Sophia’s POV

The next morning, the first thing I became aware of was warmth.

For a few seconds, I remained half asleep.

I felt a strong arm wrapped around my waist.

My eyes flew open.

I realized I was lying against his chest.

His arm was wrapped tightly around me like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go. Even in sleep, his grip remained possessive and protective.

My wolf stirred inside me “He stayed”.

Slowly, I lifted my head and looked at him.

The morning sunlight shone golden light across his face. He looked exhausted. There were dark circles under his eyes.

For a moment, guilt stabbed through me.

He had donated blood yesterday. He had stayed awake most of the night.

And somehow, despite everything, he had still ended up holding me while I slept.

I carefully tried to move away. The moment I shifted, his arm tightened.

My heart skipped.

"Zade," I whispered.

He didn’t wake up. His face softened in sleep.

My wolf whimpered “He loves us”.

I clenched my jaw.

I wasn’t ready for thoughts like that.

Carefully, I lifted his arm and slid away from him. This time he only frowned slightly before settling back into sleep.

I sat up slowly. My body still felt weak from the recent illness.

I glanced back one last time. Zade looked completely vulnerable while sleeping.

I slowly got out of bed. My legs felt slightly shaky.

After fixing my hair and washing my face, I quietly stepped out of the room.

The hallway was nearly empty. Nurses walked back and forth. Doctors discussed patients.

I froze. Someone was sitting on a bench across the corridor.

Lance.

My eyes widened. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. His tie was loose. Most shocking of all, he looked exhausted.

The moment he saw me, he stood.

A small smile appeared on his face.

"You’re awake." He said.

I stared at him "Lance..."

His smile widened "Good morning."

My chest suddenly tightened.

"Have you been here all night?" I asked.

His expression turned awkward. That alone gave me my answer.

"Oh my God." I whispered.

I felt horrible.

"Lance, you didn’t go home?"

He rubbed the back of his neck "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

I could barely speak. The guilt hit me hard. He had already been working nonstop. He had surgeries and research projects. Yet somehow he had spent the entire night sitting outside my hospital room.

My wolf lowered her head sadly.

I swallowed hard "Lance..."

"Don’t look at me like that."

"You should’ve gone home."

"And leave you here? I couldn’t."

My throat tightened. For a moment neither of us spoke.

I noticed something. Lance looked pale.....very pale. His eyes were bloodshot. His movements seemed slower than normal.

I felt concerned.

"Lance, are you okay?" I asked.

He smiled "I’m fine."

"No, you’re not."

He laughed softly "I promise-"

Before he could finish speaking, his body suddenly swayed.

My eyes widened in shock "Lance!"

Everything happened in seconds. His knees buckled and he leaned forward.

Quickly, I rushed toward him. I barely managed to catch him before he hit the floor. His weight crashed into me. The force nearly knocked me down.

Everyone in the hallway gasped. Several nurses immediately rushed over.

"Lance!" I screamed. My voice shook.

His eyes remained closed.

"Call a doctor!" I screamed.

I was so scared. Panic gripped me hard.

Nurses immediately moved into action. One nurse checked his pulse. Another brought a wheelchair.

The entire corridor suddenly became chaotic.

My hands trembled as I held onto him.

"Lance, wake up." I said.

Within moments they placed Lance in a wheelchair and rushed him to the emergency unit. I rushed after them.

I felt guilty. My heart remained unsettled.

He had collapsed because he stayed here....because of me.

The guilt was overwhelming.

We reached the examination area. Doctors immediately began checking him.

I stood nearby watching. Minutes passed.

Finally, a doctor approached.

"Exhaustion." The doctor explained to me “Extreme exhaustion and dehydration”

I released a breath "He’ll be fine after rest."

Thank the goddess it wasn’t something worse.

I turned back toward Lance. I moved to his bed and held his hand.

Lance opened his eyes and smiled at me.

“Sophia” he whispered.

“Hey”

Another voice suddenly echoed through the hallway.

"What the hell is this?"

