Fragile
Roman's pov
The night swallowed us as we crossed back into pack territory.
I didn't slow.
Aurora lay limp in my arms, her body too still, too quiet. Her blood stained my hands, her scent faint fragile in a way that made something dark twist violently inside me.
I was still in my Lycan form. I needed the strength.
Needed the control it gave me because if I let myself feel everything all at once...
I would break.
The infirmary doors burst open as I stepped inside.
Warm light flooded over us, stark against the darkness outside. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled the air, clean but suffocating.
Everything stopped.
Conversations died instantly, every head turned and then lowered into
Submission.
They moved out of my way without a word, creating a clear path as I carried her deeper inside.
"Doctor!" Kael's voice cut through the silence, sharp and urgent. "Now!"
Footsteps echoed hurriedly.
A nurse rushed forward, pushing a stretcher, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of Aurora.
I didn't wait. I walked straight toward the nurse and placed her on the stretcher.
Carefully-so carefully-I lowered her onto it.
Like she might break if I wasn't gentle enough.
My claws hovered for a second before I pulled my hands back, forcing myself to let go.
It felt wrong.
Every instinct screamed at me to keep her close.
To protect and to shield.
But I stepped back anyway.
Barely.
Kael moved beside me. "Her back," he said firmly to the doctor who had just arrived. "Treat it first."
The doctor nodded quickly, already assessing the damage.
I didn't look away.
I couldn't.
Her back...
It was worse under the light.
Torn.
Bloodied.
Anger surged again, hot and vicious.
My jaw clenched as a low growl rumbled deep in my chest, the sound vibrating through the room. A few of the nurses stiffened, but no one said a word.
Good.
Because I wasn't in the mood for anything else.
My gaze shifted to her face. She was
Pale. Too pale.
Her lashes rested against her cheeks, unmoving. Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing shallow
I stepped closer again, unable to keep the distance, my presence looming over the bed as the doctor began working.
"This will hurt when she wakes," he muttered, more to himself than to me.
Guilt settled heavy in my chest, mixing with the rage still simmering beneath my skin.
A soft, uneven breath left her lips.
My head snapped up instantly.
"Aurora..." I said, my voice lower now, rougher.
No response.
But I felt it-
I exhaled slowly, forcing some of the tension out of my body as I stood beside her, refusing to move, refusing to leave.
The room was quiet again.
Only the soft clinking of medical tools and hushed voices filled the space.
But inside me-
There was nothing but noise.
__________________________________________________
Morning light spilled softly through the tall windows of the infirmary, washing the room in a pale gold glow.
It was quiet.
The chaos of the night before felt distant now, like a storm that had passed but its damage still remained.
I sat beside her bed, unmoving.
Aurora lay there, fragile against the white sheets, her dark hair fanned gently around her face. The rise and fall of her chest was steady now, calmer but every now and then, I still felt faint echoes of her pain through the bond.
My hand rested on the edge of the bed, close enough to reach her if I needed to because I would.
I wasn't leaving her again not for anything.
A small movement pulled me from my thoughts.
Her fingers twitched.
Then her lashes fluttered slightly before her eyes slowly opened, adjusting to the soft light.
Relief hit me so suddenly it almost knocked the breath from my lungs.
I was on my feet in an instant, the chair scraping softly behind me as I moved closer to her.
"Aurora..." I whispered, my voice rougher than I intended.
Her gaze found mine.
For a second, she looked dazed like she wasn't sure if I was real.
Then a faint smile touched her lips.
"Roman..." she murmured.
Something in my chest tightened.
"I'm here," I said quickly, reaching for her hand, careful so careful as I wrapped my fingers around hers. "You're safe.
Her grip on my hand tightened weakly.
And then she broke.
Tears slipped down her eyes, silent at first, then heavier as her chest rose unevenly.
"I-" her voice trembled, breaking apart. "I thought-"
I didn't let her finish.
