Chapter 37

In Chapter 37 of “I Left Before He Learned My Worth,” Aria experiences an intense, physical pain that she realizes is connected to Kael’s suffering. As her bond with him amplifies the agony, she finds herself unable to scream or escape the torment. The pain feels insurmountable, and she fears she might not survive it. As the agony begins to lessen, she gathers the strength to move, driven by a desperate need to reach Kael and understand what is happening to him.

Determined, Aria crawls and then stumbles through the empty corridors, feeling echoes of Kael’s pain reverberate through their bond. She heads to Kael’s den, a place she has never entered before, driven by instinct and dread. Upon reaching the door, she hears Kael’s cries of pain, which propel her into a panic. However, two guards block her way, citing orders from Healer Ivory that prevent her from entering during Kael’s treatment. Their insistence on keeping her out deepens her anxiety, as she feels an overwhelming need to be by Kael’s side.

Despite the guards’ warnings, Aria argues passionately, expressing her connection to Kael and her need to support him through his suffering. She grapples with her distrust of Ivory and the fear that she might lose Kael before their bond can fully develop. As she paces anxiously, she contemplates the worst-case scenarios, including the possibility that the treatment could be fatal for him. The tension mounts as she struggles with her emotions, torn between the need to trust the healers and the instinct to protect Kael.

The chapter reaches a tense climax when the screams from within the den suddenly cease, leaving Aria in a state of dread-filled silence. She strains to hear any sounds, and as she listens, she catches a new voice—a deep, masculine one that questions whether the treatment was successful. This moment signifies a potential turning point in Kael’s journey, leaving Aria on the edge of hope and fear, uncertain of what the outcome will mean for their future together.

**TITLE: I Left Before He Learned My Worth p>

**Chapter 37 p>

**ARIA p>

I had been drifting in and out of a restless slumber, caught in a haze where sleep and wakefulness blurred together, when suddenly, a searing agony erupted throughout my entire being. It was as if I had swallowed wolfsbane—an intense, burning, toxic sensation that felt like it was tearing through me, much like it would a wolf’s insides. But then, with a growing horror, I understood the source of this torment. It was Kael’s pain, surging through our bond with such ferocity that my own body reacted instinctively, tightening in sympathetic agony.

Breath eluded me. I couldn’t scream. I couldn’t do anything except curl up into a tight ball on my bed, as wave after wave of torment crashed over me like relentless tides. My vision flickered, first blinding white, then deep black, as consciousness threatened to slip away completely. My body seemed to be trying to shut down, seeking refuge from the unbearable pain.

*Kael,* I desperately attempted to reach out to him through our bond, but it was a tumultuous storm of suffering that drowned out my thoughts, leaving me helpless.

Time stretched in a disorienting manner. Each second felt like an eternity as the pain escalated, and I was convinced I would not survive it. My heart raced erratically, and my lungs felt as if they were being crushed under the weight of despair. The darkness crept closer, threatening to engulf me entirely.

Then, slowly, the relentless agony began to ebb away. It wasn’t completely gone, but it became bearable, just enough for me to gasp for air into my scorched lungs. I could feel my muscles loosening, allowing me the freedom to move, albeit with great effort.

I rolled out of bed, but as soon as I did, I crumpled to the floor. My legs betrayed me, refusing to support my weight. Every inch of me ached—muscles, bones, nerves all howling in protest. But I had to get to Kael. I needed to understand what was happening, whether he was alright, and if that pain meant the treatment had succeeded or if it had spiraled into disaster.

With great determination, I crawled a few feet before finally managing to get my legs beneath me. The world spun around me, dizzying and disorienting, and I had to lean against the wall for support to prevent myself from collapsing again. But I pressed on, each agonizing step fueled by fear and an overwhelming need to reach him.

The corridors were deserted at this early hour, the faint light of dawn beginning to seep through the windows, casting a gentle glow. I stumbled through the passageways, still feeling the echoes of Kael’s pain resonating through our bond, my body trembling from the remnants of what I had experienced.

Kael’s den was located in the lower levels of the pack house, a spacious room he had claimed as his sanctuary when the curse rendered shifting impossible. I had never dared to enter; it felt like an invasion, a space too intimate for someone who had yet to officially become his mate.

Yet, driven by instinct and an all-consuming dread, I found myself heading there now.

As I approached his den, I was halfway down the corridor when I heard it—a grunt of pain that caused my heart to lurch in my chest. Then another followed, and finally a scream that pierced the air, sounding wrong in a way that sent chills down my spine, as if it were being wrenched from a throat unaccustomed to such cries.

Panic surged within me, propelling me into a run, despite my weakened legs protesting with every step.

Two guards were stationed outside Kael’s den, and they immediately moved to obstruct my path as I approached.

