Chapter 108: The Impossible Choice
Two babies cried in the golden light. One sound pure as crystal. The other having an edge that made everyone’s skin crawl. Elara fell back against the cave wall, pale and exhausted.
Blood pooled beneath her, far too much blood. "She’s hemorrhaging," Luna Evelyn said sharply. "The twin birth was too much for her body."
Tobias pressed cloths against the bleeding, but they soaked through quickly. "I need medical goods. Real ones. Not cave cures."
"The pack hospital is twenty minutes away," Kael said, ice already building under his feet to carry her. "She doesn’t have twenty minutes," Luna Evelyn answered grimly. Darian’s shadows writhed as fear set in.
"There has to be something we can do." "There is." The original Alpha’s words cut through their desperation. "But you won’t like the price."
All three brothers spun toward the chained wolf. "Speak," Ronan growled. "I can save her. My power is old, ancient. Strong enough to heal even this." "In exchange for what?" Darian demanded. The original Alpha’s smile was pure evil.
"One of the children. Your choice which one." "Never," all three brothers said at once. "Then watch her die." The old wolf shrugged. "It’s no concern of mine." Elara’s breathing became more shallow.
Her golden light flickered like a burning candle. "There might be another way," Elder Vera said suddenly. "But it requires a sacrifice." "What kind of sacrifice?" Kael asked. "One of you must give up your mate bond to save her.
The power released could heal her completely." The cave went silent except for the babies’ cries and Elara’s hard breathing. "But there’s more," Elder Vera continued.
"The one who sacrifices their bond will also lose their link to the children. Forever." Darian felt his heart stop. Save Elara but never be able to touch her again. Never hold his children. Never be part of their family. "I’ll do it," Kael said instantly.
"No," Ronan snapped. "I will." "Both of you stop," Darian interrupted.