Chapter 17: Silent Farewells

The soft click of the hospital door closing behind him felt like the end of a chapter, but Rhys couldn't shake the lingering sense of unfinished business. His arm was still sore, though the sling helped with the pain, and the doctors had given him strict instructions to rest at home for a few days. His mother, Emilia, fussed over him as they made their way down the sterile, white halls, while his father, Victor, carried the twins who were still half-asleep.

Despite the constant hum of conversation from his family, Rhys' mind kept drifting back to Dorian.

The night had been long and restless, his thoughts racing with concern for the Alpha who had been by his side during the storm. Kaelen had reassured him that Dorian was being treated in the same hospital, but the exact details were elusive. Rhys had tried—several times—to get the nurses to tell him where Dorian's room was, but they had been firm.

"No visitors," They had said. "His family has requested privacy."

Every time Rhys thought about it, a pang of frustration surged through him. Privacy—that word felt like a barrier, one that Dorian's parents had erected around him, shutting out anyone who wasn't in their inner circle.

Rhys trailed behind his family as they headed toward the main exit, his mind elsewhere. He couldn't help but feel that this wasn't over, that there was something more between him and Dorian that had yet to be addressed. Something pulling them together despite the chaos.

"Rhys," His father's deep voice cut through his thoughts, snapping him back to the present. "You alright, kid?"

Rhys blinked, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah, sorry. Just... tired."

His mother gave him a sympathetic smile, brushing a hand over his hair. "You've been through a lot, sweetie. It's normal to feel drained."

He nodded absently, though his mind was still turning over the idea of seeing Dorian—checking on him, making sure he was okay. But before he could voice those thoughts, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye.

Standing at the far end of the hallway, near the entrance to the VIP wing, were Eryx and Cassandra Vaelis.

Even at a distance, they were unmistakable. Eryx, with his tall, commanding presence and cold blue eyes that seemed to pierce through everything they landed on, and Cassandra, with her sharp, calculating gaze and the quiet authority that radiated from her every movement.

The moment they saw Rhys, their expressions shifted—subtle, but enough to make Rhys' stomach twist.

"Mom, Dad, you go ahead," Rhys muttered quickly to his parents, his eyes still on the Vaelis couple. "I'll catch up."

Emilia hesitated, glancing between Rhys and the imposing figures down the hall, but she gave him a reassuring nod. "Alright, just don't be too long."

Victor gave his son a quick, assessing look before nodding in agreement, and they continued toward the exit with the twins in tow. As Rhys stood in place, he watched his family leave, the soft clicking of their footsteps growing fainter.

And then, with a deep breath, he turned back to the Vaelis couple.

They were walking toward him now, their movements smooth and deliberate, like predators circling their prey. Rhys straightened, his heart pounding just a little faster as they closed the distance between them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Vaelis," Rhys greeted, his voice steady despite the nervous energy coursing through him.

Eryx was the first to speak, his voice low and cold. "Rhys."

Cassandra's sharp amber eyes swept over him, taking in the sling, the exhaustion in his posture, but there was no warmth in her gaze. Only cold calculation.

"We understand you've been involved in... several incidents with our son recently," Eryx said, his tone carefully neutral but with a hard edge that was impossible to miss. "Events that have placed him in difficult situations."

Rhys' chest tightened, but he held his ground. "I didn't intend for things to go wrong," He said quietly. "Dorian was helping me just as much as I was helping him."

Cassandra's eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That's precisely the problem, Mr. Everen. Every time something happens, it seems you're involved." Her voice was smooth but dripping with veiled warning. "And we're not sure that's the kind of influence our son needs in his life."

Rhys felt a flash of anger rise in his chest, but he pushed it down, keeping his voice calm. "With all due respect, I've never tried to hurt Dorian. He's been there for me, too."

Eryx stepped forward, his presence looming as he locked eyes with Rhys. "We're aware of that. But what concerns us," He said, his voice growing colder, "Is that Dorian has responsibilities. He is expected to maintain control—of himself, of his emotions, and of the situations he finds himself in."

There was no mistaking the underlying accusation in Eryx's tone. He wasn't just talking about the past few days—he was talking about Rhys' very presence in Dorian's life, the disruption he caused, intentional or not.

Cassandra's gaze sharpened further as she added, "Dorian's future is important, and his path is already set. We cannot allow distractions to derail that."

Rhys clenched his jaw, the weight of their words pressing down on him. He had always known that Dorian came from an elite family, that there were expectations on him that went beyond the typical pressures of being a student. But hearing it laid out like this, hearing the cold, unyielding tone of control in their voices—it made Rhys' skin crawl.

"I understand," Rhys said carefully, his voice tight but respectful. "But Dorian is his own person. He deserves to make his own choices."

Eryx's gaze turned icy, his lips curling into the faintest hint of a smile. "Perhaps. But you would do well to remember that his choices have consequences. And so do yours."

