Gnawing fear 

ISABELLA’S POV 

“It’s a pity to let go of such an amazing healer in our pack.” 

Alexander continued speaking. And even though his tone was light, the words settled heavily in my heart with the guilt somewhat overwhelming me. I forced a smile, slightly shaking my head as I responded. 

“You don’t lack capable healers here.” I said, forcing my voice to sound light too despite the tightness in my chest. 

Alexander crossed his arms, a teasing smirk spreading across his face as he shook his head. 

“You’re different from them.” 

My smile faltered as soon as I heard those words. His words cut through me. Alexander also 

turned slightly serious, his tone shifting as he immediately added. 

“But I respect your decision.” 

I stared at him, feeling a sense of gratitude but also a hint of discomfort which I tried to push 

back first. “Thank you, Alexander.” 

He nodded with a faint smile on his lips, before his eyes turned even more serious. “One more 

thing,” 

I tilted my head in question, and he sighed before continuing. 

“I just want you to know that you’re always welcome here in our pack. If he ever…” He trailed 

off, looking a me with a knowing gaze. 

His meaning was clear. I immediately understood that he was talking about Xavier. Something in my chest stirred hearing the slight wariness in his tone towards Xavier. But I 

shook my head, meeting his gaze head on. 

“I know.” I said, forcing a small smile on my lips, masking the emotions that roiled within me. 

Before Alexander could respond, the door of the room was suddenly pushed open, and 

Raymond stepped in. 

He gave a quick nod to Alexander before he went to my side, his face looking very serious. 

“He wants to see you now.” He said in a low, serious tone. 

I instantly knew he was referring to Xavier, but my brows knitted when I noticed the urgency in his tone. Raymond nudged at me, and I had to excuse myself from Alexander first as I went 

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Gnawing fear 

out with him. 

Xavier stood a few meters from the packhouse, his presence unmistakable even from a 

distance. Raymond stopped, leaving me to approach him alone. 

“What’s the matter?” I asked as soon as I finally got near to him. 

He had insisted on staying here outside, not wanting to enter the Bluemoon packhouse 

because of the past duel that happened between him and Alexander. He said he wanted to 

keep his words, and wanted to respect the boundaries set by Alexander and the Bluemoon 

Pack. 

Earlier, I was glad that no conflicts ever happened because of our sudden arrival. But now, 

seeing the grave look on his face, made me think twice. 

There’s probably something wrong. 

Xavier’s jaw tightened as he finally spoke. 

“There has been a rogue attack back at the pack.” 

The words struck me like a blow. My blood ran cold. How could this be happening? We’d only 

been away for hours, and now, the Lunar Crescent Pack was under attack. Who would expect 

that something like this would happen? 

And it all happened at such a bad timing when Xavier, the pack’s Alpha, was away. 

“I have to go back first,” Xavier continued, his tone sharp with urgency. “You should stay here 

with the kids. It’s safer. I’ll get back here as soon as I fix the matters at the pack and make 

sure that everything’s been taken care of before I bring you back there.” 

I nodded, though dread still clawed at my chest. 

“How is it going there?” I asked in a low, hesitant tone. 

He shook his head, lips pressed into a grim line. “I don’t know the full situation yet.” 

The dread in my heart continued to surge, along with self–blame and guilt. Xavier had come 

with us. The Lunar Crescent Pack might be in a vulnerable situation now, especially because 

he was away. The thought only made me feel even more helpless. 

“I need to leave now.” 

He stared at me for a few more seconds before he finally made his way back to his car, his figure in a rush and his strides were heavy. 

My chest tightened and something in me panicked seeing his figure getting away from me. And before I knew it, I find myself calling out to him. 

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“Xavier…” 

He stopped on his tracks, his head swiftly turning towards me as his eyes pierced through the 

distance between us. 

I tried to suppress the burning feeling in my chest as I held his gaze. Then I finally spoke, my 

voice low but I made sure he could hear it. 

“Be careful.” I breathed, my heart pounding as I met his gaze. 

His deep eyes stared back to me, his gaze was somewhat intense, making my breath caught in my throat and causing my heart to pound even more loudly. 

Then I saw him nod, witnessing how his face softened slightly before he finally replied. 

“I will. Don’t worry.” 

I remained rooted in my spot, watching him enter the car before it sped off and finally 

disappeared from my sight. 

Something seemed to grip my chest as I got consumed by dread and anxiousness. Although I knew that Xavier was a strong and powerful Alpha, I couldn’t deny the worry gnawing at me. Moreover, it was also the Lunar Crescent Pack that was currently in danger now. I could only 

hope that nothing worst happens, that the pack didn’t suffer too much in his absence earlier. 

“Don’t you think it’s strange?” Raymond’s voice broke through my thoughts. 

I turned toward him. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the patio where we 

stood. “What do you mean?” 

We had a different conversation earlier, but my mind kept wandering off because of the worry gnawing at me. It was not until I heard my brother’s words that I started to grow even more 

anxious. 

“The timing,” he continued, his tone dark. “It’s suspicious that rogues attacked just after Xavier 

left with us.” 

I forced myself to take a deep, sharp breath as I tried to hold back the great anxiousness I was feeling. 

The suspicion in his voice unsettled me, and I felt the anxiety growing stronger. Raymond wasn’t wrong–it did seem too convenient for the rogues. The attacked indeed seemed 

deliberate. 

Had they been waiting for Xavier to leave? Had someone tipped them off? 

I swallowed the rising panic and nodded, unable to shake the cold feeling creeping up my 

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Gnawing fear 

spine. 

Nightfall came, but the unease didn’t leave me. After putting Liam and Lily to bed, I returned to my room, but sleep refused to come. Thoughts of the pack, Xavier, and the danger swirling 

around us consumed me, and the longer I lay there, the more restless I became. 

Hours passed, and still, no word from Xavier. My heart raced with worry, and I tossed and turned in bed, my mind spinning with worst–case scenarios. 

Eventually, I gave up on trying to sleep. The room felt too warm, stifling even, so I got up and 

opened the window, hoping the cool night air might help. 

But as the minutes ticked by, I realized something was wrong. My body suddenly started to 

feel hot–too hot even. My hands trembled, and a strange burning sensation began to spread 

through my limbs. 

No… not now. 

I recognized this feeling all too well. The heat, the weakness, the unbearable burning–it was 

the same as before, but this time, it was worse. Much worse.