Draven:
I hadn’t stepped outside since Friday night.
Since I walked away from her.
Since I stood in the middle of the cottage, with her scent still lingering in the air and my heart torn between wanting to pull her close and running away.
And I had chosen the coward’s path. I ran.
Now it was Monday evening, and I was still holed up in my safe house like some damned fugitive. Not from enemies, but from myself. From everything I was feeling. And from her.
I was sitting in the dim living room, the only light coming from the fireplace that had long turned into a dull ember glow. My phone had buzzed countless times since the weekend started - River, Kieran... my friends, even Professors. But not her.
There wasn’t a single message, not a single missed call. Nothing.
Not that she ever reached out first, but some stupid part of me... some desperate, selfish part of me had hoped she might, just this once.
"Stupid," I muttered, dragging a hand down my face.
I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes, but all I saw was her. Her eyes, wide and uncertain. Her lips parting to speak before I cut her off with my silence. Her voice, so soft and brave as she told us she was pregnant.
I groaned and clenched my jaw.
I hadn’t stopped thinking about that moment. About her. About everything.
The bond between us was undeniable. It was burning in my chest like wildfire. Even after I had walked away, it hadn’t faded. If anything, it grew more intense - angrier, more demanding.
But even more than that, it was hurting.
A dull ache had taken root in my chest sometime around early afternoon. It wasn’t enough to double me over, but it was... there. Annoying. Haunting. Like a soft cry echoing from the part of my soul where she resided.
My wolf had been silent since Saturday morning. Just... gone. Not asleep. Not resting. Just silent.
I tried reaching him a dozen times, calling him back into my mind, into my emotions. But all I got in return was a heavy, suffocating wall of anger and pain.
He was furious with me. Not for feeling conflicted, but for leaving. For turning my back on our mate when she was finally reaching out.
And maybe I deserved that silence.
He was right. I should have stayed. I should have listened. I should have held her hand and told her we would figure it out. But I had choked. When I saw the pain in her eyes, the guilt in her voice, and heard those words - I’m pregnant - my instincts betrayed me.
I couldn’t deal with it.
Not then.
But now...
Now I couldn’t stop imagining her in pain. Crying. Alone. Hurt. And all because I wasn’t there.
The ache pulsed again. I pressed a hand against my chest.
"Stars, what have I done..."
The sound of my phone buzzing broke through the haze. I almost ignored it, again. But then I saw the caller ID: Oscar.
He hadn’t called me once ever since Friday either. I didn’t even think. I snatched it up and answered.
"You finally remembered you have a phone?" His voice crackled on the other end, and it wasn’t amused in the slightest. "How long were you planning to sulk while our mate’s lying in a goddamn hospital bed?"
I shot up. "What?"
"You heard me. She fainted. Collapsed. Was taken to Lakeshire Hospital this afternoon."
My blood turned to ice.
"What happened?" I demanded, already moving, grabbing my keys and jacket. My heart was racing with a fear I hadn’t known I was capable of.
"They said she passed out from weakness. Emotional stress. The doctor said she’s stable now but has to stay overnight. Rowan’s with her."
I didn’t wait for more. I ended the call and bolted for the door, throwing it open like I was charging into battle.
The cold air hit me like a slap, but I didn’t care. I jumped into my car that I hadn’t bothered to park in the underground parking area. The tires squealed as I shot down the dirt path leading down the mountain and onto the main road toward Lakeshire.
My hands were trembling on the wheel as my thoughts spiraled.
She fainted. She’s in the hospital. Alone.
The ache in my chest was burning hotter now, more urgent. I gritted my teeth and pushed the car faster.
Why the hell didn’t I go to her? Why did I wait?
Because I was scared. Because I didn’t know if I could love a child that wasn’t mine. Because I was a selfish bastard.
But stars help me... I missed her. I missed everything about her. Her scent. Her laughter. Her frowns when she got annoyed. The way her lips curled when she was trying not to smile.
I had fallen for my mate.
I was in love with her.
And I left her.
"I’m coming, Eva," I whispered. "I’m sorry. I’m coming."
By the time the hospital appeared on the horizon, my heart was ready to burst out of my chest.
I barely parked the car before I was out and sprinting toward the entrance. I slammed through the doors and rushed to the front desk.
"Evaline," I said breathlessly. "She was admitted earlier this afternoon."
The nurse blinked and then recognition dawned in her eyes. She looked stunned for a moment but she quickly pulled herself together.
"Room 208," she said softly. "Second floor, east wing."
I didn’t thank her. I just ran.
Each step down the hallway felt longer than the last. My lungs were on fire by the time I turned the corner and came face to face with the room.
I stopped.
Rowan was sitting on a bench outside the door, staring down at his phone. He looked up when he sensed my presence, and frowned.
"She’s sleeping," he said quietly.
I nodded, barely breathing.
He stood and came toward me, his expression unreadable. "I didn’t think you would come."
"I didn’t think I would be this late," I said, noticing how hollow my voice sounded. "How is she?"
"Better. But she’s fragile." He studied me for a second longer, then added, "You hurt her, Draven."
"I know."
"She still asked for you."
Those words hit harder than any punch.
I looked past him to the closed door. "I want to see her."
"She’s resting."
"I’ll sit by her side."
He hesitated.
"I won’t upset her," I said. "I just... I need to be there."
He finally gave a short nod and stepped aside.
I opened the door slowly and stepped inside. My heart was hammering in my chest as I got my first look at her since Friday evening.
She was lying on the bed, IV in her hand. Her hair was spilling across the pillow. Her face looked pale, tired, but even in that state... she was beautiful.
My mate.
My heart.
And I had left her.