Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Raven's POV I slowly opened my eyes and was faced with a white ceiling . Where was I ? I muttered to myself . The last thing I remembered was helping some group of people that had been attacked by a bunch of rogues . I tried getting up , but was immediately held back by a stabbing pain in my chest . I let out a sharp gasp , my hand instinctively clutching the area . Just then , the door swung open , and a doctor walked in , clipboard in hand . His eyes landed on me and widened slightly in surprise . " You're awake , " he said , walking quickly to my side . " How are you feeling ? " I blinked at him , unsure how to answer . Everything still felt hazy . " Like I got hit by a truck ... then dragged by it ," I mumbled . He gave a small , reassuring smile . " You're lucky to be alive . You took a pretty deep hit to the chest . We had to stitch you up and give you a few pints of blood . You've been unconscious for two months . " Two months ? My heart skipped a beat . " The people ... the ones I helped - are they okay ? " The doctor hesitated for a moment before nodding . " They're safe . Thanks to you . " Relief washed over me , even though the pain was still sharp . " And ... where am I ? " " Crescent Moon Pack , " the doctor replied . I nodded weakly , my mind racing . Crescent Moon Pack ... what am I doing here ? He glanced at the monitors before setting his clipboard down . " Do you remember anything else ? How you got hurt ? " I tried to focus , but the memory was like smoke - slipping through my fingers just when I thought I had it . " Not everything ... just the attack . Then it goes dark . " The doctor made a note . " That's alright . Give it time . For now , rest . You're stable , but healing will take a few days . Someone's been waiting to see you , though ." Just as I was about to ask him who it was , the door burst open , and a man walked in . I couldn't quite place where I had seen him , but just then , my wolf howled inside of me . Mate , she said , and I gasped . He was the Alpha King - my actual mate , the one Olivia took from me . So that means I was in his pack , and he was the one I had saved . He walked up to me , and my wolf kept howling inside of me , but I could tell from his facial expression that he didn't feel anything . And for some reason , the pains that I had tried to bury for years now came rushing back . He stood there , tall and imposing , a presence that pulled all the air from the room . I could barely breathe , not because of the pain in my chest , but because of the soul - deep ache rising inside me . My wolf was howling , clawing at the surface of my mind , repeating the word mate over and over like a chant . But he didn't react . Not even a flicker of recognition in his gaze . I couldn't stop the tear that slipped from the corner of my eye . His brows furrowed as he stepped closer , his eyes dropping to the glistening trail on my cheek . " Hey , " he said gently , his voice like velvet - low , strong . but unfamiliar . " Are you ... are you okay ? " The way he asked , so sincere yet distant , made the pain in my chest twist into something sharper . I had dreamed of this v Whispering apologies . Promising forever . Not asking like I was a stranger . " I ... " My throat tightened . I turned my face slightly , ashamed of the tears . " I'm fine . " He hesitated . " I'm sorry . I didn't mean to upset you . " I swallowed hard , unable to speak . Everything inside me wanted to scream . You're my mate . How do you not know me ? ying my name . 1/3 Chapter 10 Then , as if confirming the cruel truth , he looked down awkwardly , cleared his throat , and said , " I just wanted to thank you ... for what you did . The doctor said you helped during the rogue attack . That you saved a lot of lives . " I said nothing . My fingers clutched the thin blanket over me , knuckles white from the effort of keeping still He took a breath . " I'm sorry you got hurt . You didn't deserve that . " His voice softened even more . " I owe you my life . f ... I don't even know your name . 1 froze . He didn't know me . Not my name . Not my face . Not my voice . Not even the pull of the bond . My wolf whimpered , the sound echoing through my soul . " Raven , " I said finally , the word brittle and small on my tongue . " My name is Raven . " He nodded slowly , as if tasting it in his mind . " Raven . " A pause . " That's a strong name . It suits you . " I gave him a small , humorless smile . " Thanks . " " I'm Ethan ," he said after a moment . " Alpha King of Crescent Moon . " " I know who you are . " My voice came out harsher than I intended , and his eyes flicked up to meet mine , surprised . " Oh . Right , " he said . " Of course . " Another silence fell . This one heavier . More loaded . I turned my head away , staring at the white wall . " You should rest , " he said , rising to his feet . " I didn't mean to intrude . I just ... wanted to see if you were alright ." I didn't answer . My chest ached in ways I couldn't explain . As he turned to go , for some reasons he stopped " Raven " he called out I didn't look at him . He waited a second before continuing . " Thank you for helping us . For helping me . I'm sorry you got dragged into something dangerous . I wish I could've protected you . " I looked at him then . My lips trembled , but I kept my voice steady . " You couldn't have protected me . You didn't even know me . " He blinked , caught off guard . " I ... yeah . I guess that's true . " He stood there for a moment longer , clearly unsure of what to say next . Then he gave a slight nod and stepped toward the door . But before he could leave , I spoke again . " You still don't feel it , do you ? " He turned slowly . " Feel what ? " I shook my head and forced a weak laugh . " Nothing . Never mind . " He stared at me , his eyes searching . " If there's something I should know- " " It's nothing , " I cut in . " Like you said ... I'm just a stranger who helped your pack . " His jaw tightened slightly , but he didn't push further . " You're not just a stranger . Not after what you did ." I turned my head again . " You should go . " Chapter 10 He lingered a second more , then left the room , closing the door behind him with a quiet click . The moment he was gone , the tears returned in full force . I buried my face in the pillow and sobbed silently , trying not to shake too much and pull at my stitches . The pain was too much to bear . I had waited for so long to meet him , and now that I did , he didn't even know me or feel the bond . Just then , a thought came to me - if he was the one , that means Olivia was also in the pack as his mate . And one thing was clear : I was going to make her pay for what she and Father did to me . AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!