Chapter 66

Gideon’s POV

I was in slumber and the only thing I could hear was my rhythmic heartbeat. My chest rose and fell in even motions, the suffocating fire that had consumed me earlier now reduced to dull embers. The aching in my muscles reminded me of the struggle and hard work I did for the pack and the wars I fought.

I forced my eyes open. The hospital’s familiar herbal, sterile scent made me a bit conscious, the air was thick with antiseptic and wolf musk. The moonlight entered through the window spreading the light across the floor.

Then I saw them.

Raven sat on her bed beside my bed. Her posture was a bit weary and alert, her shoulders slightly hunched as if she carried an invisible burden, as though the weight of the world pressed on them. Her eyes were filled with exhaustion but I felt the strength she carried so gracefully.

Nova laid her head on Raven's lap as she slept but still held onto her hand as if she was scared that Raven would disappear. Leo sat on the chair between us but he laid his head on Raven's lap as well he spoke something in his sleep,I wanted to know what was inside his sweet innocent mind.

The scene infront of me was like a flicker of light in the shadow.

For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to simply watch. To remember the way children clung onto her, how naturally she managed to take care of them and is able to fit in with them as if they belong together. As though this scene—her, the children, peace—was the way things should have always been.

But then she looked up, and her gaze collided with mine. The air shifted completely.

Her gaze held mine for a heartbeat too long, piercing, searching, before she lowered her gaze as she looked away, breaking the vulnerable connection we had. That hurt more than it should have.

The silence was heavy and unbearable in the room, even more painful than the wounds of battles I carried. I wanted to speak but no words came out with the memory I carried of being drugged. My tongue felt heavy.

I remember the way my hands pinning her, of my voice rough and low, my words were spoken by an aphrodisiac, there was no love but the hunger for lust. The desperation in her struggle.

The fire in her eyes as she pushed me away. The shame I felt was like burning acid.

Raven finally broke the silence as she asked me softly yet steadily. “How are you feeling, Alpha Gideon?”

The question was simple but I knew behind that question was something more. Concern. Distance. There was cautiousness and formality which for some reason I didn't like. She had built a wall around her mind and heart maybe because of herself or for me.

“I feel a lot better,” I answered with a raspy voice since I just woke up. “The poison is no longer in effect… it’s wearing off now.”

She nodded with relief. Her lips were pressed in a straight line as if she wanted to speak but she didn't dare to because she didn't want to break the peaceful moment. She kept her gaze fixed on her hands resting on the children, not on me.

She continued to caress the children. The weight of quietness filled the room.

I wanted to tell her it hadn’t been me. That the fire in my veins, the hunger in my body—it wasn’t my will. I wanted to apologize for frightening her, for putting her in that impossible position.

But the words I wanted to speak stuck in my throat.

The door opened with a soft creak, ending the moment of our silence.

My Beta stepped inside, his keen eyes sweeping over the scene before landing on me. There was a quick glimpse of relief on his face but it quickly disappeared and turned into his usual stoic and calm composure. He bowed his head softly yet respectfully.

“Alpha,” he said. “You’re awake. Thank the Goddess.”

Duty shoved its way between Raven and me, as it always did.

I straightened despite the ache in my body, pulling the mantle of Alpha back around me like armor. “Report now,” I said with a steady command, as if nothing actually happened.

The beta walked towards the side of my bed and placed the folder of documents on the table beside me. He just kept looking at me as he observed the tension in my muscles and saw hollowness in my eyes and then gave Raven a quick glance which I managed to catch.

He was suspicious. He was wondering.

“What is Daphne doing? What have you done with her?” I asked.

“I have put her under house arrest temporarily,” he replied firmly yet calmly. “Guards are stationed outside her quarters. The pack has found out about the incident and is whispering, but I’ve ensured no one finds out about the details. For now.”

I clenched my jaw thoughtfully knowing he must have been waiting for me to wake up to discuss the punishment for Daphne.

“And what about the rogues?”

“We’ve tightened security. Patrols doubled. The guard she bribed has been identified and detained. He’s already talking under interrogation—though it seems he was merely a pawn. Someone else gave the orders.”

Of course. Daphne always had help from someone but I wondered who.

I slowly rubbed my temple, I was still feeling very exhausted. My body still burned faintly, a reminder of the aphrodisiac, but it was nothing compared to the storm in my mind.

My beta hesitantly spoke his mind. “Alpha… I saw Daphne outside your office earlier. It looked like she was waiting for something.”

Raven’s head snapped up, her eyes widening slightly with shock before she quickly looked away again.

My stomach twisted. I slowly started to remember as the fog in my mind slowly started to disperse, the way she entered without knocking and gave me the glass of water. And me, distracted, not even thinking as I reached for it later.

“How dare she…” I muttered, my voice low, dangerous, my wolf snarled wanting revenge. Rage flickered through me like wildfire, but it wasn’t just aimed at her. It was aimed at myself, too. For being blind. For allowing it.

My Beta spoke calmly, his voice lowering. “You need to rest, Alpha. If the pack somehow finds out about this it will make them think you have become weak.”

“I will not become weak,” I snapped out, though my voice came out sharper and harsher than intended. The children woke up and flinched. Raven shifted, her hand tightening protectively around Nova and Leo.

The sight made me feel like someone stabbed me in the heart.

I took a deep breath, forcing my voice to get lower and soften. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not fine,” Raven said suddenly. Her voice was quiet but firm, it carried a steel edge. She finally looked at me in the eyes again. “You nearly lost yourself. That’s not fine, Alpha Gideon.”

Hearing my name so formally on her lips—with the title, with distance—hit me harder than I expected.

For a moment, silence stretched again. Her words lingered, heavy with truth. And I couldn’t argue. Not this time.

My Beta cleared his throat, breaking the tense atmosphere. “Alpha, you need to think about Daphne’s punishment once you’re fully recovered. The pack will demand justice.”

I nodded curtly, but my mind was still distracted by other thoughts. Justice. Yes. But justice alone would not be enough. Not for what she had done to Claire, she also tried to hurt Raven. Not for what she had nearly made me do.

When the Beta left a few minutes later, the room felt quieter, heavier.

Raven busied herself adjusting Nova’s blanket, though I noticed her hands trembled slightly. Leo leaned against her, his eyes flicking to me, uncertain, wary.

I wanted to reach out. To say the words I had been holding back. But every time I tried, shame clamped down on my chest.

So instead, I sat in silence, watching her. Watching the way she held onto the children like they were her lifeline. Watching the distance in her eyes whenever they flicked toward me.

And for the first time in a long time, I wondered if even an Alpha’s strength would be enough to bridge the chasm that had opened between us.