Chapter 3
My hands trembled as I pushed open the door to Kameron's office. Three days of scrubbing floors had left them raw and bleeding, despite my accelerated healing. Every movement sent shards of pain through my shoulder where the bullet wound had barely begun to close.
"Alpha," I whispered, keeping my eyes lowered as protocol demanded. "I've finished the task you set."
Kameron looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. Melissa perched on the edge of his chair, her perfectly manicured nails tracing patterns on his shoulder.
"So you have," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I suppose you want your reward."
"It's not for me," I reminded him quietly. "It's for Rosemary. The smuggler is waiting."
He nodded slowly, reaching for his checkbook. Hope fluttered weakly in my chest as I watched him unc cap his pen.
"How much did you say?"
"Five thousand dollars," I replied, trying to keep the desperation from my voice. "Thorne won't negotiate."
Kameron began writing, his pen scratching against the paper. I held my breath, Rosemary's pale face floating before my eyes.
The office door burst open.
"Kameron!" Melissa's voice pitched high with distress. "It hurts so much!"
She clutched her finger dramatically, a tiny crimson dot marking her skin where she'd apparently cut herself on the edge of a gift box.
Kameron was on his feet instantly, the checkbook forgotten on his desk. "What happened, my love?"
"It's nothing," she sobbed, though her eyes gleamed with triumph as they met mine over his shoulder. "Just a stupid paper cut."
"A paper cut?" Kameron examined her finger with exaggerated concern. "Let me see."
I stood frozen, watching as he cradled her hand like she'd been mortally wounded.
"Alpha," I ventured cautiously, "the check..."
"Can't you see I'm busy?" he snapped, not even looking at me. "Wait outside."
"But the smuggler—"
"Now, Omega!" His Alpha tone hit me like a physical blow.
I backed out of the office, my heart sinking as I heard Melissa's theatrical sobs turn to giggles the moment the door closed behind me.
"He'll be so worried about me," she cooed to Kameron. "You always take such good care of me."
I leaned against the wall, my legs threatening to give way beneath me. Through the thick oak door, I could hear Kameron murmuring soothing words to Melissa.
"Let's get you to our private suite," he suggested, his voice warm with concern. "I'll bandage that finger properly."
"You're so good to me," she replied, her voice syrupy sweet.
Their footsteps moved away from the office. I waited, counting the minutes as they passed. One hour. Two. The smuggler would be leaving soon.
Luna paced restlessly inside me. *We should break down the door. Take the check. Run.*
*And then what?* I asked her silently. *Rosemary would still die.*
Three hours passed. I pressed my ear to the door, hearing nothing but silence now. Had they fallen asleep? Forgotten about me completely?
My phone vibrated in my pocket. The smuggler.
*Meeting time passed. No show, no deal. Try again next month.*
Next month. Rosemary wouldn't last that long.
I slid down the wall, my body trembling with exhaustion and despair. Through the bond, I felt Kameron's contentment as he held Melissa in their private suite, completely oblivious to the life hanging in the balance.
"Dr. Winters," I whispered into my phone when she called. "What's happening?"
"Harper," her voice was tight with urgency. "Rosemary's crashing. You need to come now."
I stumbled to my feet, racing through the corridors toward the infirmary. The fluorescent lights blurred as tears filled my eyes.
Rosemary lay on the narrow bed, her skin almost translucent in its paleness. Machines beeped frantically around her.
"Where's the medicine?" Dr. Winters asked, her face drawn with exhaustion.
"There is no medicine," I whispered, taking Rosemary's fragile hand in mine.
My sister's eyes fluttered open, finding mine with effort. "Harper," she breathed, her voice barely audible.
"I'm here," I choked out, squeezing her fingers gently.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, each word a struggle. "For being... such a burden."
"No," I protested fiercely. "Never."
Her lips curved in a faint smile. "You deserve... better than this."
The monitor beside her bed gave a single, long tone as the line flattened.
"Rosemary!" I cried, shaking her gently. "Rosemary, please!"
But the light had already left her eyes.
Dr. Winters placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch gentle but firm. "She's gone, Harper."
I clutched Rosemary's body to my chest, rocking back and forth as sobs tore through me. Luna howled in anguish inside me, the sound echoing through our bond.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway. Kameron appeared in the doorway, his expression more annoyed than grieved.
"What's all this mind-linking about?" he demanded. "I was in the middle of something important."
He looked at Rosemary's still form with mild surprise, then at me with irritation.
"Well," he said finally, checking his watch. "This is unfortunate timing."
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