My childhood friend’s family carries a rare werewolf lineage. For them, the first person they "mark" during their transition into adulthood becomes their fated mate for life. When his first "fever" hit, his friends called me to help soothe the transition. But standing outside his door, I heard him growl with irritation: "I really don’t want to give her the satisfaction. Our kind is too loyal—once we mark someone, they’re our only partner forever. "I'm waiting for someone like Serena. Not a girl like Chloe who follows me around like a lost puppy. Tonight, even if she begs to help me, I’ll hold back." He waited and waited, but I never walked through that door. What he didn’t know was that his older brother’s head of security was already blowing up my phone: "Miss Chloe, Mr. Sterling has considered you his only mate for years. Please, he's dying. Can you just come and be with him?" He didn't know that five years ago, when I "died" in that skiing accident in Aspen, it wasn't him who saved me. It was his brother, Silas. To pull me back from the brink of death, Silas shared half of his own life-force with me through a forbidden blood-bond. Late that night, I wrapped my arms around Silas’s neck and whispered, "Mr. Sterling, stop holding back. Tell me... how many years have you been secretly in love with me?" 01 The Sterling family are shifters. After they turn twenty, every full moon brings a "fever"—a rut that demands a mate. The first person they mark during this time becomes their one and only for the rest of their lives. I always thought the person my childhood friend, Archer, would mark was me. But the night his lineage finally awakened, I stood outside the private lounge at the club and heard his voice dripping with disdain. "I really don’t want Chloe to have it that easy. "I want to go after the campus queen, but she’s not the type of girl you can just mess with. "Chloe’s different. She’s like a stray dog that shows up whenever I whistle. "Once she gets here, even if she begs to help me through the fever, I’m going to resist. I don't want one night to turn into a life sentence with her dragging me down." I stood in the hallway, my mind going completely blank. I never imagined that Archer—the boy I grew up with, the boy I gave everything to—actually saw me that way. Inside, his friends laughed. They were the type to kick someone when they were down. "So she’s just a toy to you?" "Maybe I should call her and tell her not to come. Wouldn't want her taking advantage of the situation to climb into your bed and claim the 'Luna' title. Honestly, cheap goods aren't worth the trouble." Archer groaned in pain but stopped them. "Whatever. If you call her now and tell her not to come, she’ll get suspicious. "Even if she is just a toy, she’s the toy I grew up with. I don't want her to feel too bad. "When she gets here, I’ll see if I can hold out. I don't want to spell it out for her, but this is a good chance to make her realize where she stands." In that moment, I wanted to burst in and scream at him. You don't want me to feel bad? You just called me a dog in front of your friends and let them trash me. You think I’m still obsessed enough to let you treat me like trash? But I held it in. There was no point wasting words on someone who didn't value me. I turned and walked away, fleeing the scene before the tears could fall. I pulled out my phone and called his older brother’s lead bodyguard. "You called me earlier about Mr. Sterling needing help tonight. Is the offer still open? "Send me the address. I'm coming now." 02 Half an hour ago, that bodyguard had told me a truth Archer had spent five years hiding. "Miss Chloe, do you remember five years ago when Archer took you skiing and you fell into that ravine? "The eldest brother, Silas, led the rescue. We searched for three days and nights before finding you buried in the snow. You were a frozen statue. You weren't breathing. "Silas told Archer that a shifter can share half their lifespan with their partner, but it can only be done through a blood-rite on a full moon. "A blood-rite is the deepest form of marking. "Once it's done, he is bound to you forever. "Archer refused. He didn't want to lose half his life, even though he cried over your body. "In the end, it was Silas who saved you. "It was a miracle the full moon fell on that night. Silas performed the rite, gave you his life, and marked you as his fated mate. He saved you, but it meant he could never love anyone else. "Archer begged him never to tell you. "For five years, Silas has endured the full moon fevers alone. He never bothered you. He strictly forbade us from speaking of the sacrifice. "But tonight... he can't make it. He was severely injured in a rescue operation, and with the full moon hitting, his body is failing. "Please. Can you help him?" My mind was spinning. I had actually died five years ago? Archer, who claimed to love me, wouldn't sacrifice a single day for me. But Silas—the "Ice King," the man I was always terrified of—had literally brought me back from the dead. I had initially told the guard: "I'm sorry, Archer needs me tonight." I was prepared to be ungrateful just to go to Archer. And yet, Archer thought of me as a dog. I was pathetic. I deserved to be looked down on. But I wasn't going to be pathetic anymore. I wiped my eyes, gripped my phone, and told the guard: "Is it too late to repay the debt? "If Silas needs me tonight... I'm his. Completely." The guard sounded like he was crying. "It’s not too late. Not at all. "I’m sending the location now. "If he wasn't at death's door, I’d never dare defy his orders. His discipline is legendary, but I can't let him die." I understood. Silas probably just wanted to save a life back then. He didn't want me clinging to him. And I just wanted to pay him back. It wasn't a rebound. It was an awakening. 03 I didn't expect to see Serena, the campus belle, outside the VIP hospital wing when I arrived. She was frantic, trying to push past the guards. "Let me in! "Isn't it the full moon? How do you know Silas doesn't need me? "Silas! Silas, please! Let me help you!" I almost laughed. Archer said Serena wasn't "easy," yet here she was, offering herself to his brother. The guard who had been blocking her saw me and immediately opened the door, his eyes misty. "Miss Chloe. You’re finally here. "Please, go in. He really needs you tonight." Jealousy twisted Serena’s face into something hideous. "Why does she get to go in? "Silas got hurt saving her! "She’s a jinx! How can you let her near him?" I froze. He got hurt saving me? Again? Inside the room, it was chaos. I saw Silas. He was shirtless, sprawled across the bed, his skin a deep, feverish red. His short hair was soaked with sweat. His fingers were dug into the sheets, his muscles corded with the effort of restraint. His back was wrapped in heavy white bandages, but they were already soaked through with brilliant crimson blood. The doctor was pacing, yelling: "My God, Silas! Stop fighting it! Find a woman to help you. The bandages are soaked again. How much blood do you think you have? "It’s the full moon. The shifter blood is too aggressive; your clotting factor is non-existent. The best medicine in the world won't work if your heart is racing like this. "You have to ease the fever, or you’re going to bleed out tonight! "Where is that girl? When is she getting here?" The bodyguards by the bed saw me. They bowed ninety degrees in a gesture of profound respect. "Doctor, she’s here." Silas, who had been enduring a literal hell on that bed, suddenly opened his eyes. A pair of glowing, dark red eyes—terrifying and beautiful—locked onto mine. He fought back the primal hunger, his voice cold and furious: "Who brought her here? Get her out!" The lead guard stayed bowed. "Sir, only Miss Chloe can help you tonight. I’ll take whatever punishment you give. "But you’re dying because of her. You’ve saved her twice and kept it a secret. You might not feel wronged, but we can't watch this anymore." I stared at the man on the bed. Archer and I were childhood friends, but I had always avoided Silas. He was the "Living Reaper." Even the most arrogant rich kids in the city turned into obedient mice in his presence. He had an aura of absolute power. I used to take the long way around just to avoid crossing his path. Now, this man—the one who made the world tremble—was clutching the bedsheets, his toes curling in agony. Every inch of him was radiating waves of heat. His ragged breathing filled the room. The contrast was staggering. He was a fallen god, vulnerable and breathtaking. "Wait," I whispered. "You said he was hurt because of me again?" The guard started to speak, but Silas barked: "Shut up! Not another word!" He tried to soften his voice for me, though it remained distant. "Chloe... go home. I don't need you here." The guard, apparently ready to die for the truth, said: "Sir, stop the act. A hard mouth won't win you a wife. "You’re acting tough, but your heart is a mess. Whenever she’s in danger, you throw your life away. You ran into a literal fire for her. Do you think we’on’t see that?" 04 The other guards joined in, seemingly tired of the secrets. "Exactly. Last month, during the full moon, who was staring at the photo of Chloe on their lock screen until they were delirious? You were calling her name in your sleep. She’s all you think about. "And the month before that? You parked outside her dorm and sat there all night. You almost went in a dozen times before stopping yourself. A saint would have cracked by now. "If we don't speak up, Chloe will never know. Do you really plan on suffering alone forever?" "I can handle it," Silas said, his eyes dropping. The doctor snapped: "Handle my foot! You won't see tomorrow's sun at this rate. "Young lady, don't just stand there. Figure out a way to calm him down!" The guards bowed again. But... "What do I do? I don't know how." The doctor, cutting away the bloody bandages, yelled: "Kiss