" " We are almost there , Alpha ," Marcus , his beta and most trusted friend , said . His voice carried a weight of concern as he glanced at the rearview mirror . His eyes lingered on Elaine, lying silently in the backseat . She hasn't stirred once since we left ... not even during the flight ." Darius tightened his jaw , forcing his emotions under control . " Thank you , Marcus . Drive straight to the pack hospital . She needs to be looked at immediately ." His voice was calm , but the tension beneath it was impossible to miss . Marcus gave a sharp nod . " I'll mind - link the pack doctor right away . Still , I can't believe what she endured back at Silverblade , Darius . No one should have to go through that ." Darius exhaled heavily , his hands curling into fists . " No wonder she smelled of loneliness when I found her . Alone , broken , abandoned by the very people who should've protected her . " His eyes flickered to the sleeping figure . " Even now , my wolf burns with rage over what that pack did to her . They should be grateful I didn't tear their territory apart . " Elaine hadn't woken once since they carried her out of her old pack's borders . Even on the private jet , she remained lifeless , curled into herself as though her very spirit had withdrawn . At first , she smelled of loneliness and sorrow . Now ... she smelled of death . It terrified Darius . His wolf had tried again and again to reach hers , to coax even the faintest response - but there was nothing . Silence . That silence was worse than any wound . As they passed through the border into his territory , Darius felt the surge of energy ripple through the pack bond . His wolves rejoiced at their Alpha's return , their howls of welcome echoing through the forest and reaching the convoy . Their joy would usually warm him , but tonight his heart was too heavy . He glanced at Elaine again , whispering so softly that Marcus almost didn't catch it . " Hold on , little one. You're safe now . " " The doctor is waiting ," Marcus said after a moment . " He'll have everything ready as soon as we arrive . Darius reached back , brushing a stray strand of hair from Elaine's face . She didn't move , didn't flinch . " Elaine ," he murmured . " We're here now , in my pack . You're safe . I'll take you to the hospital and have you checked , all right ? Just ... stay with me . " No answer , Just the shallow rise and fall of her chest . When they arrived , Darius himself lifted her from the car , his arms cradling her as though she were the most fragile thing in the world . The pack doctor , Dr. Grey , met them at the entrance , bowing respectfully . " This way , Alpha ," he said , quickly leading them down the hall . He opened a door to a private room , the air inside already prepared with medical equipment . < Chapter 33 More Rewards " Alpha , may we have the room to examine her properly ? " Dr. Grey asked , his tone both professional and cautious . " Yes , " Darius said after a beat , though every fiber of him resisted . With deliberate slowness , he laid Elaine on the bed and stepped back . " Take care of her, Doctor . She's ... she's been through enough . " He left the room and sank into a chair in the waiting hall . His mind should have been on the pack - on the decisions piling up during his week - long absence . Borders to secure , alliances to maintain , disputes to settle . All the weight of an Alpha waited for him in his office . Yet none of it mattered . Not now . Because Elaine was lying behind that door , drifting further and further away . He raked a hand through his hair in frustration . What was she to him ? Not his mate . His wolf had felt no bond , no spark of fated connection . And yet ... from the moment he met her , he had been drawn to her pain , to her loneliness . It was infuriating . He shouldn't care this much . And still , he couldn't walk away . The door opened at last , and Dr. Grey stepped out , his expression grave . " Alpha ," he said softly . Darius shot to his feet . " Doctor , what's wrong with her ? Why won't she wake ? " The physician hesitated . " That is what concerns me , Alpha . Her body is weak , yes , but that is not the greatest danger . Neither she nor her wolf are responding to treatment . It is as if ... they have both lost the will to live . " Darius's chest tightened painfully . " What happened to her , Alpha ? " Dr. Grey pressed , his voice careful , almost reluctant . " Without understanding the trauma she endured , I cannot treat her properly . " For a long moment , Darius said nothing . He wasn't supposed to share Elaine's suffering without her consent . But if keeping silent meant losing her completely ... then he had no choice . " Her fated mate rejected her , " he finally said , voice low and edged with fury . " Not only that , he chose her own sister instead . Marked her in front of Elaine . The pain of betrayal caused her to lose her pup . " Dr. Grey froze , his face paling . " By the Moon ... that is ... " His voice trailed off , words failing him . At last he shook his head . " No wonder her soul has withdrawn . No wonder her wolf has gone silent . That kind of betrayal ... it cuts deeper than any wound . " Darius's hands clenched at his sides , his wolf snarling within . The doctor looked back toward the room . " There is ... another matter , Alpha , " he said slowly . < Chapter 34 Chapter 34