"Son, calm down," my father reasoned, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head, shrugging his hand off.

With a frail but stern voice, I replied, "No, no... It's my ... fault she's like ... this! If I had been ... stronger, she would--"

Dad disagreed firmly, his expression turning grim. "Kronos, she didn't save you just so you can feel like it's your fault that she's in surgery. She saved you because she loves you, and because you're her mate. Rhea wouldn't approve of what you're doing," he said, cutting me off.

I took note of his words, taking them into consideration. My throat burned, hurting from using my voice too much. I wasn't used to it, but eventually I would be. At times, it cracked and ended up making me croak my sentences out.

The nurses were staring at me with wide eyes, surprised that their Alpha was speaking. My wolfs eyes were out, so every time I met their eyes, they looked away, scurrying off elsewhere.

He was on high alert, upset and chanting,

It was both annoying and heartbreaking. Knowing that your mate could die, and it was all because she jumped in front of you to take the arrow.

What a selfless mate I have.

Eventually, I calmed down enough to take a seat. Father took a seat next to me, while Gaia, my.. mother sat a little farther away from us. Her eyes met my father's before his eyes adverted away, a frown appearing on his face. She only lowered her eyes downwards, looking somewhat guilty?

Gaia, for some reason, smelled like sweat and arousal, while Dad looked disgusted, but also relieved. He seemed to be split with his wolf, since his eyes kept turning back to brown.

Why was she here? I didn't want her here, certainly Rhea as well.

Then the thoughts stopped, the realization dawning on me.

Why aren't I afraid of my mother anymore?

my wolf, Apollo voiced.

The thought of my mate made me gloomy again, I missed her in my arms, especially her personality. It was something I've always looked forward to. Her looks were a bonus, but that didn't matter to me. All I wanted was her to come back alive, to be my Luna.

Tired from the events, I drifted off to sleep, hoping to see my mate in my dreams.

***

Snarls and whines was all I heard, the five rogues surrounding me. I easily ripped them apart, tossing them like a rag doll. In the corner of my eye, I see Rhea running up to me in wolf form.

It excited me to know my mate was here to assist me, to see her safe and sound. I was ready to trot up to her, only to see her jump in front of me.

My eyes widened to see her take the arrow for me.

The she-wolf that cheered me up when I was sad, the girl that acts tough on the inside but is as soft as a teddy bear, the girl that would do anything to make me smile, my best friend that loved every flaw I ever had.

I watched the pain that spread onto her face.

Heard the yelp that escaped out of her.

The blood that spread across her chest like a red blooming flower.

Her beautiful eyes looking deeply into mine with such love, before they closed.

The whole world stopped, and a surge of power washed through me. Something that I haven't felt in such a long time, my wolf just behind me.

He automatically made me shift, as I ran as fast as I could to my dying mate.

It sounded deaf on ears, my mouth opening before something that sounded foreign to even my ears.

"RHEA!!!"

***

I woke up with a jolt, panting.

Dad and... Gaia looking at me, and surprisingly, Coco and Azrael were here too. They were all curious of why I was gasping, as if I ran a marathon.

Recovering from my shock, I only waved them off, telling them I'm fine. That is was just a nightmare, one that was a flashback of what happened.

It seemed like dreams were no longer peaceful without Rhea by my side, and it'll never be. I can never imagine myself with anyone else.

A groan of frustration escaped me, before I punched the wall. Cracks of the wall appeared, bits and pieces falling onto the ground.

This is all Fortrista's fault, I'll kill her.

Wait a minute... that reminds me.

The last thing she said before Rhea checked Laura's body... what was it?

'Apollo voiced, cocking his head.

'Hmm... you're right. Rhea's been grieving over the death of our pack members. Just as I have been as well. She's also just as traumatized and she may have forgotten to bring it up. A lot has happened after all.' I said, agreeing with Apollo's words.

Apollo nodded, 'We should speak to him when things settle down. Right now, let's focus on mate.'

Sounds like a plan.

Just then, the surgeon exited out of the room, walking towards us. I jumped out of my seat and met up with him, my parents, Coco, and Azrael, trailing just behind me.

Eagerly, we waited for his words.

The surgeon removed his mask, and kept his eyes lowered, his neck showing in submission. With a deep shaky intake of a breath, he smoothly said, "Alpha, your mate is recovering nicely. She was lucky enough that the arrow didn't pierce her heart."

We all cheered, overjoyed.

However, the surgeon held up a hand and said words that made my whole world stop once more.

"Luna Rhea is in a coma, and we don't know when she'll wake up."