When Markus stepped inside Kaia's hospital room, his wolf, Stinger, surged forward, curiosity and concern evident in his heightened senses. As he approached the bed, a pang of sadness washed over him, a heaviness settling in his chest. Kaia's still figure, surrounded by the hum of medical machines, seemed so far from the lively girl he had known.
He sat down beside her, memories flooding his mind. Kaia had been a constant presence in his life since his friendship with Azriel began. He remembered her as a mischievous younger sister, her antics always bringing a smile to his face. Her childhood crush on him had been endearing, a phase that had amused him greatly. As she matured, their conversations deepened each time he was visiting, and he saw her potential as a compassionate and wise pers
