Lila woke up to the sound of her alarm blaring, her head pounding and her body heavy with exhaustion. No amount of sleep seemed to help lately. Her joints ached, her stomach churned, and even her thoughts felt sluggish. She had read somewhere that severing a mating bond could make a werewolf sick, but she wasn't a werewolf. She was human—or at least she thought she was.
Standing in front of her bathroom mirror, Lila stared at her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her skin reminded her of how far she'd fallen from her usual self. She knew she had to take control of the situation before it consumed her.
"I have to sever it," she whispered to herself, gripping the edge of the sink. "Whatever it takes."
Later that morning, Lila and Ryan made their way to the airport for their flight back to the city. Ryan had been nothing but supportive throughout the trip, but as they waited at the gate, he noticed the way she kept fidgeting, her hand pressing against her stomach like she was trying to settle some invisible storm.
"Are you okay?" Ryan asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
Lila forced a smile and nodded. "I'm fine. I think the flight is just making me feel off."
"If you're not feeling up to it, I can ask the airline staff for help," he offered.
"No, really, I'm okay," she insisted, though her voice lacked conviction.
Once on the plane, Lila sank into her seat by the window, trying to focus on her breathing. But the farther they flew, the worse she felt. Her skin burned with a feverish heat, and her heart ached in a way she couldn't explain. It was like some invisible tether was pulling her in two directions, stretching her past her breaking point.
She closed her eyes, silently willing the plane to land faster.
Caleb sat on the edge of his bed, the room dimly lit by the faint glow of the moon spilling in through the window. His hand clenched the comb tightly, the sharp teeth pressing into his palm. It was ridiculous, really—this tiny, mundane object somehow felt like his last connection to Lila. The strands of her hair caught between the teeth shimmered faintly in the light, like golden threads tying her to him.
He ran his fingers over the comb, a thousand memories flooding his mind. He could still see her perched on his couch, her legs tucked beneath her as she ran the comb through her hair absentmindedly. She used to hum softly when she thought no one was paying attention, a quiet melody that had burrowed its way into his heart.
He swallowed hard. Those moments felt like a lifetime ago. He had taken them for granted, hadn't realized just how fragile they were until they shattered.
Caleb rubbed a hand over his face, his jaw clenching as frustration boiled beneath the surface. He had tried everything—searched every lead, questioned anyone who might have seen her, even wandered through the cities where he thought she might have gone. Nothing. She had disappeared without a trace, leaving him with nothing but this damn comb and a hollow ache in his chest.
But now, he had a lead. A glimmer of hope.
The pack member who mentioned the witch had seemed hesitant, almost apologetic. "She's… unorthodox," he had said, shifting uncomfortably. "She can help you, but there's always a cost. Her magic isn't—"
"I don't care," Caleb had snapped, cutting him off. "I'll pay whatever price she wants."
"Are you sure?Her price is steep.You need to think it through"the park member said.
"I said I will do anything,take me to her."Caleb growled.
And he meant it. There wasn't a price he wouldn't pay to find Lila.
The following morning, Caleb found himself standing in front of the witch's hut, his chest tightening as he took in the eerie structure. It looked like something out of a horror story—leaning slightly to one side, its wooden planks weathered and covered in vines. A strange mist clung to the ground around it, swirling lazily like it had a life of its own.
For a moment, Caleb hesitated. The air around the hut was heavy, almost oppressive, and his instincts screamed at him to turn back. But then he thought of Lila—her smile, the warmth in her eyes, the way she had looked at him like he was her entire world.
He couldn't turn back.
Taking a deep breath, Caleb pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside. The scent of herbs and smoke hit him immediately, mingling with something metallic and sharp. The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from flickering candles placed haphazardly around the room.
The witch was waiting for him. She was older than he had expected, her gray hair wild and tangled around her face. Her eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to pierce straight through him, as if she could see every thought he tried to hide.
"You're the wolf," she said, her voice raspy but strong.
Caleb nodded, his throat dry. "I need your help."
The witch tilted her head, studying him for a moment before gesturing for him to sit. "Help always comes with a price. Are you willing to pay it?"
"I'll pay whatever it takes," Caleb said firmly.
Her lips curved into a thin smile. "We'll see about that."
She extended a hand, and Caleb hesitated for only a moment before handing her the comb. The witch examined it carefully, running her fingers over the strands of hair caught between the teeth. She hummed softly, her eyes narrowing.
"This will do," she said. "But I'll need something from you as well—your blood."
Caleb tensed, but his resolve didn't waver. "Take it."
The witch gave him a long, unreadable look. "This ritual isn't just about blood, wolf. It's about power, balance. There will be a price to pay, and it's not one I can tell you now. The cost will come later, when you least expect it."
"What kind of cost?" Caleb asked, his voice low.
She shook her head. "That's not for today. You'll know when the time comes."
Caleb's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Do it."
The witch moved quickly, gathering ingredients from various jars and shelves. Caleb watched as she poured a thick, dark liquid into a small bowl, added the strand of Lila's hair, and then pricked his finger with a small, curved blade.
As his blood dripped into the mixture, she began to chant, her voice low and rhythmic. The air in the room seemed to shift, growing heavier with each word she spoke. Caleb's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the potion bubble and hiss, the liquid turning a deep, crimson red.
For twenty minutes, the witch chanted, her voice rising and falling like a tide. The room grew colder, and Caleb felt a strange pressure building in his chest, like something was pulling at him from the inside.
Finally, the witch opened her eyes and looked at him.
"She's in the city," she said, her voice sharp and clear. "The one you've been avoiding."