“Luna Aria,” one of them—Marcus, if I recalled correctly—spoke with caution. “You can’t go in there right now p>

“Like hell I can’t,” I retorted, trying to push past him. “That’s my mate in there. Whatever is happening, I need to be by his side p>

“The orders from Healer Ivory are clear,” the other guard interjected, his expression a mix of sympathy and firmness. “She said no non-healers during the treatment. You wouldn’t understand what’s happening and might inadvertently interfere p>

The impact of his words hit me like a slap to the face. Ivory had specifically intended to keep me out. She had foreseen my arrival and had ensured I would be denied entry.

“I don’t care about Ivory’s orders,” I insisted, my voice rising with urgency. “I felt his pain through the bond. I experienced what he’s enduring. Let me in. Right now p>

Another piercing scream erupted from within the den, one that sounded even more distorted—human yet not human, as if two voices were struggling to emerge from a single throat.

“We have our orders,” Marcus reiterated, though he looked visibly uncomfortable. “Please, Luna Aria. The healers know what they’re doing. You need to trust them p>

Trust them. Trust Ivory, who had examined me with a cold, calculating gaze masked by her pleasant demeanor. Trust that I wasn’t necessary, that my presence would only complicate matters, that I might somehow worsen the situation.

I wanted to force my way in. I wanted to wield every ounce of authority I possessed as the future Luna to override their commands. But what if they were right? What if I didn’t grasp the intricacies of what was happening and interfered at a critical juncture? What if my presence led to failure?

Instead, I began to pace, back and forth in the corridor, my hands clenched into tight fists as I listened to Kael’s anguished sounds. The bond remained mostly muted, yet flashes of sensation broke through—pain, yes, but also something else. Change. Transformation. A fundamental shift occurring in ways that felt impossible to comprehend.

Minutes dragged on, stretching into what felt like an eternity. I wore a groove into the stone floor as my mind spiraled through worst-case scenarios. What if the treatment ended up killing him? What if I lost him before we had even bonded, before I had the chance to discover whether what we were building could become something real?

What if Ivory had orchestrated this deliberately, convincing Kael to undergo this treatment knowing it might end his life, thus removing any obstacle between her and whatever ambition she harbored within the pack?

*No,* I chastised myself firmly. *That’s just paranoia. Irrational fear. She’s a healer; her goal is to help him. Just because you don’t trust her doesn’t mean she intends to harm him p>

Then, suddenly, the screaming ceased.

The abrupt silence was almost worse than the cacophony had been. I froze mid-pace, straining to catch any sound from within the den.

I heard gasps—multiple voices expressing shock or disbelief. Ivory’s confident tone rose above the rest, but I couldn’t quite make out what she was saying.

And then, astonishingly, I heard a voice I didn’t recognize. Deep and masculine, rough with pain yet unmistakably human. Unmistakably speaking rather than communicating through our mindlink.

“Did it work?” the voice asked, husky and uncertain. “Am I p>

In the quiet aftermath of the storm, as silence enveloped the corridor, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me. The agonizing screams that had haunted my mind were replaced by a voice that was undeniably Kael’s, yet transformed—more human, more real than I had ever known him to be. The fear that had gripped my heart began to loosen its hold, replaced by an overwhelming sense of anticipation. Whatever had transpired within those walls, it had shifted the very fabric of our bond. I had felt his pain, his struggle, and now I sensed the potential for something greater. I had left before he learned my worth, but perhaps, in this moment of vulnerability and transformation, I was finally beginning to understand my own.

As I stood there, teetering on the precipice of uncertainty and hope, I realized that my journey was not just about Kael and his healing; it was about my own awakening. The fear that had once paralyzed me now morphed into determination. I could no longer allow doubt to dictate my actions or my worth. I was not merely a bystander in Kael’s life; I was his partner, his mate, and I would fight for our future together. The bond we shared had weathered the storm, and as I prepared to step into the unknown, I felt a newfound strength coursing through me. I would not leave again; I would stand by his side, ready to embrace whatever came next, knowing that our worth was intertwined, forged in the fires of our trials.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>

As the tension escalates in the aftermath of Kael’s treatment, Aria finds herself at a crossroads, grappling with a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty. The sudden silence that follows the chaos within Kael’s den leaves her teetering on the brink of hope and despair. Will she discover that the treatment has indeed transformed Kael, or will she be faced with the crushing reality of loss? The voice she hears, foreign yet familiar, hints at a profound revelation that could change everything. Readers can expect an exploration of the bond between Aria and Kael as they navigate the aftermath of this pivotal moment, delving into the depths of their connection and the potential for new beginnings.

Moreover, the looming presence of Healer Ivory casts a shadow over their journey. With her intentions still shrouded in mystery, Aria must confront her distrust and the possibility that Ivory holds secrets that could threaten everything she holds dear. The next chapter promises to unravel the complexities of loyalty, love, and the choices that define their destinies. As Aria seeks answers, the stakes will rise, and the choices she makes may alter the course of her future and that of the entire pack. Will she find the strength to trust herself and her instincts, or will doubt lead her down a path of unforeseen consequences? Prepare for a heart-pounding continuation filled with suspense, emotional turmoil, and the undeniable power of love.

Mark