LOGIN83. Rachael. Lyanna, Ethan and I waited patiently as the elevator climbed to the tenth floor of a secret hospital near the castle. She stood between Ethan and me, humming a song happily like she wasn't doing it on purpose. "Oh—tenth floor, this is it." She pressed the button and we walked out. As we stepped into this new wing, I was struck by the stark contrast to the previous one. The porcelain floors gleamed with a spotless shine, reflecting the high level of care and attention to detail that seemed to permeate every aspect of this facility. The atmosphere was serene, with soft lighting and plush carpets that seemed to muffle the sound of our footsteps. Maids in crisp, tailored uniforms pushed trolleys laden with fresh linens and medical supplies, their faces breaking into warm smiles as they greeted Ethan. "Good morning, Mr. Ethan!" one of them chimed, her voice friendly and welcoming. Ethan returned their greetings with a nod. He walked as if he had been here n
82. Rachael. I was surprised at Lyanna's words but I knew better than to say anything back to her. We were caught in the act. It was better to remain silent and watch how it played out. She removed the syringe and checked my stats, while Ethan watched. "She said you were leaving Ethan, aren't you leaving again?" Lyanna teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she scribbled something really fast on a jotter, her pen moving swiftly across the page."Well, I—I—" he stuttered, taken aback by her directness."Thought so," she cut him off immediately, a knowing glint in her eye. She flashed a penlight in my eyes, her movements quick and efficient, and told me to roll them, which I did, wincing slightly at the bright light.Lyanna sighed and returned the penlight to her pocket, her expression softening into a warm smile. "Okay, if you have the energy to do some fifty-shades stuff here, then you are healthy enough to be discharged tomorrow." Her words were laced with a mix of teasing an
81. Rachael. Ethan's lips crashed onto mine with an urgency that left me breathless. His kiss was intense as if he feared I'd vanish into thin air if he let me go, even for a moment. As he deepened the kiss, his hands roamed over my body, the thin hospital robe swishing with each movement, sending shivers down my spine. I felt a rush of emotions, overwhelmed by the passion and longing in his touch.Finally, I managed to break free from the kiss, gasping for air. "Ethan, I'm not running away," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.Ethan's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze burning with desire and adoration. He leaned his forehead against mine, his chest heaving with each breath. "You don't know how much I have missed you," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. The words hung in the air, filled with a depth of feeling that spoke of a longing that went far beyond physical absence. In that moment, I felt seen, felt, and cherished in a way that left me
80. Rachael. I was relocated to a new room, one that seemed to cater to my every whim and need. The VIP suite, reserved for the pack's most esteemed members, was a far cry from the sterile hospital room I'd previously occupied. The ambience was more akin to a luxury hotel, with plush furnishings and modern amenities that seemed to whisper comfort.As I settled into the spacious bed, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The soft glow of the lamps and the gentle hum of the air conditioning created a soothing atmosphere, one that seemed to lull my frazzled nerves into a state of calm. Even the IV stands as a constant reminder of my fragile state and seems less imposing in this setting.The room's décor was tasteful, with subtle patterns and muted colours that seemed to promote relaxation. I let out a deep breath, feeling my body begin to unwind. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt like I could finally start to heal, to let my guard down and allow myself to rest. B
79. Ethan. Naomi Rutherford stared at me with a look of yearning in her eyes. I could only pity her because I understood how she felt about her father's betrayal. "Ethan, I'm sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words hung in the air, carried by the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the trees surrounding us. We sat side by side on a bench, watching the park's lush greenery sway in the wind. The weather had been perfect for our last talk, with the sun shining down on us and a soft, warm glow casting a sense of serenity over the scene.I turned to her, my arms folding across my chest. "You don't need to apologize, Naomi," I said, my voice gentle. "It's not your fault. It's obvious your father kept you out of the loop." My words were meant to comfort her, to let her know that I didn't blame her for her father's actions. But as I looked at her, I saw the weight of her guilt and regret still bearing down on her.We sat in silence for a moment, watching the world
78. Rachael. As I slowly came to, I found myself in a large, sterile bedroom surrounded by machines that beeped and whirred every second. The bright lights overhead seemed to pierce through my skull, making my head throb with a dull ache. I groaned, the sound barely above a whisper, as I turned onto my side. Every muscle in my body protested, sending shooting pains through my limbs. It felt as though I'd run a marathon the night before. I struggled to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the pillow. My mouth was dry, my throat parched. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a hoarse croak. My mouth tasted like piss and I hated the world. Just as I was starting to feel like I was going to pass out again, Priestess Lyanna walked into the room, a warm smile on her face. "Hello there, sleepy head!" she said, her voice cheerful. "How are you feeling?"I managed to croak out a response, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm going to die to







