Chapter 59: CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE | PLAN

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE | PLAN

RONAN

The gunshot burned like hell, a white-hot scream ripping through my shoulder as everything blurred.

I barely remember how Aspen got me back into the room. I only remember her voice panicking and shaking, refusing to leave me, as she dragged, lifted, and somehow managed to keep me upright.

“Call Brian,” I said through clenched teeth once we were inside. “Now.”

She nodded immediately, and her hands trembled as she grabbed her phone, fingers fumbling over the screen before pressing it to her ear. I sank onto the bed, my vision swimming, sweat already soaking through my shirt.

While we waited, she didn’t sit still. Not even for a second.

“I’ll clean it,” she said, already searching for supplies. “Just… just stay with me.”

I nodded, and my jaw tightened. When she pressed cloth to my shoulder, pain shot through me and I hissed before I could stop myself.

“I’m sorry,” she blurted out immediately. “I’ll be gentle. I promise.”

I forced a breath. “Aspen… what are you apologizing for?”

She didn’t look at me at first. Her hands slowed, careful now. “I feel like it’s my fault,” she whispered. “Like the shot was meant for me. If I hadn’t gone outside… if I hadn’t heard that voice…”

“No.” I caught her wrist gently, making her look at me. “Don’t do that.”

Her eyes were glossy, rimmed red. “But…”

“We’re in this together,” I said firmly. “Whatever’s happening, whatever’s coming, it’s not on you alone. Dismiss that thought. Completely.”

She swallowed hard, then nodded, though fear still clung to her like a shadow. She went back to tending the wound, slower now and more focused. The pain was bad, but watching her blame herself hurt worse.

Minutes passed like hours.

Then there was a knock.

Aspen flinched, eyes snapping to the door. I shook my head slightly. “It’s him,” I said. “Open it.”

She did, and Brian rushed in immediately, his face draining of color the moment he saw the blood.

“Oh my goodness,” he breathed, already at my side. “What the hell happened?”

“I’m fine,” I muttered. “Don’t panic. We don’t have time for that.”

He shot me a look but didn’t argue. “You were shot, Ronan.”

“And we’re being hunted,” I replied. “So let’s work.”

I turned to Aspen. “Tell him everything. From the nightmare to the balcony. The voice. The shot. All of it.”

She hesitated only a second before nodding. Her voice was steadier now as she spoke, but I could hear the fear underneath every word. I watched Brian’s expression shift, concern tightening into something darker, more serious.

When she finished, the room fell quiet.

Brian exhaled slowly. “That confirms it,” he said. “They’re done playing hide and seek.”

My stomach tightened. “Meaning?”

“The people we’re looking for,” he continued, his eyes pointing out, “they’ve started looking for us too.”

I leaned back slightly, ignoring the throb in my shoulder. Across the room, Aspen met my gaze.

“Shit,” Aspen muttered, running a hand through her hair as panic flashed across her face. “What are we going to do now?”

I watched her pace the small space like a caged storm, fear and fire colliding in her movements. Before I could speak, Brian straightened, his voice steady in that way of his that always meant he was already ten steps ahead.

“We need you,” he said, looking directly at me, “to meet with the few loyal people I’ve managed to gather from the pack. If we get more hands on this, searching will be easier and faster.”

I nodded slowly. It made sense. Too much sense. Sitting still had never saved anyone anyway.

“I’m in,” I said without hesitation.

Brian’s shoulders loosened slightly, like he’d been holding his breath. He stepped closer and clapped a hand lightly on my uninjured shoulder. “You’ll be fine,” he added, softer this time. “We’ve got you.”

I rolled my eyes despite the ache pulsing through me. “You’re both starting to sound dramatic,” I muttered. “Cheer up and stop acting like I’m on my deathbed.”

Aspen shot me a look that was half relief, half irritation. Brian snorted. “Oh, forgive me, Alpha Tough Guy. Next time I’ll bring balloons.”

That did it.

Aspen let out a shaky laugh before she could stop herself, covering her mouth like she was surprised by the sound. Even I chuckled, with the tension easing just a notch. For a brief moment, it felt almost normal.

But trust me, Brian wasn’t done. “Besides,” he added, grinning, “if anyone was going to survive getting shot in the middle of the night, it would obviously be you. The universe is too stubborn to let you go.”

I shook my head, smirking. “You talk too much.”

But the warmth lingered.

Then…

BANG.

The sound hit the door hard, loud enough to make Aspen jump. My body tensed instantly, pain flaring as instinct kicked in. Aspen was already moving, fear flashing across her face as she reached the door.

She opened it, and Rachel rushed in like a storm.

She went straight to me, tears streaming down her face as she dropped beside the bed, hands shaking as they hovered over my chest like she didn’t know where to touch.

“Oh my God,” she cried. “Oh my God, Ronan…”

“I’m fine,” I said immediately, though my voice softened. “Rachel. I’m okay.”

She shook her head violently. “You’re bleeding.”

“I’ve been worse,” I muttered.

Her sobs didn’t slow. I glanced at Aspen. “Did you tell her?”

Aspen hesitated, then shrugged slightly. “I… I thought she should know.” She nodded once. “So yes.”

I sighed, running a hand down my face, careful of my shoulder. “Okay.”

I reached out and gently patted Rachel’s arm, grounding her. “Listen to me,” I said calmly. “I’m alive. I’m thinking. And we’re working on finding whoever did this.”

She sniffed hard, wiping her cheeks. “I was so scared.”

“I know,” I replied. “But crying won’t help us right now.”

Brian stepped in smoothly. “We’re forming

a plan,” he said.

Rachel nodded weakly, finally breathing a little steadier.

“Let’s do this,” she muttered slowly.