Chapter 33

Leo’s POV

I heard the loud clatter of a tray landing on the floor. It was so loud that it made Nova and myself startled. The maid let out a scream and ran out of there. We both quickly ran inside only to see Miss Warrior laying there motionless.

A few minutes ago she was there standing firmly and asking questions to the maid with the sharp look she always wore. And now she was laying on the ground, limp like a puppet without any string.

My breath hitched, as I stood there like I was frozen. My body was not able to move, my mind couldn't make sense of what had just happened. Miss Warrior wasn’t supposed to fall. She has always been strong. She never stood behind but in front of others.

But she wasn’t moving.

I was shocked but then I heard Nova's scream. “Mommy!”

I felt my throat closing up. My eyes looked at Nova quickly as her small hands desperately tugged Miss Warrior’s arm, her voice was breaking as she begged her mother to wake up. Her cries made me feel like someone was clawing my chest with claws as I clenched my fist against my chest.

I wanted to run. I wanted to cover my ears. Looking at Nova I wanted to cry too. But I couldn’t.

My stomach felt weird because of the shock, my hands trembled as I quickly crawled towards Miss Warrior not trusting my legs. I hovered over her, my breath came shocked and panicked. Her skin was pale, her chest was rising slowly it made my fear increase.

Nova looked at my panicked state, her eyes looked at me wildly with tears in her eyes “Do something! Help her!”

My breath hitched at her words, my own fear made me want to cry. I was just a boy. What could I do? My father wasn’t here, the healers weren’t here, no one was here to tell me what to do.

But Nova’s desperate movements to wake Miss Warrior up snapped me out. I clenched his fists, tried to swallow the lump in his throat, and forced my mind to remember. My father’s voice. His lessons.

An Alpha doesn’t freeze. He leads. He always protects.

I squeezed my eyes shut and sent my thoughts through the bond I shared with my father.

Papa—! Something’s wrong! It’s Miss Warrior—she collapsed! Please come back, you have to please!

My father's answer came instantly, I can tell he was shocked by what he heard but he commanded me firmly.

Stay with her. I’m coming.

After ending the mindlink, I finally felt a bit steadier than before. My father was coming. That means he has already contacted the doctor by now.

I opened my eyes and turned back to Nova. Her shoulders gently shook as she sobbed quietly holding onto Miss Warrior’s arm.

“Nova” I called her name gently with a shaky voice. But there was no answer from her.

“Nova,” he tried again, louder this time, reaching out to put a hand on her small shoulder. “Look at me.”

Her eyes were now red yet still filled with tears, I saw fear in her eyes as she searched my face.

“She will be fine,” I rasped softly, though fear tried to enter my tone. “She’s Miss Warrior. She wins no matter what. She’ll… she’ll wake up.”

Nova shook her head as she hiccupped. “But why is she not moving?”

Leo’s chest hurt at the sight of her tears. His own eyes burned, his vision blurry, but he bit his lip hard and shook his head firmly. “She is not moving doesn't mean that she left us for forever. You know how strong she is. Stronger than anyone. She won’t leave you. She won’t leave us.”

After hearing my words Nova paused. She still whimpered as she held onto her mother, she wasn't shaking her anymore.

I turned to the other maid in the room. She looked frozen and pale as she stared at Miss Warrior’s collapsed body. I looked at her angrily, no longer scared.

“You!” My voice cracked but came out loud enough to make her jump. “Go get the doctor. Now!”

The maid quickly nodded and rushed out to get the doctor.

My heart beat became fast, but I looked back at Nova, who looked small and fragile as she curled next to her mother’s still body.

I gently opened my arms “Come here,” I said softly.

Nove looked at him and blinked, she slowly walked towards me and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her gently yet firmly.

I whispered gently, “It's okay.” I slowly rocked her as I saw adults do to children “I’ve got you.”

She finally calmed down, her sobs were now quiet though her hiccups didn't stop. Her face was now pressed against my shoulder, I felt her tears wetting my shirt but I didn’t mind. I continued to caress her back gently.

The minutes felt longer than it could have.

Every rise and fall of Miss Warrior's chest was all Leo could focus on. It was weak but I can still hear it. She was breathing softly which was a good thing. She will survive.

Nova gently moved against me, as she rasped softly. “It was my fault..” I looked at her shocked “What?”

Her eyes were red and swollen, her lip trembling. “She was playing with me today. She just wanted to make me happy. And now she—she—”

I shook my head fiercely, tightening my arms around her. “No. Don’t say that. Don’t even think about it. Nova, this is definitely not your fault. She loves you. That’s why she likes to spend time with you and play with you.

I continued “Because she wanted to see you smile. That’s why I can tell she will come back. Because she loves you too much to leave.”

Nova blinked again her tears trailed down her cheeks but the panic in her eyes was gone and replaced with softness.

I swallowed hard. My own fears were pressing onto me, I felt like it would crush me any moment but I stayed strong so Nova doesn't have to see my weakness.

I had to be strong for Nova, For Miss Warrior.

There was a tense silence in the room only Nova’s sobbing and my scared uneven breathing echoing through the room.

I looked at Miss Warrior again. Her hands were laying slack on the floor, I slowly reached out to her hand and gently took it in my own. Her skin felt soothing, cool but not cold. I grasp her hand tightly as if it could help her survive and wake up.

I whisper softly as I control my tears “please, you can't leave us. Please. I swear I will protect Nova, I promise just… don’t leave us.”

I didn’t realize Nova had lifted her head until she whispered too, her small hand sliding over their joined ones.

I heard Nova whisper softly “Please don't leave us Mommy.” I bit his lip, my chest aching as I pulled Nova closer again.

“Shh. She’ll hear you. She’ll come back. We just have to believe.”

The door burst open then, heavy footsteps pounding in, and my head shot up. My father was there. His face was tight with panic, his eyes immediately finding Miss Warrior on the floor, Nova in my arms.

My breath caught, my heart pounding faster. Relief rushed through me, so strong it nearly knocked me over. My father was here. Things would be okay now.

Before father could reach us, I tightened my hold on Nova and whispered into her ear, more for myself than for her:

“She’ll be alright. She has to be. Miss Warrior never loses.”