The Lost Alpha Queen: Heaven and Hell Bound

Katrina’s POV

The river's gentle waves lapped at my feet, cool and soothing against my skin. The evening breeze carried the scent of pine and damp earth, a familiar and comforting aroma. Beside me, Cassandra let out a sigh, her fingers absently tracing patterns in the wet sand.

"I swear, if my father finds out I skipped training today, I'm dead," she muttered, her blue eyes scanning the water.

I smirked. "Then you better hope he's too busy to notice."

Cassandra scoffed. "Not likely. He has eyes everywhere."

I chuckled, shaking my head. As the Alpha’s daughter, Cassandra carried responsibilities I could never fully understand. But in moments like these, when it was just the two of us, she could breathe.

I was the Pack’s Gamma with no wolf at 18. If I don't shift soon, not only will I lose my title as the Gamma, but also lose the opportunity to become a Beta beside Cassandra when she becomes the Alpha Queen.

The sky overhead was a deepening shade of blue, but something unusual caught my attention—vultures.

I stilled, my eyes narrowing as I counted them. One, two… no, there were too many. They circled in tight formation, moving slowly over the dense trees beyond the river. My stomach twisted with unease.

"Katrina?" Cassandra’s voice pulled me from my trance. "What's wrong?"

I pointed toward the sky. "The vultures. That’s not normal."

Cassandra followed my gaze, frowning. "You think it’s an animal carcass?"

I wasn’t sure, but something told me to check. Without another word, I took off into the trees.

"Katrina!" Cassandra called, groaning in frustration before rushing after me.

The deeper I ran, the stronger the scent of blood became. It wasn’t just the metallic tang of an injured animal—this was different. It was thick, human. I quickened my pace, heart pounding.

Then I saw him.

A body.

I froze, my breath hitching. A young man lay sprawled on the forest floor, his clothes soaked in blood, his dark hair matted against his forehead. A sword rested beside him, its hilt gleaming even in the dim light.

The vultures were gone.

That meant one thing.

He was still alive.

I swallowed hard, stepping closer. His chest rose and fell in shallow, weak breaths. Whoever he was, he had lost a lot of blood.

I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. I dropped to my knees and hooked my arms under him, struggling to lift his weight. He was burning up, his skin hot against mine. Fever. He needed help, fast.

Just as I hoisted him onto my back, Cassandra burst through the trees.

"Katrina—" She stopped short, her eyes widening. "What the hell happened?"

"No time to explain!" I gasped, shifting his weight. "Help me!"

Cassandra hesitated but then rushed forward, grabbing the sword.

"We need to get him to the Pack doctor," I said, adjusting my grip. "Now."

The trip back to the village was grueling. My arms ached, my muscles burned, but I didn’t stop. When we reached the outskirts, I was nearly out of breath.

The village was alive with the usual evening activity, but the moment people saw us, they began whispering.

"Who is that?"

"Did she find him on patrol?"

The clinic was close to the Alpha’s home, just a short run from here.

I turned to Cassandra. "Stay with him. I’ll get the Pack doctor."

Before she could respond, I spun on my heel and bolted toward the healer’s hut.

The pack doctor, an older woman named Miren, was in the middle of preparing herbs when I burst in.

"Katrina?" she frowned. "What—"

"There’s a man badly injured outside. Deep wounds, fever. Cassandra’s with him near the Alpha’s house. He needs help now!"

Miren didn’t waste time. She grabbed her satchel, stuffing it with supplies. "Take me to him."

I led her back as quickly as my legs could carry me. By the time we arrived, a small crowd had gathered.

Cassandra was kneeling beside the man, her face unreadable. The murmurs around us grew louder, some people pointing, some whispering.