Chapter 154: The Sleeping Beauty

Words : 1263 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 154: The Sleeping BeautyRowan: After dropping Eva off at the Council headquarters, I didn’t linger. I didn’t want her to feel watched, even if part of me wanted to stay and make sure she was okay the entire day. She said she would be fine. So I let her go. But I had somewhere else I needed to be. I pulled my hoodie up, mounted my bike, and took the familiar turn out of the wilderness. Familiar villages passed by as I made my way through the route that was nearly etched into my bones now - each tree, curve, and signpost burning into my memory. Greenville City. It was one of the few cities within shifter territory borders. Nestled just beyond the mountain bend and surrounded by long stretches of pines. Shifters didn’t love the buzz of human cities. Concrete jungles didn’t call to our blood the way nature did. Greenville, though, was different. It had a hospital. A damn good one. And for someone like me... that made all the difference. It had both high rank healers and doctors, making it best of both worlds. Almost an hour later, the city came into view with its bustling streets, towering buildings, and rush that was unlike the peaceful life in our packs. I slowed my bike outside a cozy little café across the street from the hospital. The smell of freshly baked croissants hit me even before I stepped in. The barista grinned the second she saw me. "Same order?" she asked, already reaching for the takeaway trays. "You know me too well," I said as I pulled out my wallet. She waved it off. "Put that away. This one’s on the house. You missed last Saturday." I gave her a sheepish smile. "Was... a bit tied up." She handed me the bag, packed with steaming pastries and labeled cups. "Say hi to Nurse Faye and Tan Uncle from me." "Will do." Next stop was the flower shop. I stepped into the floral haven filled with gentle piano music and the scent of roses, jasmine, and lilies. "Rowan," the elderly florist beamed from behind the counter. "They came in fresh this morning. Here, Blue tulips... just for you." I took the bouquet with both hands, letting my thumb brush over the petals. "Thanks, Miss Elena. They are perfect." Her gaze softened. "She’s lucky to have someone like you." I didn’t say anything. Just nodded and left. The hospital’s scent of antiseptic hit me instantly as I entered the building. I took the elevator up to the seventh floor where the private wards were located. It was a familiar territory by now. The doors opened with a soft ding, and there he was. Uncle Tan. The old janitor with a smile that could light up hallways and a mop he treated like an extension of himself. "Morning, Tan Uncle," I greeted. He turned and brightened at the sight of me. "Aiyo! The sunshine boy is back!" I handed him the croissants. "Still calling me that?" "You bring food, flowers, and smiles. What else should I call you?" he said with a wink. I chuckled. "You are impossible." "And you are late." I made my way down the corridor until I reached the room at the far end. The door was slightly ajar. Inside, Nurse Faye was standing by the monitors, jotting down notes. She looked up, and her tired face lit up. "Finally," she sighed. "Do you know how unbearable this kid gets without his pastry?" I grinned and handed her the coffee. "I live to serve." She took it with a grateful groan. "Bless you, Rowan." My eyes drifted to the bed across from the monitors. A familiar small form was sitting upright under pale green blankets. His wild chestnut curls were a mess, and his nose was buried in a comic book. "Hey, troublemaker." The boy looked up, eyes lighting up like fireworks. "Rowan!" I crossed the room and handed him the paper bag with his favorite pastry. "Still being a pain to the nurses?" "I told Nurse Faye she looked like an angry bird today," he said with a giggle. "She still gave me pudding." "Because she’s a saint." The boy devoured the pastry like he hadn’t eaten in a week. "How’s the heart?" I asked, crouching beside the bed. "Beats loud and fast when Nurse Faye yells," he said with a laugh. "But they said I’m doing good. Mom says I’ll be out soon." "Damn right, you will. And when you are, we are going for the biggest ice cream sundae ever." "You swear?" I held out a pinky. "Swear." He linked his with mine solemnly. The boy’s mother came around just then with a kind smile. "Rowan. It’s good to see you again." "You too, ma’am." "Let me take him out for a walk," She said and turned to help him into his wheelchair. "I’ll come with you." Nurse Faye added. I felt warmth filling my heart at their kind gesture of giving me some alone time. I waited until the door clicked shut behind them. And only then did I turn. She was still there. Still sleeping. Or pretending to. I crossed the room and moved to the other bed. The blue tulips had begun to wither. I quietly removed them from the vase, filled it with fresh water from the bathroom sink, and carefully arranged the new ones in their place. Then, I took my seat. My eyes landed on her face. Even in sleep, she looked peaceful. Her dark hair was spilled across the pillow in soft waves, and her skin was as pale as moonlight. No movement. No flutters. Just stillness. My chest ached. I reached for her hand, finding it cold. Too cold. "I miss your warmth," I whispered. "Your stupid laugh. Your dumb jokes. The way you used to tug my sleeve when you wanted my attention even though you had a perfectly functioning voice." I smiled through the ache. "You were so annoying." The smile faded. "And I miss all of it." My thumb brushed over her knuckles. "I don’t know how to fix this. I have tried... I have tried everything, you know? Magic. Prayers. Begging. I would give anything to hear you call me dumb again." Only silence answered me. My heart clenched. A tear slid down my cheek, but I didn’t bother wiping it away. "So much has changed," I continued, softer now. "I have a new friend. Her name’s Eva." I let the words linger in the air, as if her sleeping soul could soak them in. "She’s strong, kind... and hurting in ways no one sees. Watching her is like watching someone drown in silence. She keeps smiling, even when she’s breaking. She reminds me of myself. It’s like I’m looking at a mirror when I look at her." I swallowed. "I think I have started to see her as family. Like a little sister I never had. She reminds me of you, in the way she never gives up - no matter how much the world breaks her." I took a breath. "I want to bring her to meet you. I think you would like her, a lot. I think... you would understand each other." My voice cracked at the end. The room was quiet. Peaceful. But the weight of grief, of love left hanging in the air, was suffocating. Still, I sat beside her, hand in hand, like I always did. Hoping. Praying. That one day... she would squeeze my fingers back.

Chapter 154: The Sleeping Beauty

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