Riley POV — rewritten with darker tone + stronger emotion + bigger reveal hook
The hospital hallway felt too bright. Too quiet. Too still.
Riley paced the length of the sterile corridor, arms wrapped around herself as if she could hold her shaking body together. She couldn’t stop hearing the alarms. Couldn’t stop seeing the flames swallowing the library. Couldn’t stop imagining Alex lying motionless inside that fire.
Every few seconds, her eyes flicked to the double ER doors.
Mason, please tell me she’s okay. Please don’t let me lose her.
Mason stood beside her, tense but steady — a silent anchor. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides, his wolf pressing dangerously close to the surface.
“She’s strong,” he murmured finally, voice rough. “She’s going to make it.”
Riley didn’t
