Chapter 104

Darren

The pack house looked peaceful from the outside, but the second I stepped through the front door, I knew something was wrong.

The hum of crackling fireplaces and quiet conversations that usually lingered in the air was gone, replaced by the sound of panic. People were shouting somewhere, guards were rushing back and forth, and the very air smelled like disaster.

I barely had time to close the door behind me before my grandmother suddenly appeared at the end of the hall, her face pale and her eyes wide with fear.

“Darren,” she called, striding toward me with urgent steps. “Thank the Goddess you’re back. It’s Aria.”

My stomach dropped, and my grip tightened instinctively around Lucas’s. “What happened?” I asked.

“We found her upstairs,” my grandmother said, her voice trembling. “In Emilia’s old room. She was unconscious when I got to her.”

My hand slipped from Lucas’s without even meaning to. “Take me to her,” I said abruptly.

My grandmother didn’t need to be told twice. Scooping the confused Lucas up into her arms, she spun on her heel and led me swiftly down the hall, weaving between pack members who stepped aside as soon as they saw us coming. No one spoke, but their eyes followed us, making my stomach sink even lower.

My mind raced as we hurried toward the infirmary. Aria had no reason to be in my sister’s old room. I hadn’t taken her there, and as far as I knew, Wendy hadn’t either. Hell, I hadn’t even been up there in years.

Had she been looking for something?

Or worse—had she found something dangerous?

By the time Wendy pushed open the infirmary door, I was already bracing myself for the worst.

Aria lay still on the narrow bed, her face pale against the crisp white pillow. Her wavy brown hair was fanned out around her, strands catching in the soft glow of the lanterns lining the walls. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought she was just sleeping. Peaceful. Dreaming.

But the tight knot in my chest told me otherwise.

I crossed the room in three long strides, sinking into the chair beside her bed without tearing my eyes away from her face. Her breathing was steady, but she didn’t stir when I brushed my fingers against the back of her hand.

My grandmother lingered near the doorway, setting Lucas down. He looked pale and confused, wringing his small hands nervously in front of him. “Is Mommy okay?” he asked, his voice quiet and wavering.

Wendy forced a smile, but it looked hollow. “She’ll be fine, sweetheart. The doctor’s on his way,” she said softly, turning to me. “He’s examining her blood test now, but… there was no sign of injury. No head wound, no bruising. Nothing.”

I glanced up sharply. “Then what the hell happened?”

My grandmother’s mouth pressed itself into a thin line. “I wish I knew, Darren. I found her lying on the floor. She was alone.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“I know.” my grandmother stepped closer, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder, but I hardly felt her comforting presence. “Dr. Edward believes it may have something to do with her white wolf powers. If they activated somehow, her body could have shut down to protect her from something.”

By now, Lucas was sniffling. He shuffled forward and gripped my sleeve, his wide eyes flicking back and forth between me and Aria’s sleeping form. “I’m worried about Mommy,” he whispered.

Somewhere through my haze, I wrapped an arm around him and pulled him close. I think I said something comforting, some little lie to make Lucas feel better, but I couldn’t even hear my own words.

I stared at Aria’s face, trying to imagine what could have possibly triggered a coma like this. She had been safe here, inside the pack house. The guards remaining in the house were trustworthy—I had handpicked them myself with Wendy’s help, ensuring that they were the most competent .

There was no danger that could have harmed her here, so long as she stayed inside the house… right?

But the longer I sat there, the more I doubted it.

Goddess, I was so stupid. If only I hadn’t let my emotions get the best of me, I would have been by Aria’s side. Where I belonged. And she wouldn’t have gotten hurt.

The door creaked open then, and Dr. Edward stepped inside, his white coat brushing against the frame. He carried a small leather case, which he set down at the foot of Aria’s bed before offering me a nod.

“Alpha,” he greeted quietly. “I’ve just completed her exam.”

“And?” My throat felt dry.

Edward exhaled softly, folding his arms across his chest. “There’s no medical reason for her condition. Physically, she’s fine. But she’s in a deep coma. It’s likely something happened to trigger her white wolf abilities, causing her body to react by shutting down.”

“But why? What caused it?” I pressed, feeling more frustrated than ever.

Edward shook his head. “I can’t say for sure. There are no signs of poison, no illness. All I can say is that sometimes, white wolves enter these states as a way to preserve themselves when faced with unforeseen danger. Until she wakes up, we may not know the cause.”

His words didn’t provide even an ounce of comfort. Even if Aria was stable and would certainly wake up, we still didn’t know what—or perhaps who—had caused this.

And until I figured that out, there was nothing that could comfort me. Nothing.

I nodded stiffly, dismissing the doctor with a glance. Edward gathered his things and slipped out of the room without another word, leaving Wendy and me alone again.

The door clicked softly behind him, but I barely registered the sound. My entire focus narrowed to the girl lying in front of me, once so vibrant and lively but now so still, so silent.

My grandmother stepped to my side, kneeling so she was at eye level. “She’s strong, Darren. Don’t forget that,” she whispered, gripping my shoulder.

“I know she is,” I replied curtly. But the weight in my chest didn’t lift.

The thought of losing Aria twisted something sharp and unbearable deep inside me.

For so long, I had held back. Pushed away the parts of me that wanted her closer. I thought it was safer that way—safer for her, safer for Lucas, safer for me.

But now, looking at her pale hand resting limp in mine, I hated myself for it.

I hated that I hadn’t told her what she meant to me. That I hadn’t let myself love her the way I wanted to. If only I had just stayed with her this morning…

My grandmother touched my shoulder briefly before standing. “I’ll give you some time,” she murmured, taking Lucas’s hand and gently leading him away. “Call me if you need anything.”

I didn’t respond or look up. I barely even heard her leave the room through the blood rushing in my ears.

That day, I stayed by Aria’s side, never once letting go of her hand.

And I didn’t let go of her for a long, long time.