Chapter 11: Panicked

The journey to the pack hospital was hazy for Alpha Andrew. The constant roar of the car engine was overshadowed by the panicked beat of his heart. Vivian rested in his embrace, her complexion wan and twisted with distress. Her gentle whimpers pierced his heart, and the wolf inside him cried out in sorrow. 

"Wait a moment, Vivian," Andrew whispered, his tone more a request than an order. All he could concentrate on was his partner's strained breaths, and each moment seemed to last forever. 

As soon as they arrived, the hospital personnel went into action. Dr. Marcus, the pack's most reliable healer, stepped out of his office. His tranquil attitude hardly alleviated Andrew’s apprehension. 

“Alpha,” Dr. Marcus welcomed, his keen eyes evaluating the circumstances. 

Andrew exited the vehicle, holding Vivian as though she was weightless. "She's in pain," he snarled, his tone laced with urgency. "Start working." "At this moment." 

Dr. Marcus signaled for a stretcher, and two nurses hurried forward. Andrew hesitantly set Vivian down on it, his hand resting on hers for a fleeting moment before the nurses hurried her off. 

“I’ll take care of this,” Dr. Marcus reassured him, his voice steady. "You must have faith in me, Alpha." 

Andrew's jaw tightened, the wolf within him opposing the thought of abandoning his mate. "I’m staying right here." 

Vivian weakly turned her head, locking eyes with him. “Andrew,” she murmured, her voice almost inaudible. "Allow Dr. Marcus to handle my care." “Please.” 

The desperation in her voice compelled him to withdraw, even though it felt like ripping a part of himself apart. 

Dr. Marcus put a hand on Andrew's shoulder. "She's well cared for, Alpha." Head home and take a break. "I'll update you as soon as I have further information." 

Andrew paused, his intuition clashing with logic. Yet he nodded, aware that he couldn’t linger and anticipate the healer to perform optimally. 

“Contact me as soon as there’s an update,” he commanded, his tone rough. 

Dr. Marcus nodded, his look determined. 

The following morning, Andrew returned to the hospital before the sun had completely come up. He had hardly rested, his thoughts tormented by visions of Vivian's suffering and the unresolved questions surrounding her health. 

He walked through the hospital hallways, his demeanor authoritative even with the exhaustion visible on his face. As he arrived at Dr. Marcus’s office, the door was slightly open. He opened it without any hesitation. 

Dr. Marcus leaned against the window, his stance rigid. Upon hearing Andrew arrive, he turned around with a serious expression. 

“Alpha,” he started, his tone weighted with remorse. "I’m sorry." "The pregnancy... we lost it." 

The words struck Andrew as if they were a tangible impact. For a brief moment, he was unable to breathe, unable to think. The wolf within him howled sadly, its anguish resonating deep within his soul. 

“No,” he murmured, shaking his head as if refusing the truth could alter it. "No." 

Dr. Marcus's demeanor stayed calm, yet compassion shone in his gaze. Vivian was in critical condition upon her arrival. "We tried our best, but it was already too late." 

Andrew collapsed into the closest chair, clutching his head in his hands. A low, guttural growl of pain emerged from him. He had been unable to safeguard his partner and their offspring, a shortcoming that weighed heavily on an Alpha.

“How is she doing?” he finally inquired, his voice scarcely louder than a whisper. 

"She is in stable condition," Dr. Marcus responded. "However, she is in mourning, Andrew." "She requires your support now more than ever." 

Andrew nodded, his determination strengthening. He couldn't permit himself to linger in his own misery. Vivian required his support, and he would stand by her side, regardless of the circumstances. 

***

As night approached, Andrew went back to the hospital room where Vivian lay. She reclined on the bed, her gaze directed at the window. The gentle radiance of the declining sun enveloped her in illumination, yet it hardly concealed the sorrow marked on her face. 

He moved silently, drawing a chair near her bedside. 

“Vivian,” he spoke gently. 

She faced him, her eyes inflamed and puffy from crying. The view shattered his heart once more. 

"I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice quivering. 

Andrew took her hand, his hold strong but tender. "Refrain," he stated decisively. "This isn't your responsibility." "Don’t hold yourself responsible." 

Tears streamed down her face while she shook her head. "I did not succeed, Andrew." “I wasn’t able to safeguard our pup.” 

Andrew's wolf let out a quiet growl of dissent. "You didn’t mess up, Vivian." You battled. That's all that counts. We will overcome this. "Together." 

She nodded slowly, although the burden of her sorrow remained apparent. 

“Dr. Marcus mentioned that you’re strong,” he remarked, his tone unwavering. "And I know that he is correct." You will recover, and I will too. But for now, allow me to look after you. 

Her lips trembled, yet she succeeded in offering a weak smile. "You always do." 

***

When they got back home that evening, the pack house was serene. The staff has been notified of the situation and maintained their distance, honoring their Alpha and Luna’s desire for privacy. 

Andrew lifted Vivian to their room, even though she insisted that she could walk. 

"I'm your friend," he stated confidently. “Allow me to handle this.” 

After she got comfortable in bed, he took a seat next to her, placing his hand on hers. The quietness between them was significant yet not uneasy. 

“I will stay with you this evening,” he spoke gently. 

Vivian nodded, her eyelids fluttering shut as fatigue engulfed her. 

While Andrew observed her slumber, his thoughts drifted. The passing of their puppy was a hurt that required time to mend, yet it also served as a reminder of life's vulnerability. As Alpha, he encountered numerous challenges, yet none seemed as personal or as agonizing as this one. 

His wolf awoke, a soft but resolute growl echoing inside him. They would grieve, indeed, but they would also stand up once more. For Vivian, for their pack, and for the future they would create together. 

As the moon ascended in the night sky, illuminating the pack territories with its silvery light, Andrew swore to defend what belonged to him with all his strength. Regardless of what followed.