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Mauve’s POV
For days, I had kept myself busy, refusing to let my mind wander to Elias. Just the thought of his name made my chest tighten. I scolded myself again, as I had a hundred times before. Why was this man affecting me so much?! barely knew him, and yet, he’d left a mark I couldn’t erase.
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I shook my head and focused back on my work. “Get a grip, Mauve,” I muttered under my breath. I had come from a toxic, soul–crushing relationship with Jester, and the last thing I needed was to let another man invade my
thoughts. I stirred the mixture faster, wishing I could whip up a potion to shut off my emotions altogether.
But that wasn’t an option. Dr. Helen’s potion to strengthen my womb was enough for now. After my second miscarriage, I couldn’t risk taking anything else, no matter how much I longed for relief. Another concoction might disrupt my fragile balance or even harm my wolf, and that was something I’d never allow
I was still lost in thought when one of my colleagues, a young nurse named Trina, entered the laboratory.
“Mauve,” she said, a little out of breath. “We’re short–staffed today. The field teams have taken most of our
nurses. Could you cover for a few days?”
“Did you say days?” I hesitated. My work in the lab wasn’t done, but I knew they needed help. And truthfully, I could use a distraction. “Fine, of course,” I said with a small smile.
Trina beamed and hugged me quickly. “Thank you so much! Come on, I’ll show you where you’re needed.” She led me down the hall, her energy pulling me along. When we reached the ward, she opened the door to a patient’s room. The moment I stepped inside, my heart stopped.
Lying on the bed, looking pale and weak, was Jester
For a moment, I couldn’t move. My hands clenched into fists, my breath caught in my throat. Why is he here?
Trina didn’t notice my reaction and continued, oblivious. “We found this man early this morning near the forest. He was severely dehydrated, malnourished, and hypothermic. He kept saying he was an Alpha and that he wa looking for his Luna… named Mauve.”
My stomach twisted.
Trina’s eyes widened as she turned to look at me. “Wait. Mauve–is it you? Are you the woman he’s looking for?” I shook my head quickly, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow. “No. It’s just a coincidence. There are plenty of women named Mauve.
She frowned slightly but shrugged. “If you say so. Anyway, we’ll keep an eye on him.
stable while I’m out.”
You just make sure he’s
My body trembled as I stared at lester anger and confusion battling within me. Why is he here? He should be
with his new mate, celebrating their perfect little life. Instead, he was here, dragging up all the pain I had worked so
hard to bury
I thought about running, but I was tired of running. I had made a promise to help those in need, and I wouldn’t let him take that away from me. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to step closer to his bed and check his vitals
“Mauve,” he whispered suddenly, though he was unconscious “Mauve I’m sorry Please forgive me
My wolf stirred uneasily, her emotions just as conflicted as mine
“He’s lying.” I told her bitterly.
Maybe he’s not, my wolf countered
“After everything? After Amber? He doesn’t deserve our pity”
I’m not saying to forgive him I’m just saying listen.
I shook my head and turned away from Jester. Listening would only make things harder
The medical team returned after the 5th morning, and I was relieved to hand him back to their care. When the nurse assigned to him came into the room, I left without a word, as if being near him burned me
For the next day, I avoided the ward entirely. Whenever someone asked me to cover, I refused, saying, “I’m sorry. but I’m working on something delicate in the lab.” It wasn’t a lie–I was developing a new formula–but I knew it was just an excuse.
“How long will we hide?” my wolf asked.
“Until he leaves,” I muttered. “He’ll recover soon and go back to Shadowfang where he belongs.
But fate had other plans.
That night, as I walked through the main lobby to clock out, I froze. Jester was there, standing in the middle of the hallway. He looked… better. His skin had color, his frame seemed stronger, and he smelled like he’d bathed.
I tried to turn, but he spotted me. “Mauve,” he called out
Lignored him and walked faster.
“Mauve, wait!”
v arm
Before I could escape, he caught my
“Let go!” I snapped.
He held firm but didn’t hurt me. “Aren’t you even going to ask how I am?” he asked. “Fine, I’ll tell you. I’m recovering, thanks to you. You took care of me because you still love me.”
I laughed bitterly. “Love you? Don’t flatter yourself. I only did my job. You shouldn’t even be here. You should be with your new mate and your pup.”
His face fell. “I don’t have a pack anymore. I rejected Amber. She lied to me about everything, even the baby. It
wasn’t mine.”
I stared at him, fury bubbling to the surface. “What’s new? You’re a liar and a cheater. You deserve each other.” People were beginning to stare, their whispers growing louder. Embarrassed, I turned and ran, but Jester
followed.
When he caught up with me on the street, I spun around and slapped him hard. “Stay away from me!”
He stood there, letting me hit him again and again. “If this is what it takes for you to forgive me, then do it,” he said quietly
“Forgive you?” I hissed. “Never. Don’t come near me again, or I’ll call the warriors and have you banned from this
territory”
A car pulled up beside me, and I didn’t even check if it was for hire. I got in, slamming the door behind me,
left him standing in the dark.