<b>Chapter </b><b>16 </b>
No.
No, no<b>, </b>no.
It felt like I’d been shot. I lurched backward<b>, </b>knees giving out–but strong arms caught me before I could fall.
Alpha Alexander.
His scent wrapped around me<b>–</b>cedar andvender. He held me close, my face pressed against his solid chest<b>. </b>His heartbeat- steady and deep–anchored me as panic threatened to consume me.
“Breathe, Summer,<b>” </b>he whispered, voice like velvet over steel<b>. </b><b>“</b>I’m here.”
<b>“</b>What do we do?” I rasped<b>, </b>trembling. “How do we fix this?<b>” </b>
The doctor pulled up <b>a </b>scan on his tablet.
<b>“</b><b>We </b>can attempt ocr reconstruction. Combined with neural stimtion therapy, there’s <b>a </b>30<b>% </b>chance of restoring <b>vision- </b>or at least partial function. But… we need to begin treatment immediately.<b>” </b>
Thirty percent.
The number sliced through me like a de.
“He’s just a child,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
“Stay calm,” Alpha Alexander said behind me, firm yet warm. “You’re not alone, remember? I’ll handle everything.”
I took a deep breath and stepped into the recovery room.
Felixy on the hospital bed, surrounded by machines and tubes–but still wearing that innocent, unshakeable smile.
I walked to his bedside and took his tiny hand.
<b>“</b><b>If </b><b>you </b>keep being this brave<b>,</b>” I said, brushing his cheek, “Mommy promises–we’ll fix your eyes. We will, I swear.”
<b>“</b>I know we will!” he beamed. “Especially with Alpha Alexander helping!”
God. His trust broke me.
I looked over at Alpha Alexander. He smiled–a rare<b>, </b>soft smile–as he walked to the bed and gently ruffled Felix’s hair.
<b>“</b>You’re right, little guy<b>,</b><b>” </b>he said warmly. “We’re going to help you see the world again.”
“Really?” Felix’s eyes lit up. <b>“</b><b>Then </b><b>can </b>we y basketball together when I get better?”
“Absolutely,<i>” </i>Alpha Alexander said withplete sincerity. <b>“</b>I’ll teach you everything you want to learn.”
“Awesome!” Felix cheered, “Mommy, did you hear that? I won’t have to y alone anymore!”
His voice was filled with pure joy and longing.
I forced a smile and stroked his hair, blinking back tears.
“I heard you, baby,” I whispered.
But inside<b>, </b>my heart clenched.
Thadn’t realized just how lonely he was.
+15 <b>BONUS </b>
In his tiny world<b>, </b>there was only me.
Soon after, under the influence of the medication<b>, </b>Felix drifted off to sleep–still smiling.
Alpha Alexander and I stepped quietly out of the room<b>, </b>closing the door behind us.
I stopped outside the ss window, pressing my palms against the cold surface, eyes locked on the too–white hospital bed.
My child.
So small. So fragile. Surrounded by IV lines, monitors<b>, </b>machines–like he was being circled by silent predators.
Tears came hard and <b>fast</b><b>, </b>scalding my cheeks and blurring my vision.
I hated Foster.
He didn’t deserve to be called a father.
Then, a warm handnded gently on my shoulder.
<b>“</b>You okay?” Alexander’s voice was low and tender, almost hesitant.
I didn’t answer, just sniffled and nodded slightly.
“Summer,” he murmured, turning me to face him. He leaned down a little, his gaze soft but unwavering. “Let me help you.”
I looked into his eyes–those deep emerald eyes–and felt something stir.
This time, I didn’t shake my head.
“Thank you, Alpha Alexander.”
I knew I needed his strength. Now more than ever.
“And…<b>” </b>I hesitated, “thank you for what you said to Felix. He… he was really happy.”
Alpha Alexander’s expression softened. <b>“</b>I really like him.<b>” </b>
My heart skipped.
That wasn’t<b>… </b>ordinary.
In fact, <b>it </b>was rare<b>, </b>
Alphas are territorial by nature. Possessive by instinct. They rarely take to someone else’s child. But Alpha Alexander- he did it effortlessly. Genuinely.
I couldn’t let my mind go there,
Some thoughts, once entertained, can’t be undone.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
A message from mywyer:
The divorce papers have been delivered. We expect confirmation of receipt by tomorrow morning.
I wiped my tears, fingers trembling as I replied:
Thank you.
Soon<b>, </b>I thought, I’ll have nothing more to do with Alpha Foster.