “Our mate is strong, Zachary. She’ll come back to us. I can feel it”
I wanted to believe him. I had to.
Sam cleared his throat, drawing my attention back to the meeting. “About the warriors” he said, looking serious. “We were thinking... We should allocate funds for the families of those who lost their lives in the attack. They fought bravely, and it’s the least we can do.”
Mason nodded in agreement. “It would show the pack we value their sacrifices. Maybe even set up a trust fund for their pups”
I nodded slowly. “Do it. They gave everything for us, we’ll honor them properly”
Just as Mason started discussing the logistics, a voice in my mind-link interrupted.
“Alpha, good news. Luna is awake”
I froze.
It was Dr. Smith.
I gripped the edge of the desk. “What did you just say?”
“Luna Amara is conscious, Alpha. She woke up a few minutes ago. Come to the hospital now”
The words hit me like lightning. I shot to my feet, nearly knocking over my chair. “She’s awake?”
Sam and Mason looked up, alarmed.
“Amara’s awake” I said, my voice trembling with disbelief and hope.
I didn’t wait for a response. I bolted from the office, my legs moving faster than they ever had before.
“Amara” I whispered to myself, my heart pounding.
As I ran through the pack house, warriors and pack members stepped aside, sensing my urgency. My feet carried me straight to the hospital, where Dr. Smith was waiting near the entrance.
He smiled at me, a rare look of relief on his face. “She’s still weak, Alpha, but she’s conscious and stable. Go on”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I pushed past him and headed straight to her room. My breath caught as I entered.
Amara was lying there, her eyes open, though she looked tired. Her gaze shifted to me as I approached and the faintest smile appeared on her lips.
“Hi” she whispered, her voice barely audible but enough to send my heart soaring.
I knelt beside her bed, taking her hand in mine. “Hi... you’re awake”
She gave a small nod, her fingers curling weakly around mine.
“You scared the hell out of me” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Don’t you ever do that again, please”
She just nods. “Hmm”
My chest tightened. I couldn’t hold back the tear that slipped down my cheek.
“You have no idea how much I missed you” I whispered, bringing her hand to my lips. “Don’t ever leave me again, Amara. I couldn’t bear it”
She blinked slowly, her strength still returning, but her eyes held a promise.
“I’m fine and I’m staying for good this time” she murmured.