Rise Of A Shattered Luna (Natalie) by Kave Derry novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59 The Price

Chapter 59 The Price

Baron’s POV

Hay curled on the cold floor, the silk of my shirt plastered to my skin by a cold, sickly sweat.

It felt like a thousand jagged blades were carving me open from the inside out, inch by agonizing inch.

I knew exactly what death sentence I had signed the moment I had sealed my lips over Natalie’s to save her life.

+10 Free Coins

The toxin had been a contact poison, applied directly to her skin, and by kissing her to force the antidote into her lungs, I had invited the venom into my own system.

I bit down on my lip until the copper tang of blood filled my mouth, a desperate effort to keep from crying out. This was the most vulnerable I had ever been.

If the world–or worse, the traitors within my own walls–knew that I was currently a broken heap on the floor, I wouldn’t be able to protect Natalie. And without me, she was nothing but prey.

I passed out several times, drifting into a gray void where the smell of smoke and the sound of her laughter blurred together, and each time, I fought my way back.

When night finally fell, the tide of agony reduced just enough for me to move. I crawled across the floor, my fingers scraping against the tile until I reached the nightstand.

I fumbled for the drawer, pulled out a glass bottle, and swallowed two tablets dry. They burned like coals in my throat, but within minutes, I felt the faint feeling of life return to limbs.

my

I was sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to steady my breathing, when a knock sounded. Finn entered before I could call out.

“Baron, I’ve got updates from the Nightfang pack.”

The room was pitch black; I heard Finn fumble for the switch, and then light flooded the space.

Finn’s heart rate spiked–I could hear the frantic thud–thud from across the room; his blood ran cold at the sight of me.

“Baron… what happened to you? Should I call a doctor?”

“No need,” I rasped.

Finn panicked, taking a step forward. “Sir, what happened? Was it a nightmare? Or did the surgery for Natalie take too much out of you? I still say that woman-

He never finished the sentence. I didn’t have the strength to shout, but I had the strength to kill.

He shut up instantly, his throat working as he shrank back, a visible shiver running through his frame.

! withdrew my gaze, forcing my expression into a mask of calm despite the tremors in my hands. I reached for a glass of water, my voice hoarse. “What’s the news?”

“Oh–right,” Finn stammered, his eyes still darting to the sweat–soaked collar of my shirt. “The story about Jensen and Sharon still being mated is everywhere now. The pack elders and members know the pack will probably start closing in on Sharon soon, looking for blood. Jensen hasn’t issued a single statement.”

1/3

10:53 am

Chapter 59 The Price

+10 Free Coins

A cold, dark satisfaction settled in my gut; this was exactly what I had ordered.

At least something is working exactly as planned.

“Got it. For the next couple of days, you’ll handle things at the pack,” I said, looking Finn in the eye. “I need to rest and gather my strength. I’m preparing for Natalie’s skin graft surgery.”

Finn: hesitated, his brow furrowing with a concern that felt increasingly like a leash. But he said nothing, he bowed and quietly exited the room.

I knew what he was worried about–the cost of the “miracle” I was chasing. But Natalie’s condition couldn’t wait; the infection was gone, but the spirit needed a home, and her body was currently a ruin of charred tissue.

After freshening up and changing into clean clothes, I returned to her side.

She was still running a low fever, her face flushed, her breathing shallow. Without skin grafts, her suffering would be eternal.

I sat beside her sleeping form as I reached out, my fingers hovering just inches from her bandaged cheek.

“Five years ago, I took the most precious part of you,” I whispered, the words barely audible even to my own ears. “Back then, you gave it up for Jensen without even blinking. You didn’t even ask the price. Honestly, I never planned on telling you what I did with it. But now… to save you, I have to hurt him. Please don’t hate me when you find out why.”

Natalie’s brows twitched as if she could hear the confession in my voice, but she didn’t wake.

Hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. I immediately activated the sterile barriers around her bed before I stepped out to meet the intrusion.

Shauna was waiting, her expression tight. “Baron, the yacht is ready. Are you sure you don’t want backup for the island? It’s a long journey, and you aren’t… at your best.”

“No,” I said, my voice hardening. “She scares easily. If too many of us show up, it’ll just frighten her… she doesn’t like the organization.”

I cast one last look through the glass at Natalie, the worry in my chest clawing at my ribs. I turned to Yvonne, who was standing at the ready.

“Alpha, don’t

worry,” Yvonne said firmly. “I’ll guard Natalie with my life, not a fly gets through that door.”

I didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, I turned to Shauna. “How long have we worked together, Shauna?”

“Almost ten years, Baron,” she answered, her confusion evident but her respect unwavering.

“Ten years… a long time.” I stepped closer, my eyes turning solemn. “Natalie means more to me than my own life. While I’m gone, can you keep her safe for me? Truly safe?”

Shauna froze, stunned by the raw gravity in my voice. “Baron, I’d walk through fire for you. You know that, of course, I will. But this is our turf what exactly are you worried about?”

“I’m worried someone might resent her,” I said, my voice dropping to a sharp whisper. “I’m worried someone will come under the guise of protecting me when really, they want her dead to ‘save‘ me from myself.”

Shauna stiffened, her eyes widening as she understood the implication. She quickly stepped back and bowed low. “So long as I’m alive, no one touches Natalie. They’d have to walk over my corpse first.”

2/3

10:53 am

Chapter 59 The Price

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify