Kyle's distress was worsening. Ashlee wasn't waking up as quickly as he'd hoped. According to Esyn, Ashlee would need at least three to five days to recover on her own. Her wounds were severe, but fortunately, they were healing—albeit slowly.

Her uncle was now in custody, charged with alleged murder and attempted murder of Ashlee and her mother. The trial was pending, and due to Ashlee's condition, the dates were postponed.

"Kyle." Cassandra called, distracting him from his paperwork.

"Mom." Kyle was surprised to see his parents; they weren't supposed to return for two more days. His mother, Cassandra, moved around the table and instantly embraced him.

"I'm so sorry to hear what happened to Ashlee, son," she whispered, rubbing his back. It had only been two days since Ashlee had been lying unconscious.

"It's alright, Mom. She'll be fine soon." Kyle hugged her back.

"I know this must have been so hard for you both. I'm sorry we couldn't be here sooner." She kept apologizing, feeling guilty for not being there for their son and his mate.

After hearing that Esyn was pregnant, they had to travel to the underworld to perform traditional rituals and meet with the oldest witch for her blessing.

"It's okay, Mom. I have everything under control," Kyle replied, pulling away and immersing himself again in his paperwork.

"How is she doing?" Cassandra asked, concerned for Ashlee. As the Luna of their pack, they couldn't let her remain sick.

"Her wounds are healing, but she still hasn't woken up." Kyle sighed, leaning his head back. The stress and worry had been overwhelming him. He hadn't slept or rested in days.

"I'll go see her," Cassandra said, and Kyle nodded as she left. He watched his mother leave, only to be interrupted by the entrance of a beautiful, alluring she-wolf who clicked her heels as she walked inside.

It was one of his former acquaintances; she smiled seductively. His mind wasn't in the right place—the pressure clouded his judgment. He'd called her over to forget his stress for a while.

Cassandra turned back briefly, giving him a weary look, warning him not to make a mistake. He ignored her, closing his files.

"What would you like me to do, Alpha?" Kat smirked, her lips glistening with a glossy pink shade. She was nothing compared to Ashlee—her curly dark hair, slender frame, and revealing outfit couldn't hold a candle to Ashlee's beauty.

"Do I need to tell you?" Kyle replied coldly, never bothering to smile or give orders to any of his acquaintances. He usually let them take the lead, but this time he remained passive.

He walked over to the couch where he usually entertained these encounters. Lighting a cigarette, he settled in, watching Kat approach. All he could think about was Ashlee, lying on the floor that day, hurt and vulnerable.

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"I'll make you fall for me today," Kat whispered, leaning close to his ear and leaving a lingering kiss on his neck.

Kyle's jaw clenched. He grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her face closer to his, making her look into his cold, dead eyes.

"You'll never make me fall for you," he stated firmly. Her face paled, and she nodded, lips trembling.

He released her, leaning back and closing his eyes as he smoked.

Kat understood what he wanted. She moved down slowly, kneeling in front of him. She unzipped his pants, starting her task.

But he felt nothing. All he saw behind his closed eyes was Ashlee, lying helpless on the floor as her uncle assaulted her.

After about ten minutes, his frustration boiled over. With a swift push, he threw Kat onto the floor, treating her like trash—a treatment he often afforded his acquaintances.

"Get out!" Kyle growled, zipping his pants and staring out the window. Kat stumbled to her feet, wiping her face and lips before leaving him alone.

Was he even justified in this behavior while his mate lay sick? Should he be acting like a spoiled brat at such a crucial time?

Meanwhile, Cassandra entered the room where Kyle kept Ashlee. She saw Esyn examining the IV drip and other human medical equipment connected to Ashlee.

"I heard she was healing on her own," Cassandra remarked with a faint smile as Esyn turned around.

"You're back." Esyn smiled as Cassandra embraced her. "These are human procedures. I don't understand any of it. The police insisted it was necessary to examine her, so they sent a doctor and nurses. And now, here we are," Esyn explained, pointing to the drips.

"So, where's the nurse?" Cassandra asked, looking around.

"Oh, I sent her away," Esyn replied with a smirk.

"You hypnotized her." Cassandra narrowed her eyes, knowing Esyn shouldn't be exerting herself like this, especially while pregnant.

"It's fine," Esyn replied nonchalantly.

Cassandra sat beside Ashlee, tracing her wounds. With her keen sight, she noticed Ashlee's wounds healing, though at a rate neither fully human nor fully werewolf.

"This is odd," Cassandra murmured, holding Ashlee's arm.

"Right? I thought so too. Try something on her," Esyn suggested, excitedly.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra asked, confused.

"Like, try sending her a mind link or testing her powers," Esyn explained.

"What? Are you out of your mind?" Cassandra exclaimed.

"I don't want you to hurt her, Mom. And for the record, I don't think you can," Esyn playfully rolled her eyes.

"Why would I want to hurt such a beautiful girl?" Cassandra smiled, adjusting Ashlee's hair. She had high hopes for Ashlee, sensing she could change Kyle for the better.

"Watch this." Esyn let her hand, imbued with healing fire, hover over Ashlee.

"Esyn, are you crazy?" Cassandra shouted, afraid that Ashlee, being human, wouldn't withstand Esyn's powers.

"See?" Esyn pointed. Her powers weren't affecting Ashlee's wounds—they weren't healing, but they also weren't worsening.

"What?" Cassandra observed, amazed. "But how?"

"I told you nothing works on her," Esyn muttered, returning to her task. "Do you want to try?"

"Are you serious? What if something goes wrong?" Cassandra shook her head, standing at a distance.

"We might figure out what this means," she said, rubbing her temples in thought.

"Don't worry, Mom. We'll know when she wakes up," Esyn reassured her.

"Alright, I'll go get some rest." Cassandra gave a tired smile, patting Esyn's shoulder before leaving.

Elsewhere, Derion continued trying to make the elf confess. So far, he'd learned nothing, but he'd advised Kyle not to come in, fearing he might lose control and kill her.

"Burn her ears!" Derion commanded the guards to bring burning rods to torture her at her most sensitive spots, hoping she'd break.

"You're doing this for your stupid Alpha?" she taunted him, but her voice faltered with a scream when the rods touched her.

"You think the one you made a deal with cares about you?" Derion sneered back.

Her smug smile faded, turning into frustrated grunts. She kept screaming, stubbornly holding out. Elves might make deals with loyal individuals, but she was a fool if she thought her ally would protect her.