"Alpha, her vitals are strong and stable. I've cleaned and bandaged all her wounds. She should wake up in a few minutes." The royal pack doctor spoke carefully, doing his best to keep his voice steady despite the nervous sweat on his brow. He had just finished examining Isaldora, who lay unconscious on the crisp white sheets of the hospital bed in the pack infirmary.
Kaelith didn't look at him. His entire world had narrowed to the woman in the bed. He had been sitting on the chair beside her, his body stiff and rigid, too tense it seemed he would snap any minute.
He hadn't let go of her hand since they'd laid her down. His grip was gentle on her fingers, but his knuckles were white from the force of clenching his own fist.
After doing a last round of check-up the doctor took a cautious step back from the bed and the Alpha who had been glowering at his every move.
Kaelith had spent the last hour growling and snapping at the doctor to be more gentle with Isaldora. He'd even snarled when the doctor had to lift her arm to check for broken bones,
his possessiveness flaring every time the man had to touch her to check a wound.
Yeah, he'd been, by all accounts, acting like a complete apeshit possessive lunatic.
Kaelith gave the barest, most dismissive nod to the doctor, his burning gaze never leaving Isaldora's face. Her steady breathing was the only thing anchoring him to sanity right now. He couldn't protect her. The image of her limp and battered body in that warehouse was imprinted on his mind. He had been so close to losing her—so close to feeling his heart be torn out again.
"Kaelith, honey, she's okay," his mother, Lysendra, said softly, coming to his side and rubbing a warm, comforting hand on his shoulder. She looked at Isla with deep concern, a knot of worry in her own stomach. She had come to care for her as her own children, even though Isaldora hasn't warmed up to her but still. "Dr. Jared just said she's doing better than expected. Don't push yourself, honey."
"Mom, I was this close to losing her," Kaelith muttered through gritted teeth, his free hand clenching into a white-knuckled fist on his knee. "I failed to protect her. You can't even imagine what it felt like to see her like that." For one heart-stopping moment, he'd thought that he lost her, until he heard her heartbeat. He looked straight at the wall beforehim. The memory was a physical pain. I shouldn't have let her go. What if she—
"But you saved her, didn't you, honey?" Lysendra added gently. "You got to her in time."
Yeah, on time. He thought bitterly, his expression hardening further at the reality. He did reach her but after something catastrophic had occurred. The scene of brutalized rogues flashed in his mind. He still couldn't understand who—or what—had torn them apart or what actually happened at that warehouse before his arrival.
"Hmmph," a loud scoff broke his thoughts. And he didn't need to turn to see who it was from.
"It justproves thatshe is more of a liability son, just like the council said." King Klaevan stated, shifting on the couch where he'd been observing everything with a critical eye. His voice was cold, his words deliberate and harsh. "Look at you. You're completely unhinged, barely keeping it together. This is not the composure of a King. She isn't fit to be your Luna, Kaelith."
Kaelith's head snapped toward his father and a low, threatening growl rumbled in his chest. He didn't need to bear this crap again and this was definitely not the time.
"What do you think you are saying, Klaevan?" Lysendra stepped in front of her son, her own eyes flashing with anger as she glared at her mate. "She is our son's mate, his chosen one. How can you even say that?"
"I am stating what is true, love. And what is beneficial for our son and this pack," Klaevan stated, his voice cold and detached as he looked past them at Isaldora's still form. "This human does not deserve to be his mate. He needs a strong Luna to strengthen him, not a liability that causes him to lose his composure and act like a wild animal."
His view was abruptly blocked as Kaelith stood, placing himself squarely between his father and Isla's bed, glare at his father. Klaevan met it with a cold stare of his own.
"Hmph," Lysendra scoffed, her disbelief palpable. "She was abducted, Klaevan! Attacked! What would you have done if it was me or Lira in that chair? Would you have been calm and composed? Would you?!" she challenged, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
"It is not the same thing," Klaevan growled out, though he winced slightly as Lysendra shot him a deathly glare that promised a later reckoning.
"And how isn't it the fucking same, Dad?" Kaelith's voice was a low, contained snarl. He immediately glanced back at Isla, ensuring his anger hadn't disturbed her peaceful rest.
"Because your mother is strong," Klaevan gritted out, his words harsh and final. "Not weak like your human mate."
"Isla is not weak. I'm making that fucking clear right now," Kaelith shot back, a raw, protective anger surging through him. "Do you have any idea the courage and strength she showed? She wasn't just a victim; she negotiated with her captors. She saved my men's lives by ensuring their safe return. She's a fucking hero."
He puffed out his chest, the same awe and pride he'd felt from Lucien's memory swelling within him. "She cleverly got my gamma and the rest out safely so they could report back to me. She's already earned their respect through her actions, not just a title. She is strong. She will be a Luna this pack will be proud of."
