Chapter 43

Claire’s POV

Peaceful.

I felt peaceful. It was the first thing I felt in the morning after I opened my eyes again. I felt fragile, tiny warmth against my both sides. For a bit I thought I was dreaming again. The silence was peaceful but it stopped by the breathing of my two sleeping children.

I slightly shifted making sure no one is woken from their slumber. I looked at Leo whose head was tucked into crook of my arm, his hair brushed against my shoulder. On the other side Nova’s small body clung onto me as if as was afraid I would disappear.

A lump rose in my throat.

How long had I been asleep? I wondered how long they had waited for me like this, curled on my both sides like anchors desperate to not let me go?

I raised a trembling hand, brushing my fingers over Leo’s hair. His body moved slowly, he rubbed his eyes gently and blinked slowly, eyelashes fluttered, he saw me and his eyes widened in surprise. For a moment he just stared at me and rubbed his eyes again to make sure what he was seeing was real.

Then he whispered, still in shock.

“Miss Warrior?” His voice broke with emotions.

I felt tears were ready to pour out but I kept smiling. “Yes, Leo. I’m here.”

It was as if the whole world split open in that single second. His breath hitched and his small hands held my arm as if to test if it was real or dreams but then he hugged me happily. “You’re awake! You’re really awake!” His little body shook as he started laughing and crying at the same time.

Leo's voice made Nove wake up. She slowly got up and blinked trying to get the sleep out of her eyes, she looked at Leo confused. But then she understood what he was saying, then she looked at me she looked at me with wide eyes like her world stopped.

Her lips parted, her face went pale, and then she simply froze. I gently reached out and caressed her cheek. “Nova.”

That was all it took.

She let all the control of her emotions go. She let out a cry which was a mix of happiness and relief. Tears spilled freely down her cheeks as she pressed herself against me, clutching at my gown with desperate little fists.

“You finally came back,” She said with happy tears, her voice breaking. “I knew you would. I knew you wouldn’t leave us.”

The dam of emotions was cracking inside me.

I pulled them both into my arms, hugging them tightly, burying my face into their warmth. Their smell was comforting and familiar which made all the fear in my mind disappear.

“I promised you, didn’t I?” My voice was full of determination and affection for my children. “I’ll always come back.”

Leo sobbed softly against my chest as he held onto me with all his might. “I thought you were gone… I thought you’d leave us too.”

My heart broke cleanly in two. I kissed the top of his head, then Nova’s, holding them tighter. “No, little warriors. I’m here. I’m not leaving you.”

We stayed like that for a long while. Their little arms were still wrapped around me, their tears damped shoulders, their tiny hearts beating. The world outside the hospital room seemed to fade away, leaving only the three of us tangled together in love and relief.

After a long time, I felt content, they both were with me in my arms. Not just enduring and breathing but safe and alive.

The door opened softly with a creak.

At first I didn't look up. I was too absorbed in the children’s embrace, in the way Leo’s hand clutched at mine and Nova pressed her cheek to my shoulder. But then I smelled his scent.

A strong presence entered the room. It was heavy and unmistakable. I didn't need to look at him to know who he was.

My breath hitched. My heart beats increased. It was beating faster and louder as if it would come out of my chest any moment.

Gideon.

I took a deep breath and looked at the direction in which he stood. And there he was.

He just stood by the doorway, His shoulders were stiff, he stared at me intensely and with ferocity that almost made me breathless. His usually strong expression was no longer there, I saw his unfiltered raw emotions which was hard for me to name. Relief. Pain. Awe.

His intense stare made me stay still.

For a few seconds we both stayed silent. Even my children stayed silent not wanting to break the moment.

He started to walk towards me. A single step forward.

I kept looking at his movements as I felt my ground shifting beneath me.

He kept on looking at me, his gaze never faltered as if all he could do was look at me. The intensity of it made my skin prickle, made the air between us thrum with tension so thick I could barely breathe.

I gulped as I felt my cheeks flushed. Something inside me, something instinctual and deep urged me to keep looking into his eyes, even my wolf stirred curiously yet restlessly as I held his gaze, as if our eyes will bridge the distance between us.

My fear and nervousness gripped me.

Fear of what it meant. Fear of what he might see if I let him in. Fear of the mark on my wrist, the power surging newly alive inside me, the secrets I couldn’t yet share.

So I looked away not wanting to stare anymore.

I gently looked at Nova and softly brushed back her hair, pretending to fix her dress and hair to hide my nervousness.

The disappointment in Gideon’s gaze was unbearable to see. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to meet his eyes again. Not now. Not with the children watching. Not until the danger in the shadows is gone.

But even though I looked away I could still feel his gaze.

I felt his presence very close to me, overwhelming and steady, like the warmth of fire too close to ignore. His every breath reminded me that he was watching and his gaze was protective.

The children were innocently unaware of the tension in the air. A giggle of joy escaped from Nova’s mouth, she was very happy and gently tugged my sleeve “Mommy, you scared us badly,” she said while pouting she continued to wipe tears from her eyes. My heart ached knowing how much I scared them.

“I am sorry my little moon.” I whispered softly and kissed her forehead. “I didn’t mean to.”

Leo wiped his nose and sniffled but now he was smiling. “But you came back. That’s the only thing that matters.”

“Yes, you are right,” I said gently, hugging them closer to me. “That's the only thing that matters.”

My words were for my children but in my mind I knew those words were for Gideon too.

The children were finally settled, their small bodies cuddled against me safely. I looked out the window. The morning light entered the room, it was warm, soft and golden, washing everything with its light.

The light felt like a new beginning.

But me and my wolf also knew it was the beginning of the new challenges.

I held onto my children tighter and protectively as I listened to their breathing to sooth myself. I would protect them with everything I had. I would find the truth. I will make sure to hunt down the shadows of my past before they hunt first.

I sighed softly as I felt Gideon’s stare on me again like he was protecting me silently. And in my mind I knew I felt safer knowing he was here with me..with us.

Even if I couldn’t face him yet.