Chapter 494: Midnight Whispers

The forest behind the pack was silent. Snow drifted softly in the moonlight, untouched, blanketing the earth in a quiet white haze. By the time Orion and Brynhild returned to the pack, it was well past midnight. The torches along the compound walls flickered faintly, shadows crawling along the buildings. Inside, the pack slept. The entire settlement was still, save for the occasional creak of settling timber or the soft rustle of wind through the trees.

Orion moved with quiet purpose, his boots making no sound on the frosted ground. Brynhild followed, her hands still brushing over the hilt of her sword. They moved through the compound; Brynhild went to her home while Orion went to his.

Inside, the air was warm; there was wood burning in the hearth. The smell of pine from the forest clung faintly to his cloak, a reminder of the hunt, of the Trihydra, of the consequences Holly had faced. He could not risk Sophia being uncomfortable.

Orion set down his cloak and boots carefully, as though disturbing nothing, then stripped off the bloodstained and snow-damp clothes he had worn for hours. He inspected his hair in the mirror. The faint smear of dark streaks from the Trihydra’s venom or blood had to be gone. He ran his fingers through his hair, ensuring there was no residue. His jaw tightened briefly as he recalled Holly’s screams and the sight of the beast.

He made sure to clean himself up.

Once clean, Orion moved toward the medical facility, his steps slow and deliberate.

The corridors of the facility were dim, lit only by soft lanterns that cast muted light along the pale stone walls. The facility was quiet, sterile, and still, smelling faintly of herbs and antiseptic.

A few healers and nurses were awake in case of any emergency.

He found Sophia’s room easily.

He pushed the door open and walked in.

Orion paused when he noticed Sophia was asleep.

Her chest rose and fell in a rhythm so gentle, so unguarded, it almost made him hesitate. For a moment, he just observed, allowing the sight of her sleeping form to wash over him. He let out a soft, almost inaudible chuckle.

He knew she wouldn’t be able to stay awake waiting for him until he came back.

Orion closed the distance between them, careful not to disturb her as he approached the bed.

He tried to adjust her into a better sleeping position so her neck wouldn’t ache when her eyes fluttered, her lips parting in a soft murmur. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I’m waiting for... for... Orion," she said softly.

Orion smiled, soft and quiet. "It’s me," he said, voice low, soothing.

Her eyelids lifted slowly. "Orion," she whispered, sleep lacing every syllable.

He nodded once, keeping his voice soft. "I’m back."

A small, sleepy smile curved her lips. "Then I can sleep now... I was tired of..." She didn’t complete her words before her eyes closed, surrendering fully to slumber again.

Orion chuckled quietly.

He adjusted her slightly, ensuring she was comfortable, and then removed his boots. Sliding them neatly beneath the bed, he lowered himself onto the bed, careful not to disturb her, and pressed a light kiss to the nape of her neck. The faint warmth of her skin under his lips, the soft scent of her hair, filled him with a quiet contentment. He allowed himself to rest there, falling asleep right next to her.

The hours passed, snow drifting outside, the world outside the medical facility’s walls frozen in quiet. Orion’s steady breathing mingled with Sophia’s, a gentle rhythm that made the night feel almost sacred.

It wasn’t until the first light of morning filtered through the windows that Sophia stirred. She blinked, confusion and clarity wrestling in her gaze as she registered him lying beside her.

A soft, surprised smile spread across her face, delicate and full of warmth. She didn’t wake him, didn’t disturb the quiet.

Instead, she traced her fingers gently through his hair, feeling the slight weight and texture of it.

"For an ogre," she whispered softly, "you have beautiful hair."

And a handsome face too, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. If Orion knew, then he was going to make her repeat it any chance he got and would continuously remind her that she called him handsome.

She moved her hands from his hair and moved to his chin, where she noticed the faint hint of a beard and imagined Orion with a long beard, one he would tie or weave. The image didn’t fit the Orion she knew. She chuckled at the thought.

Orion’s brows furrowed slightly in his sleep. He stirred, blinking slowly, confusion fading as he realized who was beside him.

"Shorty, what’s so funny?" he asked sleepily.

Sophia smiled. "I was imagining you with a long beard, one you could weave or tie into a ponytail."

Orion frowned. "Where did that even come from?" he asked her.

She shrugged, then laughed as Orion rolled his eyes.

"When did you get back? I was waiting for you," she told him.

Orion stretched slightly, careful not to disturb her. "Around midnight," he said quietly.

Sophia’s eyes flicked down at his face, then lingered on his hands.

"What about... Holly?" she asked softly, concern threading through the words.

Orion’s jaw tightened briefly. "Holly won’t be a threat to you again," he said firmly. "Or to anyone in the pack."

Sophia exhaled softly. She already had an idea of what happened to Holly, but she wasn’t going to outright ask him or voice it.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Marta stepped in, hands resting on her waist, her posture rigid, eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn’t a place for you two to mess around, you know," she said to them in a firm voice.

Orion’s eyes widened, and he lifted his hands in mock surrender. "We weren’t messing around," he said quickly.

Marta’s eyes didn’t soften. She tilted her head slightly. "You did it last time. I’m just trying to prevent that from happening again."

Orion’s lips curved into a faint smile. "That was last time. This... this is this time," he said smoothly, voice teasing but careful.

Marta’s gaze narrowed further, the faint crease of concern softening the sharpness in her eyes.

"You know what? Just forget I said anything. I only came here to check up on Sophia before she leaves."

"Can I stay on the bed while you do?" Orion asked her.

"Get your ass off that bed, Orion," Marta said sternly.

Orion chuckled softly. He rose carefully from the bed.

"Yes, ma’am," he told her.