Chapter 111
Tessa’s POV
The day had slowly slipped away from us, bleeding into night without warning.
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The quiet hush of the infirmary felt heavier now, like the darkness outside had crept into the room and settled in the corners, blanketing
everything in stillness.
The only sound was the gentle beep of the machines and Sasha’s soft, rhythmic breathing.
—
I felt it in my bones the ache of exhaustion crawling under my skin, curling up in my chest like something alive. I didn’t want to sleep,
but my body begged for it.
Kane noticed. Of course he did.
“You’re fading, angel,” he said quietly beside me, brushing a knuckle beneath my eye where I was sure another tear had fallen. “Seth and Erin are getting some rest upstairs. They said they’ll come down and swap with us soon. You’ll rest better knowing they’re here with her.”
I exhaled slowly, pressing my lips together. He was right- he always was.
If Erin and Seth were down here, then I’d be able to close my eyes without the guilt clawing at my throat. I didn’t want Sasha to wake up alone, or worse, have something go wrong while I wasn’t watching.
We promised we would be there for when she next wakes up.
So even still… I didn’t entirely like the idea of leaving her, but I knew I wouldn’t last much longer like this anyway.
“Yeah, I’ll rest when they get here,” I murmured, curling my hands into the blanket he’d given me earlier. “But not a second before.”
He nodded, leaning over to kiss my temple again, when the sound of the door opening drew both our heads up.
But this time, it wasn’t a nurse or Doctor Eli.
It wasn’t Seth or Erin arriving early.
We watched as Alpha Kion stepped in to the room, quieter than I’d expected a man of his size to be. He didn’t stride- he glided, as if even his presence was trained to respect the sacred stillness of the room.
His pale eyes found me instantly, softening just a touch.
“Doctor Eli said she’s recovering well?” he asked in a hushed tone, his voice deep and smooth, careful not to disturb Sasha.
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19:05 Sat, Jan 31 M…
Chapter 111
I nodded, summoning a tired smile. “She’s holding on. Sleeping peacefully at least.”
Kion’s gaze drifted from the machines to Sasha’s face, then back to me. He studied me for a moment–too long–and then gave a quiet
chuckle, though there was little humour in it.
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“I won’t be able to say the same for you soon, little one. Your eyes are red.” His tone was somewhere between gentle and scolding. “You
need to rest yourselves too, both of you.”
“I’ve told her this,” Kane interjected with a weary sigh, his arm brushing against mine as he sat up taller. “We’ve agreed to go up when
Seth and Erin arrive, she would feel better knowing they were with her.”
Kion nodded slowly, satisfied for now, though I could still feel his judgmental eyes crawling over me like a father checking over a stubborn
child. I didn’t blame him. He was right. I looked like hell–and felt it too.
Kane must be in desperate need of more rest, though he wouldn’t dare to show it. He had just returned from a horrendous battle out in
the cold, cut up and bruised, yet he never wavered. Never showed a sign of weakness. At least never around me…
Still, I couldn’t leave Sasha yet. Not until I saw Erin step through that door and take my place. We promised her.
A hush settled over us again, broken only by the occasional twitch of Sasha’s fingers or the shift of her legs beneath the blanket. The drugs were keeping her under, the kind of sleep her broken body needed. The kind of sleep I used to pray for back at the facility, but
never really got.
Just as I was beginning to lose myself in the quiet again, Kion spoke once more.
“I was hoping to catch you for a moment outside, Kane.” He asked him, his eyes showing that something urgent needed to be discussed.
“Tessa can’t hear it?” He confirmed, reluctant to leave me.
“No, sorry Tessa, this is just some boring Alpha business.” Kion attempted to shrug off, as I tilted my head.
The request hung in the air, heavier than I expected. There was something about the way he said it- measured and deliberate- that
made my heart stutter. Not in fear though, but just in curiosity.
Kane stiffened up beside me just slightly, his body going alert. He glanced down at me, as if silently asking if it was okay to leave me here
alone.
I gave him a small nod and waved a hand. “Go. I’m not going to move or disappear.” I attempted to joke, but It didn’t land.
“I won’t ever let you disappear on me again.” Kane confirmed in a clipped tone, as I gulped realising it was maybe too soon to say…
He hesitated only for a second longer before pressing another kiss to the top of my head and rising fully. “Let’s make it quick.” Kane told
him, as Kion smiled warmly with a nod.
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19:05 Sat, Jan 31 M…
Chapter 111
His footsteps followed Kion toward the door, and just before it clicked shut behind them, I caught a final glance exchanged between the
two men. There was weight in it.
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Something important waiting to be told.
I stared at the door after it closed, my heart thudding softly in my chest. I just hoped it wasn’t anything too serious. Another war?
Another tragedy? Another phone call from the council back home perhaps?
Was it something touchy? Something that couldn’t be said in front of me incase it upset me? Or was it just a respect thing? Maybe Kion feels he doesn’t need me there to hear every little thing that’s going on in his life, since this was his pack and his people after all…
Or maybe it had to do with Dimitri… with what they planned to do with his body?
The possibilities were endless, but I welcomed the thoughts as a distraction amongst the silence of the room.
I knew I would ask Kane later what it was all about, giving him his own chance to tell me or not.
I trusted him, I knew he would make the best choices for me. If it was something I needed to know, then he would tell me, and I’d not,
then he would handle it accordingly.
He always did.
For the short time I had known the man, I felt like I already knew him inside out.
I shook my head and pushed the thoughts aside. The only thing that mattered to me right now was Sasha. And keeping my eyes open just
a little longer.
Just until Erin got here to take over from me.
Then, maybe… I could finally let my mind rest today too.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
