Rex POV;
The moment my eyes snapped open, I became instantly aware of my surroundings. A sterile white room, bright lights, and—
Aries.
Sitting beside me.
His intense gaze sent a shiver through me. I hadn't expected him to be here. Maybe Rose, but not the Alpha himself.
The thought of Rose sent a jolt through me, and suddenly, everything from earlier came rushing back—the attack, the hunters, the bullet, the power.
I had revealed myself.
Panic gripped my chest. What if Rose told everyone?
If she had, I was in serious danger. I didn't know how this pack would react, but after what happened at Blue Crescent, I doubted it would be much different.
My breathing quickened. My heart pounded. I was spiraling—
Until a firm, warm hand gripped my shoulder.
"Rexxona, are you okay?" Aries' deep voice cut through the noise in my head.
I blinked rapidly, suddenly aware that he had been calling my name. He was looking at me with concern, brows slightly furrowed.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. As I tried to sit up, Aries moved immediately, placing a pillow behind me with unexpected gentleness.
"Thank you," I murmured.
Before he could respond, the door opened.
A woman entered, carrying an air of authority but warmth in her eyes.
"Oh! She's awake already—that's unusual. Are you feeling okay, dear?"
Before I could answer, Aries spoke.
"I don't think she's fine. I was calling her earlier, but she didn't respond for a while. I think you should run some tests, Mom."
My head snapped up.
"Mom?"
I hadn't meant to say it out loud, but the moment I did, both of them turned to look at me.
Aries sighed, almost like he was amused.
"I forgot to introduce you," he said. "Rexxona, this is my mother—she's the pack doctor."
His mother smiled warmly. "I already know who she is, son."
Turning back to me, she added, "I hope you're feeling okay. According to Aries, you collapsed."
I nodded quickly. "I think I'm fine now. It was just a bad headache—probably from the shock."
Then, the real concern hit me.
"Rose! How's Rose? She must be more shaken than I am!" I tried to get up, but Aries' hand shot out, gently but firmly pushing me back down.
A strange warmth shot through me at the contact. Sparks.
From the way Aries immediately pulled back, his expression shifting, I knew he had felt it too.
But he masked it too well, his face slipping into a neutral expression so fast that I almost doubted what I felt.
"She's fine, Rexxona," he said calmly.
I settled back, though my mind was far from calm.
Aries straightened. "I have a meeting to attend at the pack house. Mom, please take care of her. I'll send Rose here after the meeting."
His mother nodded. "Of course, dear."
Then, he turned and walked out.
"He's so impatient," his mother muttered, shaking her head before settling into the chair he had just vacated.
She smiled at me again. "It's nice to officially meet you, Rexxona."
"Same here," I replied, still trying to process everything.
"You just need to rest for a while before you leave, so don't worry too much, okay?"
I nodded numbly.
"I'll check on you later. For now, I'll just administer some fluids."
"Alright. Thank you… for helping me."
Her smile softened. "It's the least I could do. Besides—" She paused for a moment, studying me. "Your eyes remind me of someone."
With that cryptic comment, she left the room.
Soon after, nurses came in to set up the IV fluids. Before I knew it, exhaustion pulled me into a deep sleep.
And in that sleep, a dream took hold—one that felt more like a vision than just a dream.
A single phrase echoed in my mind even as I slept.
"It's almost time."
Back at the Pack House:
The moment Aries entered the hall, all whispers ceased.
The pack members gathered, some bearing fresh wounds from the battle, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and grief. The scent of blood still lingered in the air.
Aries scanned the room, taking it all in before speaking.
"I know everyone has the same question—why today? Why did the hunters attack, and why in such a small group?"
Silence.
"Even though their numbers were few, the damage they caused was significant. And I want to take a moment to acknowledge that loss."
A somber hush fell over the crowd.
"To those who lost loved ones, I offer my deepest sympathies. We will hold a procession after cleanup to honor them."
A few nods. Others cast their eyes down.
"But despite this attack, I want to say one thing—I'm proud of you all." His voice hardened. "You defended yourselves. You fought back. You protected this pack."
A murmur of agreement swept through the crowd.
Then, Aries continued.
"Now, regarding the hunters—I just got off the phone with the Alpha of the Association."
That caught everyone's attention.
"Our pack wasn't the only one attacked."
A ripple of tension spread across the room.
"Several packs were hit at the exact same time. Which means this wasn't random—it was coordinated."
Low growls rumbled through the hall.
"Because of this, a meeting has been called. One week from now, at the Blue Crescent Pack."
The tension thickened at the mention of that name.
"I will attend this meeting. And I promise—I will return with answers and a solution."
A moment of silence.
Then, as one, the pack responded.
"Yes, Alpha!"
Aries' jaw tightened.
This was only the beginning.