Chapter 5

Iris Bennett's POV

If I kept pushing back, things would only get worse. Better to find a solution that would make this bearable for all of us.

Zoe turned to look at Adrian.

"She's being completely unreasonable." Adrian's voice dripped with anger.

"Silvermoon Pack! That hospital was torn apart by rogue wolves years ago! There's nothing left but a tiny clinic! They barely have any real doctors!"

"She's hurt. We don't have much choice." Zoe's voice was soft, soothing. "We have to consider what the patient needs emotionally. I'll take care of her. Even if that hospital can't treat her properly, I know enough about herbal remedies to help."

Their voices grew more distant. My consciousness was slipping away. I let myself sink back against the seat and closed my eyes.

Zoe was the kindest girl I'd ever met. Beautiful, refined, and genuinely good-hearted. She hadn't just saved Adrian back then—she'd found me unconscious in those woods too.

In a way, she'd saved my life as well.

If I were Adrian, I'd fall in love with her too. I'd give her everything I had. I'd hand her my entire pack like a gift.

I understood the situation. It was just... there was one small complication now.

I placed my hand over my stomach.

I wanted to beg the Moon Goddess for forgiveness. But what was done was done. Prayer wouldn't change anything now.

According to the doctor, this baby had only existed for a few weeks. He was far too small to sense anything about this world yet.

That was a good thing. At least he wouldn't know how dire our situation was.

I'm sorry, sweetheart. I can't give you everyone's blessing. But I will never abandon you. Even if we end up wandering alone with nothing, I'll protect you with my life.

"We're here." Adrian turned to look at me. I could barely make out his expression anymore, but I could still feel his anger radiating off him in waves.

"I brought you here like you wanted. So you'll actually let them examine you, right?"

"Yes. I will." I nodded.

Zoe helped me out of the car. Her movements were impossibly gentle. Leaning against her shoulder, I could smell the faint scent of rose perfume on her skin.

She was kind. Talented. Compared to her, I was nothing.

And beyond all that, she'd saved Adrian's life. If I were him, I'd fall in love with her too.

"It's just checking your wounds. I don't understand what you're so afraid of." Adrian stood behind me, arms crossed, watching with cold detachment.

"Wouldn't my pack's doctors have been better?"

He already saw me as nothing more than a troublesome little girl. I didn't want to make things worse. But I couldn't let some stranger examine me and discover I was pregnant either.

Adrian's mother had been an exceptional healer. Many renowned healers were her friends. I was terrified one of them might let it slip to her. If she found out I was pregnant, she'd never let me leave.

"Don't worry, ma'am. This won't take long." A woman with red hair and a surgical mask walked into the exam room. My eyes went wide.

Amelia?

What is she doing here?

I barely managed not to gasp out loud.

She was my best friend. But I hadn't told her about the pregnancy yet.

We'd grown up together in Silvermoon Pack. I knew exactly how skilled she was. With her abilities, she could have been chief physician to any Alpha. But she'd chosen to come back here instead.

Not that I had any room to judge. Just like I'd chosen Adrian, we'd both made our decisions without regret.

The moment Amelia saw Adrian, she slipped into professional mode with actor-level precision. She turned and greeted him with a polite smile.

I lay down obediently and let her unwrap the bandages.

The wound was still seeping blood. I turned my head away, trying not to look at it.

"Try to relax. Hospitals aren't that scary. Take a deep breath—it'll help you stay calm." Amelia noticed my distress. She kept talking as she worked on my wound, her voice steady and reassuring.

"No, I just..." My heart was racing out of control.

I tried to distract myself. Silvermoon Pack was still recovering, but this hospital was in better shape than the last time I'd been here. Why was that again? Something about the Alpha suddenly providing funding?

"All done." Amelia's voice was muffled behind her mask.

"The wound's been cleaned and dressed. But considering this was from rogue wolves, you might still need—"

"I don't want medication. No injections either. And if possible, no X-rays." My tone was firm.

Amelia paused for a few seconds. Finally, she just nodded.

"How is she?" Adrian looked up at me. I opened my eyes to show him I'd heard.

"It's not too complicated. She didn't damage any internal organs, but there's no guarantee those wolves weren't carrying rabies." Amelia's expression was troubled.

"Given that the patient is refusing further testing, this is all I can do for now."

"That's fine. It's just surface wounds. Really." I added quickly.

"Having your mate nearby will help your body heal faster." She stood up with her stethoscope in hand. I didn't want her to leave. That would mean I'd be alone with Adrian.

I pressed my hand against the fresh bandages and forced myself to sit up straighter, looking at Adrian.

"Is this really who you are?" Adrian walked over and lowered his voice.

"I know I can't compare to Zoe." The moment I realized I'd said that out loud, I clapped my hand over my mouth. But it was too late.

Why did I just say that?

Adrian stared at me with an expression I couldn't read—something complicated and unreadable.

"Yeah. If it were her, she'd never make things this difficult." After saying that, he still leaned down to look at me. His tone was sharp with anger, but I was too exhausted to care about his mood anymore.

"How did you get hurt this badly?"

Maybe it was my imagination, but his voice seemed slightly softer than before.

Or maybe it was just because Zoe was standing in the doorway, watching him with that calm, gentle smile she always wore.

"Carelessness." I answered offhandedly and closed my eyes again. I was so tired. I didn't want to talk to him anymore.

"Is that so?" He let out a quiet laugh and leaned even closer, his face hovering just inches from mine—close enough to kiss my forehead. I forced my eyes open and met his gaze.

"Either way, you should tell me the truth. Are you planning to keep this up forever?" His voice dropped to a whisper.