Vanya's POV
I quickly shielded Cliff, but I could feel his arms wrap tightly around me, pulling me into his chest.
After the heatwave passed, I was briefly deafened, and Cliff, who had been pressing me down, lost consciousness and collapsed on top of me.
I froze. "Cliff? Cliff!"
I urgently cupped his face with my hands. "Wake up! Cliff!"
Struggling, I fished his phone out of his pocket and, with my fading strength, dialed the emergency number. Then, my consciousness blurred, and I passed out.
The next day, I groggily opened my eyes to see Elliot bustling around. My voice was hoarse as I asked, "Where's Cliff?"
I couldn't see Elliot's reaction clearly, but he quickly said, "Luna Vanya, do you need some water?"
I shook my head. "Where's Cliff... where is he?"
"Alpha Cliff..." Elliot hesitated. "Alpha Cliff is badly injured. He's in the intensive care unit right now."
Hearing this, I tried to sit up, but Elliot quickly pressed down on my arm. "Luna Vanya! The doctor said your injuries are severe. You can't get out of bed!"
I didn't have the strength to argue. Cliff had been hurt saving me. I couldn't rest easy until I saw him with my own eyes.
"Luna Vanya..." Elliot tried to stop me again, but there was a commotion outside the door.
"Where's Vanya? How is she?"
I recognized Aldridge's voice. Elliot went to check outside the room.
Sure enough, it was Aldridge and Mirabel. Mirabel was looking around anxiously, clearly searching for me.
She was pretending to be worried, but I could see through her act.
She just wanted to know if I was dead.
I remembered the brake failure and my eyes darkened.
That car had been fine when I drove it to the Thunder Pack.
Elliot said outside the room, "I'm sorry, Luna Vanya is resting now."
"Let them in," I said calmly from inside. I saw a flicker of disappointment in Mirabel's eyes.
It seemed my survival hadn't met her expectations.
Aldridge rushed in, seeing my bruises and bandages, surely feeling heartbroken.
"What happened? How did this happen?!" he asked.
"Someone tampered with my brakes. They failed," I replied.
Aldridge's face showed shock and confusion.
I watched Mirabel closely, but I couldn't see any telltale signs.
Could it be... it wasn't her? But if not her, then who?
Aldridge glanced at Mirabel beside him and said, "You should leave for now."
Mirabel was taken aback. "Aldridge, you want me to leave? You suspect me?"
Aldridge kept his emotions in check and didn't respond.
Mirabel immediately put her hands on her hips and said, "I've been your mate for years. Even if I haven't done anything good, I've at least tried. And now you treat me like a criminal?"
Aldridge didn't dare speak harshly to Mirabel, but she glared and shouted, "You suspect me? Fine, show me the proof! If you have proof, I'll turn myself in to the police!"
"No one said it was you. Vanya is still resting. Just go outside!"
"You!"
"Get out!" Aldridge's tone was firm, and Mirabel, aware that I was watching, stomped out of the room in frustration.
Watching her reaction, I felt it didn't seem like an act. If she had done it, she wouldn't be so defiant.
"Vanya, I know you suspect Mirabel, but I promise you, she didn't do this," Aldridge said.
"I know," I replied. "Mirabel may talk harshly, but she wouldn't do something like this... at least not now," I kept the last part to myself.
Aldridge nodded. "She's just got a sharp tongue. I'll check the home security cameras when I get back. I'll get to the bottom of this."
"Okay."
After Aldridge left, I got out of bed. My ankle seemed sprained, and the pain shot through me as soon as I put weight on it.
Elliot's face changed when he saw me out of bed.
"Why are you out of bed?" he asked.
"I want to see Cliff."
"Luna Vanya..." Elliot hesitated.
I noticed the door to Cliff's room was slightly ajar, and someone was inside.
I peeked in and saw a white figure.
It was Melinda.
Elliot blocked my view and said reluctantly, "Luna Vanya, you should go back and rest."
With Melinda there, it made sense why Elliot didn't want me to see him.
"Alright," I said, turning back to my room.
I guess I overreacted yesterday.
Cliff was in good hands with Melinda. I didn't need to worry.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Grace, her voice tinged with urgency.