Chapter 18
Third-Person POV
They arrived at the hospital just as Alpha Simon was being wheeled out of surgery, unconscious and pale as death.
Wilona was still in her tattered wedding gown,
sitting motionless beside his room, eyes vacant. But the moment she spotted Judy, she sprang to her feet, claws metaphorically bared.
“You!” she screamed, lunging forward, nails
aimed for Judy’s face. “Why did you have to ruin everything?!”
Before she could get close, Grayson stepped between them with a low growl rumbling in his throat. The sound was subtle, but enough
to make Wilona freeze for a second before collapsing into tears.
“He won’t marry me because of you!” she sobbed. “Even now-half-dead, he’s still thinking about you! You must be so proud of yourself!”
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Judy didn’t respond. She walked past Wilona, her expression unreadable, and approached
the bed.
Alpha Simon looked barely alive-ashen skin, brow furrowed in pain, his breathing shallow.
“If the surgery was successful… will he be alright?” she asked quietly.
Suddenly, his lips moved.
“Judy… Judy…”
Even in his unconscious state, he called her
name, over and over.
His hands reached for something, desperate, trembling. Wilona tried to grab his hand.
“Simon, I’m right here-look, it’s me!”
But Simon flinched and shook her off.
“No… not you… Judy…”
A nurse rushed in, clearly flustered. “Didn’t
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you hear him? He’s calling for Judy! Which one of you is Judy?! If he doesn’t calm down, his condition could worsen!”
Wilona backed away, lips trembling.
Judy hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and gently placing her hand in his.
Instantly, Alpha Simon’s flailing stilled. His breathing steadied. His hand curled tightly
around hers like a lifeline.
Wilona stared at the scene in stunned silence, then turned and walked away slowly, her footsteps heavy with defeat.
Now, only three remained in the room—Judy, Simon, and Grayson.
Simon held Judy’s hand in a death grip, his
body clinging to her presence like a pup who’d lost his way,
She glanced at Grayson. “You should go back. I’ll stay here tonight.”
But Grayson shook his head, already settling
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into a chair with a casual sprawl.
“I’m good. Not tired. I’ll stay with you.”
He stretched his legs out and closed his eyes, making himself comfortable.
Judy didn’t argue.
She spent the night beside Simon, his grip. never loosening. Her legs eventually went numb from the awkward position, and the early rays of dawn painted the room in gold when
she stirred.
When she blinked awake, Alpha Simon was staring at her, his eyes bloodshot but filled with
an almost unbearable affection.
She tried to pull her hand away, but he
tightened his grip.
“My arm’s numb,” she said flatly. “You planning
to keep me hostage forever?”
“No,” Simen whispered. “But I’ll never let you go again, Judy. Not in this life.”
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He struggled to sit up, groaning with the effort.
Judy sighed and helped him.
“Let go,” she repeated. “Seriously.”
Reluctantly, he loosened his fingers.
She stood up and turned toward the bathroom.
“Where are you going?” he asked, voice raw.
“To the bathroom.”
But his eyes never left her. “You forgive me, don’t you? You stayed with me all night… That
means you still love me, right?”
His voice was low, trembling, desperate. If Judy hadn’t seen him wrapped around Wilona in that
hotel room… if she hadn’t known he took that
woman back to their house after she walked
away…
She might’ve believed him.
Instead, she gave him a long, emotionless look,
“Don’t misunderstand,” she said coldly. “I’m
only here because if something happens to you, the fallout will affect the Steele Pack and the Oliver family. That’s all.”
She turned and walked away, the sound of her heels echoing through the sterile room.
Simon’s breathing hitched, and just as he was about to force himself out of bed, a figure
blocked his path.
Grayson.
