Claimed by the Silent Alpha: The Brother Who Truly Saved Me Chapter 2

Half an hour ago, that bodyguard had told me a truth Archer had spent five years hiding.

"Miss Chloe, do you remember five years ago when Archer took you skiing and you fell into that ravine?

"The eldest brother, Silas, led the rescue. We searched for three days and nights before finding you buried in the snow. You were a frozen statue. You weren't breathing.

"Silas told Archer that a shifter can share half their lifespan with their partner, but it can only be done through a blood-rite on a full moon.

"A blood-rite is the deepest form of marking.

"Once it's done, he is bound to you forever.

"Archer refused. He didn't want to lose half his life, even though he cried over your body.

"In the end, it was Silas who saved you.

"It was a miracle the full moon fell on that night. Silas performed the rite, gave you his life, and marked you as his fated mate. He saved you, but it meant he could never love anyone else.

"Archer begged him never to tell you.

"For five years, Silas has endured the full moon fevers alone. He never bothered you. He strictly forbade us from speaking of the sacrifice.

"But tonight... he can't make it. He was severely injured in a rescue operation, and with the full moon hitting, his body is failing.

"Please. Can you help him?"

My mind was spinning. I had actually died five years ago?

Archer, who claimed to love me, wouldn't sacrifice a single day for me. But Silas—the "Ice King," the man I was always terrified of—had literally brought me back from the dead.

I had initially told the guard: "I'm sorry, Archer needs me tonight."

I was prepared to be ungrateful just to go to Archer.

And yet, Archer thought of me as a dog.

I was pathetic. I deserved to be looked down on.

But I wasn't going to be pathetic anymore.

I wiped my eyes, gripped my phone, and told the guard:

"Is it too late to repay the debt?

"If Silas needs me tonight... I'm his. Completely."

The guard sounded like he was crying.

"It’s not too late. Not at all.

"I’m sending the location now.

"If he wasn't at death's door, I’d never dare defy his orders. His discipline is legendary, but I can't let him die."

I understood. Silas probably just wanted to save a life back then.

He didn't want me clinging to him.

And I just wanted to pay him back.

It wasn't a rebound. It was an awakening.