Chapter 7: An Unwanted Bond

Three days passed.

Sable's condition improved faster than anyone expected.

The fever disappeared.

The wound was beginning to close.

By the fourth morning, she insisted on leaving her bed.

"I'm not sick anymore," she told Healer Naomi.

"You're still recovering," Naomi replied.

"Recovering isn't the same as helpless."

The healer sighed.

"You remind me of someone."

"Who?"

"Your Alpha."

Sable rolled her eyes.

"I doubt that."

"Both of you refuse to listen."

Before Sable could respond, the infirmary door opened.

Jaxon stepped inside carrying a tray.

"Breakfast," he said simply.

Sable looked at the tray suspiciously.

"You're delivering food now?"

"Apparently."

"Your servants quit?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

Jaxon placed the tray on the table beside her bed.

"Because Naomi threatened to drag me here if I didn't make sure you were eating."

The old healer smiled proudly.

"Someone has to keep you both alive."

Sable couldn't help laughing.

It was soft.

Brief.

But it was the first genuine laugh she'd had in weeks.

Jaxon looked at her for a second longer than necessary.

Something about that smile made his chest tighten.

'Careful,' Drax murmured.

'She's smiling.'

'I noticed.'

'You're smiling too.'

Jaxon immediately looked away.

"Eat before it gets cold."

Sable picked up a spoon.

"You're surprisingly polite for someone I'm supposed to hate."

"You're surprisingly alive for someone who almost bled to death."

"Fair point."

Another silence followed.

Unlike before, it wasn't uncomfortable.

After finishing breakfast, Sable stood carefully.

"I'd like some fresh air."

Naomi looked toward Jaxon.

"Only if someone goes with you."

"I'll manage."

"You nearly fainted standing up yesterday," Naomi reminded her.

Sable sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

Jaxon gestured toward the door.

"Come on."

The two walked slowly through the pack grounds.

Winter Moon bustled with activity.

Children played beside the fountain.

Blacksmiths hammered glowing steel.

Farmers unloaded wagons filled with fresh vegetables.

Sable looked around in confusion.

"This isn't what I expected."

"What did you expect?" Jaxon asked.

"Starving people."

"Broken houses."

"Cruel soldiers."

"Instead?"

"Your people look... happy."

Jaxon smiled faintly.

"It took years."

"Nothing here came easily."

As they continued walking, a little girl suddenly ran toward them.

"Alpha Jaxon!"

She threw her tiny arms around his waist.

"Will you still come to story night tonight?"

Jaxon gently ruffled her hair.

"I promised, didn't I?"

"You did!"

She noticed Sable standing beside him.

"Who's she?"

Before Jaxon could answer, Sable crouched down.

"Just someone borrowing your Alpha for a little while."

The little girl nodded seriously.

"Okay."

"But don't keep him too long."

"He tells the best wolf stories."

She skipped away happily.

Sable watched her disappear.

"She trusts you completely."

"She's known me since she was born."

"Still."

"Children don't fake trust."

Jaxon didn't reply.

His silence spoke louder than words.

They eventually reached the training grounds.

Dozens of warriors immediately stopped what they were doing.

Every eye landed on Sable.

The enemy.

Whispers spread through the ranks.

"That's the Ash Fang woman."

"Why is she walking beside Alpha?"

"Shouldn't she be locked up?"

One warrior stepped forward.

"Alpha, with respect..."

"She belongs to the pack that attacked us."

"Why is she still here?"

Jaxon answered without hesitation.

"Because I said so."

"Is that enough reason?"

"It is."

The warrior lowered his head immediately.

"Forgive me, Alpha."

Sable looked at Jaxon.

"They don't agree with your decision."

"They don't have to."

"Leadership isn't about making popular choices."

"It's about making the right ones."

His words lingered in Sable's mind.

Every Alpha she had ever met ruled through fear.

Jaxon ruled through respect.

There was a difference.

A large difference.

As they turned to leave, Drax suddenly stirred.

'She's in danger.'

'What do you mean?'

'Behind us.'

Jaxon reacted instantly.

"Sable!"

He pulled her backward.

A practice spear flew through the air and struck the ground exactly where she had been standing.

The entire training yard fell silent.

A young warrior stood frozen several yards away.

"Alpha!" he shouted immediately.

"I swear it slipped!"

Jaxon examined the spear.

Then he looked directly at the young warrior.

"Did it?"

The man's heartbeat accelerated.

His scent carried fear.

And something else.

Guilt.

'He lied,' Drax growled.

Jaxon slowly stepped forward.

"Who ordered you to do it?"

"N-No one."

"Look me in the eyes and answer again."

The young warrior's legs began shaking.

"I... I..."

Before he could finish speaking, an arrow suddenly flew from the nearby trees.

It struck the warrior directly in the chest.

He collapsed instantly.

Dead before he hit the ground.

Chaos erupted across the training yard.

"ASSASSIN!"

"Protect the Alpha!"

Warriors rushed into formation.

Jaxon looked toward the forest where the arrow had come from.

Whoever had fired it was already gone.

But one thing had become painfully clear.

Someone didn't just want Sable dead.

Someone wanted the truth buried with her.