Chapter 85: Fragile Peace
The bright lights of Gabriel’s clinic cut through the haze of the long, brutal night.
The moment Riot pulled the SUV into the emergency bay, a team of nurses and doctors rushed out.
"Get Diane first," Gabriel ordered, tightly as he pushed open the door.
He barely felt the pain searing through his bruised ribs, his only focus on the fragile woman in his arms.
Riot slid out of the driver’s seat, pale and unstable, clutching his bloodied shoulder.
"I’m fine," he grunted to the nearest nurse, waving her off. "Deal with them first."
Gabriel carried Diane inside, his muscles aching, but he refused to let her go.
Diane was tired, and lost a lot of blood, her skin felt cold against his.
She stirred weakly as he laid her on a gurney.
"I’m here," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You’re safe now."
Her lips moved faintly. "You... promise?"
He swallowed hard. "I promise."
A nurse gently pushed him aside. "We’ve got her, Dr. Cross," she said softly.
Gabriel hesitatedonly for a second—before stepping back.
His heart pounded in his chest as they wheeled Diane toward the trauma room.
"She’ll be okay," Riot said quietly, leaning against the wall.
His face was also pale from blood loss, but his voice held its usual rough edge. "She’s tougher than she looks."
Gabriel didn’t answer. He couldn’t...not until he knew for sure.
The clinic was busy with controlled mess as staff moved fast to assess the damage.
Gabriel’s own injuries were treated without much ceremony—a stitched gash along his forearm, bruised ribs wrapped tightly.
Then—
"Where is she?"
Leon’s voice rang out from the entrance, raw with panic.
Gabriel turned just as Diane’s father burst through the clinic doors.
His composed aura was gone, now looked like it was sheer, naked fear.
"Where’s my daughter?" Leon demanded, his voice cracked as his eyes darted around the room.
Gabriel stepped forward, any trace of his usual arrogance gone.
For once, there were no clever remarks, no cold indifference—just quiet understanding.
"She’s stable," Gabriel said calmly. "They’re running tests, but she’s alive. She’s strong."
Leon’s face crumpled with relief, his breath hitching as he staggered toward the nearest chair and collapsed into it.
His hands shook as he covered his face.
"Thank God," he whispered. "Thank God."
Riot, now patched up and leaning against the wall, let out a low whistle.
"Hell of a night, huh?"
Leon’s head snapped up.
He locked onto Gabriel, and for the first time, there was no hatred—only gratitude.
"You saved her," he said, his voice started trembling. "Both of you."
Gabriel simply nodded. "I did what anyone would’ve done."
Leon let out a shaky breath and stood.
Without hesitation, he crossed the room and grabbed Gabriel’s hand, squeezing it tightly.
"Thank you," he said, looking like he would fall apart any minute. "I mean it."
Gabriel, to his own surprise, didn’t pull away.
He didn’t let pride or bitterness cloud the moment.
Because the truth was...he understood. Every ounce of fear and helplessness Leon felt, Gabriel had felt too.
"She means everything to me," Gabriel admitted quietly.
Leon’s eyes softened with something close to acceptance.
"She means everything to me too," he said. "Maybe... maybe we aren’t so different after all."
Riot snorted softly from the corner. "Well, that’s new."
Gabriel gave him a glare but didn’t argue. Maybe Riot wasn’t wrong.
Leon sat back down, his hands still trembling slightly as he wiped his face. After a long pause, he asked, "What about Evelyn?"
Gabriel and Riot exchanged a glance.
"She’s gone," Gabriel said finally. "The wolves... took care of it."
Leon’s expression twisted—shock, relief, and horror seem to travel like a tourist across his face all at once.
"You’re sure?"
Riot shrugged. "Unless she’s got nine lives, she’s not coming back from that."
Leon exhaled slowly, as if a crushing weight had lifted from his chest.
"Good." Then his expression darkened. "But we can’t let that get out."
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. He knew Leon was right.
The media had already been relentless—stories spun out of control, speculations about Diane’s disappearance, Gabriel’s involvement.
If word got out that Evelyn had been eaten alive by a pack of wolves, it would unleash a media storm unlike anything they’d ever seen.
"No one needs to know," Gabriel agreed, firmly. "We say nothing."
Leon nodded. "We’ll say she vanished—no trace. It’s clean."
Riot raised an eyebrow. "Clean’s a funny word for a wolf buffet, but sure, whatever keeps the vultures off us."
Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Exhaustion pulled at him, but there was still so much left to deal with.
For now, though—Diane was safe. And that was all that mattered.
A nurse appeared at the door, her face kind but professional.
"Dr. Cross," she said softly. "Diane’s awake. She’s asking for you."
Gabriel’s heart leapt into his throat. Without a word, he followed her.
Leon stood as well, but Gabriel placed a hand on his shoulder, surprising even himself with the gesture.
"I’ll make sure she’s okay," Gabriel promised quietly.
Leon hesitated, his face looked conflicted—then, finally, he nodded. "Take care of her."
"I will," Gabriel said without hesitation.
As he walked down the hall toward Diane’s room, his footsteps felt heavier—but his heart felt lighter.
There was hope.
He stepped into the lowly lit room, his breath caught at the sight of her.
Diane lay against the pillows, pale but awake, her eyes soft and warm when they found his.
"Gabriel," she whispered, her voice was still too weak.
"I’m here," he said, sitting beside her and taking her hand in his.
He pressed it against his lips, letting the warmth of her touch ease the ache in his chest.
"You kept your promise," she murmured.
"I always will," he swore, meaning every word.
For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no danger.
No looming threat. Just the quiet sound of her breathing and the beat of his heart.
"What about Adrian, did he survive?"
"..."