Chapter 205
SOPHIA’S POV
I lay quietly on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, but I wasn’t really seeing it.
My body still felt weak, like all my strength had been drained out of me. The fever had gone down slightly, but I could still feel the heat inside me.
Zade sat beside me.
He hadn’t moved much since he came back into the room. His presence was calm and I could feel his attention on me constantly.
“You should try to sleep,” he said softly.
I turned my head slightly to look at him. “I just woke up p>
“That doesn’t mean you’ve rested enough p>
I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to.
I looked at the IV stand beside the bed. The clear fluid in the bag was almost empty now. I hadn’t even noticed how much time had passed.
Zade noticed it immediately.
“Your IV is almost done,” he said, standing up.
I watched him quietly as he walked over to the stand.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said softly. “You can call a nurse p>
“I know,” he replied calmly.
He didn’t stop. Instead, he carefully removed the empty bag and replaced it with a new one, making sure everything was properly connected. His fingers moved carefully. His expression was focused.
I watched him the entire time. His actions, the way he was so gentle with things that concerned me, it made my heart skip a beat.
“You’ve done this before?” I asked.
“A few times,” he said.
That didn’t surprise me. Zade always seemed like the kind of person who knew how to handle things on his own.
When he finished, he adjusted the line slightly and then looked at me again.
“Does it hurt?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No p>
He nodded then returned to the chair beside the bed.
The room fell quiet again but it wasn’t uncomfortable. The silence was different from before.
Before, silence used to feel heavy, suffocating, like something was missing. But now, it felt… calm. I felt safe here.
I didn’t understand it. Hell, I didn’t even know how to explain it. And that made me uneasy.
“You shouldn’t stay,” I said after a moment.
Zade looked at me. “Why p>
“It’s not necessary p>
“It is to me p>
His answer was simple, but it carried weight.
I looked away. I didn’t want him to see how much his words affected me.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said quietly. “You don’t owe me anything p>
“I’m not doing it because I owe you p>
I didn’t respond, because I didn’t know how to.
Then I felt it. Zade leaned closer. My breath caught slightly.
He didn’t touch me immediately. He just stayed there, close enough that I could feel his warmth. His presence was so intense that it made my heart beat faster.
“Sophia,” he said softly.
I turned my head slightly toward him. my heart race picked up. I could feel my skin tingling.
His eyes were serious, but there was something deeper in them, something that made my heart skip a beat.
“Can I kiss you?” he asked.
The question caught me off guard. My mind went blank for a second.
My heart reacted before my thoughts could catch up.
“No,” I said quickly.
Zade didn’t move.
He didn’t look hurt. He didn’t look disappointed. His expression remained the same.
He just nodded “Okay p>
I blinked in shock. That was it? There was no argument. He didn’t pressure me or try to convince me.
He leaned back again, giving me space, as if nothing had happened…but something had.
My heart didn’t calm down immediately. It kept beating fast. I turned my head away, trying to steady myself.
Why did that feel so… complicated? Why did I hesitate for even a second?
My wolf stirred inside me but it didn’t push forward. It just stayed there, watching, waiting.
“You should sleep,” Zade said.
I didn’t argue this time. I closed my eyes slowly, letting my body relax against the bed.
But after a few moments, I felt something shift. The bed dipped slightly.
My eyes opened again. To my surprise, Zade was climbing onto the bed.
“What are you doing?” I asked, surprised.
“The bed is small p>
I narrowed my eyes at him “That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be on it p>
He ignored that.
Instead, he adjusted himself carefully beside me, making sure not to disturb the IV line. The space was tight, almost too tight, but he didn’t seem bothered.
“You need warmth,” he said.
“I’m fine”
“You’re not p>
Before I could respond, he reached out and gently pulled me closer.
I froze.
His arm wrapped around me. His touch was gentle, as if he was holding something fragile. His body was warm in a way I didn’t expect.
“You can’t just-” I started.
“You can push me away if you want,” he said quietly.
I paused.
I didn’t move. My body was too tired. My mind was too heavy.
And honestly… I didn’t want to.
So, I stayed.
Zade adjusted his hold slightly, making sure I was comfortable. His movements were slow, like he was afraid of hurting me.
“Just sleep,” he murmured.
His voice was low, close to my ear, and it sent shivers down my spine.
I didn’t resist. I couldn’t.
I let my body relax against him. My head rested against his chest. His heartbeat was calm, and somehow, it made my own breathing slow down.
My wolf settled completely.
For the first time in what felt like forever… I felt safe.
My eyes closed again and this time, sleep came quickly. It was deep and peaceful.
I didn’t dream. I didn’t wake up in fear. I just… slept.
Throughout the night, Zade didn’t move much. He held me carefully, adjusting only when necessary, making sure I stayed comfortable. Every time I shifted slightly, his arm tightened just enough to keep me close.
He didn’t sleep either.
His eyes remained open, watching over me. he stayed awake to watch my breathing and my temperature, even the steady rhythm of my heartbeat. He paid attention to all of it.
He watched over me like I was something precious