Free Web NovelChapter 245: Chapter 245
Aria’s POV
Nathan’s fists clenched at his sides. I could hear his heartbeat. It was steady and furious, like thunder restrained behind stone.
He knelt in front of me.
“Does it hurt?”
For a second, I wondered if I had finally crossed into some strange dream conjured by desperation. Was this all real? Was this really happening?
Then Nathan’s hand touched my cheek. It was warm and solid.
My breath hitched.
“It’s okay now,” he said quietly as he rid me of the silver chains I was bound with.
There was something in his voice that slipped past my defenses and wrapped around my wolf like a calming howl in the dark. My racing heart slowed despite myself.
I opened my mouth, but no words came.
I hated him.
After prison, I had tried so hard to bury everything, the resentment, anger and longing. I told myself I would be indifferent, that Nathan Hemsworth meant nothing to me anymore.
I was almost convincing myself.
But standing on the edge of death, seeing him here to save me, it hurt in a way I hadn’t prepared for.
“How...” I swallowed hard, forcing myself upright despite the screaming protest from my body. “How did you find me...?”
Pain exploded through my limbs, stealing the air from my lungs.
“Don’t move.”
His tone brooked no argument, it was pure alpha authority, but his hands were impossibly gentle. He carefully rolled up my sleeve, exposing my wounds. My wolf was too weak to heal me. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air as he cleaned and bandaged me with supplies he had brought himself.
That detail struck me harder than it should have.
Every movement burned. Blood had dried into my clothes, glueing fabric to skin. I bit my lip until I tasted copper, refusing to cry out.
But he noticed anyway.
“If it hurts,” Nathan said quietly, his brow furrowed, “just cry.”
I shook my head stubbornly.
Sweat slid down my temples, betraying me. My wolf whimpered weakly inside my chest.
His movements slowed even more, as though he were handling something precious and fragile.
“How about now?” he asked softly.
I wanted to answer, but darkness surged upward like a tide, dragging me under. My eyelids slipped shut, my strength finally giving out.
The last thing I heard was his voice, it was no longer calm.
“Aria!” He scooped me up in his arms and rose to his feet.
“Collins! Ensure everyone of them is properly taken care of”, he commanded coldly.
Nathan’s POV
The door opened, and every one in the room turned to see who it was.
Francis. He had come. I had instructed Collins to inform him that Aria had been found and brought to the hospital. It has been a couple of hours since I brought Aria to the hospital.
“How is she?” Francis asked quietly as he came to stand beside me, looking down at Aria lying in the bed with doctors attending to her.
It was the first time the two of us had spoken this calmly in such close quarters. My wolf watched him closely in an assessing manner, not as an enemy, but as another male who cared for my mate.
“She had multiple skin abrasions. No internal injuries,” I replied evenly.
The words sounded clinical and controlled. But Francis’ gaze remained on the bed, on Aria lying there with her eyes closed, and I saw his shoulders tense. Aria had been changed into a hospital gown. Her face was bloodless pale, her lashes stark against her skin. One hand rested outside the blanket. It was bruised and swollen.
My wolf growled low.
Francis looked away abruptly, his jaw tightening. “When will she wake up?” he asked the doctor, his voice strained.
“After prolonged abuse, Luna Aria’s body is severely depleted and dehydrated,” the doctor explained. “She’s on IV fluids now. If all goes well, she may regain consciousness by tonight.”
Francis’ eyes dimmed. “I’ll come back tomorrow,” he said shortly, then turned and left without another word.
I watched the door until it closed, then I looked back at Aria.
“What time exactly?” I asked the doctor.
The doctor stiffened under my gaze. “Late afternoon, Alpha, if Luna Aria responds well.”
I nodded once and sank back into the chair.
Only then did I allow myself to relax a little.
My gaze drifted to Aria’s face and rested on the thin scar on her cheek which stood out clearly. Something twisted sharply in my chest. Without thinking, I reached out and brushed my thumb over it.
It felt the same as the rest of her skin.
As if someone had drawn pain onto her with careless hands.
“Is there medication for this?” I asked abruptly.
The doctor blinked, startled, then followed my gaze. He quickly called in the head of dermatology, a middle-aged man with silver-rimmed glasses who examined her carefully.
“We recently received imported scar treatment,” he said. “With consistent use, it should fade.”
“Collins,” I said without looking away. “Go with him and discuss it outside.” freewebnσvel.cѳm
As soon as they left, the room fell silent.
I stayed awake through the night by sheer will, watching Aria.
I left her briefly in the morning.
The hallway outside was busy, but my presence turned it cold. Nurses slowed instinctively, conversations hushed.
I turned into the adjacent room.
Inside, Lana was already holding court.
She sat among plush toys, nurses smiling around her.
“Did you buy those?” I asked, eyeing the teddy bear in her arms.
The nurse startled and bowed quickly. “Yes, sir. We thought it might help her feel comfortable.”
“Daddy!”
Lana’s voice rang out bright and clear. She reached for me without hesitation.
My wolf softened instantly.
I bent down and gathered her into my arms, careful, gentle. I brushed my fingers through her hair.
“You have a wonderful bond with your daughter, Alpha Nathan,” the nurse said sincerely...then immediately lowered her head, worried she’d overstepped.
But my lips curved faintly.
“Yes,” I said quietly. “Leave us for a moment.”
She left quickly.
I continued smoothing Lana’s hair, my voice low and gentle as I asked, “Lana... do you remember who hurt you?”
