Cayden dashed through the moonlit trees. He left Max to deal with the chaos after the war. Her breath was quick, and her brow had beads of sweat. As the car sped through the winding forest roads towards the pack hospital, the tyres kicked up gravel. Cayden's heartbeat was as fast as the engine.
"Stay with me, Selena," Cayden urged, holding the steering wheel so tightly that his fingers turned white.
Selena gasped, "I'm trying," with a painful look on her face.
As soon as Cayden could see the hospital, he pulled up to the front door. When he got there quickly, the nurses rushed to take over Selena's care. Cayden didn't want to let go of her, but he did. He watched with worry as they wheeled her inside.
As Cayden paced the hall outside the emergency room for the next few hours, it felt like an eternity. His wolf's reflexes were on high alert, and every part of him was tuned in to the room where Selena was being treated in the hospital.
Dr. Colin came out when the door finally opened. The lines on his usually calm face showed he was both tired and excited. "Cayden, my boy, come in," he said with a crooked finger.
Cayden ran into the room and looked straight at Selena, who was lying in a hospital bed. "Doc, how is she? Is she all right?"
Dr. Colin gave Cayden a friendly smile and a pat on the shoulder. "She won't have any problems. The pain in her body was caused by the mental and emotional stress she felt while in Hawk's care and during the fight. Her body was fighting us, but we could calm it down."
Cayden let out a sigh of relief, his tense shoulders relaxing. "Thank goodness," he said, tears welling up in his eyes. "I was so worried."
Dr. Colin nodded understandingly; his voice filled with reassurance. "You can rest easy now, Cayden. Selena and the baby are stable and on the road to recovery. Did you know she was pregnant?"
Cayden shook his head. "No, I did not know," Cayden replied, his voice filled with surprise and concern. "I can't believe she went through all of this while carrying our child."
Dr. Colin cleared his throat, and his face became serious. "But, my boy, I have to say what you did to her wasn't right."
Cayden's brows knitted in confusion. "What do you mean?"
The doctor's voice changed into an angry one. "That was mean of you, Cayden. Even if she were Hawk's daughter, was it right to treat her that way?”
Cayden's eyes got bigger, and he felt a pang of guilt in his chest. "I've always felt guilty about it."
Dr. Colin crossed his arms in front of himself. "Good. When you feel guilty, you have a soul. Now, Cayden, promise me you'll treat her better. She will need your help more than ever right now. She kept you from dying. Now it's up to you to keep her safe."
Cayden gave a firm nod. "I swear, Doc. I'll do anything to make things right."
Dr. Colin smiled, satisfied with Cayden's response. "That's the first step towards redemption, Cayden. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Show her through your kindness and support that you've truly changed."
Cayden took a deep breath, determined to prove himself. "I won't let her down again, Doc. I'll be there for her every step of the way."
The hard look at Dr. Colin's face relaxed, and he patted Cayden on the back. "Good, I like to hear that. I have one more thing for you, my boy."
His eyebrows went up. "Other news? You're really keeping me on the edge, Doc."
He laughed. "Don't worry, this piece of news is good. Jennifer is awake."
"Jennifer? How is that possible?" Cayden's voice was filled with disbelief as he processed the unexpected news.
Dr. Colin shrugged. "Take it as a miracle. She has been asking for you and Selena."
Cayden's eyes widened in astonishment. "She's been asking about us. How long has she been awake?" he asked, his voice tinged with hope and excitement.
Dr. Colin smiled warmly. "Just a few hours ago. I told her everything. And she is eager to meet you both."
**********************
The aroma of healing herbs mingled with the warm glow of candlelight as it floated through the hallways of the packed hospital. Cayden's heart was racing as he stood outside Selena's chamber, his hand poised to knock. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with excitement and apprehension. It had been a long day packed with war's consequences, and now it was time to visit Selena.
Cayden pushed open the door and walked inside, gently rapping his knuckles against it. His gaze was drawn to Selena, who sat on the side of the bed, her face a mix of relief and tiredness. Her face brightened up as she saw him, and she ran into his arms with a quiet cry.
"Cayden," she whispered, her voice tinted with delight and relief. Her grip on him was firm, as if she were clinging to him for dear life.
Cayden encircled her and held her tight. "Selena," he murmured, his voice soft and caressing. "We did it. The fight is over, and you are safe."
Selena's eyes welled up with tears as she leant back slightly to stare into Cayden's eyes. "I was terrified, Cayden. I wasn't sure if we'd make it."
Cayden's thumb brushed away a tear that escaped down her cheek. "I know, love. But we're here now, together. And nothing will ever hurt you again."
Selena's lips quivered into a fragile smile. "Cayden, I am pregnant. I know we never discussed this. But I want to keep this baby. Even if you don't want us..."
"Shhhh..." He cut her off. "I want nothing more than to start a family with you, Selena. I may not have mentioned it before, but I've always dreamed of being a father. You and our baby mean the world to me."
Selena leant in, her lips meeting Cayden's in a sweet kiss, unable to hold back any longer. It was a kiss full of need, relief, and an implicit pledge of love. As their lips moved in unison, time appeared to stand still, with the world beyond their bubble of warmth and love melting away. When they finally pulled apart, Selena's eyes were shining with unshed tears.
Cayden's hand brushed a strand of hair behind Selena's ear, his eyes never leaving hers. "Never leave me again."
Selena let out a little, contented sigh as she rested her head against Cayden's chest. For a moment, they were engulfed in each other's embrace, the weight of their shared experiences and emotions establishing an unbreakable tie between them.
As the moon cast a gentle glow through the window, Selena felt a sense of peace wash over her. The silence in the room was filled with a deep understanding and an unspoken promise to always be there for each other. "There's something else I need to tell you," he whispered.
Selena's brow furrowed in curiosity. "What is it?"
A smile played on Cayden's lips as he took a deep breath. "Your mother woke up from her coma."
Selena's eyes widened in astonishment. "Mum? She's awake?"
Cayden nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yes, Selena. She's awake, and she's asking about you."
"But how is that possible?" Selena asked, confused. "Does it mean she is no longer connected to dad?"
"I don't know; Dr. Colin just informed me. It's a miracle that she woke up, but her condition is still delicate."
Selena's heart raced with a mix of excitement and relief. "I can't believe it! After all this time... I need to go see her right away."
"Of course! I will take you to see her."