Chapter 14: His Unexpected Tenderness
Thea’s POV
Pain. Searing, all–consuming pain rippled through every nerve ending in my body. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt weighted down, as if someone had sealed them shut. My throat worked, trying to form Leo’s name, but no sound came out.
Movement. Someone was moving me. Each jolt sent fresh waves of agony coursing through my system. Through the chaos, I caught fragments of urgent voices, the howls of wolves warning of danger, and the panicked screams of people.
“She’s been hit with the toxin!” The voice cut through the haze. “Contact the hospital. Tell them to prepare the antidote!”
Before I could piece the words together, darkness claimed me once more.
The next time consciousness flickered, everything felt distant. The steady beep of monitors provided the only clear sound. I tried moving but my body refused to respond, trapped in its own prison. The familiar scents that usually filled my world seemed dulled, probably from whatever drugs they’d given me.
I desperately wanted to see Leo, knowing he’d be waiting for my call. But consciousness slipped away before I could hold onto the thought.
When I finally managed to open my eyes, harsh daylight assaulted them. I immediately squeezed them shut again.
“Just a moment.” A young nurse’s voice, followed by the soft swish of curtains being
drawn.
When I tried again, the room had mercifully dimmed. I took in my surroundings–the moon motifs on the walls marking this as the Ashworth Pack’s private medical facility, the abundance of flowers, balloons, and gifts scattered around the room. A stack of cards sat on the bedside table, Leo’s crooked handwriting visible on the topmost envelope.
“Welcome back,” she smiled. “Try not to move too much, you took quite a hit.”
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice barely more than a rasp.
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Chapter 14 His Unexpected Tenderness
“I’ll notify the doctor and Alpha that you’re awake.”
Before I could reach for Leo’s card, Sebastian burst through the door. I barely recognized him. His usually immaculate appearance was completely disheveled–wrinkled clothes, messy hair, dark circles under his eyes.
“You look like you’ve been dragged through hell, I croaked.
“Always listening to your machines beep does that.” He tried for a light tone, but something darker lingered beneath it.
“You’ve been here all this time?”
“Someone had to make sure you didn’t die on us.”
He crossed the room in three long strides, dropping into the chair beside my bed. Without
a word, he grabbed my hand. I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened.
“Just… let me have this,” he said roughly. “Let me make sure you’re really here.”
“Did someone possess you or something?” I stared at him, thrown by this uncharacteristic
behavior.
The doctor walked in, cutting off our conversation. After checking my vitals, he explained, “Ms. Sterling, someone rigged wolfsbane powder with a pressure–triggered dispersal mechanism in your car’s ventilation system. When you unlocked the car, it activated. The blast from the dispersal system threw you backward – that’s how you got those injuries. This wolfsbane is some kind of enhanced breed. If you hadn’t received immediate treatment…” He shook his head. “Actually, not having a wolf saved your life. A full shifter
“How long have I been here?”
Tears spilled at the mention of our son. I’d come so close to never seeing him again. To my surprise, Sebastian reached up with his free hand to brush them away.
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