Everything hurts. I drifted in darkness, barely aware of voices around me. Someone's hand gripped mine tight. The antiseptic smell of the healing ward filled my nose. My wolf stirred deep inside, weak but alive.
"Her heartbeat is stabilizing," a male voice said. Cold. Clinical. I recognized it as Healer Richard, the royal physician who served the palace.
"Thank the goddess." That was Nonna. My best friend sounded relieved but tense.
I wanted to open my eyes, to tell them I was still here, but my body refused to obey. The bullet wound in my shoulder throbbed with each sluggish beat of my heart. I remembered throwing myself in front of Alpha King Jack. I remembered the gunshot. Then nothing.
"Richard." Nonna again, sharper now.
"Do not interrupt me." His tone left no room for argument.
Footsteps approached my bed. I felt the healer's presence, steady and focused. The machines around me beeped in rhythm. My wolf pushed against my consciousness, trying to heal me faster, but the silver in the bullet had poisoned my system.
Someone grabbed Nonna. I heard her sharp intake of breath.
"Sorry." A broken whisper. "Do not distract him."
That voice made my wolf whimper. Alpha King Jack. He sounded nothing like his usual commanding self. He sounded shattered.
I fought harder against the darkness. My fingers twitched. No one seemed to notice.
The machines around me changed their rhythm. The beeping steadied. I felt warmth spread through my chest as my heart found its natural pace again.
"She is going to wake soon." Richard's voice held satisfaction.
Nonna made a sound of pure joy. "Thank you, thank you."
I heard movement, then silence. They must have embraced. My wolf recognized the scent of new love between them. Nonna deserved happiness. Richard seemed like a good male.
"Excuse me." Jack's footsteps retreated quickly.
More movement. Then Nonna gasped softly. I would have smiled if I could. Richard was kissing her. In my hospital room. While I lay here unconscious. Typical.
Time passed. I could not tell how much. My awareness faded in and out.
Later, new voices filled the room. Older. Powerful.
"My son is alive because of this woman." Queen Amelia. Her footsteps approached my bed. A soft hand touched my arm. "If she cannot be his chosen mate, she will always have a place in our family. She will be protected. Honored."
Tears in her voice. I wanted to tell her not to cry. I was just doing what anyone would do. Jack had saved my life more times than I could count. This was simply returning the favor.
"Are you her sister or friend?" the queen asked someone.
"Her friend, Your Majesty." Nonna.
"Thank you for staying with her."
More time passed. Hours maybe. I felt stronger. My wolf pushed harder. We needed to wake up. We needed to see our son. Cody would be worried.
Finally, my eyes opened.
Everything looked blurry. White ceiling. Bright lights. Pain exploded in my shoulder, sharp and burning. I tried to remember where I was, but my mind felt foggy.
Nonna appeared above me, her face swimming into focus. She looked at me like I was a stranger.
"Aria. Wow, Aria."
I blinked slowly. My throat was too dry to speak. More people came. Doctors I did not recognize. They checked the machines, examined my wound, asked questions I could not answer yet.
"She needs rest. Give her time." One of the healers, a woman with kind eyes.
They left. Nonna stayed, holding my hand. I focused on her familiar face, using it as an anchor to pull myself fully back to consciousness.
Time crawled. My wolf helped, lending me strength. Slowly, my voice returned.
"Nonna." It came out as a whisper, barely audible.
She kissed my forehead. "You recognize me now, Aria."
I wanted to ask about Cody. About Jack. About what happened after the shooting. But exhaustion pulled at me. Speaking took too much energy.
Somewhere in the palace, Alpha King Jack paced his office. I could picture him easily. His beta John would be handling pack business while Jack wore a path in the carpet, waiting for news about me.
My phone must have died days ago. How long had I been unconscious? Nonna would tell me later. Right now, I just needed to stay awake. To prove I was going to survive this.
The door opened. Richard entered, still in his surgical scrubs. He checked my vitals with practiced efficiency.
"Good. You are recovering well." He glanced at Nonna with warmth in his usually cold eyes. "She can have visitors now. Brief ones."
Nonna pulled out her phone immediately. "I need to call everyone."
"Tell Jack first," I whispered.
She nodded, already dialing.
I closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them again, Richard was studying me with an expression I could not quite read.
"You saved the alpha king's life," he said quietly. "The kingdom owes you a debt."
"No debt." My voice was getting stronger. "Jack would have done the same."
Richard's lips curved slightly. "Perhaps. Rest now. You will need your strength."
He left with Nonna. I stared at the ceiling, processing everything. I had taken a silver bullet for Jack. I nearly died. But I was alive. My wolf was healing me from the inside out. Soon, I would be strong enough to see my son. To face whatever came next.
The door burst open. I turned my head slowly, expecting Nonna or maybe a nurse.
Alpha King Jack stood in the doorway, his eyes wild. Behind him, his head guard Eduardo hovered with an urgent expression.
"Boss, I have answers to the assignment you gave me."
But Jack was not listening. His eyes were locked on mine.