Chapter 65

Claire’s POV

I might have stayed staring and observed Gideon a bit more but the sound of the door opening interrupted me.

“You’re awake.”

I turned to see the pack doctor standing near the foot of my bed, a small smile tugging at his lips. He looked tired, but there was relief in his eyes as he observed me.

I looked at the doctor and then at Leo and Nova who stood behind him and observed the conversation.

“How… long was I out for?” I rasped, my throat dry as I asked the doctor.

“You’ve been unconscious for a few hours, Miss Raven” he answered gently as he poured water into a cup. He handed it to me, and I drank greedily as I finished the water in a few gulps, the cool liquid soothing the ache in my throat making me sigh with relief.

I placed the empty glass at the table beside me. He continued to explain my condition, “Your wounds were deep and severe, but you’ll manage to recover. You lost a lot of blood, and exhaustion did the rest. It’s a miracle you managed to survive, you’re alive and well, Miss Raven.”

Nova gently grabbed the doctor’s coat and asked innocently “My mommy is going to be alright? She will play with us again right?”

The doctor smiled and gently patted her head. “Yes, soon she will play with you, she is a strong warrior afterall.”

I smiled at Nova's innocent question but then my gaze turned to unconscious Gideon.

In this pack I knew I was no longer Claire but Raven. The mask I still wore to hide my real self. “And…what about Gideon?”

The doctor’s gaze softened at the Alpha’s name. “He’s stable now, he might wake up soon. The Beta carried him in after you both collapsed. Aphrodisiac poison was given to him—it was very strong. But now his body is slowly building immunity against it and fighting it off. Another few minutes and he should wake up.”

I felt dizzy with relief. I leaned back on the bed as I looked at Gideon's resting form.

The doctor took notice of the way I looked at Gideon. His voice lowered to a whisper. “You stayed by his side even when it nearly cost you your life. Not many would have stood against a wolf in human form.”

My lips twisted in a faint, weary smile. “I couldn’t let her have him, not in the condition I saw him in. It was the right thing I did.”

There was another knock on the door and saw Beta standing by the door as he cleared his throat softly as if to get my attention. He walked towards my bed and stood beside it with his arms crossed, his expression was steady yet serious. His eyes flickered between me and the children, then back to me.

I understood what he meant as I asked the children, "Nova, Leo can you get me something to eat, I am hungry?” to which they quickly nodded and left to get me food.

I looked at Beta knowing he wanted to speak.

“You want to know what happened before and after you collapsed,” he asked plainly knowing I wanted to know exactly what happened.

I nodded as my stomach knotted. “Please. What about Gideon? And why was Daphne there?”

For a moment, the Beta’s eyes softened, almost imperceptibly. “ Daphne tried to drug Alpha Gideon and take advantage of him. But now The Alpha is taking the rest he deserves. The poison in his system has weakened, thanks to the doctor’s work. He’s stable and safe now thanks to you and the doctor. He’ll wake up soon.”

Relief washed through me, Gideon was safe and so was I. After confronting Daphne I thought I was going to die but luckily I didn't and I got to stay with my family. “Thank the Moon Goddess…”

But then my thoughts darkened, and I asked the question that gnawed at my chest and it made me very anxious. “And what about Daphne, where is she?”

Beta's expression became stern but he answered. “She is under house arrest. Confined to her quarters with guards posted at every exit. For now, I have made sure she can’t cause more harm.”

I blinked in shock rolling over me like a wave knowing house arrest is a light punishment. “Just house arrest?”

The beta narrowed his eyes but he knew my question was understandable so he plainly answered. “It is not my decision to make her punishment permanent. That belongs to the Alpha. When Alpha Gideon wakes, he will decide what is to be done with her and I know one thing for sure it won't be a light punishment.”

I looked at Beta thoughtfully and asked “why do you think Daphne drugged Alpha Gideon?”

The beta just stared at me for a bit like he knew the answer but then spoke up “There might be many reasons but the one I think is the reason is jealousy and insecurity.”

I looked at him shocked. “Who is she jealous of?”

The Beta just stared at me and that stare was the answer he told. I shook my head “No that can't be right Beta, why would she be jealous of me?”

But in my mind I knew the answer of my own question but I felt like I was in denial. I was sure he liked Daphne but now it seemed like they were against each other. Could it be that Gideon has finally figured out how Daphne truly is?

Now I was curious how Gideon is going to handle Daphne once he wakes up.

I sank back against the pillows, my heart twisting. Even after everything… she still breathes. Still plots. Still waiting for another chance, hopefully she won't get another chance.

Hopefully Gideon has woken up from the sweet dream Daphne has created, if he has my work of protecting Leo has become a lot more easier. No wonder he didn't stop me when I slapped Daphne that time.

Daphne found out that she is slowly losing control over Gideon so she finally used this cruel method to keep her position as Luna.

The Beta studied me silently at that, his eyes glinting with something unreadable—approval, maybe even suspicion.

“Rest for now Miss Raven,” he said firmly after a long pause. “You’ll need your strength. The Alpha will need you when he wakes up. He will need you as a witness to confirm Daphne's crimes, don't worry you will get justice.”

Then, without waiting for an answer, he turned and left the room, his presence like a shadow fading down the hall.

I tightened my hold on my children who just returned with the food and saw Beta walk out, their warmth grounding me in a world that suddenly felt like it was tipping into chaos. My body ached, my mind reeled, but one truth burned brighter than the rest:

If Gideon truly is feeling guilty about what he did to me, then I could never let Daphne—or anyone else—take him away. Then just like my children, I will protect Gideon as well.