Chapter 8: Willow's First Crack

Ryker POV:

I couldn't sleep.

The notebook sat on my desk like an accusation.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the same sentence.

Maybe this year they'll remember mine.

Her birthday.

Goddess.

It had been her birthday.

I sank into my chair and rubbed my face.

When was the last time I had actually celebrated Ember's birthday?

I couldn't remember.

That realization disturbed me more than I wanted to admit.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Come in."

Willow stepped inside carrying tea.

"You haven't slept," she said softly.

"Neither have you."

"I was worried about you."

Normally, her concern would have comforted me.

Tonight, it felt rehearsed.

"Ryker?"

"Did you know it was Ember's birthday?"

The question caught her completely off guard.

"What?"

"The day she left."

"It was her birthday."

For a split second, panic flashed through Willow's eyes.

Then it vanished.

"I... I forgot."

"We all did."

"That's not really my fault."

Something about her answer bothered me.

"No," I said quietly.

"It isn't."

But somehow it felt like she wasn't telling me everything.

The next morning, I visited the hospital.

I needed answers.

I needed something to explain why my wolf felt so restless.

Axel was in his office reviewing patient files.

"Still obsessing over Ember?" he asked.

"Something feels wrong."

"You're imagining things."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"She's an adult."

"She left."

"Let her."

His dismissal irritated me.

More than usual.

"You really don't care?"

Axel frowned.

"Why should I?"

"Because she's our sister."

"Half the problems in this pack disappeared when she left."

My wolf snarled.

The sound echoed through my chest.

Axel blinked in surprise.

"What is wrong with you?"

"I don't know."

And that answer was becoming more frightening every day.

Across the continent...

Ember POV:

"You need to see this."

Dr. Harper rarely sounded excited.

That alone made me nervous.

I followed her into a secured laboratory.

Derek was already waiting.

"What's happening?"

"Evidence," Harper replied.

"Of what?"

"Medical fraud."

My stomach dropped.

Harper activated a holographic screen.

Several documents appeared.

All of them belonged to me.

"These are copies recovered from your pack hospital."

"How did you get them?"

Derek's smile was dangerous.

"Let's call it corporate networking."

I decided not to ask.

"Look closely," Harper instructed.

I studied the records.

"They're my treatment logs."

"Exactly."

"Now compare the dates."

I frowned.

Then froze.

"Wait."

"What?" Derek asked.

"These don't match."

"Correct."

Harper enlarged two separate reports.

"The original records say your wolf activity was improving."

"The modified records say it was deteriorating."

My mouth went dry.

"Modified?"

"Someone altered them."

"Repeatedly."

"Over several years."

The room fell silent.

"You're saying somebody changed my diagnosis?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"That's the question."

My hands started shaking.

"Who had access?"

Harper didn't answer immediately.

"The hospital director."

"Senior medical staff."

"And your primary physician."

I already knew the answer.

Axel.

The thought made me sick.

"No."

"Ember."

"No."

"He wouldn't do that."

"Wouldn't he?"

Derek's voice was gentle.

Not accusing.

Not cruel.

Just honest.

Pain twisted inside my chest.

Because suddenly I wasn't defending Axel anymore.

I was defending the memory of the brother I thought I had.

And those weren't the same thing.

Harper activated another screen.

"There's more."

"Of course there is."

"This payment trail appeared six years ago."

"What payment trail?"

"Special medication requests."

My heartbeat accelerated.

"Wolf suppressants?"

"Exactly."

"Someone ordered unusually large quantities."

"Who?"

Harper hesitated.

Then showed me the authorization code.

I recognized it immediately.

Axel's.

The room spun.

"Maybe there's another explanation."

"Maybe," Harper agreed.

"But I can't find one."

Nobody spoke.

Finally, Derek stepped closer.

"Ember."

"Look at me."

I did.

"None of this is your fault."

"Do you understand?"

"None of it."

My eyes burned.

"I spent ten years believing I was broken."

"I know."

"What if I wasn't?"

"Then they stole ten years from you."

The truth hurt more than any lie ever could.

That evening, back at the Silver Moon Pack...

Willow stood alone in her room.

A phone rested against her ear.

"He's starting to ask questions," she whispered.

The voice on the other end sounded annoyed.

"Then stop him."

"I'm trying."

"Try harder."

"If Ryker learns the truth, everything falls apart."

Willow's hand tightened around the phone.

"What about Ember?"

"Forget Ember."

"She's gone."

"No."

Willow moved toward the window.

Fear flashed across her face.

"Something changed."

"What do you mean?"

"Ryker can feel it too."

"She isn't gone."

"She's coming back."

For the first time in years...

Willow felt afraid.