Claire’s POV
I stayed outside Leo’s room for a while, suddenly I heard a whimper from the room and dashed inside.
His eyelids fluttered, and the moment I had waited for finally came.
Leo stirred, his breath hitching as his body trembled under the weight of consciousness. I was already at his side, heart. hammering against my ribs, afraid to hope–but unable to stop myself.
“Leo…” I whispered, my hand brushing sweat from his temple. My fingers trembled.
His eyes opened, unfocused but familiar. “Miss Warrior… you stayed,” he rasped.
A breath caught in my throat. Miss Warrior. That’s all he knew me as. All he was allowed to know.
“I’m here little wolf,” I said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I watched his hand reach for mine, weakly, and held it gently. So small, though nearly grown. My baby.
Behind me, Gideon stood silent, still, watchful. I could feel the heat of his stare, but I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t.
“Stay…” Leo murmured and begged.
“I will.”
When Gideon finally turned and left the room, his expression serious, I realized that his Beta mindlinked him about the news of escaped rogues. I held Leo’s hand tighter, grounding myself. He didn’t know the truth. Neither of them did.
But I had come back for him. And now, I will not leave till my baby is safe and happy.
He drifted in and out of sleep. I stayed with him through each breath, each feverish murmur. Sometimes he flinched, caught in memories of claws and blood. Sometimes he called for help.
He never called me Mother.
He didn’t know I was the woman who had held him the night he was born. He didn’t know that he was my flesh and blood, I was hidden under a warrior’s title, in silence to protect him.
When the fever broke, he opened his eyes again. I saw vulnerability in his eyes.“I am scared, please don’t leave me.” he said.
I leaned closer and caressed his cheek. “I will never leave you.” I took a deep breath to control my tears.
Leo looked at me concerned knowing I was attacked while protecting him. “Are you alright, Miss warrior?”
I gently caressed his head and smiled confidently to make him feel at ease, even though the gash on my back hurt. “Don’t worry I am fine, I am one of the strongest warriors afterall. I will protect you no matter what.”
I swallowed hard, forcing calm into my voice. “Rest. You’re safe now.”
But he wasn’t. And I knew it. Because if someone had sold him out once, they could do it again.
And this time, I wouldn’t let them near him. I will make sure whoever was behind this ambush will pay a hefty price.
Chapter 21
Later, I stepped outside the infirmary for air. The scent of pine and distant ash lingered on the wind. I leaned against the railing, watching the dark horizon as I thought of my journey so far.
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The sky reminded me of the night I ran–after the council declared our bond too dangerous. had separated me from Gideon and Leo.
All because of Daphne They
So I vanished.
Not even Gideon knew I had survived. He believed I died during a rogue ambush. He mourned me.
And now, he spoke to me daily…without knowing I stood beside him.
“Raven.”
His voice snapped me from the past. I turned, slowly.
Gideon approached, tension coiled in his frame. “I wanted to speak with you. About Rogues.”
“What about them?” I asked, steadying my voice.
“We know the rogues escaped,” he continued. “No alarms. No witnesses. Patrol shifts were altered.Someone helped them.”
“Inside the pack?” I asked.
He nodded. “I’m investigating now. I’ll find who it was, but my beta told me that one of the prison guards is missing and we are trying to track him down.”
“The prison guard, I think he is just a pawn. Do you think it’s someone close to you who is the mastermind behind it?” I asked thoughtfully.
He hesitated. “I don’t know. Trusting anyone is hard when you’ve already lost so much.”
The words struck me like a blade.
You lost me, I wanted to say.
But I couldn’t. Not like this. Not yet.
He turned to leave, then paused. “You remind me of someone.”
I forced a smile. “A ghost from your past, Alpha?”
His lips curved faintly, then he walked away.
My knees nearly buckled when he was gone.
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That night, I stayed beside Leo’s bed again. His breathing was slow and calm. I brushed a hand through his hair, like I used to when he was just a babe in my arms.
“You don’t remember me,” I whispered. “But I remember everything.”
The first time he opened his eyes. The way he gripped my finger with those tiny hands. The moment Daphne took him
from me.
I distanced myself from him to protect him and Nova from the prophecy, from enemies who feared their bloodline. But that sacrifice never stopped hurting.
15:29 Thu, Dec 25 RG.
Chapter 21
And now…he got attacked again and again, he nearly died anyway.
If the traitor had succeeded, I would’ve lost everything for nothing. I wouldn’t survive it again.
I kissed his forehead gently and whispered softly. “I’m sorry, my son. But I’m here now.”
He shifted slightly, murmuring, “Miss Warrior…”
Tears welled in my eyes. “Yes. It’s me,I am right here.”
I didn’t correct him. Not yet. He wasn’t ready. Neither was Gideon,
But the day would come soon. I felt it like a storm in the wind.
The truth was rising. And it would tear through the pack like lightning.
I only hoped we’d all still be standing when it came.
Gideon’s POV
I walked back to my room feeling at ease after talking with Raven. There was something about her that made me let down my guards. Knowing she was there with Leo made me relax a bit.
But, as soon as I entered the room I was greeted by Daphne sitting on the bed. She walked towards me showing concern which for some reason I was not able to see in her eyes. “How is Leo, Gideon?”
I turned away from her as I looked at the mirror. “He is alright, just needs some rest.”
Daphne hugged me from behind and for some reason I felt hair on my skin stand up. “Gideon, I really don’t think Raven is a good choice to guard Leo. You should fire her, we can get a strong bodyguard for him.”
I got tense and swiftly removed her hands from my body as I looked at her reflection strictly. “Daphne, Raven being Leo’s bodyguard is not up for discussion, in fact I have decided that from now on she will be in charge of taking care of Leo.”
Daphne was about to argue but I shot her a warning look as I used my alpha voice “It is an order, you will only be in charge of your duty as Luna.”
Daphne got scared and looked down “I understand Alpha.” with that she quickly left the room.
I sighed as I ran my hand through my hair “I hope you won’t disappoint me Raven.”
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