Every muscle in my body froze.

Zade.

I slowly turned around.

He was standing several feet away. His expression was terrifying.

His eyes locked onto my hand, holding Lance.

My stomach dropped.

Oh no.

His wolf was clearly close to the surface. I could see it in his eyes - the possessiveness, the jealousy, the anger.

He walked toward us. Every step radiated anger.

"Zade." I said.

He ignored me completely. His gaze remained fixed on Lance.

"What are you doing?" he asked. The question sounded more like a growl.

Lance slowly looked up. He immediately understood the situation.

His eyebrow lifted slightly. Then he looked down at our joined hands. Unfortunately, he didn’t let go. That only made things worse.

Zade’s jaw clenched hard.

"Take your hand off her." Zade demanded.

The corridor suddenly became silent. Several nurses exchanged nervous looks. Everyone could feel the tension.

Lance sighed "You need to calm down."

That was the wrong thing to say.

Zade took another step forward. His wolf was practically roaring now.

"Calm down?" Zade said. His voice was cold. "You spent the night waiting for her."

"So did you." Lance said.

"You two are holding hands!."

Lance blinked "Because I fainted."

"I don’t care."

I stepped between them "Enough."

Neither listened. Typical.

Zade looked ready to murder someone.

My headache instantly returned.

"You two are acting ridiculous." I said.

Zade finally looked at me. His expression softened slightly, only slightly.

Then his gaze dropped to my hand. Lance was still holding it.

Wonderful.

I quickly pulled my hand away. The tension eased by exactly zero percent.

"You should be resting," Zade said. His attention returned to me completely. "I woke up and you were gone."

I crossed my arms. "I stepped outside."

"You should’ve told me."

I stared at him "Zade, I don’t need permission to leave a hospital room."

His expression tightened.

Lance looked suspiciously amused. That only irritated Zade more..

Before anyone could say another word, a nurse suddenly came running down the hallway.

She looked panicked “Alpha Zade”

Zade turned.

The nurse stopped in front of him. Her face lit up with relief.

"I’ve been looking everywhere for you."

"What happened?" Zade asked.

The nurse smiled "Your mother woke up."

Everything stopped. For a second, Zade simply stared as if he couldn’t process the words.

His eyes widened "What?"

"She regained consciousness ten minutes ago."

The nurse smiled again "She’s asking for you."

Zade looked so relieved. His shoulders sagged. His eyes became red.

I’d never seen him look so emotional, not even when he cried yesterday.

"My mom..." he whispered.

The nurse nodded "She’s awake."

I watched his entire body tremble. His wolf practically howled with relief.

Before I could react, he grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug.

I gasped.

"She’s awake." His voice broke. "She’s awake, Sophia."

Emotion filled every word.

My heart softened instantly.

I hugged him back "Go see her."

He nodded repeatedly, then he rushed away. The nurse hurried after him.

I watched him disappear down the corridor. A small smile appeared on my face. I was so happy for him.

His mother survived. Thank the goddess.

Beside me, Lance quietly exhaled.

"Good." Lance said.

I nodded with a smile "Very good."

For several moments neither of us spoke.

The hallway slowly returned to normal. Nurses resumed working. Doctors continued moving around. Life continued.

Lance stood. Immediately, I moved to help him.

He smiled weakly "See?"

I rolled my eyes "Don’t start."

"I’m fine."

"You literally collapsed."

"Minor detail."

I couldn’t help laughing.

He grinned.

The tension finally faded.

He looked at me seriously.

"Sophia, you should go home." He said "You’ve been through enough. You need proper rest."

I looked away.

Part of me wanted to argue but another part knew he was right.

I was exhausted. Everything hurt.

Lance smiled "Let me drive you."

I shook my head "No. You should be resting."

"So should you."

I couldn’t argue with that.

For a moment we simply looked at each other.

Then I sighed "Fine."

Victory flashed across his face.

I laughed softly "You look way too pleased."

"I’ll take any victory I can get."

I shook my head.