Chapter 16

Ella's POV

I stared at the screen of my phone, my finger frozen over an article from the Werewolf City Press. Alpha Carson, CEO of Wayvere Company, had been found unconscious and bleeding in the snow. He was in a coma, brain-dead, with his family and pack desperately keeping him on life support, clinging to the faint hope that he might somehow wake up.

"Ella, is something wrong?" Liam's voice cut through my thoughts as he came back from the bathroom. He noticed my blank stare at my phone.

I shook my head, slipping my phone into my coat pocket. "Nothing. Let's not come back to this place. It's overpriced, and the food isn't even that good. Next time, let's just do cheese fondue," I suggested, trying to shake off the sudden unease.

He chuckled, taking my cold hand and kissing my fingers like he always did. "Whatever you want," he replied with a gentle smile, helping me to my feet.

As we stepped outside, the first snow of the year began to fall. Liam, ever thoughtful, draped his coat over my shoulders, his warmth lingering on my skin. I breathed in his comforting citrus scent and smiled, noticing the slight pink flush on his cheeks.

Under the soft glow of the streetlamp, he stood there, holding a bouquet of flowers. His red nose gave him away, and I couldn't help but smile. He looked so adorably handsome, and my heart fluttered. I hadn't expected to fall in love again, especially not with the right werewolf.

Liam suddenly stopped walking, and I noticed the hesitation in his eyes. He turned to face me, then, without warning, knelt down, gently taking my right hand in his. The nervousness was clear on his face, but his smile was warm, sincere.

"Will you marry me, Ella Hansen? Be my mate and my wife… forever?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly, but with an unwavering sincerity.

His words stole my breath, and my heart melted. It felt so right, so real.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I grinned, whispering, "Yes, Liam."

I'd never believed in forever, but with Liam, it felt like something I could finally want.

He slipped the ring onto my finger, his eyes gleaming with joy as he pulled me into a tight hug. "I'm so happy. I promise to make you happy forever, to give you everything you've ever wanted."

His warmth, the steady beat of his heart against mine, it all felt perfect. I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead, murmuring how much he loved me.

"Let's tell your family," Liam said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Mom, Dad, and my brother would be thrilled, this was the news they'd been waiting for.

As we drove back to my parents' pack, a sudden crash rocked the car. A black wolf had attacked us, sending the vehicle careening into a nearby tree. Luckily, Liam had wrapped his arm around me, shielding me from the worst of the impact. We managed to crawl out of the wreck, but we were immediately surrounded by five werewolves.

Liam and I fought back, but one of the attackers was strong enough to throw me to the ground. He sank his teeth into my arm, and just when I thought things couldn't get worse, I felt a flash of silver, an agonizing pain as a knife was plunged into my side.

Liam fought with everything he had, taking on all of them to protect me as I shifted back to my human form. Clutching my side to stop the bleeding, I could barely breathe. The world around me began to blur, but I could still hear Liam's voice, calling out to me.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital, feeling a little better. Liam was there, sitting beside me, looking disheveled with dark circles under his eyes. His gaze softened when he saw me open my eyes, and I saw tears of relief in his eyes.

"My Ella, I thought you wouldn't wake up," he said anxiously, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

Liam explained that I'd been unconscious for three days. My family and the pack had been worried sick, and they'd been by my side the whole time. But then, my brother shared something that left me confused.

"Who's Angela?" I asked, my brow furrowed.

"Haven't you met her, Ella? Don't you know who she is?" My mother's voice was thick with confusion, as if it was unimaginable for me not to know who this woman was.

"Who is she?" I demanded, my heart racing. "And why does she want me dead?"

I looked at them, waiting for an answer.