I turned quickly, my breath catching in my throat.

Andrew stood just a few feet away.

Relief flooded me, my eyes instantly welling with tears.

“Andrew!”

I reached out for him, instinct guiding me. My mate. My alpha. He was here. He would—

He turned away.

His expression was unreadable as he stepped aside, effortlessly avoiding my touch.

My hand fell empty. My heart felt hollow.

The wind howled through the clearing, biting against my skin like it could sense the aching in my chest.

Andrew didn’t say a word.

He merely signaled to the doctor, took the only bottle of medicinal ointment meant for humans, and walked away.

Without...