3

Chapter 3

Cora's POV

Where... Where am I?

I blinked as I opened my eyes slowly and looked around the unfamiliar room. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to remember what happened and how I ended up here.

Why am I here?

I tried to sit up but the moment I moved, I felt a sharp pain through my side and I gasped. My whole body ached. Something wasn't right.

Suddenly, the door creaked open and a woman stepped in. She wore a white coat and when her eyes landed on me, her expression turned to relief.

"You're awake." She said gently, stepping closer.

I nodded slowly.

She stopped beside the bed and gave me a small smile. “Hello, dear. I’m Mira. I’m the pack nurse here.”

I stared at her. Too stunned to speak. My throat was dry and I realized how thirsty I was.

She seemed to notice and grabbed a bottle of water from the beside table. She opened it and passed it to me. I took it and drank almost all of it.

“I-I… What happened to me?” I asked hoarsely.

“You were found unconscious at the edge of the border during patrol.” she said gently. “You’re in the Silverfang Pack now. You were badly injured. You’ve been asleep for almost two days.”

Two days...?

I swallowed hard. My mind struggled to catch up, to piece together the fragments of my memory. Then everything came rushing back.

Kieran.

Him pushing me against the wall.

The blood.

My baby....

My hand instinctively flew to my stomach.

“No…” I whispered, shaking my head as little streaks of tears rolled down my cheeks.

My baby... I have no idea if it survived. I had hoped it would.

I looked at her “M-my baby…?”

Her expression changed. She slowly sat beside me and reaches for my hand.

“Sweetheart… I’m so sorry...”

“No...” I whispered again, and again. “No. No. No—please.”

More tears streamed down my cheeks. It felt as if I had lost a part of my soul. My hands trembled as I gripped the sheets like they were the only things holding me together.

My baby... I fought so hard to protect it. I wanted to love it even if Kieran didn’t. I wanted to hold it in my arms and give it a name. I wanted to raise it with love.

But now... That dream was gone.

“I’m sorry..." Mira whispered again. “You lost a lot of blood. Your body went into shock. There was… nothing we could do.”

"I–I tried to protect it..." I choked.

She reached out gently and squeezed my shoulder.

“You need to rest dear.” she said softly. “Your body still needs time to heal.”

But how could I rest?

How could I sleep knowing my baby was dead?

“I… I don’t understand... Why am I even here? Why did they save me? Why was I saved and my baby wasn't?"

“We tried our best dear. We tried to save both you and the baby but it was already too late."

I didn't blame her. She wasn't the reason I lost my baby.

It was him. Kieran.

I shut my eyes, trying to stop the tears that wouldn’t stop falling.

Just then, the door creaked again and when I turned my head. I froze in terror.

He was here.

Kieran.

No no no.

I shifted away from the bed, gripping the blanket around me tightly. I moved behind Mira, trying to hide.

“No no please go away! Please don’t hurt me! Please..." I begged.

Mira looked at me shocked. He, too, looked so shocked.

He stepped forward but I backed away further, kneeling on the bed, my body shaking tremendously.

“Please don’t kill me!” I begged, clasping my hands and rubbing it vigorously in a pleading manner. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, please! Please don't kill me.... please..."

My heart pounded so heavily in my chest. I couldn't breathe. My body trembled violently as panic took over. The room started spinning.

“Kieran… please… please don't kill me. Please...”

He froze, staring at me in shock.

"Kieran?" Mira glanced between us. A slight frown etched on her face. "He's not Kieran, dear."