MasukNadia's Refuge
Nadia's POV
The pain started during breakfast three weeks into my stay at the sanctuary. It was not normal pregnancy pain, the kind that came and went with gentle warning. This was sharp, burning, and wrong
Dylan's POVTime slowed to a crawl. I saw Garrett's finger tighten on the trigger. I saw the rifle aimed directly at Nadia's chest. I saw the trajectory and knew with absolute certainty that if he fired she would die.I did not think. I just moved.I threw myself between Nadia and the gun just as Garrett fired. The bullet slammed into my shoulder and hot pain exploded through my body. I heard Nadia scream as I went down but I stayed conscious. The pain was nothing compared to the relief that she was safe.Pack warriors swarmed Garrett before he could get off another shot. He fought back swinging the rifle like a club but he was outnumbered twenty to one. Within seconds they had him on the ground. Someone kicked the rifle away and others pinned his arms behind his back."Dylan! Oh god, Dylan!"Nadia was on her knees beside me. Her hands pressed against my blee
Nadia's POVI woke up on my vow renewal day with my stomach in knots. Fear and excitement tangled together until I could not tell them apart. Today I would recommit to Dylan in front of our pack and our children. Today I would choose him again despite everything we had survived.And today Garrett might try to kill us.Luna arrived early to help me get ready. We were at my childhood home where I had gotten ready for my first wedding fifteen years ago. The familiarity was comforting even with armed guards stationed outside."You okay?" Luna asked as she zipped up my dress."Terrified. But in a good way mostly."The dress was simpler than my original wedding gown but beautiful. Elegant and age-appropriate for a woman renewing vows after fifteen years of marriage. It was cream colored with lace sleeves and a flowing skirt that moved when I walked.
Dylan's POVI stared at the threatening photo Nadia handed me and felt rage boil in my chest. Garrett had crossed out our faces like we were already dead. The message was clear. He was coming for us.“Call the police," I said."Already did. They are sending someone over.""And James. We need to increase security."Nadia nodded but her hands were shaking. I pulled her close and held her as tightly as my still-healing chest would allow."He will not win," I whispered. "I will not let him destroy what we have rebuilt."The police took the photo and note as evidence. They promised to investigate but we both knew Garrett was too smart to leave fingerprints. James doubled the security patrols around our property and installed more cameras.But I refused to let fear control us. We had survived too much to hide now.
Nadia's POVI watched Dylan struggle onto the treadmill like it was Mount Everest. It was six weeks post surgery and this was his first cardiac rehab session. The therapist adjusted the settings to the slowest possible speed and Dylan started walking.Five minutes after his face was pale and sweaty."I need to stop.""Just one more minute, Dylan. You can do it."The therapist checked his heart rate and nodded. "Looking good Mr. Winters. Let's bring you down slowly."Dylan stepped off the treadmill and sat heavily on a bench. His hands were shaking and I could see the frustration in his eyes. Seven weeks ago he could run for miles without breaking a sweat. Now five minutes of slow walking left him exhausted."This is pathetic," he muttered."This is progress," I corrected. "Six weeks ago you could not even get out of b
Dylan's POVI stood in the bathroom staring at the shower like it was my enemy. It’s been three weeks post surgery and I still cannot wash my own hair without pain shooting through my chest. The simple act of lifting my arms above my head felt too hard."Dylan. Let me help."Nadia appeared in the doorway already knowing what I needed before I asked. This has become our routine. She helped me undress carefully avoiding the still tender incision site. She adjusted the water temperature and guided me under the spray.
Nadia's POVDylan came home on a Tuesday afternoon exactly one week after his surgery. I watched him move slowly through the front door and the relief I expected to feel never came. Instead, I felt a new kind of fear settle in my chest.He looked at everything like it might explode. His eyes scanned the kitchen counters, the living room furniture, even the kids' toys scattered across the floor. It was as if he were searching for hidden threats in our own home."Daddy!" The twins ran to him but Dylan flinched before catching himself. He knelt slowly and pulled them into a careful hug. His incision was still healing and any sudden movement caused pain."Hey, boys. I missed you."Lyra hung back watching her father with worried eyes. She was old enough to sense something was wrong. Elena appeared from the hallway and smiled but I saw the concern there too."Welco