Relief washed over Caleb, but it was short-lived as she added, "She doesn't want to be found, wolf. She's running from you."
Caleb clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "It doesn't matter. She's my mate."
The witch's gaze hardened. "Then you should know this: forcing a bond comes with consequences. You may not care now, but you will."
Caleb didn't respond. He couldn't. The thought of Lila slipping through his fingers again was unbearable, and he would do whatever it took to bring her back.
As he turned to leave, the witch's voice stopped him.
"The cost will follow you," she said, her tone heavy with warning. "Be ready for it."
Caleb didn't look back. He couldn't afford to dwell on the witch's cryptic words. All that mattered was Lila. She was close, and he wasn't going to let her go.
Lila gripped the armrests of her airplane seat as the captain announced their descent, her head spinning. The soft hum of the engine, combined with the pressure in her ears, only added to her growing nausea. She had never been one to fear flying, but this was different. Her body felt as though it was waging a war inside her, her energy completely sapped.
When the wheels touched the ground and the plane slowed to a halt, she exhaled shakily, her vision blurring as she tried to focus on her surroundings. Passengers shuffled in their seats, retrieving bags and preparing to disembark, but Lila couldn't muster the strength to move.
Ryan, seated a row behind her, noticed her hesitation. He had been keeping an eye on her throughout the flight, concerned by how pale she looked when they boarded. He leaned over the seat with a frown.
"Lila, you okay?" he asked softly, his voice tinged with worry.
She forced a weak smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… probably a little jet lagged."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "We barely left the time zone. Are you sure you're okay? You've looked off since this morning."
Lila wanted to brush him off, to assure him she was fine and just needed rest, but her body betrayed her. As she stood to grab her bag from the overhead compartment, a wave of dizziness hit her so hard that she stumbled back into her seat.
"Whoa!" Ryan moved quickly, steadying her before she could collapse completely. "Okay, that's it. You're not fine."
"I'm just lightheaded," she protested weakly, her voice barely audible.
Ryan shook his head, his concern deepening. "Lightheaded doesn't look like this. Come on, let me help."
Reluctantly, Lila let him guide her off the plane. Every step felt heavier than the last, her legs wobbling as though they might give out beneath her. By the time they reached baggage claim, she was leaning heavily on Ryan, her breaths shallow.
"Lila, you need to see a doctor," Ryan said firmly as they waited for their luggage.
"I'll be fine," she mumbled, though she didn't sound convincing even to herself.
Ryan sighed, his patience thinning. "I don't think you get to decide that right now. Look, do you have anyone you trust to take care of you? A roommate, a family member? Someone close by?"
Lila blinked, her brain sluggish as she processed his words. "Mia… My roommate, Mia."
"Good," Ryan said, grabbing her suitcase and slinging her laptop bag over his shoulder. "I'm taking you home to her."
Lila wanted to protest, to insist she could get there on her own, but her body betrayed her once again. As they stepped outside into the crisp evening air, her knees buckled, and Ryan caught her before she could hit the ground.
"Yeah, no way am I letting you go anywhere alone," he muttered, hailing a cab with one hand while holding her steady with the other.
The cab ride felt like a blur. Lila leaned her head against the cool window, her thoughts jumbled and incoherent. She hated feeling this way—weak, vulnerable, dependent. But a small part of her was grateful for Ryan's presence. He wasn't overbearing, but his calm authority made her feel… safe.
When they arrived at her apartment building, Ryan helped her out of the cab and led her to the door, supporting her weight with ease. By the time Mia opened the door, her face twisted in panic at the sight of her pale and disoriented friend, Lila felt like she was barely holding on.
"Lila! What happened?" Mia exclaimed, reaching out to help Ryan guide her inside.
"She nearly collapsed at the airport," Ryan explained, his tone brisk but not unkind. "She kept insisting she was fine, but obviously, she's not."
Mia shot Lila a sharp look. "What's going on? Are you sick?"
Lila shook her head weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know… I just feel off."
"She mentioned feeling lightheaded and jet lagged, but this seems like more than that," Ryan added.
Mia nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I'll take it from here. Thank you for bringing her home."
Ryan hesitated, glancing at Lila one last time. "Are you sure you don't need help? I can stay if—"
"No, I've got her," Mia said, though her tone softened as she added, "But seriously, thank you, Ryan."
He nodded, setting Lila's bags down before stepping back toward the door. "Feel better, Lila," he said quietly before leaving.
Mia helped Lila to the couch, wrapping a blanket around her shoulders before disappearing into the kitchen. She returned moments later with a glass of water and some painkillers.
"Here, take this," Mia said, handing her the glass.
Lila complied, her hands trembling as she lifted the glass to her lips. The water was cool and soothing, but it did little to ease the knot of unease in her stomach.
Mia sat down beside her, her brow furrowed with concern. "Okay, spill. What's going on? You've been acting weird ever since…" She trailed off, her eyes narrowing. "This isn't about Caleb, is it?"
Lila's head shot up, her eyes widening in alarm. "No! I mean… I don't know."
Mia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Lila, you need to figure this out. If this is about that mating bond or whatever, you need to deal with it. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."
Lila closed her eyes, her chest tightening. She knew Mia was right, but the thought of confronting everything—the bond, Caleb, the mess her life had become—was overwhelming.
"I just need time," she whispered.
Mia placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "And you'll get it. But for now, you need to rest. Let me handle everything else, okay?"
Lila nodded, her exhaustion finally overtaking her as she leaned back against the couch. As her eyes drifted shut, she couldn't help but wonder how long she could keep running from the truth.