Chapter 60: A Matriarch’s Concern
Chapter 60: A Matriarch’s Concern
(Freya’s POV)
+9 Points >
A weak groan from Elder Katherine’s bed pulled my gaze from the ticking clock on the wall. It was just past 8 PM. The slow, rhythmic beeps of the monitor suddenly seemed louder in the quiet room.
I leapt from my chair and hurried to her side, my heart pounding as if it would burst. “Grandmother?” My voice cracked with worry as I leaned closer.
Her eyelids fluttered open, unfocused at first, then locking onto me. Relief surged through my chest, and my wolf Bella stirred restlessly, whispering a calming warmth into my mind.
“Freya.” Her voice was thin but steady. Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her face was pale. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“How are you feeling?” My words tumbled out hurriedly. “Are you dizzy? Can you see clearly? How many fingers am I holding up?” I raised three fingers in front of her face, watching her carefully for any sign of
distress.
“Ehh…” Elder Katherine tilted her head, squinting exaggeratedly. “Seven? Or is it twelve?”
My heart froze, and a lump formed in my throat. Panic clawed at my chest. I was about to call for the healer when a steady laugh broke through the tension.
Aaron stood behind me, his deep voice filling the room. “Grandmother, don’t tease her like that.”
Elder Katherine’s smile widened into a sly grin. “Three fingers, Freya. I’m only joking.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief despite her frailty.
I placed a hand over my heart and exhaled shakily. “That wasn’t funny,” I whispered. My knees felt weak, so I gripped the edge of the bed to steady myself.
“Don’t scare her like that,” Aaron scolded gently, stepping closer to the bed.
Elder Katherine chuckled lightly. “She’s too high–strung. Relax, little one. I’m tougher than I look.” She reached for my hand and squeezed it softly.
Without thinking, I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her shoulders, being careful not to disturb the wires and monitors. “You scared us,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I held her for a moment, . closing my eyes as the familiar scent of chamomile and sage – her comforting scent – washed over me.
“I’m fine,” she said softly, patting my back. “Really, child. I won’t break.”
I pulled back reluctantly, wiping the moisture from my eyes as discreetly as I could. “You’ve been through so much today. Let me get you something to eat. The healer prepared special wolf broth to help you recover.”
Aaron stepped back but remained by the window, his sharp eyes scanning the room as if watching silently over us both.
I moved quickly, grabbing the covered bowl from the bedside tray. The rich smell of herbs and spices filled the space as I opened it, the steam curling upward.
1/3
R
|||
O
<Chapter 60: A Matriarch’s
+ Points >
“Small sips,” I said, helping Elder Katherine sit up slightly. Her frailty was a stark reminder of how much she’d
endured. “Don’t rush.”
I blew softly on the spoon, cooling the broth before bringing it to her lips. She took a small sip, savoring the taste. “This is quite good,” she murmured.
“Would you like more?” I asked, keeping my voice patient and soft.
She nodded faintly, and I gave her another spoonful, careful not to spill. Bella hummed quietly within me, soothed by the small but comforting task.
But after only a few more tastes, she closed her eyes and shook her head. “That’s enough for now, dear. I’m
not that hungry.”
“You need to eat more,” I urged, though I didn’t push too hard. I didn’t want to upset her. Instead, I grabbed a warm cloth and carefully wiped her face. “There. All nice and clean.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. Her hand briefly covered mine, a simple gesture, but it sent a wave of affection
through me.
I placed the bowl back on the tray and adjusted her blanket. Just as I was about to sit down again, her soft voice caught me off guard.
“You should leave.” Her words were firm but gentle, yet they cut deeply. “Both of you.”
Her tone made my chest tighten. I blinked in surprise, unsure if I’d heard her correctly. “What? Leave? Grandmother, why would we leave?”
She waved a hand dismissively. “The staff here can take care of me just fine. You don’t need to be here all
night.”
Aaron stepped forward, frowning deeply. “What are you saying?” His voice was a low rumble, not angry, but
concerned.
“I’m saying,” she began, pausing for a moment as if weighing her words, “that I don’t want to burden you any longer. I’m an old she–wolf, Aaron. Let me have some peace.”
Her words felt like a slap. “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “You’re not a burden. You could never be a
burden.”
Elder Katherine smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. There was something deeper in her gaze. “The surgery… it isn’t important anymore.”
My chest tightened painfully. “How can you say that? Of course it’s important! We’ve come too far to give up
now.”
She sighed wearily, leaning back against the pillows. “I’ve lived a long life. This isn’t worth troubling seryone
over.”
“You’re wrong,” I said firmly. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. “We’re staying. I’ll stay until the surgery is done. I can sleep here, or we can move you somewhere more comfortable if you prefer. Whatever helps.”
Her brows knitted together slightly. “Move? No, Freya. I’m staying here. This facility is more than adequate.” I hesitated. Bella’s senses prickled uneasily as I studied the lines of fatigue and something else something
||| O <
く
2/3
< Chapter 60 A Matriarch’s…
+ Points>
guarded–in her expression. “If you don’t want to stay here, we can take you back to the pack house. It’s warmer there, and your room is more familiar.”
“No,” she said sharply. She softened quickly, patting my hand. “No, dear. That would disrupt your lives. I’m
better off here. The healers can monitor me closely.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Aaron’s hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to him in disbelief, ready to argue, but his expression was calm and resolute.
“We’ll visit tomorrow,” he said gently but firmly to Elder Katherine. “You need rest, and so does Freya.”
“I don’t need rest!” I interjected, shaking his hand off. “I’m staying. She needs someone with her.”
“Freya,” Aaron’s voice was low, steady, and filled with the unyielding strength of an Alpha. “We’ll come back
tomorrow.”
“But-”
“Tomorrow,” he repeated, his golden eyes glowing faintly. Bella whimpered, reluctantly yielding to his
authority.
Elder Katherine’s faint smile returned as she placed a hand over mine. “Listen to him, child. One night won’t change everything.”
A lump formed in my throat, but I forced a nod. “Alright,” I said reluctantly, though every fiber of my being
screamed to stay.
Aaron gently guided me out of the room, his hand firm around my arm. I glanced back at Elder Katherine one final time before the door closed, her serene expression lingering in my mind.
As we walked down the hall, the knot of frustration and guilt tightened in my chest. I didn’t understand how Aaron could remain so calm, so detached in the face of her condition. My thoughts raced as I tried to process her words, her insistence, and the way she avoided certain subjects.
2
Comments
Watch Ads (0/20) >
Vote
171
3/3
