Kai's POVI had never been as scared as I was when Lily collapsed in my arms. The way her body went limp, her face pale and void of color—it made my heart race, panic twisting in my chest. She had been fine just moments ago. She had been laughing and smiling, her usual self, and now she was lying there, barely breathing. And then the blood. So much blood. My mind couldn't make sense of it. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?I watched helplessly as the doctor rushed into the room, moving quickly but calmly. He didn’t say much at first, just assessed the situation. The tension in the air was suffocating. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, fighting the urge to run to Lily’s side, but I knew the doctor needed to work, and I needed to let him.The doctor turned to me then, his voice gentle but firm. "I need you to step out for a moment, Mr. Kai. I need to stop the bleeding."I froze. I didn’t want to leave her. Every part of me screamed to stay with her, to hold her hand a
Kai’s POV Wolfsbane. The very word sent a chill down my spine. It was a deadly poison for werewolves, and the fact that she had been exposed to it... it didn’t make sense. How had she gotten exposed to something so dangerous, especially with the strict rules we had about it in the pack? It was forbidden. No one should have access to it. "How?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, a sense of dread creeping over me. "How did she get exposed to it?" The doctor shook his head, his brow furrowed. "I don’t know, Kai. But we need to keep an eye on her. The poison affects werewolves in different ways, and she’s already under a lot of stress from the pregnancy. It could complicate things further." I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to keep my emotions in check. The idea that someone had exposed Lily to Wolfsbane made my blood boil. Whoever did this was playing a dangerous game. But there were bigger things to worry about for now. "I’ll make sure she’s taken care of," I said
Lily's PovI woke up to the warm sunlight streaming in through the large windows of my room. It felt strange, like I had been asleep for days. My head felt heavy, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure where I was. Slowly, memories of last night started to come back—the pain, the panic, the shouting for a doctor. My heart clenched, and I did the first thing that came to mind—I placed my hand gently on my belly. My fingers trembled as I did so, and I whispered a silent prayer. Please let my baby be okay.I lay there, waiting for a sign, any sign, that everything was fine. But nothing happened. No movement, no reassuring kick. Just the quiet hum of the room around me. My chest tightened with worry. I blinked back tears, trying to push away the horrible thoughts creeping into my mind.I glanced around the room, realizing I was alone. It was quiet, too quiet. No one had bothered to stay with me. The emptiness of the room made the emptiness in my heart feel even heavier. I couldn’t help but feel
I shook my head, trying to focus. The important thing was that my baby was okay. “Thank you,” I said quietly.The doctor gave me another reassuring smile and began to check me over thoroughly. He pressed gently on my belly, listened to my heartbeat, and asked me a few questions about how I was feeling. Once he was satisfied, he packed up his things and stood.“Remember, Lily, rest is your priority right now. No stress, no unnecessary exertion,” he said, giving me a firm but kind look. “I’ll be back later to check on you again.”I nodded. “Thank you, Doctor,” I said softly, watching as he left the room.The moment the door clicked shut, Meredith let out a frustrated sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t get it,” she said, pacing the room. “How could you have been exposed to Wolfsbane? It’s banned in every pack. No one should have access to it, let alone bring it here.”I shook my head, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of it. “I don’t know,” I said, my voice barely abo
The door opened, and to my surprise, Rhys walked in. He looked unusually serious, his usual playful smirk nowhere to be seen. Before I could greet him, he crossed the room in a few strides and wrapped me in a tight hug.“You scared the hell out of me, Lily,” he murmured against my hair. “Don’t ever do that again.”I froze for a second before slowly hugging him back. “I...I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone.”He pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands resting on my shoulders. “You had everyone panicking, especially Kai. He was a mess last night. You’re lucky the doctor was here when it happened.”I blinked in surprise. “Kai...was worried about me?”Rhys raised an eyebrow. “Of course he was. You’re carrying his kid, Lily. And whether you realize it or not, he cares about you.”I looked away, shaking my head. “He cares about the baby. That’s it.”Rhys sighed, his grip on my shoulders tightening
I couldn’t help but laugh softly at the thought. “A baby with a permanent scowl? That’s adorable and terrifying at the same time.”Mer laughed along with me. “Right? Imagine Kai trying to calm a crying baby with that brooding look of his. I don’t think it’d work.”I shook my head, still smiling. “Well, let’s just hope the baby doesn’t inherit his temper.”She gasped dramatically, pretending to be offended. “What are you saying? Kai’s temper is legendary! Maybe your baby could use a little of that fiery spirit.”I chuckled, feeling lighter than I had in days. The way Mer joked and kept the conversation going made me forget, even if just for a while, about the fear and uncertainty lingering in the back of my mind.After finishing most of the food, I leaned back against the pillows. Mer handed me a small cup with vitamins the doctor had left behind. “Here,” she said, “Doctor’s orders. You’ve gotta take these.”I took the pills and s
