?Chapter 123:

This is reallying from Ace? I could hardly believe it.

His words made me flinch. Says Ace, the one who always threw away every form of reasoning into the gutter when it came to Jasmine.

“Don’t bring up that bullshit. She’s my mate. Thest time I checked, you scared her shitless. So thank you, no thank you.”

Ace hesitated for a few seconds, but his tone remained firm. “I get that, Ryder. But you have responsibilities. The pack needs you.”

I stood, my movements deliberate, and stepped closer to Ace. “The pack will survive. Jasmine might not.” A sense of dread settled within me as I muttered those words.

Ace’s eyes shed, but he knew better than to push me further. “Fine. But you need to delegate, Ryder. Let others help.”

I nodded, though my mind was already elsewhere. Back with Jasmine. As Ace left, Dr. Lee returned with a gentle smile. “I’ll stay with Jasmine for a bit. Why don’t you grab some rest?”

I hesitated, then nodded. But instead of leaving, I settled back into the armchair, Jasmine’s hand cradled in mine.

“Come back to me, Jasmine,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Please.”

Ace was right, not that I’d outrightly admit it. Kade had been doing the bulk of my work. Pack duty was thest thing I wanted to get involved in. I’d left him temporarily in control, yet I’d instructed him not to fill me in on any of it. I couldn’t bear to hear the words, to face the reality. But now, as I gazed at her serene face, something shifted within me. My head lowered, and I pressed a light kiss on her forehead, my lips barely grazing her cool skin.

“I’m so sorry, baby vixen,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I failed to keep you safe.”

As I drew back, I could’ve sworn I saw her eyelids twitch. My eyes widened, and I stared hard. I wanted to call for Dr. Lee immediately, but I didn’t want to raise any false hopes within myself. Was I seeing things? Was my mind ying tricks on me, desperate for a sign of life?

Possibly.

But then, she blinked again. And no, I wasn’t imagining it.

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A cool calm washed over me, followed by an overwhelming urge to scream. Not in despair, but in relief. I wanted to shout from the rooftops, to bellow with joy.

And then, like a miracle, her eyelids fluttered open.

My breath caught in my throat. Time stood still.

Jasmine’s gaze locked onto mine, empty and cloudy at first, before it transformed into something warm. Her pupils constricted, and a faint smile curled her lips.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Literally, I couldn’t believe I was staring into hers. It felt like a dream, but luckily for me, it was a happy one. By the moon goddess, she was alive! She’d survived death’s grip ande back to me. My heart swelled with intense emotions that made me grin like a schoolboy, and I didn’t care. Hell, I could break into a happy dance and still not care… okay, maybe I wouldn’t.

I weed the quietness in the room. As long as her heart was beating and she could see me, I didn’t mind. There was hope for more. Damn it! I wanted to pull her into a tight hug, squeeze her, never let her go. But I held back, my gaze locking onto hers. She was still weak, fragile, and recovering. I couldn’t risk hurting her.

My handsnded over hers, warm and gentle. Her fingers felt delicate and cool beneath mine, almost ethereal as I stroked them. I stared into her eyes, searching for any sign of difort or pain, but she was okay. The color had returned to her lips.

The silence between us was empty, yetforting. No words were needed. Just her presence, her being alive, was enough.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. We were alive, together, and that was all that counted.

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