Chapter 63 Life Reclaimed
[Nyx]
Lysander released his grip on Lilith's collar. Damon did the same. All three of us stayed in wolf form, breathing hard in the aftermath of the avalanche.
Medical team! I sent through the pack link, my mental voice carrying the urgency and authority of Alpha command. Victim retrieved! Need immediate emergency treatment at the boulder site!
On our way! An Omega's voice responded instantly through the link. Thirty seconds out!
Two Omegas burst through the snow, carrying medical equipment. They'd been waiting at a safe distance during the avalanche, and now they moved with practiced efficiency that spoke of years of training.
"Severe hypothermia case!" one called out, dropping to his knees beside Lilith. His fingers found her carotid pulse immediately. "Heart rate critically low. Less than twenty-five beats per minute."
The second Omega was already unpacking supplies—thermal blankets, portable heater, oxygen mask, emergency medications. Their movements were swift but careful, each action deliberate.
"Pupils sluggish but responsive," the first Omega reported, checking her eyes with a penlight. "Approaching shock. We need to rewarm slowly."
I pressed close immediately, my large silver wolf body against Lilith's side. My nose found her frozen face, nuzzling gently. My breath was warm against her death-pale skin, and I willed every bit of heat from my body into hers.
Lilith... sister... please... My mental voice broke. Hold on... please hold on...
Through our bond, I felt Lysander's steadying presence. His brown wolf moved closer, positioning himself protectively near both of us.
The Omega prepared injections quickly, his hands steady despite the cold. "Anti-shock agent, cardiac stimulant. Body temperature is dangerously low—we risk cardiac arrest if we warm too quickly."
Damon's deep gray wolf stayed on Lilith's other side, his large body providing additional warmth and shelter from the wind that still howled across the mountain.
I whimpered softly, licking Lilith's frozen fingers with desperate tenderness. Come back to us... please come back...
She's fighting, Lysander sent through our bond. I can feel it. She's strong—like you.
Minutes crawled by. Each second felt like an eternity. The Omega monitored vitals continuously, his face a mask of professional concentration.
"Heart rate increasing!" he suddenly announced. "Up to thirty-two beats per minute! She's responding!"
Hope exploded in my chest—so powerful it nearly knocked me over. I made a sound, almost a whimper, pressing even closer to Lilith's still form.
She's alive, Sylva whispered in my mind. Our sister is alive.
More minutes passed. The Omega adjusted the oxygen flow, checked temperature readings, administered another carefully measured dose of medication. His partner wrapped heated blankets around Lilith's torso, working methodically.
Then—
Lilith's eyelids fluttered.
My breath caught. The world seemed to hold still.
Her eyes opened.
The first thing she saw was me—a massive silver-gray wolf with tears streaming from glowing gray-blue eyes.
"Sis...ter?" Her voice was barely a whisper, so faint I almost missed it.
I made a keening sound—the cry of a wolf in both joy and anguish. I licked her face gently, my tongue warm against her frozen skin, pouring all my love and relief into that simple gesture.
"Sister..." Lilith's voice was weak but clear. "You're a wolf... so beautiful..."
Yes, I sent through whatever thin connection existed between us. I'm here. I'm right here.
Then her gaze shifted to Damon's deep gray wolf beside her.
Her eyes opened wider. She saw him.
Her hand moved—barely lifting off the ground, reaching toward him.
Damon pressed closer immediately. Her fingers found his fur.
"You..." The word was almost nothing. Breath more than sound. "Stayed..."
Her hand stayed tangled in his gray coat. Then her eyes closed again.
Damon's deep gray wolf pressed closer, his large head gently nuzzling against her hand. His wolf eyes—intense and unwavering—held hers with such devotion that words were unnecessary.
Lilith's fingers weakly tangled in his thick gray fur, holding on. "Thank you..." she breathed.
This Alpha who'd known my sister for mere days. Who'd stayed when the avalanche came. Who'd dug through snow with bleeding claws. Who'd positioned his body to shield her from tons of crushing white death.
He really loves her, I realized. Just days of knowing each other... but he was willing to die for her.
No long speeches needed. Actions are the best proof.
This is what real love is.
Just one moment, and you know this person is worth protecting with your life.
Like how Lysander loves me.
Lilith, you're lucky. Even though this was also an arrangement... you met someone who truly loves you.
The Omega continued monitoring Lilith's vitals, his voice carrying growing confidence. "Vitals stabilizing. Temperature slowly rising. Heart rate approaching normal range. She's going to make it."
Relief flooded through me—through our bond, through every fiber of my being. So powerful I nearly collapsed right there.
She's safe, Sylva whispered. We saved her. She's safe.
But I couldn't shift back yet. My clothes had been swept away in the avalanche—scattered somewhere in tons of displaced snow. In this cold, returning to human form would mean risking hypothermia myself.
I could only stay wolf, pressing my warm body against my sister, using my presence to comfort and warm her.
Through our bond, I felt Lysander's steady presence. His brown wolf moved closer, and I leaned slightly against his solid warmth. Drawing strength from him as I always did.
You did it, he sent gently. You saved her.
We did it, I corrected. All of us together.
Minutes passed. Lilith's color was slowly returning—from death-pale to something closer to normal. Her breathing grew steadier. The Omega looked satisfied with his readings.
"Mrs. Blackwood," he addressed Lilith formally. "Can you tell me your name?"
"Lilith..." she whispered. "Lilith Verdant... no, Blackwood now..."
"Good. Do you know where you are?"
"Mountain... avalanche..." Her eyes found mine again. "My sister... came for me..."
"That's right," the Omega said warmly. "Your sister found you. You're safe now."
I pressed closer, my nose against her cheek. Always, I sent, even though I didn't know if she could hear. I'll always come for you.