Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder
Chapter 1185 - 96 : The Voice in My Head

Chapter 1185: Chapter 96 : The Voice in My Head

*Daphne*

I held Rion’s hand practically the whole way to Breles. It took nearly an entire day to travel there. Rion was on a secure bed with wheels that were locked in place and held with thick straps so that he wouldn’t be jostled around too much.

This was just a precaution since the vehicle we were in was extremely smooth. It almost felt as if we weren’t moving at all. The transport was quite large and had plenty of space, allowing me to get up from my seat and walk around if I’d wanted to, but I stayed right by my husband’s bedside, watching his face as he slept.

We had a few pack warriors with us as well, which was a bit of a comfort. They were taking their roles as protectors seriously and were stationed at various exit and entry points in the sleek transport. I was grateful for the added protection, but I also hated the stark contrast of their strong, sure bodies to Rion’s still and battered one.

I busied myself as best as I could during the long ride, changing Rion’s bandages several times since his wounds still weren’t healing. I spent the rest of the time speaking softly to him, begging him to wake up and get better for me, and for our daughters.

Despite the situation, I was momentarily in awe at the large dome-shaped building with shiny glass walls. Rion was wheeled off ahead of me and into the gorgeous hospital while our guards escorted me along.

A kind, older doctor who reminded me of my father met us at the main entrance, which had a large swirling indoor fountain surrounded by a lush garden.

“Welcome, Luna,” he said, nodding to me and holding out a hand. “I am Doctor Elowen. We’ve been briefed on your husband’s condition and will be sure he undergoes tests and treatment immediately.”

I took his hand, straightening my shoulders and trying desperately to be brave. “Thank you, Doctor Elowen. I appreciate it so much.”

Doctor Elowen gripped my hand firmly and I was surprised to see compassion already coming through his professional exterior. “I respect your parents so much, Luna Daphne. Rest assured that we will do whatever we can for Alpha Rion.”

Somehow, that caused me to relax. The doctor spoke with such conviction, and he seemed so kind and capable. It gave me just a little bit of hope.

Doctor Elowen offered to have another staff member give me a tour of the hospital while Rion was undergoing his tests, but I refused, wanting to be as close to Rion as possible. There was no way I would be able to even mildly appreciate a tour of the pretty hospital, not while Rion was fighting for his life.

As I was escorted into Rion’s room, I immediately understood why the doctor suggested I go on a little tour while they did tests. Rion was hooked up to several machines that looked like they could float and speak at any time.

They were white robots that beeped and whistled as they covered Rion’s body with lights. Numbers flashed on a nearby screen that I didn’t understand. A couple of hospital workers were taking notes on a couple of other screens.

I watched, overwhelmed but also relieved by all the high-tech procedures that were taking place. It was obvious that coming here was the right choice. These people clearly knew what they were doing.

I just had to hope and pray that it would be enough.

Before I knew it, we had been at the hospital for over twenty-four hours. Rion’s bleeding finally started to slow down, and his wounds were beginning to heal as well. I felt tears of relief leak from my eyes as I watched them start to close, still slower than was natural for Rion, but faster than a normal shifter’s.

I was a couple of steps away from his bedside, longing to reach out and touch him, but couldn’t get in his caretakers’ way.

It had been such a rush since we arrived with countless nurses and other workers coming in and out of the room to do tests or just check up on Rion. I was beyond grateful for all the care he was getting, but I would have been lying if I’d said I wasn’t relieved when it was finally just us and the doctor in the room.

“There has definitely been an improvement since you’ve arrived, Luna,” Doctor Elowen said as he gestured to Rion’s charts that were displayed on the large, bright screens in front of us.

His voice was low and gentle as he continued. “The tests done have indicated that brain activity is present but unfortunately, it is still unclear when or if he will ever wake up.”

I drew in a sharp breath but said nothing, turning to look at Rion, who looked so small on the large white hospital bed. I felt tears prick my eyes as I crossed the room toward him, my feet feeling heavy.

I had tried to connect with Rion through touch multiple times on the ride over, getting more and more discouraged with each attempt. I was hoping that after he began treatment and began to heal, I would be able to hear him. His wounds were healing and there was brain activity present.

There was hope.

I was holding my breath as I knelt by Rion’s bedside and reached out to grasp his pale, cold hand. He was so still, but I could feel his pulse beating against mine as I squeezed his hand. I closed my eyes, imagining his voice in my head. I called to him, softly at first and then louder and louder, my own voice echoing in my mind.

I waited, still holding my breath.

Nothing--just silence and an echo after my own voice rang in my head.

