Her breathing became shallow, uneven. I leaned forward instinctively, worry consuming me as I reached toward her.
"Helena, I…" My voice was choked with raw emotion. I didn’t know what to say.
"Leave me," she said, her tone raw but firm.
I hesitated, not wanting to leave her alone in this moment, but the weight of her expression left no room for negotiation. Nodding mutely, I stood, my legs weak beneath me. Slowly, I slipped out of her chambers, carefully closing the door behind me.
The pack hospital buzzed around me with its usual quiet energy. I was seated in one of the lounge chairs near the front, my arms wrapped tightly around myself. The sound of footsteps and distant voices barely registered as my mind replayed the phone call over and over again.
The mortifying sound of Vic
