Knox’s POVI watched the doctors and nurses zoomed around the hospital with renewed energy, it was clear that Melissa’s mere presence and her short lecture had changed the entire atmosphere of the hospital.The staff that used to look like Zombies now worked with more focus, more excitement, as if her presence alone had brought hope back into this place. And maybe it had. After all, That’s what she did for me—she made everything better, just by being here.A part of me couldn’t stop myself from imagining what it would be like if she had stayed, or if she decided to stay. What would my life be like if I could keep her here forever.Without my consent, my mind began to fantasize about a world where Melissa wasn’t just passing through, where she wasactually a part of this pack—a part of my life. But I quickly pushed those thoughts away. That wasn’t going to happen. It couldn’t.She had made it clear that she didn’t want or need me and I had to find a way to be okay with that.But fuck it
Melissa’s POVI tried to focus on the charts in front of me, but my mind kept drifting back home. Back to Knox and the twins.I had sent Knox to watch the boys because I didn’t like the way Susie had been talking about them, i felt like the things she said were veiled threats, and her words lingered in my mind.For the first time in years, I felt a tiny bit of relief knowing Knox was with them. But that relief came with a healthy dose of anxiety too.What if the boys were saying too much to Knox? They were only five, but they were sharp—smarter than I sometimes gave them credit for. What if Knox figured our secret out?The thought of Knox discovering the truth about the twins being his sent a chill down my spine. What would he do? He could take them away from me, and there wouldn’t be a damn thing I could do to stop him. He was an Alpha, and with his influence and power, I’d lose them before I even got home.Painful fear began to build In my chest, making it hard to breathe. I glanced
Knox’s POVI paced back and forth outside Melissa’s door, furious at myself for making her so upset. I could still hear the way her voice had turned sour when she realized I had Sam investigated. Damn it. Why did I have to push her like that?“You upset our mate,” Hector, my wolf, growled in my mind, his voice thick with bitter disapproval.“I didn’t mean to,” I muttered under my breath, trying to justify myself but it sounded useles to my own ears. “I was just trying to protect her, protect the boys. I needed to know more about Sam—he seemed too good to be true yet with no information about him.”“You didn’t protect her, you made her angry,” Hector snapped back, not giving me an inch to breath. “Now go and make it right.” My wolf growled at me and I knew he was right but I didn’t know what to do.“I don’t even know how to start,” I admitted, frustrated with myself. It wasn’t like I could just walk in and say ‘sorry’ after everything that had happened between us. Melissa was too mad f
Knox’s POVI slid into the driver’s seat, still riding the high of what had just happened with Melissa. As Andrew started the car, my mind couldn’t stop replaying the moment. The way she felt in my arms, how her breath hitched when I pulled her close… How close we had been to kissing.I could almost taste her again, just like all those years ago. Her kisses had always been soft and sweet, with a hint of innocence. She’d been shy at first, hesitant even, but once she got comfortable, she became so eager. I couldn’t help but wonder how much had changed. She wasn’t the same girl I used to know. She was more mature now, more confident—more experienced.The thought sent a thrill through me, making it impossible to shake the fantasy of what could have happened if Andrew hadn’t been standing at the door.I imagined leaning in, closing that small gap between us, finally feeling her lips again after all these years. I could almost see it—her hands sliding up my chest, my fingers tangling in he
Knox’s POVI leaned back in the back seat, trying to shake off the lingering thoughts of Melissa. Andrew’s presence beside me felt heavy, and I knew he was still watching me. I had to say something.“Nothing’s going to happen between us,” I said firmly, breaking the silence.Andrew didn’t say anything for a moment, just kept his gaze fixed on me like he was waiting for more.I glanced at him, repeating myself. “The plan hasn’t changed. She’ll go back home once she cures my son. That’s it.”He raised an eyebrow, doubt clear on his face. “You sure about that?”I clenched my fist a little tighter. “Yeah, I’m sure. She has a fiancé waiting for her. There’s nothing more to it.”Andrew nodded slowly, but then his lips twitched, and he gave me a sideways look. “Right. A fiancé. Waiting for her. Back home.”Jealousy flared inside me, unbidden. That man, Sam… She was his now, wasn’t she? I couldn’t stand the thought, but I forced myself to stay calm.“What?” I snapped, when I couldn’t take And
Melissa’s POVCleaning the boys’ playroom had always been my way of winding down. The repetitive motions—picking up blocks, straightening up toy cars, organizing books—helped me focus on something other than the chaos swirling inside me. But tonight, it wasn’t enough.I couldn’t stop thinking about Knox. About how easily I had fallen into his arms again. After everything he’d done. After he betrayed me and got Susie pregnant. After he banished me from my own home.I scolded myself, shaking my head. I couldn’t let myself be drawn in by him again. He had never really cared about me, only about what I could do for him. And now… now he probably just wanted to use me again.“But he seemed different this time*, my wolf whispered softly. “He’s been through a lot too…”“No,” I snapped back at her, my voice a harsh whisper in the quiet room. “You’re being gullible. He hasn’t changed. He only wants something from me.”My wolf whimpered, but I ignored her. The only thing that mattered now was pr
Melissa’s POVThe moment I rushed into the hospital, the scene that greeted me was pure chaos. The hallways were filled with people—some injured, some panicked, all desperate for help.Doctors and nurses scrambled in every direction, trying to keep up with the sudden influx of patients. The sounds of crying, shouting, and beeping monitors filled the air, making it hard to focus.My heart clenched as I realized how bad the attack had been. So many wounded… so much pain. A part of me couldn’t stop thinking about Knox. Andrew had mentioned he’d been injured.Was he okay? I shook off the panic threatening to rise in my chest and forced myself to focus. There were people who needed help, and I couldn't afford to fall apart now.A nurse rushed up to me, her face pale with worry. "Doctor Melissa, we need you in the Alpha's room!"My breath caught. "Knox? How is he?"She shook her head. "We… we don't know. He won’t let us treat him."Panic shot through me as we made our way to his room. My mi
Melissa’s POVI could still feel the weight of Knox’s arms around me, his strong presence calming the storm of chaos in the hospital. How had I let myself get swept up in that moment? Twice in one night, I’d lost my guard. I was supposed to be stronger than this—smarter than this. It had been so easy to fall into him, to let the past blur with the present. But I couldn’t afford to be that naive girl anymore.Being in Knox's arms had been wonderful—too wonderful. It was like nothing had changed. His scent, his warmth, the way his arms felt around me… My wolf had purred in delight, but the moment the council members arrived, reality hit me like a brick. Knox was still a married alpha. I was still a doctor with a job to do. And I had a fiancé waiting for me back home. No matter how much my wolf longed for the connection we used to share, I had responsibilities now. Responsibilities that didn’t include getting entangled with Knox.At least Knox was fine. His injuries, while severe, had be