Chapter 162
Aria’s POV
I was still trying to piece together what had just happened when Vanessa’s family arrived at the hospital.
Her mother came first, practically running down the corridor, her face streaked with tears. Behind her was Vanessa’s father, a Beta from Riverside Pack, his expression tight with worry.
The moment Vanessa’s mother saw me standing outside the operating room, she rushed over. “Where is she? Is she—is she going to be okay p>
“The doctors are working on her now,” I said quietly. “She lost a lot of blood, but they’re doing everything they can p>
Her mother’s face crumpled. She pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her eyes swimming with fresh tears. “My baby… my little girl p>
I wanted to say something—anything—to comfort her. But what could I say?
*Your daughter threw herself in front of a knife meant for me, and now I don’t even know if it was real or staged p>
The father stepped forward, his hand settling on his Luna’s shoulder. He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable, before turning his attention back to the operating room doors.
I opened my mouth to offer some kind of reassurance, but neither of them seemed interested in talking to me. They stood together in tense silence, waiting.
I retreated a few steps, giving them space.
Jennifer hovered nearby, her arms wrapped around herself. She looked like she might collapse at any moment.
“You should sit down,” I murmured.
She shook her head. “I’m fine p>
She wasn’t fine. None of us were.
The minutes dragged on. Every time a nurse passed by, Vanessa’s mother would jerk forward, her eyes desperate, only to slump back when they walked past without stopping.
Finally, the operating room doors swung open.
The surgeon stepped out, pulling off his gloves. Vanessa’s mother and father immediately rushed toward him, and I followed close behind.
“She’s stable,” the doctor said, his voice calm and professional.
“The wound was deep, but we were able to repair the artery. She didn’t sustain any nerve damage.
She’ll need to stay for observation, but barring any complications, she should make a full recovery p>
Vanessa’s mother let out a choked sob of relief. Her father closed his eyes briefly, his shoulders sagging.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice rough. “Thank you, doctor p>
The surgeon nodded and moved on to his next case.
A few minutes later, a nurse wheeled Vanessa out on a gurney. She was pale—so pale she almost blended into the white sheets—but her eyes were open. Barely.
They transferred her to a private room, and her mother immediately took up residence at her bedside, clutching her uninjured hand.
“Baby,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You scared me so much. What were you thinking, throwing yourself in front of a knife like that p>
Vanessa’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Couldn’t just… stand there p>
Her father moved closer, his gaze flicking briefly to me before settling back on his daughter. “You’ve always been too reckless for your own good, Vanessa p>
There was something pointed in the way he said it. Like he was implying something without actually saying it.
I shifted uncomfortably.
“Luna Queen,” he said, turning to face me fully.
“You don’t need to blame yourself. Vanessa has always had a soft heart. She can’t stand to see anyone in danger—even if it means putting herself at risk p>
The words were polite. Respectful, even.
But the subtext was clear.
*My daughter nearly died saving you p>
“I know,” I said carefully. “And I’m grateful. Truly. I’ll take care of all her medical expenses, and anything she needs during her recovery p>
“That’s not necessary,” the father said quickly. “The Riverside Pack can handle it. We just want to make sure Vanessa is safe p>
There was a pause. An uncomfortable one.
“Of course,” I said. “I just want to help p>
Before anyone could respond, I heard footsteps in the hallway. Fast. Purposeful.
I turned just in time to see Damian stride through the door.
He was still in his suit from earlier, but his tie was loosened, his coat thrown over one arm.
His hair was slightly disheveled, like he’d been running his hands through it. And his eyes—God, his eyes—were blazing with barely-contained fury.
Rick was right behind him, along with two other guards.
“Alpha King Vanessa’s father started, clearly intending to greet him.
But Damian didn’t even glance his way.
He crossed the room in three long strides and pulled me into his arms.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was low, rough, like he was barely holding himself together.
His hands moved over me—checking my arms, my shoulders, my face—like he needed physical confirmation that I was okay.
“I’m fine,” I whispered. “Damian, I’m fine p>
He didn’t look convinced. His jaw was tight, his eyes scanning me over and over again, like he was searching for injuries I might have hidden.
“I’m okay,” I said again, a little louder this time. I touched his chest lightly, trying to ground him. “Really. Vanessa was the one who got hurt p>
I glanced over at the bed, hoping he’d take the hint.
Vanessa’s mother was watching us with narrowed eyes, her expression somewhere between grief and indignation.
Damian finally seemed to register that we weren’t alone. His gaze shifted to Vanessa, lying pale and fragile against the pillows, and then to her mother and father.
But he didn’t let go of me. If anything, his arm tightened around my waist, pulling me closer.
“Damian,” Vanessa’s mother said sharply. “Vanessa almost died tonight. She saved Luna Queen’s life. And you walk in here and don’t even acknowledge her p>