The doctor’s check-up had been quick, professional, and surprisingly reassuring. Despite the mess of bruises and a few nasty scrapes, I was going to be okay. My werewolf healing had already started working its magic, and according to the doctor, I’d be back to normal within a couple of days. Hearing that took such a weight off my shoulders that I barely felt it when she left, leaving me in the quiet company of Ethan, Jacie, and Luke.
I glanced around the room, taking in their expressions. They all looked relieved but also exhausted, as though the past few hours had aged them. Jacie’s hand was still on my shoulder, her usual fiery energy subdued but steady, like she was grounding me. Ethan sat at my side, his hand intertwined with mine, holding on as if he were afraid I’d disappear if he let go. And Luke? I hadn’t missed the way he and Ethan were giving each other those silent nods of respect, a new understanding between them that hadn’t been there before.
Jacie noticed my gaze drifting between them and shot me a tiny smirk. She leaned in and whispered, “I’ll explain later.”
Despite the ache in my body, I had to stifle a laugh. When had they become so close? It was strange but comforting, knowing that they’d somehow found common ground through all of this. Whatever had changed, I couldn’t help but feel a little surge of warmth and relief seeing them like this.
“So…” Luke cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “We should probably talk about what happened. The rogues, Kade…” He trailed off, glancing at Ethan. “It was all… a lot.”
The room went silent as we all absorbed his words. Kade’s attack felt like a shadow that still loomed over us, a stark reminder of the violence and danger that lay just outside the safety of these walls. Ethan’s hand tightened around mine, his jaw set in a hard line.
“He was out for blood,” Ethan said, his voice low and steady. “And he wasn’t going to stop until he’d gotten what he wanted. We had to end it.”
There was a heaviness to his words, a sadness there that I hadn’t expected. I knew Ethan had seen and done things he wasn’t proud of, but hearing the weight of it now made my heart ache. This wasn’t just about the rogues or Kade—this was about Ethan, about how much he’d fought and sacrificed to keep everyone safe.
“You did what you had to,” Jacie said softly, her gaze unwavering as she looked at him. “We all did.”
I squeezed Ethan’s hand, hoping to offer even a fraction of the comfort he’d given me. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For fighting for me, for… everything.”
He turned to me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “Sophia, I would fight a thousand battles to keep you safe. Don’t ever doubt that.”
There was a raw honesty in his words, and it struck something deep inside me. I nodded, my heart swelling with love and gratitude, though I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. So much of this was because of me—because of the connection we shared, because of who I was. But as I looked around the room, at the people who had become my family, I realized that they were here because they wanted to be. They had chosen to stand by my side, no matter the cost.
Luke shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his hair. “Well, I’m just glad it’s over,” he said, his tone lighter, though I could see the worry still lingering in his eyes. “It was… pretty intense.”
Jacie let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “Intense is one way to put it. More like downright terrifying.”
I couldn’t help but smile at that, despite everything. There was something comforting in the way they could laugh, even after facing such darkness. It reminded me that we were still here, still alive, still able to find moments of light even in the shadows.
“Yeah, you all were pretty badass,” I said, grinning at them. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
Luke and Jacie both chuckled, but Ethan just gave me a look, one that made my heart skip a beat. “You’re one to talk,” he murmured, his voice filled with pride. “You were the fiercest of us all.”
I felt my cheeks warm, a mixture of embarrassment and pride settling over me. It was strange, thinking of myself that way, but I knew he was right. I had found a strength within me that I hadn’t known existed—a strength born of love, of a fierce need to protect those I cared about. And now, as I sat here, surrounded by the people who mattered most, I realized that I wouldn’t trade any of it. We had faced something terrible, but we’d come out stronger, more united than ever.
“So… when did you two become best buds?” I asked, arching an eyebrow as I looked between Ethan and Luke.
Ethan smirked, glancing at Luke with a faint shrug. “Well, let’s just say we’ve found some common ground.”
Luke chuckled, shaking his head. “Let’s just say I realized Ethan’s not as terrible as I thought.”
We all laughed, the tension easing, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of normalcy return. It was strange, how quickly things could change, but in this moment, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t known I needed.
Jacie leaned in close to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’ll tell you the whole story later, but let’s just say these two bonded over a common enemy. You were their priority, and nothing was going to get in the way of that.”
I raised an eyebrow, glancing between them with a smirk. “Well, I’m glad you’ve finally figured that out.”
Luke rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
The lightheartedness was interrupted by a knock on the door, and a nurse popped her head in. “Excuse me,” she said politely, glancing around the room, “but the doctor wanted me to let you know that everything is set for the discharge process. Just a few papers to sign.”
I nodded, grateful for the news. It was comforting to know I was in good health, that this nightmare was finally over. I turned back to the others, feeling a surge of affection for them all.
“Well, it sounds like I’m officially good to go,” I said, smiling. “Thank you. All of you. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
They each returned my smile, and in that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love for these people, my family. I had been through so much, but with them by my side, I knew I could face whatever came next.
Jacie moved closer, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. “We’re always here for you, Sophia. We’re in this together.”
I hugged her back, letting myself melt into the warmth of her embrace, feeling the strength of our bond. As I pulled back, I saw the determination in her eyes, the same resolve that had carried me through the darkest moments.
“Let’s go home,” Ethan said softly, his hand reaching for mine. I looked up at him, feeling a swell of love that made my chest ache.
“Yeah,” I whispered, my voice filled with a quiet certainty. “Let’s go home.”