Floating up through layers of darkness, I felt my awareness return like ripples spreading across still water. First came sound–the quiet heep of monitoring equipment, hushed voices down the hallway, a bird’s song filtering through the window. Then scent–antiseptic, clean sheets, and something medicinal I couldn’t name, Finally, sensation–the scratch of hospital linens against my skin, an IV in my arm, and the warm, pulsing throb of Dominic’s mark on my neck,
I tried to open my eyes, finding them heavy but manageable. Light flooded in, momentarily blinding me before shapes formed into the sterile white of a hospital room.
“Welcome back,” Dr. Winters said, leaning over me to examine my eyes. She shined a small penlight across my pupils, studying their reaction with professional interest.
“How
was 1 out?” My voice emerged rougher than expected, my throat dry.
“About fourteen hours.” Dr. Winters slipped the penlight into her lab coat pocket, a satisfied expression crossing her face. “Your transition is stabilizing quite nicely, progressing faster than I anticipated.”
Transition. The word echoed in my mind, bringing flashes of memory–the argument with Marianne, the rage that had coursed through me, the feeling of my body beginning to change in ways I couldn’t control. Claws, eyes shifting color, teeth sharpening to points.
ds to my stomach, protective instinct overriding everything else.
“The baby- I immediately moved my hands to
“Is perfectly fine,” Dr. Winters assured me, checking the monitors. “Strong heartbeat, normal development. From a medical standpoint, you’re now a werewolf, Rebecca, albeit a unique hybrid. We call your kind Gained Ones–humans who acquire wolf traits through the mate bond. Extremely rare.”
I reached up to touch the mark on my neck, feeling it radiate warmth beneath my fingertips. This wasn’t just a symbol anymore; it was physically altering my biology.
“This stabilizer,” I said, glancing at the IV in my arm, “will it really prevent me from shifting when my emotions get intense? I don’t to hurt the baby.”
want
Dr. Winters nodded, adjusting something on my IV drip. “It’s specially formulated for Gained Ones during pregnancy. It suppresses the transformation process triggered by emotional surges. I recommend you stay another night for observation, then I’ll prescribe oral medication to take home.”
I noticed Dominic then, standing silently in the corner of the room, his intense gaze never leaving me. Feeling my attention shift to him,
he immediately moved to my bedside, taking my hand in his. His palm was warm, almost hot against my skin.
do you feel?” he asked, his eyes flickering with gold, his wolf close to the surface.
How d
“Better,” I answered softly, drawing comfort from his touch. “Confused… and surprisingly hungry.”
Dr. Winters smiled knowingly. “That’s to be expected. Transformation requires significant energy, and your body is adapting. I’ll arrange for some food to be sent up.”
She excused herself, leaving
ng us alone. Dominic sat on the edge of the bed, his thumb gently stroking the back of my hand. His eyes held
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mine, blue rimmed with gold.
12:48 Sat, Sep 27
Chapter 202
“I’ll stay with you,” he said simply, the promise in his voice absolute. “Always.”
The words washed over me like a warm tide, easing tensions I hadn’t realized I was carrying. I knew he’d canceled meetings, rearranged his entire schedule just to be by my side.
Night had fallen, the hospital corridors growing quieter as visiting hours ended. Suddenly, my stomach growled so loudly it broke the silence of the room, startling even me.
“I feel like I could eat an entire deer,” I half–joked, then paused, surprised that I could actually imagine how venison would taste–rich and gamey with that distinctive wild flavor. “Is this normal? Craving meat this intensely?”
Dominic’s lips quirked into a smile as he reached for his phone, quickly typing out a message. Transformation requires fuel, especially when you’re carrying our heir,” he explained, setting his phone down. “I’ve ordered something more substantial than hospital food. It should be here soon.”
I caught the deep satisfaction in his tone. Seeing me embrace some primal part of him,
ce aspects of wolf nature, even displaying
ng woll–like appetites, seemed to please
“About what happened earlier today…” Dominic’s expression grew serious, his brow furrowing. “About what my mother said–I’m truly sorry, Rebecca. She had no right to suggest the rejection ritual, knowing full well it would kill both you and our child. I’ve informed my father
we’ll be moving out of the mansion and into my villa.”
I watched the tension in his jaw, feeling the anger he was trying to suppress. While I was shocked and hurt by Marianne’s suggestion, the thought of severing family ties troubled me deeply.
Chapter Comments
R
Visitor
17 hours ago
Wait so now she has a wolf? I thought she just had wolf like traits?
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