Vanya's POVMy head thudded like a bass drum, the pounding, relentless and unforgiving. As I slowly regained consciousness, the world around me swam into focus, harsh white lights above my head distorted my visuals and the antiseptic scent of a hospital assaulted my senses. For a moment, everything was blur, the edges of fraying as I tried to anchor myself to the present. My body felt heavy, my mind clouded, as if I had been underwater for too long and had finally surfaced, gasping for air“Vanya, thank God you're awake!” Marco's voice broke through the haze I was in, his tone tinged with a mix of relief and anxiety I turned my head slowly as if to avoid it falling off, my eyes locking onto Marco's worried face. He was seated next to my bed, his expression a cocktail of concern and exhaustion.“What… what happened?” My voice was raspy, barely more than a whisper.“You passed out” Marco explained, leaning forward in his chair, his hands gripping the edge of the bed. “You've been under
Vanya's POV Dr Ryker shook his head. “It's not that simple. Your condition is more serious than just needing a few days off. Your wolf is weak, Miss Jacobs. You haven't shifted in a long time and it's affecting your health. If you don't start reconnecting with that part of yourself, you're going to get worse” My stomach twisted at the mention of my wolf. The memories of my time as Luna of the Dragon Claw pack came rushing back—memories I had tried so hard to bury. “I don't want to shift” I said firmly “I've lived fine without it.” The doctor's expression turned grave. “You can't continue like this. You're not human, Miss Jacobs and you can't live like one. Ignoring your wolf is only going to make things worse. If you keep this up, it could eventually kill you” The words hit me like a physical blow, but I refused to show weakness. “I'll be fine” I repeated, more for my own benefit than his. Dr. Ryker sighed, clearly sensing that he wasn't getting through to me. “I'm going to r
Vanya's POV My head throbbed, a dull ache that pounded against my temples as the door to the hospital room creaked open a little then closed again. The scent that still wafted in was unmistakable—Cian. My pulse quickened as he turned back again to face me, but I remained outwardly calm, narrowing my eyes back to the man who had now refused to leave my room. Cian stood here, tall and imposing. He now wore an expression of barely contained anger, the kind I knew all too well. “It seems you're still less than pleased to see me” he remarked, his voice cold, yet with an underlying tension that made my fists clenched under the sheets. “That's an understatement” I snapped, barely able to restrain myself from launching into a full-blown tirade. I didn't have the energy to pretend around him anymore. “What the hell do you want again Cian?” “There's something I think you should know and this is just so you know I'm not joking” he said with a mischievous smile, my insides twisting at
Vanya's POV“No” I replied, my grip tightening on the scalpel. “You don't get to control me anymore Cian. Not now, not ever”“Damn it, Vanya” Cian growled, his temper finally breaking through. He reached out to grab my wrist but I was quicker, slashing the scalpel across his forearm. Blood welled up from the cut and Cian hissed in pain, but his grip on my wrist only tightened.Before I could react, the door burst open and several nurses and doctors rushed in. They pulled my struggling form away from Cian, restraining me as I fought against them.“Let me go!” I screamed, thrashing against their hold. But they were too strong and within seconds, a needle was pressed into my arm, the tranquilizer spreading through my veins like a virus.The last thing I saw before darkness overtook me was Cian, his golden eyes burning with a mix of anger and something else I couldn't quite place.***When I woke again, the room was dark and I was alone. My body felt heavy, the effects of the tranquilizer
Cian's POV I paced the length of my office, my mind consumed by Vanya's recent actions. The image of her, wild-eyed and brandishing a scalpel, haunted me. I couldn't fathom how the gentle, submissive woman I had once known could transform into someone so defiant, so violent. It was as if she had become a different person entirely, and it infuriated me. I had tried everything to get through to her, to bring her back under my control. The flowers I sent to her hospital room were supposed to be a gesture of goodwill, a reminder of the affection I once showed her. But every bouquet was returned, rejected without a word of thanks. The more she pushed me away, the more determined I became to have her back.I had always prided myself on my ability to control every aspect of my life, including the people in it. Vanya was no exception. She had been mine, once, and I would make sure she was mine again. I visited the hospital regularly, ignoring the fact that she never wanted to see me. Her
Cian's POV"Get out" I said coldly, my voice devoid of any emotion. Josephine looked up at me, confusion and pain written across her face."Cian, I...”"Get. Out." I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument. I didn't want to see her, neither did I want to be reminded of my failure.Josephine scrambled to her feet, clutching the remnants of her torn clothes around her. She cast one last, desperate look at me before fleeing the room, her sobs echoing down the hallway.I collapsed back onto the couch, running a hand through my hair. My mind was a mess of conflicting emotions-- rage, frustration, and something darker, something I didn't want to acknowledge. I had hurt Josephine, yes, but the person I truly wanted to hurt was Vanya. I wanted her to feel the pain, to understand that she couldn't just walk away from me.But she was gone, out of my reach for now. The thought gnawed at him, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. I closed my eyes, trying to banish the image of Josephine's t
Vanya's POV:I stepped through the front door of the house, exhaustion weight heavily on my shoulders. The familiar scent of the place—lavender and freshly baked bread—welcomed me, but it did little to soothe the turmoil churning inside me. I barely had time to drop my bag before Marco and Emilia appeared in the hallway, their expressions a mix of concern and frustration.“Vanya” Marco started, his voice stern but tinged with worry. “What were you thinking? Leaving the hospital like that?”Emilia folded her arms, her gaze sharp. “You should be resting, not running around like everything's fine. The doctor was very clear about what you needed”I sighed, leaning against the wall. “I couldn't stay there, Marco. Not with everything that was happening. I needed to be home, with you both and with the kids”“You needed care” Emilia cut in, her time brokering no argument “you collapsed, Vanya. This isn't something you can just brush off”“I'm fine now” I insisted, though I knew it wasn't enti
Vanya's POVWhen I arrived at the office, I was surprised to see David waiting outside. He leaned against the wall, his gaze sharp as he watched me approach."David" I greeted him with a nod, trying to mask my irritation. "What are you doing here?"He straightened up, giving me a curt smile. "Just checking in on you, Vanya."My eyes narrowed. I knew better than to believe that. David was Cian's right-hand man, his loyal enforcer. If he was here, it was because Cian had sent him."I don't need checking in on,” I replied coldly. "'m fine.”David's smile didn't waver. "Of course. Just doing my job." I resisted the urge to snap at him, instead pushing past him and into the building.Tara and the rest of my staff greeted me with warm smiles, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax. But the feeling was fleeting. Every time I turned around, I felt David's eyes on me, watching my every move.By the time evening came, I was exhausted. Tara suggested a team dinner to lift everyone's