him!" My face flushed deep red. Standing at the head of the bed, I didn't know how to kiss this man who was actively pushing me away in front of everyone. The guard yelled: "Miss Chloe, do you know how he got those burns? "Two days ago, the university auditorium caught fire. You were trapped inside, unconscious from the smoke. You were seconds from suffocating. "Silas went in. Because of the bond, he can feel when you’re in pain. "He ignored everyone and charged into the fire. While he was carrying you out, a beam collapsed. It hit him right across the back. He was on fire. "But he didn't drop you. He pushed through the pain and got you out. And then Archer showed up. "Archer saw Silas carry you out, snatched you from his arms, and acted like the hero. If Archer cared so much, why didn't he go in himself?" My heart stopped. Silas did that? I remembered waking up in the hospital with Archer by my side. I thought Archer had saved me. I had been given too much information today to stay shy. I didn't care anymore. I had to save him. I leaned over Silas. I pressed my lips to his in a firm kiss. "Don't," Silas growled. It was a warning, a rejection, but his hands gripped the sheets so hard his knuckles turned white. His eyes were bloodshot. He looked like he was being tortured. "Chloe, do you even know what you’re doing? You usually run when you see me. Don't do this out of some sense of debt. And don't listen to them. It won't work. I feel nothing." The doctor suddenly shouted: "It’s working! The bleeding is slowing down! "Miss Chloe, don't stop! Keep going! "His body is a lot more honest than his mouth. Kiss him like you mean it!" The doctor's words were like a slap to Silas's "tough guy" act. Silas looked mortified. He actually buried his face in the pillow. He was... blushing? The tips of his ears were bright red. 05 The guards were nearly crying with relief. "I knew Chloe was the only cure." "Miss Chloe, ignore anything that comes out of his mouth. He’s a professional at faking it. He’s dying for you to touch him! "Look at his ears! He’s just shy and doesn't want to pressure you because he thinks you only love Archer." Silas looked up, glaring at the guards. "Quiet!" But for the sake of his life, they ignored his fury. I took the chance to grab Silas's handsome face and turn it toward me. I cradled the back of his head and sealed his lips with mine. I didn't care how "tough" he was. I couldn't be indifferent to a man who had died for me twice. I couldn't let him suffer. The moment our lips met, I felt Silas shudder with a wave of raw emotion. But he still held onto the last shred of his logic. "Chloe... are you deaf? "I don't want you to 'repay' me like this. "Who do you think I am? Do I look like I need your charity?" My eyes welled up. "Silas... I’m doing this because I want to. No one is forcing me." I grabbed his hand and pressed it against my heart. His pupils contracted. He looked like he had touched something he wasn't allowed to touch. A man of honor, he tried to pull his hand away. I held on tight. "Silas, feel my heart. "There is no hesitation here. Don't feel guilty." His throat moved as he swallowed hard, his restraint crumbling. "Don't lie to me. I know Archer is the only one in your heart. "Before, when the guard called you... I heard. "You said... Archer needed you more tonight." I wanted to explain, but Silas's phone on the nightstand started ringing. It was Archer. Silas looked at the screen and swiped to answer. "Archer? What is it?" Archer’s pained, strained voice came through the speaker: "Silas... the fever hit me. It's my first one. It hurts so much. "And Chloe... that idiot girl isn't here yet. "I thought I could handle it, but I overestimated myself." Silas looked at me. "Chloe is..." I immediately kissed Silas again, cutting off his words. Silas lost control at my repeated boldness. His pupils dilated. His large, powerful hand instinctively cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer. He wanted more. But his logic kicked in one last time. He pushed me back slightly, but before he could tell Archer I was there, Archer started complaining again. "I know she’s probably just stuck in traffic. "She’s probably dying to get here and 'save' me. "She’s probably over the moon right now. "But honestly, girls who are too easy are boring. "I really don't want her to take advantage of me and mark her as my mate. Why does our kind have to be so damn loyal?" Silas’s blood-red eyes flashed with a mix of shock and cold anger. "You don't want to be loyal? "Then why did you lead her on since you were kids?" Archer, talking to his brother, didn't hold back. "I was young. I hadn't seen enough of the world. "I didn't know how much better the view was outside." "Archer!" Silas’s voice was dangerously heavy. "If you don't cherish her, don't blame me for taking her!" 06 Silas's words dropped like lead: "Don't regret it later!" Archer was stunned for a second, then laughed. "I won't regret it. "I’d be happy