Rhys felt his heart skip a beat at the veiled threat in Eryx's words, but he didn't back down. He held the man's gaze, refusing to be intimidated. Dorian might be under their control for now, but Rhys wasn't going to be pushed away without a fight.

Cassandra's expression softened just a fraction, but the warning was still clear in her eyes. "Stay away from our son, Mr. Everen. For your sake—and his."

With that, the Vaelis couple turned and walked away, their cold, commanding presence lingering in the air even after they had disappeared down the hall.

Rhys stood there, his fists clenched at his sides, his heart racing as their words echoed in his mind. Stay away. The warning had been crystal clear. But something inside him—something deep and stubborn—refused to accept it.

Dorian deserved more than this. He deserved freedom, choices, and Rhys wasn't going to just walk away. Not after everything they had been through together.

As Rhys watched the Vaelis couple disappear, his resolve only hardened.

_

The hospital room was quiet, the soft hum of machinery and the faint rustle of the wind outside the window the only sounds that filled the space. Dorian sat upright in his bed, his eyes scanning the plain, sterile room, but his mind was elsewhere. The events of the past few days had left him feeling drained, his body still recovering from the onslaught of his rut and the exhaustion that had followed. He had woken up earlier, the doctor informing him that he would be discharged tomorrow, once they prepared a stronger suppressant for him.

A stronger suppressant.

The words left a bitter taste in Dorian's mouth. The very thing that had helped him keep control was now betraying him, and the idea of taking even stronger medication to keep his instincts at bay felt like a reminder of how much control he had to relinquish just to fit the mold his parents had crafted for him.

Dorian sighed, leaning back against the pillows, his mind drifting. His parents had been in and out of his room earlier, but they hadn't stayed long—there was always something more important to discuss, always some plan for his future they needed to attend to. He didn't mind their absence; in fact, he welcomed it. The quiet gave him time to think, and his thoughts inevitably drifted to Rhys.

Was Rhys alright? Was he still at the hospital? Dorian's fingers itched to reach for his phone, to find some way to ask about Rhys without it getting back to his parents, but the risk of them finding out was too great. They had always been strict about the company he kept, and after the events of the last few days, they were surely even more vigilant.

Still, he couldn't shake the worry that gnawed at him. He had left Rhys behind, hurt and exhausted, and the memory of that weighed heavily on his chest. He wished—more than anything—that someone would tell him what was going on. That someone would ease the tension that had settled in his heart.

A soft knock on the door pulled Dorian from his thoughts, and he sat up a little straighter, expecting one of the nurses or his parents. But when the door opened, it wasn't either of them.

It was Kaelen.

Dorian's brow furrowed in surprise, though he quickly masked it with a calm expression. Kaelen had been one of the guides during the trip, and while Dorian hadn't spent much time with him, there had been something... familiar and comforting about him. Something that had lingered in Dorian's mind even after the trip had gone awry.

"Mr. Vaelis," Kaelen greeted softly, stepping into the room. His voice was calm, though there was something guarded in his expression, as if he were holding back a deeper emotion.

"Kaelen," Dorian replied, inclining his head slightly. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Kaelen gave a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I wanted to check on you, see how you're doing."

Dorian's gaze softened for a moment, touched by the concern, though there was still a flicker of suspicion in the back of his mind. Why was Kaelen here? Why did it feel like there was more to his visit than just concern?

"I'm... better," Dorian said quietly, his voice a little rough from the exhaustion that still clung to him. "I'll be discharged tomorrow, once the doctor finalizes everything."

Kaelen nodded, stepping a little closer to the bed, his eyes flicking briefly to the IV drip beside Dorian before settling on the young Alpha's face again. "That's good to hear. You've been through a lot."

Dorian's lips twitched in a faint smile, though there was a weariness behind it. "It's been... a rough few days."

Kaelen's gaze softened, and for a moment, the weight of his own emotions seemed to flicker behind his calm exterior. But he quickly masked it, his eyes returning to Dorian's. "I won't stay long. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Dorian nodded, grateful for the concern, but there was still that nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Something about Kaelen's presence felt... different. More personal.

Before Kaelen could turn to leave, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small object—a simple but beautifully crafted bracelet made of dark leather with a small, intricate charm hanging from it. Kaelen held it out to Dorian, his expression unreadable.

"I thought you might like this," Kaelen said quietly, his voice soft but carrying a weight that Dorian couldn't quite place. "Just... something to have with you."

Dorian blinked, taken aback by the gesture. The bracelet was simple but elegant, clearly crafted with care, and for some reason, it tugged at something deep inside him—a feeling he couldn't quite name.

"Thank you," Dorian said slowly, reaching out to take the bracelet. As his fingers brushed against it, a strange warmth settled in his chest, but he pushed the feeling aside, offering Kaelen a small, appreciative smile.

Kaelen gave a small nod, his eyes lingering on Dorian for a moment longer before he stepped back toward the door. "Take care of yourself, Dorian," He said quietly, his voice filled with a quiet intensity that sent a shiver down Dorian's spine.

