Chapter 33
Summer’s POV
+15 BONUS
Morning sunlight filtered through the hospital windows as Alex and I made our way down the now–familiar corridor toward Felix’s room. The antiseptic smell that had once made my stomach churn now barely registered–funny how quickly the human mind adapts to even the most clinical environments when someone you love is housed within them.
What wasn’t familiar was the third person walking beside us. Lyra had practically insisted on joining us this morning, her tone leaving no room for argument.
“I need to meet my future nephew properly,” she’d declared over breakfast, her eyes still showing traces of whatever had driven her back to her brother’s territory. The sadness that clung to her like a second skin seemed temporarily pushed aside by her determination.
When we entered Felix’s room, his face lit up at the sight of the three of us, but his curious gaze lingered on Lyra.
“Who’s that?” he asked, sitting up in his bed, the bandages around his eyes slightly less bulky than before.
I moved to his side, smoothing his hair back from his forehead. “This is Lyra, Alex’s sister. She really wanted to meet you.”
Lyra approached the bed, her entire demeanor softening. “Hi there, Felix. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Felix tilted his head, seeming to assess her through other senses since his sight was limited. He inhaled deeply–scenting her to learn more. “You smell nice. Like cookies and flowers.”
Lyra laughed, the sound more genuine than anything I’d heard from her since her return. “Well, that’s the nicest compliment I’ve gotten in ages.”
Within minutes, Felix was chattering away with her, telling her about the doctor with the funny voice and the nurse who snuck him extra pudding cups. The connection between them was immediate and unmistakable–Felix had always been quick to warm to people with genuinely kind hearts.
“Can I go outside today?” Felix asked suddenly, turning toward me. “Nurse said there’s a garden where they let kids play sometimes.”
I hesitated. “I don’t know, sweetie. Your eyes-‘
“Please, Mom?” His voice took on that pleading tone that had been my undoing since he was old enough to talk. “Doctor Miller said small doses of filtered sunlight might even be good for me. Please?”
I looked at Alex, who nodded encouragingly. “I can check with the medical team if you’d like.”
Twenty minutes later, after receiving approval from Dr. Miller with specific instructions about keeping Felix’s eyes protected from direct sunlight, the four of us made our way to the hospital’s healing garden. It was a carefully designed space with shaded seating areas and play equipment modified for children with various medical needs.
Several other young patients were already there, supervised by nurses and parents. Felix’s heightened senses immediately picked up on their presence, his head turning toward the sounds of their play.
“Can I join them?” he asked, his voice vibrating with excitement.
After a brief conversation with one of the supervising nurses who assured me they were accustomed to watching children with visual impairments, I reluctantly let Felix join the small group. Alex squeezed my hand reassuringly as we watched him carefully navigate toward the other children, his steps measured but determined.
“He’ll be fine,” he murmured, his breath warm against my car. “The staff here know what they’re doing.”
Lyra, Alex, and I settled onto a bench with a clear view of the play area. Within minutes, Felix was fully integrated into whatever
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Chapter 33
+15 BONUS
game the children had invented, his laughter carrying across the garden. The sound wrapped around my heart, easing a tension I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying.
“He’s remarkable,” Lyra commented, watching Felix with a wistful expression. “Most kids would be overwhelmed by what he’s going through, but he just… adapts.”
“He’s always been that way,” I said softly, unable to keep the pride from my voice. “Even when things were at their worst with Alpha Foster, Felix found ways to be happy.”
My words hung in the air between us, and I immediately regretted the reference to my past. Lyra’s expression shifted to one of concern, and I could feel Alex tense beside me.
“Alex told me some of what happened,” Lyra said carefully, her eyes on Felix rather than me. “Not everything, I’m sure, enough to understand why you left.”
I nodded, unsure what to say. The garden suddenly felt too small, too public for this conversation.
but
“He mentioned the treatments,” she continued, her voice dropping to ensure we weren’t overheard. “What Alpha Foster did to suppress your wolf.”
The familiar ache bloomed in my chest–that hollow space where my wolf should be, responding and vital. “Yes,” I managed, keeping my own gaze fixed on Felix. “It was… effective.”
“And inhumane,” Alex growled softly, his hand finding mine again. His touch grounded me, kept me from spiraling into
memories I tried to avoid.
