There was nothing left for Usher to think about. Everything had become clear. All the strange events, the time travel, and everything that had happened when they were children-it had all started with Rowena, rooted in a mother’s concern for her daughter.
Now there was really nothing left to say between them. Both Usher and Rowena fell silent. Their thoughts were focused solely on Vione. They continued to pray for her well-being until the lights went out in the operating room.
Vione’s surgery was over. Usher and Rowena both rose from their seats. They stepped forward as the doors to the operating room opened. Scott emerged, pulling the mask from his face.
“Alpha.”
Usher asked immediately, “How is Vione?”
“Don’t worry, Alpha. The operation went well and Vione is in good condition,” Scott answered bluntly. His face showed signs of exhaustion as the operation had taken hours. But that was nothing compared to the success they had achieved. His efforts had paid off with good news. “Now all we have to do is wait for her to wake up, Alpha.”
Usher’s eyes closed dramatically. Without realizing it, he gripped Scott’s upper arms tightly. “Thank you, Scott. Thank you so much.”
Scott could clearly feel Usher’s immense relief. He understood it, but he couldn’t help feeling a little confused by Rowena’s presence. Especially when he realized that Rowena shared the same overwhelming relief. Both Usher and Rowena repeatedly expressed their immense gratitude.
Scott pushed his confusion aside, however, as his work wasn’t really done yet. Although Vione’s surgery was complete, he still had to monitor her condition closely. He oversaw her transfer to the recovery room and made sure everything was under control.
Scott also kept an eye on Usher’s condition. “We will continue to monitor Vione’s condition, Alpha. You don’t need to worry. The critical phase has passed and we’ll keep you informed of any developments.”
“I understand, Scott,” Usher replied, fully understanding Scott’s concern. “But please, give me a moment. I just want to see her.”
Scott nodded. “Of course, Alpha.”
Scott and the rest of the medical team exited the recovery room. The door closed and then Usher turned to Rowena.
“You must want to see her as well, Rowena.”
For a moment, Rowena stood still, not responding to Usher’s words. But Usher knew the turmoil she was experiencing inside.
Rowena needed a moment to calm herself, to control the whirlwind of emotions that were surging through her chest. After taking a deep breath, she gathered the courage to step forward.
Her heart was racing. Her body felt tense. Rowena walked slowly until she reached the bed where Vione lay.
Rowena was immediately confronted with the sight of Vione lying unconscious and helpless. Vione’s face was pale, bandages covered various parts of her body, and various medical devices were hooked up to ensure her safety.
A sharp pain pierced Rowena’s heart. She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her sobs, but she couldn’t. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gently took Vione’s fingers in her own.
Rowena kissed Vione’s fingers. “You’re going to be okay, Vione. You have to hold on. You have to wake up.”
Standing in the background, Usher did his best to hold back. He missed Vione terribly, but he knew Rowena felt that longing too. So, he allowed Rowena to express all her pent-up emotions, the feelings she had to bear alone.
After a moment, Rowena stepped away and without saying anything, Usher approached Vione. His steps felt heavy and he almost faltered when he saw Vione’s condition.
Usher closed his eyes. His face hardened with remorse and anger. All these emotions swirled within him, making his body tremble. In his heart he swore to avenge Torin and the Nimbria Pack. He would not forgive them. They would pay for Vione’s suffering with a price equal to the pain they had caused.
So, Usher would waste no time. He immediately followed Scott’s advice. He tended to his wounds and made sure he recovered as quickly as possible. Then he gathered Garth and Cora to assess the current state of the pack. He needed to know how badly the warriors and guards had been affected by the sudden attack of Nimbria Pack in order to plan the next steps and prepare for a counterattack.
There was much for Usher to do. But he would not neglect Vione’s condition. He always made time to check on Vione, hoping she would wake up, but as the days passed, the waiting continued.
Usher was restless. But Scott reassured him that it was only a matter of time. Vione was fine, and the only reason she had not woken up yet was that her injuries were so severe that it was only natural for her body to take a long time to heal.
Scott’s words didn’t completely calm Usher down. But there was nothing he could do but wait and keep telling himself that everything would pass. Vione would surely wake up and come back to him.
“I know you can get through this, Vione,” Usher murmured one night. He kissed Vione’s fingers, then her forehead. “So don’t give up. I’ll always be waiting for you.”
Usher released Vione’s fingers, then adjusted the blanket around her. Then he left the recovery room, leaving Vione alone with tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.
Only the eyes were closed. That didn’t mean Vione couldn’t feel the presence of those around her. She could feel it, and the tears were proof that even though her body was powerless, her spirit was still fighting. Something inside her was still trying to survive. She would not give up so easily.
Vione refused to give in to the circumstances that were against her. Especially since this wasn’t the first time that fate had tested her resolve. Therefore, she would continue to fight; she wanted to free herself from the dark cage that bound her.
But it wasn’t that easy. Vione’s strength was truly limited, and her wolf spirit was weak. Besides, she was an Omega. She was indeed weak, never really strong.
Vione growled. I may be an Omega, but I’m not that weak.
Vione’s heart raced. Her breathing accelerated. Sweat began to trickle from every pore. Then a familiar voice addressed her.
“Hang on, Vione. Please, hold on. It will be painful, but I know you can make it. No, we can make it. We have to hold on.”
Vione tried to open her eyes, and what she saw was her own face!
*