hapter 58: Postponed Plans
Chapter 58: Postponed Plans
(Freya’s POV)
The silence in the car felt suffocating as we arrived at the medical facility. My hands were clasped so tightly in my lap that my knuckles had gone pale. Aaron stepped out of the car first, his movements brisk and tense, a clear sign that his patience was thin.
I followed, trying to ignore the knots twisting in my stomach. The cool autumn air nipped at my skin as we walked toward the entrance, and I placed a hand protectively over my stomach. Bella whimpered softly within
me, sensing my worry.
Once we entered the facility, the sterile scent hit me immediately. It made my nerves feel sharper, my breaths more shallow. Dr. William Parker was waiting for us outside Elder Katherine’s room, his expression stern.
“Alpha Steel, Luna Snow,” he greeted with a slight bow of his head.
My heart froze at the sight of his composed demeanor. It wasn’t the kind of composure meant to reassure–it felt more like the calm before delivering bad news. Aaron obviously sensed it as well because his golden eyes
darkened.
“What happened?” Aaron’s tone was clipped, his Alpha authority surging into the space like lightning seeking
a target.
Dr. Parker cleared his throat, standing a little straighter under the weight of Aaron’s intense gaze. “Elder Katherine experienced severe anxiety during the pre–surgery preparations. It overwhelmed her, and she
fainted.”
The word ‘fainted‘ sliced through me. I bit down on my lower lip, trying to steady my breathing. Bella let out a low, mournful growl in my mind.
“Is she stable now?” Aaron demanded before I could ask, his voice carrying a sharp edge..
“Yes,” Dr. Parker assured him, holding his ground. “Her vitals have returned to normal, but her wolf remains under strain. The stress was too great for her.”
Hearing that didn’t make it any easier. My fingers tightened their grip on my coat. Elder Katherine was the matriarch of this pack, the one who always seemed unshakable. Seeing her like this felt unbearable.
Aaron’s sharp tone snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. “What about the surgery?”
Dr. Parker shook his head solemnly. “It will have to be postponed. Her wolf is not strong enough to end. procedure. For now, the focus must be on stabilizing her emotional and physical health.”
the
“How long?” Aaron’s question came forth like a command, though I could hear the tension buried beneath it. “At least two weeks, Alpha,” the healer replied firmly. “We’ll use herbal treatments and start wolf counseling with Counselor Sarah Thompson. Both should help her recover enough stability to proceed.”
The weight of two weeks hung thick in the air. It wasn’t the kind of delay that anyone welcomed, but I understood why it was necessary. Still, knowing didn’t ease the ache gnawing at my chest. Bella let out another whimper, echoing my pain.
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Aaron exhaled hard through his nose but nodded once. “Fine. Can we see her?”
“Of course,” Dr. Parker said gently. “She’s resting, but your presence will help calm her wolf.”
Together, Aaron and I stepped into the room.
+8 Points >
Elder Katherine lay in the hospital bed, her gray hair carefully pinned back, her eyes closed. The pale tint to her skin made her look smaller, more fragile. It sent another wave of guilt washing over me.
I moved toward her slowly, almost afraid that any sudden movement might disturb her. As I reached her bedside, I hesitated, before finally taking her hand. It felt so cold in mine.
A lump formed in my throat, but I swallowed it down. I couldn’t lose composure–not here. Bella scratched at the back of my mind, pushing forward feelings of guilt and helplessness. She never wavered in her attachment to Elder Katherine, and right now, her pain was my pain.
Aaron stood rigid by the window, staring out at the muted scenery. His entire frame radiated tension, yet he stayed silent.
For a while, neither of us spoke. The steady sound of Elder Katherine’s soft breathing filled the room, a reminder that she was still here, still fighting.
Then the shrill ring of a phone shattered the moment. My head snapped toward Aaron’s pocket just as he pulled the device out with a frown.
When I saw the name on the screen–Caroline–my chest tightened.
Aaron glanced at the phone and then at me. It was a pause filled with hesitation..
“You should take that,” I said softly, trying to keep my tone neutral. “The hallway might be better.”
He studied my face for a beat longer, searching for something I wasn’t willing to show. Then, without a word, he turned and exited the room, leaving the door to click shut behind him.
(Caroline’s POV)
When Aaron finally picked up, my voice came out sharper than intended. “You didn’t call me back,” I said, my worry barely hidden. “I was starting to think something had gone horribly wrong with Elder Katherine.” “She fainted before surgery,” Aaron replied, his tone heavy and direct. “We’re postponing the operation.” The breath I’d been holding left me all at once. “Postponed? For how long?”
“Two weeks at least,” he said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice. “I won’t push it. The decision has already been made.”
“Of course,” I said quickly, wanting to ease the tension I could sense from him. “Her health comes first.”
But those two words–two weeks–they added a weight to my chest I couldn’t ignore. That was far longer than I had planned for.
“And… about the Pack Council?” I hesitated. My tone softened, careful not to aggravate him further.
“It’s postponed too,” he answered shortly.
Every carefully laid plan I had worked so hard for today dropped away in a single heartbeat. I gripped my phone tightly, keeping my voice steady. “I see. That’s completely understandable.”
“Right now, my focus is my grandmother,” Aaron said firmly, leaving no room for debate.
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+3 Points >
“I know,” I murmured, my free hand curling into a trembling fist. “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help her. Anything at all.”
His voice remained distant, detached. “I’ll let you know.” With that, the line disconnected.
I was left standing there, staring blankly at the screen. My plans for celebrating the severance tonight, for finalizing every little detail about our future, had crumbled. Nothing had gone the way I envisioned.
“Caroline!”
Rebecca Winters‘ overly cheerful voice startled me, and I turned to see her bouncing into the room with several other Redwood allies in tow. Their expressions mirrored her excitement, practically buzzing with
enthusiasm.
“You must be thrilled!” Rebecca gushed, her eyes lighting up. “We heard the news. Congratulations!”
I blinked, a sinking feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. “What news?”
“That Aaron’s finally free from that political mating,” she said with a grin. “You must be so relieved!”
Another wolf nodded eagerly. “It’s only a matter of time now before you’re officially Luna.”
I felt my patience cracking under their relentless optimism.
“What about the marking ceremony?” someone else chimed in. “Have you started planning? We’d love to help
“Stop!” I snapped, my voice cutting through their chatter like a whip.
The collective shock on their faces was almost laughable, but I could barely see it through the frustration clouding my thoughts.
“Can’t you see what’s happening?” I demanded, my tone harsh. “Elder Katherine is ill. This isn’t the time for celebrations or dress fittings. Nothing has even happened yet!”
Rebecca flinched, clearly taken aback. “Caroline, we just wanted to support you-”
“Well, don’t,” I interrupted sharply, my voice colder than I intended. “This isn’t about me right now.”
The weight of their stares burned into me as silence fell over the room.
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