Chapter 5
A soft, unconscious sigh escaped me as I curled closer to the warmth beside me.
My arms wrapped around Gabriel’s neck without thinking, seeking comfort. His breath hitched, turning heavy with something unreadable.
“Elisabeth,” his voice dropped, rough and low. “Don’t move.”
I blinked blearily, confused. “I’m not moving.”
I just needed the pain to stop. And somehow, the closer I was to Gabriel, the better I felt. It was instinct—a desperate, primal need for warmth and safety.
My thoughts blurred. The exhaustion from last night’s ritual was pulling me under again.
I woke to gentle sunlight streaming through the windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.
And then I realized—I wasn’t alone.
Gabriel and I were tightly entwined, our bodies pressed together in a way that sent heat rushing to my face.
His bare chest.
Firm. Warm. The steady rise and fall of his breath brushing against me.
My fingers moved before I could stop them, grazing across the defined muscles beneath my touch. Strong. Solid.
Gabriel’s body tensed slightly.
Oh, Moon Goddess.
A startled gasp caught in my throat, and I snatched my hand away like a thief caught in the act.
His voice rumbled, still thick with sleep. “You’re awake.”
I swallowed hard. “Y-yeah… I’m fine.”
More than fine.
The pain that had wrecked my body last night? Completely gone.
Even the wounds from the battlefield—vanished.
I shifted, trying to pull away from Gabriel’s embrace, but… it wasn’t easy. I was still curled against his chest, practically in his lap.
Heat crawled up my neck.
Gabriel exhaled sharply before getting up first, lifting me effortlessly with him. His voice was still slightly hoarse from sleep. “Stay here. I’ll get the doctor.”
He left before I could protest.
The doctor arrived shortly after—Rachel. A sharp, observant woman who had been with the pack for years.
As soon as she stepped into the room, she paused, eyebrows shooting up.
“Oh dear,” she murmured, eyes twinkling with amusement. “The atmosphere in here is… quite something.”
The memories of last night slammed into me, and my face burned.
Gabriel cleared his throat loudly from the doorway, his ears turning red. “Rachel, that’s enough. Just do the exam.”
She smirked but didn’t push further.
At least not until she turned to him with a knowing look. “Aren’t you going to step out? She’ll need to take off her clothes, you know.”
Gabriel stiffened. Then, without a word, he spun on his heel and slammed the door behind him.
Rachel chuckled under her breath. “He’s adorable when he’s flustered.”
I groaned. “Just—get this over with.”
The examination was quick and clinical. Rachel moved efficiently, pressing cold instruments against my skin, checking for any residual injuries.
But then—she stilled.
Her fingers ghosted over my back.
“…Elisabeth,” she murmured. “Did you know you have markings here?”
I stiffened. “Markings?”
Rachel’s voice was careful. “Purple lines. They weren’t there before.”
Purple.
The color of witches.
My breath caught.
Rachel studied me, something unreadable in her expression. “I think you should see Tanya.”
Tanya. The pack’s current witch. She was old and only appeared for significant matters.
A strange unease settled in my stomach, but I nodded. “Okay.”
Rachel continued the examination, but my mind was spinning.
And then—one last thing.
“…Rachel,” I hesitated. “Why did my injuries heal so fast?”
She paused. Then, with a slow smile, she glanced toward the door where Gabriel was waiting outside.
“It has something to do with those marks on your back…” she mused. “…and the person out there.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Rachel gave me a meaningful look. “I’m starting to think the people who said you and Andrew were fated mates… might’ve been wrong.”
The words sent a shockwave through me.
I had always believed it—that Andrew and I were destined. The pack had always said so.
But now…?
I couldn’t remember exactly when or how that belief had started.
Rachel patted my shoulder, her voice gentle. “You might want to start asking questions, Elisabeth.”
Then, with one last glance, she left the room.
From outside, Gabriel’s voice drifted in, filled with concern. “How is she?”
Rachel’s voice was light, almost teasing. “She’s fine.”
But I wasn’t sure that was true.
Because nothing in my life felt certain anymore.
