Jake’s POVSunday night had fallen, the room bathed in soft golden light from the lamp in the corner. The hospital always smelled faintly of antiseptic and herbs, but tonight it was almost comforting. Jerica was still asleep, though they’d finally unhooked the herbal drip earlier in the evening. It was progress, the kind that made everyone breathe a little easier — but she still hadn’t opened her eyes.I sat beside her, her delicate hand resting in mine. My thumb traced slow circles across the back of it, the pattern familiar, soothing to both of us. I hummed the lullaby I always did when it was just us now, only this time Melissa was in the room too. She insisted on staying the night, and said she wanted to be here when her baby woke up. I didn’t mind. Jerica deserved all the love in the world, and if Melissa could give her another piece of it, all the better.Laying my head on the mattress, I turned to look at Jerica’s face. The worst of the bruises had faded now. The lighter ones w
Trixie’s POVWhen I woke up that morning, the first thing I noticed was the single rose lying delicately on the pillow beside me. A folded note rested underneath it, Trevor’s familiar, precise handwriting scrawled across the paper.Had to leave early. Meeting with Alpha Sam today. Thomas will be downstairs at 7 a.m. to take you to school. Love you. –TI smiled faintly, picking up the rose and bringing it to my nose. It smelled fresh, sweet — just like him. It was a thoughtful gesture, sure, but part of me couldn’t help the sigh that slipped out. A flower was nice… but a good morning kiss would’ve been better. Still, it was Trevor. His world was full of responsibilities, threats, and constant strategy. And even when he couldn’t be here, he still tried to leave me with a piece of himself. That thought softened the disappointment, at least a little.I slipped out of bed, went through my routine, and dressed for school. Jeans, a cozy sweater, hair pulled into a loose braid. Normal. I want
Trixie’s POVThe soft hum of the truck’s engine filled the space around us as Trevor drove us down the winding road toward my parents’ house. The sky outside was streaked with shades of lavender and gold, the last light of the evening sun giving way to the approaching night. I sat with my elbow propped against the window, absently tracing the fog of my breath on the glass, while the radio played a sad, soulful song I couldn’t resist singing along to.Trevor’s hand rested casually on the steering wheel, his other hand relaxed against his thigh. To anyone else, he probably looked calm and collected, but I knew him better than that. His jaw was set, his eyes focused straight ahead, and though he gave a little smile when I sang too loudly at the chorus, I could tell his thoughts were miles away. I softened my voice, watching him out of the corner of my eye. “You’re thinking too hard again,” I teased lightly. His gaze flicked to me for just a second before returning to the road. “Maybe,” h
Jake’s POVThe steady rhythm of the monitor was the only thing reminding me that Jerica was still here. Still breathing. Still fighting.I sat beside her hospital bed, my chair pulled as close as it could get without climbing in next to her. I hadn’t left her side since the moment we got her here. Not really. Even when Melissa and Eric forced me to step away for a shower or a meal, my mind stayed here. Always here.They’d been taking shifts — Melissa and Eric — so they didn’t burn out completely. They were better at reminding each other of that balance, better at stepping back for a few hours. But not me, my wolf scratched at me, restless, desperate to stay next to her. Leaving her felt wrong, like abandoning her when she needed me most. Laura had turned into a sweet, selfless Laura. She had been keeping us all afloat. She hated being left alone at the house, I could feel that even when she didn’t say it, but she was the kind of person who turned her worry into action. She cooked and
Trixie’s POVJoe’s eyes locked on me, sharp and searching. “How do you know?” he asked, his voice low, tense, as though he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer. I swallowed, still feeling the tremor from what I’d just seen. “My vision,” I whispered. “Just now.” Both Joe and Trevor leaned in, waiting. My hands fidgeted in my lap as I forced myself to speak clearly. “It was Janet. Only… that’s not what they called her. They called her Janessa. And she answered to it like it had always been her name.” Trevor’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing.“They were questioning her,” I continued, my heart pounding in my chest. “Asking why her mission failed. She blamed two others — names she used were Brody and Brad. Said they didn’t follow orders, and because of that, she lost everything. She was furious, telling them they’d blown a four-year undercover mission.” Joe exhaled sharply, muttering a curse.“But that wasn’t all,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “They were talking about punishing her. I tho
Jerica had been moved into a room of her own to recover, away from the chaos of the ER and the bright, sterile bustle of the surgical wing. The transition had been slow — the squeak of the hospital bed wheels, the hiss of the IV pump, the soft shuffle of nurses moving around her. About an hour later, the staff came to get us, saying we could follow them to her room.She was still asleep when we stepped inside, and the nurse warned us it was unlikely she would wake up tonight. The soft beep of the heart monitor and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air. Eric and Melissa moved automatically, taking up their positions on one side of her bed, Melissa’s hand resting protectively on Jerica’s arm. Jake sat on the other side, gripping her right hand — the one that wasn’t broken — his hand gently holding hers.Jerica looked awful. Even though the surgery had helped, her face was still swollen and mottled with dark purple bruises. A fresh, white cast wrapped her left arm, and small, neat