I Am Just Alpha’s Shield to Protect Her Chapter 06

I Am Just Alpha’s Shield to Protect Her Chapter 06

“I don’t know anything about any allergy medication.”

Seraphina’s eyes were wet, her voice perfectly wounded. “Lucas, she’s lying. Why would I ever do something like that?”

Lucas glanced at her. Something moved behind his eyes, just for a second. Then he looked back at me.

Same old reflex: “Raven, there might be a misunderstanding here—”

I pulled out my phone. Opened an audio file. Turned the volume all the way up.

It was the recording I’d made outside the cabin that night, after I stumbled out.

[Threw that medication out a long time ago. A werewolf with a fur allergy — let’s see how long she lasts without it.]

Seraphina’s voice. Pleased with herself.

[That’s cold. I love it.] Pete’s voice, cheering her on.

Lucas’s face went white. Absolutely white.

He turned toward Seraphina slowly. His whole body had gone rigid.

“You threw out her medication.” His voice was barely audible. “You knew she was allergic and you threw it out.”

Seraphina’s composure shattered. She grabbed at his sleeve. “I didn’t know it was that serious! I just thought it’d be funny, I swear—”

Lucas slapped her.

Not light. Not performative.

His chest heaved. His eyes were red when he turned back to me.

“Raven.” The word barely held together. “I’m sorry. I swear I didn’t know she did any of this.”

He stepped toward me, one careful step, hand reaching.

“I failed to protect you. I know that. But I promise, nothing like this will ever happen again.” His voice broke. “Forgive me. Just this once. Please.”

I stepped back.

“Forgive you for taking her side every single time? Or forgive the part where I almost died in that cabin?”

I reached up and touched the cord at my throat.

Lucas saw it. His face went completely still.

“Don’t.” He moved toward me, voice cracking. “Raven, don’t take it off—”

I didn’t stop.

I worked my fingers under the cord and pulled.

It snapped. The cord bit into my skin as it broke, a quick, sharp sting.

A green moonstone pendant fell into my palm.

“When you gave me this,” I said, “you told me it was your grandmother’s. The Luna token of the Starfang Pack. For your fated mate only.”

“It’s yours.” Barely coherent now. “Only ever yours. Raven, put it back on, we start over right now, I’ll do whatever you want—”

I looked past his shoulder at Seraphina.

Where an identical moonstone pendant hung.

“Lucas.” The corner of my mouth moved, just barely. “If it’s a one-of-a-kind token…”

I looked at him.

“Why are there two?”

He froze.

His eyes followed mine.

The look on his face when he saw it said everything I’d ever needed to know.

I didn’t wait for an explanation.

I opened my hand and let go.

Crack.

The pendant hit the marble floor and shattered.

“Raven—!”

His voice split open. He dropped to his knees like something had gone out in him. Both hands shaking, he started picking up the pieces. The edges sliced into his fingers, blood rising bright against the pale stone dust.

“No – don’t – don’t be broken–”

He knelt there in the wreckage of it, trying to fit the pieces back together. Crying, actually crying, tears hitting the floor while his hands bled.

I stood still and watched him for three seconds.

Then I turned and walked to the door.

“Raven!” His voice shredded behind me.

I didn’t look back. I walked out into the rain.