Darius's POV: After finishing the most important business for the pack, I went straight to the medical ward. The moment I walked in, I saw the badly injured girl pulling out her tubes and climbing out of the medical pod. My chest burned with anger. "So, you really don't care if you live or die." Did she have any idea how serious her injuries were? And yet she dared to end her treatment and walk out? "It's you," she said calmly. Her eyes met mine. "Thanks for saving my life. But since I helped you win the race, we're even now." I frowned. She was only 16, but her voice carried the weight of a soldier who had seen battle after battle. I already knew who she was. Thora was the granddaughter of the current Alpha of Silverleaf Pack. "Even?" I repeated, my jaw tightening. Hearing how eager she was to cut ties with me, I clenched my jaw in irritation. I stepped closer. On the back of her hand, a drop of blood seeped out where she had pulled the needle. My irritation grew sharper. "I never said we were even." Her expression stayed calm, her words firm. "We made a deal back on the mountain road. The trade is done. Whether it was fair or not doesn't matter. If you expect anything else from me, you'll be disappointed." Her voice carried a finality that didn't leave room for argument.For an instant, I caught a flash of killing intent in her eyes. My anger eased, replaced by something else. I leaned in, lowering my head until I was only inches from her face. "You want to kill me?" She gave me a sideways glance. "I wouldn't mind." The way she said it sounded like she already had blood on her hands. But she was just a teenage girl who hadn't even awakened her wolf spirit. I narrowed my eyes and stepped closer until our noses almost touched. I let my Alpha's power roll off me in full force. "Because right now, I could end you with just a thought." Anyone else would've been trembling in fear by now. But not her. Even covered in wounds, she stood tall, her back straight like a trained warrior. "You can try," she said. And in her tone, I caught the spark of someone ready for a fight. Our eyes locked. There was no fear in her gaze, only reckless determination. I let out a low laugh and pulled back. This girl is exactly my type. For the first time in years, I felt an urge I hadn't expected—an impulse to keep her by my side. In the back of my mind, Lorcan wagged his tail with excitement. "She's the first female who isn't affected by your Alpha aura. No wonder she's the one!" Her voice cut through his words, calm but firm. "If you're not going to kill me, then let me leave." I frowned at this. "You haven't even awakened your wolf. Are you trying to get yourself killed by walking out like this?""I won't die," she said flatly. "The medical pod stabilized me. But I need to get back to my pack." That look in her eyes—so steady, so determined—made something stir inside me. I knew that even if I tried to stop her, she would fight to the end, even if it meant getting herself killed. But that wasn't what I wanted. I just wanted her to be safe. Glancing at the bandages wrapped around her, I tossed her one of my white shirts and said, "If you can put this on by yourself, I'll let you go." She took the shirt, then looked down at her body, wrapped in layers of bandages. For a moment, she fell silent. I thought she might give up. But then, she suddenly tore off her shredded clothes. The thin pink bra underneath was now in plain sight.What the hell! This girl is so bold! I spun around instantly, heat creeping up my neck. Gritting my teeth, I snapped, "You're stripping in front of a grown man? Do you have no shame?" Ever since I met her, I'd lost my composure more times than I could count. She sounded amused. "I don't mind. Why should you, big guy?" I pressed my fingers to my temple, trying to calm down. Is this girl even normal? Or did I just pick up some alien in disguise? Suddenly, I heard the harsh rip of bandages. I turned back at once. She tore off the sterile wrap just to get the shirt on.Her arm, still bruised and swollen, split open again under the strain. Blood welled up, fresh and bright against the white cloth.