Chapter 0282

I whip my head toward her. The scent is that strong? Then I spot it—Nathaniel's mark on her neck.

"Congratulations." My voice holds no joy.

"Thanks. Now leave. You know how much she means to me. I won't abandon her."

I exhale sharply and relent.

Sprinting back to the packhouse, I plan to shower, change, and return to Seraphina immediately. As I step out, Nathaniel blocks my path.

"Alpha, I'm finalizing the casualty and injury reports." He hesitates, avoiding my gaze.

"I already know about Gregory," I say, assuming that's his concern.

He nods. "We also lost Donovan." His voice is barely audible.

I freeze. Donovan, my Gamma. He led the warriors guarding the packhouse.

"How?"

"Vampires breached the bunker. He fought them off but fell before finishing them. They broke through the door."

My stomach churns at the thought of pregnant mothers and pups slaughtered. "Casualties?"

"None. Genevieve stabbed them with firewood. Malachi attacked her, but she killed him."

"Then I suppose it's fortunate she accepted her place here as your mate."

His smile flashes, brief but radiant. "Yes. At least one good thing came from this. She agreed to be mine."

"I'm happy for you. But I need to return. Anything else? You'll handle pack affairs while Seraphina recovers. I won't leave her."

"I'll bring the full report to the hospital. She'll pull through, Sebastian. She's strong."

Two days later

"Why isn't she waking up?" I snarl at Dr. Whitmore, my patience gone. "She's a Guardian! Her healing should be accelerated. Why is she still unconscious?"

"We'll run more tests, Alpha."

"What tests? You've done everything! Why isn't she improving?" My voice rises to a shout.

Genevieve intervenes, calming me so the doctors can work.

I collapse into a chair, raking my hands through my hair. It's grown longer again, wild from my constant tugging. I need to hit something—hard—but I refuse to leave. What if she wakes while I'm gone?

I expected her to be out for hours, not days. Each passing moment tightens the knot in my chest. What if she never wakes? What if I lose her?

Carefully, I climb onto the bed, curling around her. Genevieve slips out, leaving us alone.

"You promised," I whisper. "You swore you'd never leave me, little angel. I'm holding you to that. Don't you dare break it. Come back to me."

I talk as if she can hear me. "Evelyn needs you too. She lost her father, and Adrian says she almost miscarried. She's on bedrest—possibly for the entire pregnancy. She needs your strength."

My fingers trace through her hair when the doctors return.

"Alpha, we've identified why Seraphina isn't healing properly."

I ease off the bed. "Well?"

"Valeria is diverting her strength elsewhere instead of healing our Luna." He hands me a report.

I scan it twice. "You're certain?"

"Yes, Alpha. Luna is pregnant. Valeria is protecting the pup, which slows her recovery."

Seraphina is pregnant. I'm going to be a father.