The rest of the day dragged on, a blur of quiet emptiness and the constant ticking of the clock on the wall. I was stuck in a loop—waking up, eating, and then going back to sleep. I didn’t feel like myself, and every passing minute only seemed to deepen the ache inside. I wanted to feel something—anything—but I couldn’t. Every thought seemed clouded by the events that had led me here, and nothing could distract me from that constant pull of sadness. Meredith stayed by my side, faithfully bringing my meals and keeping me company, but no matter how much she tried to cheer me up, her efforts felt hollow. She would tell me funny stories, make jokes, and do everything in her power to lift my spirits, but nothing seemed to make a difference. I smiled when I could, laughed when I needed to, but deep down, I felt so incredibly alone. She noticed the change in me, I could tell. Her eyes would sometimes linger on me with concern, but she said nothing, giving me the space I needed while still
Zara stood a few feet away, arms crossed over her chest. She didn’t look like her usual perfect self. Her long, sleek hair was slightly messy, and faint dark circles shadowed her eyes. She looked... exhausted. Her usual confident posture was gone, replaced with an air of vulnerability. For the first time, she actually seemed human.I guessed the poisoning had really taken a toll on her.Her sharp gaze landed on me before flickering to Meredith. “Can I talk to her alone?” she asked, her voice softer than usual.Meredith immediately stiffened beside me, her grip tightening slightly on my arm. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, her tone firm.I placed a hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Mer. I’ll be fine.”Meredith hesitated, clearly torn. I could see the protectiveness in her eyes, but after a long moment, she sighed and nodded. “I’ll be right around the corner if you need me,” she muttered, giving me o
For a moment, I let myself just exist—no worries, no stress, no overwhelming thoughts—just the soft rustling of leaves from the potted plants by the window and the faint hum of the radio playing a soothing melody in the background. The shop was like a little haven, filled with vibrant colors and the earthy, floral scent that wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.I glanced around, my eyes drawn to the different flower arrangements that Elliot had set on the counter. Each bouquet seemed to tell a story—the elegant roses paired with delicate baby’s breath, the wild assortment of sunflowers mixed with daisies, and a more subtle blend of lavender and white lilies. I reached out to trace the petals of a daisy, my fingertip brushing the soft, velvety texture. The simple beauty of it made my heart feel lighter, even just a bit.I couldn’t help but let my mind wander, thinking of how I usually played it safe, always trying to make the right decisions. Maybe it was time to do something a
I looked down at the lily in my hand, turning it gently between my fingers. The petals felt so soft, almost like silk, and the delicate fragrance wrapped around me, calming my frayed nerves. I couldn’t help but smile a little. It was such a small, simple thing, but it made me feel a bit lighter, almost like I could breathe easier. For the first time that day, I felt like I wasn’t drowning in my thoughts.Lost in the softness of the petals, I barely noticed when Elliot moved closer until his warm hand gently covered mine, stilling my fingers. His touch was comforting—steady and gentle. I looked up, meeting his calm, reassuring gaze.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice soothing, like a balm to my wounded heart. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Everything’s going to be alright. I promise. You don’t have to carry it all on your own.”His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest feel a little less tight. I didn’t trust myself to sp
I jumped a little, startled, and turned around quickly. There stood Elliot, holding a single white lily in his hand, his lips curled into a warm, easygoing smile. My heartbeat quickened, but not in the anxious way it did with Kai. Instead, it was a comforting, gentle flutter, almost like a reminder that not everything was as heavy as it seemed. “Oh! I didn’t hear you come up,” I admitted, trying to hide my embarrassment. He chuckled, the sound light and pleasant. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you,” he said, offering me the lily. His fingers brushed mine briefly, and I couldn’t help but notice how soft his touch was. “This one reminded me of you—beautiful and delicate.” My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile as I took the flower from him. “Thank you. It’s really pretty.” Elliot’s curls were a little messy, probably from a busy morning moving flowers around. He looked effortlessly charming in a simple white top that hugged his toned frame just right, paired with s
