An Awakening and a Painful Silence

VANESSA

Three days. Three endless, agonizing days of sitting beside Fabian's hospital bed, watching his small chest rise and fall with mechanical precision. Three days of whispered prayers and desperate bargaining with any deity who might be listening.

"Please, baby. Just open your eyes," I whispered, clasping his small hand between mine.

The Moonstone Pack's healing center was silent except for the steady beeping of monitors. I'd barely left this room since we'd arrived, only stepping out when Leo physically dragged me away to eat or shower. Even then, I'd hurried back, terrified I might miss something.

I brushed Fabian's dark hair away from his forehead. His face was so peaceful, so still. Too still for my vibrant, energetic son.

"Your dad saved you," I told him softly, even though I didn't know if he could hear me. "He got you out of that fire. He..." My voice cracked. "He loves you so much, Fabian."