I felt my stomach drop and my chest twist up as I opened my eyes and stared at Rion’s still face and at his smooth eyelids that might not ever open again.

I drew in a sharp breath and when I let it back out, it was a heart wrenching sob that seemed to shake my entire body.

I clutched the thin sheet that covered Rion hard in my hands, letting my face fall against his arm. It hurt how much I longed for his arms to hold me. Nothing compared to this anguish.

I jumped when something touched my shoulder. Doctor Elowen was looking down at me with so much understanding in his light brown eyes that it was difficult to look at.

I stood shakily.

"I’m sorry," I murmured, though for what I wasn’t sure.

"No need to apologize," Doctor Elowen assured me. "Your reaction is completely understandable."

I nodded but then put a hand up to my forehead, and the room began to spin. The last thing I remembered was the doctor’s eyes widening and his lean arms wrapping around my shoulders before my world went black.

***

When I woke up later, I was in a bed, and there was a steady beeping beside my head. I groaned as I sat up, my head still spinning slightly.

"Hey."

I blinked a few times and turned to see Eva sitting in a chair beside my bed.

I felt my eyebrows furrow when I realized that I wasn’t in my bed.

My heart lurched as the memories came flooding back.

"What are you doing here?"

Eva shook her head. "We were notified that our beloved Luna was also admitted to the hospital, so I took it upon myself to come and check on her."

I lifted my hands to my face so I could rub my eyes. "What happened?" I asked, squinting as I tried to recall. I flexed my muscles and looked down at myself.

I looked fine. I was now dressed in a plain white dress with large sleeves and a slit down one side held together by a matching knot. There was a needle in my right arm, putting some kind of fluid into me.

"You passed out," Eva responded, watching me with concern etched across her smooth face. She shook her head again, a tick in her jaw that reminded me painfully of her brother. "You need to take better care of yourself."

My jaw dropped. "What do you mean?"

Eva narrowed her eyes. "The doctor said you were dehydrated and lacking some essential vitamins. You haven’t been eating or drinking enough."

I felt my face color as I looked down at the bedsheets. "I’ve been preoccupied as of late," I muttered.

Eva’s face softened and she put a hand on my knee. "I know," she said with a sigh. "Sorry, you just had me really worried."

I looked at her, touched by her genuine concern, and I felt my cheeks burn even more. "I’m sorry for worrying you."

Eva’s shoulders slumped. "It’s fine. I’m glad you’re okay."

I winced, feeling far from okay. I felt like crying again. "How’d you get here?"

Eva hesitated briefly. "I might have called your mom. Don’t worry though," she added when she saw panic start to spread out over my face. "I called her once I got here and found out you were alright."

I sighed and laid back against the pillows, extremely exhausted.

Eva patted my hand. “You keep resting,” she commanded gently. “I’m going to check on Rion.”

I strained to sit up, swaying as I did so as my head spun again. “Wait, I want to go with you.”

I expected Eva to start lecturing me but instead, her thin eyebrows furrowed with concern and she immediately sat back down beside me and put a hand on my forehead. “Are you alright?” she asked. “You don’t look good. I should probably call the doctor to let him know you’re awake.”

“No, I’m fine,” I croaked out, waving a hand at her.

It was a blatant lie. I suddenly felt awful, and not just due to fatigue from the lack of food and water. Nausea was bubbling up my throat, but I held it back with difficulty, shutting my eyes since the spinning room was making it so much worse.

“Ahh, it’s good to see you awake, Daphne.”

I opened my eyes again as Doctor Elowen entered the room, smiling gently when I met his gaze. “How are you feeling?” he asked, stepping right up to the bed and peering down at me.

“Fine,” I murmured, gritting my teeth a bit.

Eva shook her head, clearly not believing me at all. “She’s still dizzy and seems to be extremely nauseous as well.”

I nearly groaned. Of course, my sister-in-law could see right through me just like her brother could.

Doctor Elowen nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me in the slightest,” he said. He revealed a folder that was tucked beneath his arm and held it up. “I would like to go over your labs with you, Daphne. That is if you’re feeling up to it.”

I looked up with confusion. There were layers behind the doctor’s tone, almost as if there was something extremely important about my labs that he needed to discuss.

Eva seemed to sense this as well. She reached out and took my hand. I squeezed it nervously.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, my eyes rounding.

Doctor Elowen actually smiled slightly. “You’ve been experiencing nausea and extreme fatigue due to severe dehydration and malnourishment,” he said. “But there is another reason for these symptoms as well. It would appear that you are pregnant, Luna Daphne. Congratulations.”