The room was quiet except for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Mia sat propped up against the pillows, her face pale, her eyes tired though still filled with stubbornness. She tried to adjust the blanket herself, but her hand trembled, and Ryan was at her side in an instant.
"Don't," he said firmly, his deep voice carrying both command and care. "Let me."
Mia blinked at him, almost wanting to argue, but something in his gaze stopped her. She sighed and let him fix the blanket around her shoulders, tucking her in gently as though she were fragile glass that might shatter if handled too roughly.
"You don't have to treat me like a patient," Mia muttered, trying to smile. "I'm fine."
Ryan sat down on the edge of the bed, his golden eyes fixed on her with a seriousness that made her heart race. "You're not fine. You were kidnapped, hit, and left unconscious for hours. I could have lost you, Mia. Do you understand that?" His voice broke slightly on the last words, though he quickly looked away, hiding the storm of emotions beneath his calm mask.
Her breath caught. She had never seen Ryan like this—raw, vulnerable, almost… afraid.
"Ryan…" she whispered.
He reached for a bowl of warm water and a clean cloth that sat on the nightstand. Dipping the cloth into the water, he wrung it out and carefully pressed it against her forehead, where a faint bruise lingered. His touch was gentle, almost reverent.
Mia's eyes fluttered shut at the sensation, the coolness soothing against her skin. "You don't have to do this," she said softly.
"Yes, I do," Ryan replied immediately. He brushed a damp strand of hair away from her face with the back of his fingers. "I wasn't there to protect you. I should have been, Mia. It's my fault you got hurt."
Her eyes opened, and she shook her head weakly. "Don't say that. It wasn't your fault. Daniel… he's the one who did this, not you."
Ryan clenched his jaw, his wolf raging inside him at the mention of Daniel's name. But he forced himself to stay calm for her sake. "Maybe. But I swear to you, Mia… no one will ever touch you like that again. Not while I'm alive."
The intensity in his voice made her shiver, though not from fear. She felt safe, wrapped in his promise.
He set the cloth aside and gently took her hand in his, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. His hands were large, rough from years of training, but his hold was tender.
"Rest now," Ryan said quietly. "I'll be right here. I won't leave your side."
Mia's lips curved into a small smile. "You sound like you're… worried about me."
Ryan smirked faintly, though his eyes softened. "That's because I am."
Silence settled between them, but it wasn't heavy. It was warm, comfortable. Mia leaned back against the pillows, her eyes fluttering shut, feeling safer than she ever had in her life.
Ryan stayed beside her, watching her chest rise and fall with every breath. He reached out once more, brushing his fingers gently against her cheek.
"I almost lost you," he whispered to himself, his voice low enough that only the walls could hear. "I can't let that happen again. Not when you mean this much to me."
Mia stirred slightly, murmuring something in her sleep, and instinctively, Ryan lay down beside her—not touching, but close enough to guard her. His wolf settled for the first time in days, comforted by her presence.
As the night deepened, Ryan kept his silent vigil, knowing in his heart that he would fight the entire world if it meant keeping Mia safe.