But just as Kaelen reached the door, Dorian caught a glimpse of something—someone—moving just outside. A flash of pale blonde hair, a figure standing briefly in the doorway before disappearing out of sight.

Dorian's heart skipped a beat, his mind trying to make sense of what he had just seen. It had been so quick—just a flicker of a presence—but something about the figure outside had felt familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before. His gaze darted back to Kaelen, but the guide had already opened the door.

Before Dorian could ask anything, Kaelen gave him a final nod. "Rest well," He said, and then he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

Dorian sat in silence for a long moment, the bracelet still clutched in his hand as his mind raced with questions. The brief appearance of the man outside the door—the familiarity of his presence—lingered in his thoughts, but he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the gift in his hand.

He slipped the bracelet onto his wrist, the leather cool against his skin, and for a moment, a sense of comfort washed over him. He didn't know why, but something about it felt... right. As if it belonged there.

Dorian glanced toward the door once more, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Thank you, Kaelen," He whispered softly, his voice barely audible in the quiet room.

_

The cool evening air swept through the hospital's front entrance as Lyrian and Kaelen made their way down the long hallway, heading toward the exit. Despite the quiet that surrounded them, Lyrian's heart was anything but calm. His chest ached with the weight of what had just transpired, the brief moment of seeing Dorian—their son, so close yet still so unreachable—lingering in his thoughts like a bittersweet memory.

Lyrian ran a hand through his white-blonde hair, his fingers trembling slightly. "He looked so peaceful... but so alone," He murmured, his voice soft and full of the emotion he had been holding in all day.

Kaelen, walking beside him, gave a small nod, his face a mask of quiet reflection. "I know. It's not easy, Lyrian. But we did what we could."

"I wanted to tell him," Lyrian said, his voice tightening with the strain of holding back tears. "I wanted to tell him everything. To hold him, to—"

"Not yet," Kaelen interrupted gently, his hand reaching out to rest on Lyrian's arm. His golden-brown eyes were soft but firm, filled with the quiet understanding that had always been his strength. "We can't rush this. Not when he's so vulnerable."

Lyrian let out a shaky breath, his gaze dropping to the floor. He knew Kaelen was right. They couldn't overwhelm Dorian, not now, when his world was already so carefully controlled by the Vaelis. But that didn't make the pain of separation any easier to bear.

"He's strong," Kaelen added softly, his voice filled with quiet pride. "You saw it yourself. He'll be alright. We just need to be patient."

Lyrian nodded, though his heart still ached with the yearning to be close to Dorian. "I just hope... one day he'll understand."

They walked in silence for a moment, the soft sound of their footsteps echoing through the empty hallway. Lyrian's mind was still spinning with thoughts of Dorian, of the life he had been forced to lead under the Vaelis' watchful eye, of the emotional distance that had been placed between them for so many years.

And then, out of the corner of his eye, Lyrian saw them.

Eryx and Cassandra Vaelis, walking down the same hallway, deep in conversation. The couple moved with the same air of authority they always carried, their voices low but firm as they discussed something that Lyrian couldn't quite hear. They were walking toward the exit as well, their heads bent slightly toward each other, too absorbed in their conversation to notice anyone else.

Lyrian's breath hitched in his throat, and his hand instinctively tightened around Kaelen's arm. For a moment, panic flashed through him—what if they recognized him? What if they knew who he was, who they both were?

But as the Vaelis couple passed by, they didn't spare a single glance in Lyrian and Kaelen's direction. They were too engrossed in their conversation, their voices hushed but hurried, to notice anyone else in the hallway.

"I don't want him to be distracted again," Eryx's cold voice drifted toward them as he spoke to Cassandra. "He's had too many... incidents."

Cassandra's sharp amber eyes flicked toward her husband, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We'll handle it, Eryx. But we have to be careful how we proceed. The last thing we need is to push him further away."

Their voices faded as they continued down the hallway, turning a corner and disappearing from sight.

Lyrian let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his body still tense from the near encounter. His heart pounded in his chest, the proximity of the Vaelis couple—Dorian's adoptive parents—making his stomach churn with unease.

Kaelen's hand squeezed his arm gently, grounding him. "They didn't notice us," Kaelen said quietly, his voice calm and steady. "We're fine."

Lyrian nodded, though the tension still hummed beneath his skin. "I know. But still..."

Kaelen's gaze softened, and he gave Lyrian a reassuring smile. "We'll keep watching over him. We'll make sure he's safe. But for now, we have to let things play out."

Lyrian swallowed hard, his heart heavy with the weight of everything left unsaid, but he gave a small nod of agreement. He trusted Kaelen—he always had. And as much as it pained him to stay on the sidelines, he knew they couldn't rush this.

They reached the exit, the cool night air washing over them as they stepped outside. The city lights flickered in the distance, casting a soft glow over the quiet streets.

Lyrian glanced back at the hospital one last time, his chest tightening with the longing to be near his son. But as he turned to walk away, Kaelen's steady presence beside him, he held onto the hope that one day, the distance between them would no longer be necessary.