<b>Chapter </b><b>15 </b>
Summer’s POV
<b>I </b>barely slept a wink. When I finally drifted off<b>, </b>the <b>sky </b>was already beginning <b>to </b>lighten.
The ceiling above me was unfamiliar and white<b>. </b>The room held none <b>of </b><b>my </b><b>scent</b><b>, </b>none <b>of </b><b>my </b>presence. For <b>a </b><b>split </b><b>second</b>, I was <b>disoriented</b>–until I remembered.
<b>I </b>was in Alpha Alexander’s territory.
I was still trying to <b>gather </b>my thoughts when <b>a </b>small body suddenlyunched itself <b>onto </b>the bed.
<b>“</b>Mommy!” Felix squealed<b>, </b>diving under the covers with a burst <b>of </b>energy only <b>a </b>child could summon. His little arms wrapped around my neck, and his scent–warm oatmeal and wildflower honey<b>–</b>soothed something feral deep inside me.
<b>“</b><b>You’re </b>finally awake<b>!</b><b>” </b>
I <b>pressed </b>a kiss <b>to </b>his tousled hair. <b>“</b>Good morning<b>, </b>sweetheart.”
A soft knock on the door interrupted our moment.
A female Omega stepped in–elegant,posed, her posture respectful.
“Good morning, Miss Winston<b>,</b><b>” </b>she said with a gentle smile. “Breakfast has been prepared in the dining room.” 1
After washing up, Felix and I followed her.
The ckwood Pack’s dining hall looked like something out of a lifestyle magazine. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting golden halos over a long obsidian hardwood table. The ce settings were already arranged: pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, soft–boiled eggs, sautéed mushrooms<b>, </b>crispy bacon<b>, </b>thick–cut sausages, a pot of freshly brewed coffee, and a
bottle of warm milk.
Alexander sat at the head of the table. Beside him<b>, </b>stoic as ever, was Ethan.
Felix mbered into his seat, already reaching for a pancake. Pure<b>, </b>innocent joy lit up his face.
“Mommy<b>, </b>aren’t you eating?” he asked between bites<b>, </b>staring up at me with his puppy–dog eyes.
I forced a smile and picked up a piece of toast, chewing slowly. But my stomach was a tight knot. Every bite felt like swallowing ss<b>. </b>
A <b>sense </b><b>of </b>dread coiled around me. My entire body was screaming a silent warning.
After breakfast<b>, </b>we were going to the hospital.
And I knew<b>–</b>this wasn’t going to be a routine check–up.
What if <b>the </b><b>truth </b>was worse?
What if he could <b>never </b>see again?
“Hey. Come back to earth.”
Alexander’s voice cut through the storm swirling in my head.
“Breathe, Summer<b>. </b>Don’t spiral<b>.</b><b>” </b>He was looking right at me, steady and calm. “ckwood has the most advanced medical facility in North America.”
There was something about his voice- so grounding, so sure that I actually telt a hint of peace.
I nodded and sipped my coffee, using its bitterness to keep myself awake.
+15 <b>BONUS </b>
After breakfast, we drove to the ckwood International Medical Center–a breathtaking building of ss and steel<b>, </b>equipped with the most cutting–edge technology in the world.
“Miss Winster<b>, </b>we’re ready to begin Felix’s initial data intake and full diagnostic testing,” the doctor said, approaching with a professional yet kind smile. “I assure you<b>, </b>he’ll be perfectly safe throughout the process<b>.</b>” 1
<b>Felix </b>squeezed my hand tightly and whispered, “Mommy, I’m not scared.”
I ran my fingers through his hair, feeling my chest ache.
I should be the oneforting him, but instead, he wasforting me.
“You’re so brave, sweetheart<b>,</b><b>” </b>I said softly, choking back tears.
He grinned up at me, his soft hair brushing against my cheek. A nurse gently took his hand and led him through the frosted ss doors.
As soon as he disappeared, the silence copsed over me like a wave. I sat frozen on the cold silver bench, hands restless in myp, rubbing my palms together in a futile attempt to dispel the anxiety buzzing in my bones.
Every minute dragged like an eternity. My heartbeat was deafening in my ears.
What if he never saw again? 1
Was his life already irreversibly changed?
<b>“</b>Summer.”
<b>His </b>voice found me again.
Alexander sat beside me, his hand enveloping mine. His palm was warm<b>, </b>rough, grounding.
“We’ll find a way<b>,</b><b>” </b>he said gently, voice low but unwavering. That quiet certainty had always been part of him. <b>“</b>You’re not alone in <b>this</b><b>.</b>”
I nodded, inhaling shakily.
Then the door opened.
The doctor stepped into <b>the </b>corridor. His expression spoke volumes before he even said a word.
“Miss Winston<b>,</b><b>” </b>he began, his tone formal<b>, </b><b>eyes </b>solemn, “we’vepleted the scans. Felix’s eyes were surgically removed. The optic nerve damage is severe.” (1
+15 <b>BONUS </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>16 </b>
No.