Lysendra smiled at him, her expression full of warmth and approval. Klaevan, however, stared blankly, his jaw clenched tight. He opened his mouth, no doubt to deliver another cutting remark, but he was interrupted.
A low, pained groan came from the bed.
All three of them spun around. Isaldora was stirring, her brow furrowed as she struggled to push herself up on her elbows.
Kaelith was at her side in an instant, gently clutching her hand. "Hey, hey, slow down. Are you okay? Are you in any pain?" he rushed out, his voice thick with worry. He wanted nothing more than to crush her to his chest and never let go, but he held himself back, afraid of hurting her.
"Kaelith, love, don't overwhelm her. Give her some space to breathe," Lysendra advised softly.
He instantly took a small step back, giving her room, though his entire body remained taut with concern.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Lysendra asked, moving closer with a warm, worried smile.
Isaldora's eyes, still heavy with confusion, blinked slowly. "I'm... feeling better. Umm, thanks," she said, her voice hoarse. Her gaze then drifted to Kaelith, who was watching her with an intensity that was both restless and filled with guilt.
"We'll give you two some space," Lysendra said with a smile looking between the two. She fixed Klaevan with a final, pointed look before stepping out of the room. He followed with a heavy sigh, the door clicking shut behind them.
Isaldora looked at the closed door and then back at Kaelith. Wow, He looks like absolute shit. His clothes were rumpled and stained with dust and dried blood. His hair was a mess, as if he'd been running his hands through it relentlessly. Dark shadows hung under his eyes. Raw tension radiated off him.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice strained and tight, like he was holding himself together by a thread.
"Alive," she replied, arching a brow and folding her arms carefully over her chest. "You can sit, you know. You don't have to stand there like you're waiting for a punishment."
Kaelith didn't hesitate. He practically fell into the chair beside her bed, dragging it closer to her bed.
"You're sure you're not feeling any pain? I can call the doctor back in a second," he pressed, his eyes scanning her for any sign of discomfort.
"I am fine. Gosh, what's gotten into you?" Isaldora rolled her eyes, letting out a soft sigh, though a part of her understood his concern. He thought she was human. He thought she was fragile.
"I just… I'm sorry," he began, and the raw sincerity in his voice made her look at him with genuine curiosity. "I'm so sorry I didn't get to you faster. That I couldn't stop this from happening." He motioned vaguely at her state. His fingers then gently traced the line of her cheek with a tenderness that made her breath catch.
The look in his eyes—the guilt, the fear, —the deep concern, the desperate need—was overwhelming. She had never been looked at like that before, like she was the most precious and fragile thing in his world.
He cupped her face, holding her gaze captive. She could see the storm in his eyes, the vulnerability he was trying so hard to control. And there, shimmering at the edges—were tears?
"I—I coul—" he was struggling to form the words when the door to the room burst open with a loud thud.
Both of their heads snapped to see Lira standing in the doorway, her eyes red-rimmed and tears streaming down her face. Without a word, she stormed across the room and threw herself onto Isaldora, wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug.
"I was so—so scared!" Lira sobbed into her shoulder, her body shaking. "I thought I lost my sister!" she hiccupped, holding on for dear life.
Isaldora was utterly dumbfounded, her arms hovering awkwardly. Sister? She shot a bewildered look over Lira's shoulder at Kaelith.
"Lira, geez, calm down. You're crushing her bones, you idiot," Kaelith muttered, thoroughly annoyed by his little sister's dramatic entrance.
Lira sprang back instantly, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh! I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you?" Her face was a mess of tears and concern.
"I'm okay, Lira. Really. Still in one piece," Isaldora assured her, offering a small, reassuring smile.
"Those horrible, disgusting rogues!" Lira cursed, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "You must have been so scared."
Isaldora let out a soft chuckle, rolling her eyes again.
"Alright, Lira, that's enough. Isla needs to rest," Kaelith said, not-so-subtly hinting for her to leave.
Lira, however, completely ignored the memo and instead nodded vigorously. "Yes, we should go. She definitely needs her beauty sleep." She muttered with a serious look. "Look how shitty she looks right now."
Isaldora's eyes widened in mock offense. What?' She instinctively glanced toward the small mirror on the wall. Okay, fair point. She did look like she'd been through a meat grinder.
Before Kaelith could protest further, Lira grabbed his hand. "C'mon, big brother, let's go." She began dragging him toward the door.
"But—" he tried to resist but Lira didn't bother to pay heed.
Isaldora shook her head with a quiet chuckle, amused by their ramble.
But the moment the door closed after them, her smile vanished. Her expression shifted, in a heartbeat. The air around her seemed to still. She picked ber phone and held it her ear.
"Hyden, I've got something for you."