The following morning, Emerald was jolted awake by frantic knocking at her door.
"Alpha! Alpha Emerald!" a healer's voice called urgently.
She threw open the door, her heart racing. "What is it?"
"It's Alpha Kieran. He's awake!"
Emerald didn't wait to hear the rest. She rushed through the hallways, her bare feet hitting the cold stone floors; she didn't even care that she was still wearing her nightclothes. When she burst into Kieran's room, she saw him sitting up slightly in bed. He looked pale and weak, but he was very much alive.
"Kieran," she breathed, moving to his side.
"Hey," he said in a rough but warm voice. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I thought I'd lost you," Emerald said, taking his hand carefully, mindful of the bandages and healing wounds.
The head healer stepped forward. "The blade that was used to stab Alpha Kieran was made of a special steel. Not just any silver, but something darker… More potent."
Emerald's jaw tightened. "Alia."
