Chapter 160
Lily POV
The hospital room felt like a cage. Four walls pressing in on me with each passing minute. I paced from the window to the door and back again, my bare feet silent on the cold floor. My body still ached from Lucas’s attack, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the anxiety gnawing at my insides.
“How long does it take to check on someone and come back?” I muttered, glancing at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time. Celeste had left nearly an hour ago to see Kai, promising to return with news of his condition.
Grandma Elena and Grandpa Marcus had departed earlier, insisting they needed to bring me fresh clothes and homemade food rather than the “inedible hospital mush” they claimed would hinder my recovery. Their concern was touching, but right now, all I wanted was information about Kai.
Was he still unconscious? Had he woken up? Did he remember me—remember us—or had the silver wounds and trauma erased even more of his memories?
The wolf Hazel had reassured me several times he was alive, but that wasn’t enough. I stopped by the window, pressing my forehead against the cool glass. The hospital parking lot below offered little distraction—just rows of cars baking in the afternoon sun. Seven floors up, I felt removed from the world, suspended in this limbo of waiting and worrying.
The door opened, and I turned expectantly, hoping to see Celeste with news about Kai.
instead, Kai stood in the doorway.
My heart stopped beating for a second and then raced to catch up. He was alive. Awake. Standing.
“Kai,” I whispered, swallowing the sob that caught at the back of my throat.
He looked terrible and wonderful all at once. His face was pale, dark circles shadowing his eyes. The hospital gown hung loosely on his frame, revealing bandages wrapped around his torso where Lucas had wounded him. His hair was disheveled, and several days’ worth of stubble darkened his jaw.
But his eyes—those piercing amber eyes I’d fallen in love with—were clear and alert. And they were fixed on me with an intensity that made me catch my breath.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, his voice hoarse from disuse.
Not exactly the romantic reunion I’d imagined. But then, nothing about our relationship had ever been conventional.
“I live here now,” I joked weakly, gesturing to the hospital room. “At least until they discharge me. Which room are you in? Celeste went to find you, but she hasn’t come back yet p>
“Three doors down,” he replied, still standing in the doorway as if uncertain whether to enter or flee. “Celeste did come, I don’t know why she isn’t back yet but I’m. happy she is not because,” he paused. “I… I needed to see you p>
Tears gathered in my eyes. “I’m so glad you’re fine. That’s enough for me p>
Something flickered across his face—pain? Regret? “I remember everything now p>
I took a step toward him, then another. My legs still felt weak, but the desire to touch him, to feel his solid presence after days of separation, was overwhelming.
“Careful,” he cautioned, finally stepping into the room and closing the door behind him. “You’re still healing p>
“So are you,” I countered, continuing my approach. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? How did you even get past the nurses p>
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Alpha privileges. They’re not going to restrain me against my will p>
When I was just an arm’s length away, I stopped, suddenly uncertain. The last time we’d been together, he’d collapsed after fighting Lucas. Before that, our interactions had been strained by his memory loss and unexplained mood shifts.
“Can I I gestured vaguely between us, asking permission without words.
His jaw tightened, a muscle twitching beneath the stubble. “It’s not safe p>
“What isn’t p>
“Me.” The word was heavy with meaning I couldn’t fully understand.. “I’m not… I shouldn’t be here, Lily. But I had to see you. To make sure you’re alright. I did ask Celeste to explain everything to you, why I cannot be with you right now but I feel like it’s better you hear it from me p>
“I’m fine,” I assured him, confused by his behavior. “Thanks to you. You saved me from Lucas p>
“And nearly got you killed in the process,” he said bitterly. “If I had found you sooner, if I hadn’t been so weak p>
“Stop that,” I interrupted. “None of this was your fault. Lucas was obsessed. He would have found a way to take me no matter what p>
Kai’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “And now he’ll never hurt you again. I promise. I’ll keep you save, I won’t ever let you out of my sight p>
The cold certainty in his voice reminded me of the first time I had met, Kai. This was the man I had fallen in love with. Someone who for the first time, his words matched his actions. Despite the absurdity of him never letting me out of his sight owing to the fact that we were in different room, I couldn’t help but smile.
As for Lucas, he was still missing but I couldn’t help the uneasy feeling in my stomach whenever I thought of him. I felt like I couldn’t relax yet until I was sure of where he was exactly.
“I’ve been so worried about you,” I admitted, changing the subject. “The doctors, your mom, Celeste, wouldn’t tell me much, just that you were stable but unconscious. I tried to reach you through our wolves, but it isn’t enough. When all of these is over, we should mark ourselves. I’ve never wanted a mate bond like the way I have for the past few weeks p>
His expression softened. “Hud felt your wolf too. Even in the darkness, I could feel you calling me back p>
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek against his chest until I could hear his heartbeat.
For one perfect moment, he remained still, allowing the contact. Then, his entire body went rigid, and he gripped my shoulders, pushing me gently but firmly away.
“I can’t,” he said, his voice strained. “It’s not safe p>