if she stopped clinging to me. "But don't get your hopes up, Silas. "I might be able to let her go, but she can't. "Chloe only has eyes for me. There's no room for anyone else. "She’ll probably try to marry me even if I treat her like garbage. "What are you going to do, Silas? Force her to love you? "Forced love is meaningless. Even if you take her body, you'll never have her heart. Why bother?" I was so tired of Archer's unearned confidence. Afraid Silas would push me away again, I wrapped both arms around his neck and bit his earlobe gently. Silas was already drowning in the fever; he couldn't handle that kind of stimulation. He cut Archer off coldly: "We'll see about that." Archer was still smug. "Silas, I'm telling you, Chloe is probably racing here at a hundred miles an hour. She’s probably flying. "Poor me, I'm sitting here in pain having to find the willpower to reject her when she tries to jump me. You wouldn't understand." Silas let out a cold, sharp laugh. "You think too much of yourself." He listened to the phone while looking at me—the girl currently "jumping" him. His gaze had completely changed. Restraint, logic, hesitation—they were all tossed out the window. His large hand gripped the back of my head. He pulled me onto the hospital bed, rolling me into his arms. The bodyguards and the doctor were incredibly sharp. They all filed out instantly. When it was just Silas and me, the silence was thick with tension. I felt like I was pressed against a burning furnace. My heart was doing backflips. Silas's voice was raw and ragged: "Last chance. Get out now. "Otherwise... "Once I decide to take something, I never let go. Even in death." My heart pounded. I was actually a little scared. But I thought of the horrific burns on his back. I shook my head. The air in my lungs was suddenly stolen. Silas took charge, pinning me down and kissing me with a depth that left me breathless. He treated me like the most precious thing in the world. A soft sound escaped my throat, and Archer heard it through the phone. "Silas? What was that? Is there a woman there? "Who is it?" 07 Silas said, "You don't need to know tonight. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to your future sister-in-law." Archer laughed. "Alright. I won't ruin your fun. "I’ll see what she looks like tomorrow." Before the call ended, I heard Archer ask his friends irritably: "Where is Chloe? Call her again." His friend teased him: "I thought you didn't want her here? "What, you can't handle the heat now?" Archer snapped back, "No way. I’m just worried she got into an accident. "Call her. Find out where she is." The friend said, "She’s not picking up. Did something actually happen?" Archer growled, "Keep calling. Don't stop until she answers." Archer didn't know that the constant ringing of my phone was acting like a soundtrack to our passion. The more the phone rang, the tighter Silas held me, as if he was afraid I would vanish. When I was nearly dizzy from lack of oxygen, Silas whispered in a low, rough voice: "Do you want to answer? "Maybe Archer changed his mind." He was holding me, his body burning hot. I shook my head, my face flushed. "Silas... don't ruin the mood." I reached for his phone, hit the end call button, and tossed it aside. I pulled his head back down. "Silas, stop holding back. "Tonight... whatever you want. I'm yours." Silas’s breath hitched like a flame catching. "Chloe... don't tease me like this." His kisses moved to my collarbone, his breathing completely shattered. I blinked. "You don't like it?" "I love it. It just doesn't feel real. "I know you’re only doing this to pay me back. "I’m greedy, Chloe. I want so much more than that." The loneliness in his voice was heart-wrenching. I didn't know how to answer that yet. "Silas... why did you give up half your life for me five years ago? "Archer wouldn't do it. Why would you? "You put yourself in this cage, suffering every full moon because of me." Silas didn't answer with words. He just kissed me more intensely. Finally, I heard him murmur: "It’s not just the full moon. "I want you... every day. "But you always ran away when you saw me." He gave a self-deprecating laugh. "How much did I scare you? "But after tonight, even if you run, even if you’re scared... I’m not letting go. "Chloe, you provoked me. You’re never getting away." He held me so tight I felt like I was being fused into his body. A wild thought crossed my mind. Has Silas been secretly in love with me this whole time? Strangely, I wasn't scared anymore. I felt a tiny spark of joy. The man who terrified the world... was a soft mess for me? I felt a little proud of myself. I wrapped my arms around his waist, careful of the wounds on his back. I tilted my head back to give him better access. "Silas... I’m not going to run. "If you don't believe my words, watch my actions. "I’m going to kick Archer out of my heart. There’s only going to be room for you."
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