9

I scan the room, searching for answers.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Caron says, her hands raised as if to calm me.

“What’s wrong with her? Who did this?” I snap, adrenaline pumping. I check Lilly’s pulse—she’s breathing, thank the moon.

“She’s fine, Drake. Just exhausted,” Caron assures me.

I frown, brushing Lilly’s messy hair from her face. She looks pale—deathly pale.

“Then why the hell is she grey?”

“She healed you,” Caron explains gently. “It took everything she had. She just needs sleep. How do you feel?”

I pause. I feel… fine. Confused, but physically fine. “I’m okay. What happened?”

Before anyone can answer, the doctor pushes past Ben and flashes a light into my eyes. I squint and shove her away.

“Don’t touch me.”

She rolls her eyes and grabs a stethoscope, stepping forward again. I rip it from her hands and toss it across the room, growling.

“I said don’t touch me!” I snap through gritted teeth.

She backs off with a huff, settling in a chair with crossed arms and a face full of attitude. I don’t care. She’s already on my last nerve.

Ben drops down on the end of the bed, running his hands through his hair—clearly just as annoyed.

“The killer shot you with a dart laced with some kind of dark magic. It was too strong for Lilly to heal on her own.”

My stomach drops. I look down at her again. “Is she going to be okay?”

Caron nods. “She just needs rest, Drake. I promise—she’s going to be fine.”

I let out a breath of relief, my gaze flicking back to Ben for the rest.

“Luckily, Caron and Vincent had already been working on antidotes. They suspected something like this might happen.”

Vincent steps forward. “We didn’t know exactly what the poison was, but we prepared a range of counter-spells and serums.”

Ben shudders. “If they hadn’t… you’d be dead.”

I nod, grateful. “Thank you,” I say, my voice thick. These people are family. I know how deep that fear of loss runs.

“Once they injected you with the antidote, Lilly could draw the darkness out of you,” Fiona explains, her hand squeezing my shoulder.

I reach up and squeeze her hand back, offering a tired smile. I notice the doctor roll her eyes again at the affection. Too bad. Fiona’s my sister—she can hug me whenever she wants.

I look at Lilly. Of course she would do this for me. She would give everything—and she almost did.

I hold her close, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. “Tired,” I admit. “I think I just need sleep.” Through the bond, I can still feel her exhaustion pulling at me.

Vincent clears his throat, drawing my attention.

“There’s something else.”

He glances at the doctor when she’s not looking. I arch a brow, silently agreeing. Something about her feels… wrong. She’s new to the pack, but now that I’m actually paying attention, she feels disconnected. Like she doesn’t belong.

“The killer didn’t want you dead,” Vincent says slowly. “He wanted you trapped—stuck in purgatory. He wanted Lilly and the kids to suffer. That’s dangerous. Calculated.”

My heart rate ticks up. “So what now?”

“No one outside this room can know you’re awake,” he says firmly. “We think if he believes you’re still out of the way, he’ll make a move. He’ll slip up.”

“So we stay dead?” Dain asks through our lips, his voice low and serious.

“Yes,” Vincent replies. “At least until we catch him.”

I sigh. “How long are we locked in here, exactly?”

Caron shrugs. “Until he makes a mistake. But if he thinks you’re gone, he’ll get bold. That’s when we strike.”

Dain agrees. “It’s smart. Let’s try it.”

“Fine,” I say. “We’ll do it.”

“Good. Now you need to command us,” Vincent says. “Everyone in this room must be compelled not to speak, think, or hint at your recovery.”

Vincent turns, glaring at the doctor. Her eyes widen. “That won’t be necessary. I won’t say anything.”

“That’s not your choice,” Fiona snaps.

“I think it is. My word should be enough.”

“It’s not,” I growl. “I don’t trust you.”

Dain pushes forward again, clearly irritated. “Where’s our regular doctor? I don’t like this one.”

Fiona sighs. “In Africa. She’s all we’ve got for now.”

Dain rolls our eyes. Then, without hesitation, he commands everyone—especially the doctor—not to utter, think, or suggest anything about this plan. The compulsion settles heavy in the air.

Once it’s done, the others go over what the killer said to Lilly. Then they start clearing out to let me rest.

“Caden. Baylee. Stay,” I call before they can leave.

They both rush to me, throwing their arms around my neck. Baylee starts to sob into my chest.

“Shhh, it’s okay, baby. I’m here.”

“I thought you were gone forever,” she whispers.

My chest tightens. So this was the vision.

“This was it?” I ask. They both nod tearfully.

“We saw mummy crying over you,” Baylee says. “And Emma told us you were dead.”

My head snaps up. Caden’s jaw is tight.

“She said that?” I ask.

“She knew you weren’t. But she said it anyway.”

Dain growls low inside me. The fury bubbling under my skin is mirrored in him.

“I’m going to kill her,” he mutters. “I’m done pretending.”

I take a breath, trying to stay calm for the kids. “Well, I’m not dead. I’m right here. But now I need your help—both of you.”

They sit up straighter. “What do you need?”

“I need you to lock the elevator. Keep everyone out except for family—Emma and Craig included. Have Evelyn bring meals upstairs. Keep the kids busy and safe. If I’m stuck here, I can’t protect you out there.”

Baylee nods quickly. “Should I have the wolves follow everyone at school?”

Dain perks up. “You can do that?”

She smirks. “They’ll do what I say.”

“Perfect. Have them shadow the whole family.”

“Matt’s worried Cara and Colten will make a move at school,” Caden adds. “I can keep the younger ones occupied.”

“Perfect. I trust you both. Get ready for bed. If Sarah needs help, you step up.”

Baylee leans in, kissing my cheek. “It’s okay, Daddy. We’ve got it.”

I kiss her forehead, then squeeze Caden’s shoulder. “I love you both so much. Thank you.”

“We love you too!” Baylee calls, kissing Lilly’s head before climbing off the bed. They head out, looking determined and a little lighter.

Honestly, I know I can trust Matt and Ben with the kids, but giving Caden and Baylee responsibility will keep their minds busy. Less fear, less anxiety. It’s a win-win.

When they’re gone, I roll over and pull Lilly close, wrapping the blanket around us. In seconds, I drift into a deep, dreamless sleep.