Chapter 10

Cora's POV

I wake slowly.

The first thing I notice is the light. Gentle, golden, spilling through the windows of the room. My body feels heavy, still aching from the fight, but the worst of the pain has dulled. My muscles tremble as I shift slightly, testing each limb.

Then I notice her.

Sitting in the chair next to the bed, smiling softly at me. She has red hair that catches the sunlight in fiery streaks, green eyes that are almost too bright, too warm for someone so young. My body tenses instantly.

I don’t know her.

I don’t trust anyone.

But her smile—it isn’t threatening. It’s gentle, almost shy.

“Hey,” she says softly, voice melodic and soothing. “You’re awake. That’s… really good.”

I stare at her, unsure if I should speak.

My throat feels raw, my lips dry.

“I’m Hannah,” she says, as if sensing my hesitation. “Hannah Williams. I… I’m Eric’s younger sister.”

I blink, taking in her features. There’s a striking resemblance, the same sharp green eyes, the same fiery red hair. My mind flashes—Eric. The Alpha who saved me. My chest tightens at the memory of him holding me when I was so weak, so terrified.

“I—” I start, then stop. Words fail me.

She laughs softly, a sound like sunlight, and tilts her head. “You don’t have to say anything yet. You’re safe. That’s all that matters right now.”

I can feel my chest warming, the tight coil of tension inside me loosening a little. Safe. For the first time in… I don’t know how long, I feel safe.

The door opens quietly behind her, and

Eric steps in.

I freeze.

I can’t believe it.

It’s uncanny. The same green eyes, the same red hair. Identical, almost like I’m seeing a reflection of Hannah. My breath catches. How can two people look this much alike?

He doesn’t approach too quickly. He simply stands there, calm, watchful, the same presence that made the rogues scatter like nothing. My wolf stirs faintly, still wary, still cautious, but for the first time it doesn’t scream panic.

“Feeling okay?” His voice is low, steady, carrying that weight of authority I felt the first time I met him in the forest.

“I… I think so,” I say cautiously. My voice is still weak, but there’s no fear in it—yet.

"What's your name" Hannah asks

"Cora......Cora Snow"

She beams "Nice to meet you Cora Snow"

Her tone makes me smile.

Hannah leans forward, her hands folded neatly on her lap. “Do you… have anywhere to go?” she asks. Her eyes are soft, curious, gentle.

I shake my head. “No… not really.”

Her smile brightens immediately, warm and honest. “Then you can stay with us.”

My chest tightens. My throat closes.

Stay with… them? No one has ever said anything like that to me. Not my parents, not my sister, not anyone in my old pack.

I swallow hard, blinking back the sudden sting of tears.

Hannah notices and squeezes my hand lightly. “We’re gonna take care of you. I promise.”

I look between the two of them, and Eric meets my gaze. There’s no question in his eyes. No judgment. Only… understanding, quiet and firm.

“You’ll stay,” he says simply. “With us. Until you decide otherwise.”

I can’t hold back anymore. The tears slip quietly down my cheeks. My throat trembles, my wolf whining softly inside me, caught between relief and disbelief.

Hannah moves closer and touches my shoulder gently. “Hey,” she says softly, “we’re gonna be best friends. I promise. You’re not alone anymore.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected.

Best friends. I’ve never had one. I’ve never been treated like this. My old pack didn’t care, my family barely noticed me, and my sister acted like I was a burden.

I hiccup against my will, trying to swallow back the flood of emotions. But

Hannah doesn’t let me hide it. She smiles at me again, patient, kind, unwavering. “It’s okay. Let it out. You’re safe here.”

I nod, finally, letting myself cry a little, letting my body release some of the fear, pain, and loneliness I’ve carried for so long. For the first time, I feel like maybe, just maybe, there’s a place where I belong.

We sit like that for a while—Hannah quietly holding my hand, Eric standing beside us, vigilant but calm. I watch them, the bond between them clear, protective and strong, and it stirs something unfamiliar inside me.

Something I didn’t know I could feel: hope.

Finally, one of the healers comes in, smiling. “She’s cleared to leave the hospital. No serious injuries remain, and she’s stable. She can go with you now.”

Hannah’s face lights up immediately. “Come on, you’re coming home with us!”

Eric lifts me carefully, supporting my weight as I stand shakily. Hannah takes my other hand, guiding me gently. I glance back at the hospital room, the smell of antiseptic still clinging faintly, and then forward at the two who saved me. My chest swells with something I haven’t felt in years: belonging.

Hannah beams at me. “We’re gonna have so much fun. I can already tell we’re gonna be best friends.”

I swallow hard, nodding, tears pricking again. I’ve never been treated like this.

Never been offered a choice like this.

Never had someone actually care.

“I… I think I’d like that,” I manage to whisper.

Eric and Hannah exchange a glance—quiet, unspoken, confirming something between them—and then they turn back to me.

Together, we leave the hospital. I feel a strange mix of exhaustion and relief, but mostly… something I didn’t think I would ever feel again.

Safe. Wanted. Seen.

For the first time, I feel like I might finally have a home.