Free Web NovelChapter 70: Chapter 70
Aria’s POV
I didn’t look back.
I held Peter tighter and walked faster.
Outside the bar, cold night air washed over me, but it didn’t clear the knot in my chest. Peter’s weight on my shoulder dragged at me, his body heavy and limp, each step harder than the last.
"Driver—could you help me, please?" I whispered, my voice shaking. My legs felt strained; even with my wolf strength simmering under my skin, dead weight was dead weight.
The driver hurried over, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. Together, we managed to get Peter into the backseat. As soon as he was settled, the pressure lifted from my arms, and I finally sucked in a real breath.
"Hey, is that your boyfriend?" the driver asked lightly."Had a fight or something? Guy came here drinking this late?"
I forced a thin smile."No, he’s—"
But the words died when I looked at Peter.
A deep line had formed between his brows. Pain. Sharp and undeniable.
The neon lights passing through the windows washed over his face. It was pale, drained and wrong. His lips were the worst part. They were bloodless, ghostly white. My wolf let out a terrified whine inside me.
No. No, no, no. Something’s very wrong.
"Driver!" My voice rose without my permission."Take us to the nearest hospital! Please—hurry!"
All humor vanished from his face. He caught a glimpse of Peter in the rearview mirror and immediately straightened.
"Hold on! We’re going right now!"
The tires screeched as he swerved sharply, heading straight for a nearby private hospital.
---
When we stopped, I looked up—and froze.
[This hospital is under Hemsworth Group ownership.]
My pulse stuttered. Nathan’s shadow was everywhere. But there was no time, no time for fear, hesitation, or memories that tasted like ash.
I ran inside.
Within minutes, Peter was rushed into emergency surgery.
I stood in front of the heavy operating room doors, my heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, claws scraping, anxious, mourning.
Lana was still alone at home.
My little girl.
My pup.
I couldn’t leave Peter.
But she needed me too.
I wrapped my arms around myself, huddling in the corner. The sterile scent of antiseptic burned my nose, but it grounded me. I stared at the glowing red light above the operating room, willing my eyes to pierce through, to see him, to know if he was okay.
Please don’t wake up yet, Lana. Please stay asleep a little longer.
Please let him live.
Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes, blurring everything. I blinked them away. I couldn’t fall apart. Not here, not now.
Finally, after what felt like hours but might’ve only been minutes, the red light switched off.
A nurse pushed open the heavy door and stepped out.
I shot to my feet, breath caught halfway in my chest, my wolf holding absolutely still inside me.
I hurried over, my pulse racing, wolf instincts prickling under my skin. Please... he has to be okay.
"How is he? What happened?" I demanded, voice tight with panic.
The nurse glanced at me, cool and detached."Perforated stomach. Anyone would be in trouble after drinking that much so quickly." Her frown deepened, sharp as claws."Young people fighting, risking their health like this, why play with his body?"
Guilt stabbed my chest. I lowered my head, letting the rebuke land, swallowing my words."I... I’m so sorry for the trouble." My wolf growled quietly, anger flaring at the thought of what had been done to him, but I forced it down. Now wasn’t the time.
The nurse’s tone softened slightly when she saw my sincerity."The surgery went well. He just needs to stay in for a few days of observation."
I nodded quickly, relief washing over me like warm rain. My wolf eased a fraction, though it remained restless, alert to every sound, every shadow.
Not long after, Peter was wheeled out. Pale still, but a faint flush had returned to his cheeks. frёeωebɳovel.com
I turned to pay the hospital fees, counting some of the stack of cash I had grabbed earlier, shoving a few bills into my pocket for emergencies. It has to be enough. It has to.
The hospital was quiet now, it was late at night. Emergency lights cast pale glows, and shadows twisted along the walls. Silence wrapped around me like a shroud, my heartbeat thumping loud in my ears, matching the racing of my wolf’s pulse beneath my skin.
Suddenly, I sensed a presence behind me.
I froze.