Pushing open the door, I was immediately greeted by the warm, fragrant scent of flowers. It was almost overwhelming at first, like stepping into a garden that had been bottled up and released all at once. The air was thick with the sweet, earthy smell of roses, the crisp freshness of lilies, and something sugary that I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of spring mornings, where everything felt hopeful and alive.The shop itself was cozy and inviting, with sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. Bouquets of flowers filled nearly every available space, arranged in tall glass vases and wrapped in brown paper tied with twine. The colors were almost too much to take in at once—bright red roses with their velvety petals, soft pastel pink peonies, sunny yellow sunflowers, and delicate white lilies. Even the shelves were decorated with smaller potted plants, succulents, and cacti, their deep green hues providing a nice contrast to the more v
I decided to call Elliot to see if we could meet now. My fingers felt a little shaky as I pulled my phone out and dialed his number. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous—maybe because I hadn’t really made any new friends lately, and he seemed like such a nice guy. I took a deep breath as the phone rang, trying to calm myself down.After a few rings, Elliot picked up. “Hello?” His voice sounded cheerful, and I couldn’t help but feel a little relieved.“Hey, Elliot, it’s me,” I said, trying to sound upbeat. “I was just wondering if we could meet now to check out the flower designs?”“Oh, absolutely!” he replied, sounding genuinely happy to hear from me. “I’ve got the arrangements ready for you to take a look at. Are you free now?”“Yeah, I’m already in town,” I answered. “Just tell me where your flower shop is, and I’ll head over.”“Great! It’s called ‘Bloom & Bliss,’ on Maple Street. You can’t miss it—the sign’s painted bright yellow, and there’s a big display of sunflowers outside,” he exp
Finally, he stepped aside, and I hurried past him, not daring to look back. I needed to get as far away from him as possible before I completely broke down. My chest felt tight, and my eyes stung, but I refused to cry in front of him.As I walked down the path leading away from the house, I forced myself to take deep, calming breaths. The morning air was cool against my skin, and the soft rustling of leaves overhead was almost comforting. I needed this moment of peace, away from the tension and the ache in my chest. I tried to focus on the steady rhythm of my footsteps, one after the other, moving me farther from the mansion and all the confusion that came with it.My thoughts kept drifting back to Kai, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. I couldn’t get the image of him and Zara out of my head. The way he kissed her with so much passion made my heart ache. I bit my lip to stop the tears that threatened to fall. I didn’t want to cry anymore. I was tired of feeling hurt and co
When I got to Kai’s room, I hesitated at the door for a moment. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting—maybe to find him there, waiting to talk, or maybe still asleep. But when I pushed the door open, the room was empty. A strange mix of relief and disappointment washed over me. I let out a small sigh and stepped inside, gently closing the door behind me.The room looked just as I had left it earlier. The bed was still a bit messy, the sheets rumpled from where I had been lying down. The faint scent of Kai lingered in the air—a comforting, familiar smell that made my chest tighten. I didn’t want to think about him right now, but it was hard not to when everything in this room reminded me of him.I walked over to the window, pushing the curtains aside to let the sunlight in. The morning light spilled across the floor, brightening up the space. I glanced out at the view of the garden below, watching the breeze make the flowers sway. It was peaceful—too peaceful compared to the storm of emot
We continued walking along the path, taking our time. The sun was climbing higher in the sky, warming the cool morning air, and the smell of pine and wildflowers filled the breeze. I couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter after talking to Mer, even though the ache in my chest was still there. Just having her by my side made things a little more bearable.The sound of birds singing softly in the trees seemed to match the rhythm of our steps. I noticed how the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground. Mer and I walked in comfortable silence for a while, both of us just soaking in the calm of the morning.Then my phone buzzed, startling me out of my thoughts. I pulled it out of my pocket, glancing at the screen. The name "Elliot" flashed across it, and I hesitated for a second before answering.“Hello?” I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unexpected call.“Hey, Lily! It’s Elliot,” came his cheerful, upbeat voice. I could almost pictur
Lily’s POV But then I had seen him kissing Zara. My heart had shattered right there in his office, and I couldn’t shake the image from my mind. It hurt so much. I felt embarrassed, stupid even, for letting myself hope that Kai might choose me over her.Mer was still looking at me, her eyes full of concern. I bit my lip and shook my head slowly. “It’s nothing,” I whispered, but the crack in my voice gave me away.Mer’s expression softened, and she pulled me into a tight hug, not saying anything. I closed my eyes, leaning into her, grateful for the comfort even if I couldn’t tell her the whole truth.It was too much. I felt like such a fool for thinking Kai could ever put me first. Of course, he still loved Zara. She was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, confident, and most of all, someone Kai had always protected. I was just... there.I couldn’t help the small sob that escaped, and Mer rubbed my back soothingly. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not re