The Lycan King’s Mark (Nevara) by Tiffanie L. Campbell novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84 – When the Moon Went Silent

Thoren

It started small.

A change so subtle, I almost missed it.

The steady rhythm of the heart monitor dipped-not a crash, not a scream-just a soft, hesitant pause between beats.

And then another.

I was already on my feet by the third.

“Doctor!” I roared, my voice cracking like thunder. “Now!”

The nurse burst through the door with the doctor right behind her. They moved fast, like they’d been waiting for this moment. Dread bled from their eyes even before the alarms began to scream.

“Heart rate dropping,” the nurse said urgently, already at the IV.

“BP’s crashing,” the doctor muttered. “Push one epi-now.”

The room turned to chaos.

I backed up, pacing in a tight circle behind them. My claws dug into my palms. I couldn’t

breathe. I couldn’t blink.

Nevara’s skin had gone ashen. Her lips looked too blue.

“Come on,” I whispered. “Come on, baby. Stay with us.”

The nurse slapped an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. “Still no response!”

“Starting compressions, the doctor snapped, climbing over the bed.

I flinched as he began CPR, each thrust against her chest echoing in my own ribs.

“Push another epi.”

“Already in.”

They worked her like a machine, like she wasn’t the most sacred thing in this godsdamned world. Her body jerked under the compressions, lifeless, limp.

1/4

I’d never felt more useless in my life.

“No,” I muttered, stepping forward. “No, this isn’t happening.”

The monitor let out another shrill shriek-flat, long, and final.

“Come on, godsdamn it!” the doctor shouted. “Again!”

“Nothing,” the nurse whispered. “No pulse.”

I surged forward and shoved them both aside.

“Get away from her.”

“Your Majesty-”

“Get away!” I bellowed.

They froze. The alarm continued to drone.

I stared at her-my mate, my fucking mate-and the bond inside me felt like it was tearing apart molecule by molecule.

“I should’ve done it,” I said, voice breaking. “I should’ve marked her days ago. I let her die because I was too fucking noble to save her the way I could have.”

My knees hit the floor beside the bed.

Tears burned hot and fast.

“I just wanted her to choose,” I whispered. “Just once in her life, I wanted her to choose.”

My gaze landed on her neck-Tobias’s mark still red and raw.

I reached out and cradled her face in both hands.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m so godsdamn sorry.”

And then I bit.

Hard.

My canines sank deep into the curve where her neck met her shoulder, over the scar that was never meant to be hers. My blood. My magic. My bond flooded into her.

The moment it snapped in place, I felt the echo through every thread of my being. Like tethering lightning to glass.

2/4

But the monitor didn’t change.

The line stayed flat.

The machine wailed its endless scream.

The doctor moved to shut it off, reaching around me.

And I lost it.

“No!” I roared, spinning around.

I shifted in an instant-muscle tearing, bones cracking, fur bursting across my skin. My Lycan form filled the room in seconds. The bed cracked under the strain of my sudden weight. The machines were crushed against the wall.

Furniture shattered. A chair splintered beneath my claws.

I howled loud and long, the sound rattling the windows. A scream of pain and regret and helpless, gut-wrenching grief.

I tore into the wall-ripping panels, smashing vials, tearing wires loose. I roared until my throat burned. Until blood smeared across the floor, and I couldn’t tell if it was mine or the

room’s.

Then, panting, shaking, broken, I shifted back.

Collapsed.

And crawled up into the bed with her.

The monitor was silent.

She was still.

But I needed to feel her warmth one last time.

I pulled her into my arms and cradled her against my chest like she was made of spun glass and silk.

“I waited four years once,” I whispered into her hair. “I would’ve waited another four. Another forty. You could’ve hated me again, Nevara. I wouldn’t have cared. As long as you lived.”

I kissed her temple.

“You always forgive me eventually,” I murmured. “But not this. You can’t come back from this.

“1

3/4

The door opened behind me.

I didn’t look.

Michelle’s voice cracked. “Thoren…”

“No,” I growled, curling tighter around her. “Don’t.”

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