I leaned closer, my thumb brushing gently against her hand.
"It's over," I said firmly, but softer this time. "It's never going to happen again."
My jaw tightened slightly, but my gaze never left hers.
"I won't let anyone hurt you," I added quietly. "Ever again."
She nodded faintly, her tears still falling, but something in her expression eased just a little.
Slowly, she tried to push herself up.
My grip tightened immediately.
"No," I said, more sharply than I meant to, easing her back down against the pillows. "Don't move."
She frowned slightly.
"You'll reopen the stitches," I explained, my tone gentler now. "You need to rest."
Before she could argue, the door opened.
The doctor stepped in, his presence calm but attentive as his eyes moved to Aurora.
"Ah, you're awake," he said, approaching the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Aurora gave a small, brave smile despite everything. "I'm... okay," she said softly. "Just a little pain."
The doctor nodded, as if he expected that. "That's normal. I've prescribed pain medication it should help ease it."
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
He gave a short nod before glancing between us.
"You're stable now," he continued. "You can return home. I'll have a nurse come in to assist with your care."
"No."
The word came out instantly.
The doctor paused, looking at me.
"There's no need for that," I added, my gaze steady. "I'll take care of her."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then the doctor inclined his head slightly. "Very well."
He gave Aurora one last look before turning and leaving the room.
The door clicked shut behind him.
And just like that It was quiet again.
Peaceful.
My thumb brushed lightly over her hand again, slower this time.
More careful.
More... certain.
I wasn't letting her go.
Not again.
__________________________________________________
Aurora's pov
The palace felt different now, safer... and yet, my heart still beat a little too fast as Roman guided me through the grand halls. His arm hovered protectively around me, close enough to catch me if I stumbled but never forcing.
Every step reminded me of the pain in my back, the pull of stitches, the lingering weakness in my limbs.
I couldn't believe my own people did this to me, inflicted pain on me as the entire village stood by and watched even my own parents they did nothing to stop Rowan and the hunters.
If it weren't for Roman arriving on time to rescue me they would've beaten me to death.
"You okay?" Roman asked, looking down at me with concern.
I nodded. "I'm okay. You know you don't have to take care of me. You have alpha duties to do and you won't be able to handle both."
He stopped walking and turned to me.
His gaze was intense but not harsh.
"You're my mate," he said, his voice low, steady. "It's my duty to take care of you."
Something in my chest tightened.
"I don't want to be a burden," I admitted quietly, looking away.
For a moment, there was silence.
"You're not."
The words were immediate.
I looked back at him.
"You'll never be a burden to me," he added, softer now. "You're my mine and I'd do anything for you."
My breath caught slightly at the sincerity in his voice.
Before I could respond, he pushed open the door to his chambers.
Warm light greeted us, the room familiar now but it felt different stepping into it this time.
He guided me inside, careful with every movement, like I might break if he wasn't paying attention.
I hesitated for a second.
Then the words slipped out.
"I'm sorry."
He paused.
I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly at my sides. "For not listening to you... for running away."
Guilt settled heavily in my chest.
"I was mad at you and-"
I didn't get to finish.
Roman closed the distance between us in a single step.
His hand lifted gently, cupping my face with a softness that made my breath hitch. His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek as his gaze locked onto mine.
"It's not your fault," he said quietly.
I shook my head slightly. "It is-"
"No," he interrupted, just as softly. "I was wrong too."
That made me still.
His jaw tightened slightly, like the words weren't easy to say.
"The way I acted at the club..." he exhaled, his grip on my face still gentle. "I shouldn't have lost control. I shouldn't have hurt Kiera's brother."
I watched him, surprised.
"I'm sorry," he added, his voice lower now. "For everything."
Silence settled between us, but it wasn't heavy this time.
It was... calm.
"I won't lose my temper like that again," he said, his gaze never leaving mine. "Not with you. Not ever."
Something inside me softened.
The tension I hadn't even realized I was holding began to ease.