Chapter 35
Summer’s POV
Dr. Miller’s expression brightened. “Better than expected, actually. The organ regeneration therapy is showing remarkable results. Felix has an incredible resilience we don’t often see, even in werewolf children. The surrounding tissue is accepting the treatment at rates we typically only see in born wolves.”
My breath caught. “What does that mean for his recovery?”
“It means,” Dr. Miller said, his voice warm with genuine pleasure, “that we can schedule the corneal transplant much sooner than anticipated. Possibly as early as next week, if the current progression continues.”
The news hit me with physical force. Next week. My son might see again next week. The hope I’d been carefully restraining burst free, flooding through me with such intensity that I swayed slightly.
“That’s… that’s incredible,” I whispered, tears springing to my eyes.
Before I could think about what I was doing, I turned and threw my arms around Alex’s neck, burying my face against his chest. His arms came around me immediately, solid and secure, holding me together as emotion threatened to shatter me.
“Thank you,” I breathed against his shirt, inhaling his scent–Cedar and Lavender and something uniquely him that calmed my racing heart. “Thank you for making this possible.”
His hold tightened, one hand coming up to cradle the back of my head. “You don’t have to thank me,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “I’d do anything for that boy.” After a brief pause, he added even more quietly, “For both of you.”
The raw honesty in his voice made me suddenly aware of our embrace, of how natural it felt to be held by him. I pulled back slightly, a flush rising to my cheeks as I realized Dr. Miller was still present.
But when I glanced around, the doctor had discreetly disappeared, leaving us alone in the small alcove by the nurses‘ station.
“I’m sorry,” I said, attempting to step back. “I didn’t mean to—”
Alex’s arms tightened, keeping me close. “Don’t apologize,” he said, his voice low. “Not for this.”
The intensity in his eyes made my stomach flutter with a sensation I hadn’t experienced in years–like a thousand butterflies taking flight all at once. Why did my body react to him like this–so instinctively, without reason?
His thumb traced a gentle path along my jawline, his touch causing my pulse to race. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hold you like this,” he murmured.
My breath hitched. This wasn’t part of our agreement–this wasn’t about protection or Felix’s safety or standing against Alpha Foster. This was something else entirely, something that both terrified and thrilled me.
“Alex,” I whispered, not sure if I was warning him or encouraging him. “We should focus on Felix.”
“I haven’t stopped focusing on Felix,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine. “But I’m not going to pretend I don’t feel something for his mother, too.”
The directness of his statement sent heat rushing through me. I didn’t know how to respond–didn’t know how to navigate this territory where my calculated decisions were being overridden by feelings I couldn’t control.
“I don’t know how to do this,” I admitted quietly. “I don’t know if I can be what you want.”
Alex’s gaze softened, though there was no less fire in it. “I don’t want you to be anything except yourself.”
I looked down, fingers curling slightly at my sides. “After what Alpha Foster did to me.I’m not good at letting people in. I don’t trust easily.”
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Chapter 35
+15 BONUS
His voice dropped, low and steady. “Then let me earn it.”
My breath caught.I searched Alex’s face, finding nothing but honest intensity in his dark eyes.God, why did he have to look so damn sexy right now? I wanted kissing him.
Without warning, Alex leaned down and captured my lips with his. The kiss was gentle at first, almost questioning, but when I gasped in surprise, he took advantage, deepening the kiss with a hunger that made my knees weak. His hand slid into my hair, angling my head to give him better access as his tongue swept into my mouth.
I melted against him, my body responding with a passion I’d thought long dead. My fingers clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer as heat pooled low in my belly. This wasn’t supposed to happen–I wasn’t supposed to feel this way about the man who was only meant to be my protector, my strategic ally–but I couldn’t bring myself to care.
“Well, this is certainly more interesting than insurance paperwork.”
We jerked apart, both breathing heavily, to find Lyra leaning against the wall, arms crossed and a satisfied smirk playing on her lips.
