Chapter 18

However, Stella had already lowered her lashes, and Eric's shout didn’t get an immediate response from her. He could only hold her tightly as her soft body continued to slide downward. His eyes drifted to the gun barrel that had struck Stella and to the man holding the pistol. It must have been that man’s accomplice, BEN. BEN raised his silenced pistol and aimed it at Eric once more. But in the next instant, Eric’s eyes glowed red. In a flash, he transformed into a wolf. It happened too fast. BEN hadn’t even had time to pull the trigger. Eric’s knife pierced through BEN’s throat in one swift strike. Eric yanked the blade out, unsatisfied, and drove it back into BEN’s heart, pulling it out again with a spray of blood. Eric exhaled sharply, walking over to take BEN’s gun, then turned and made his way toward Stella. He picked her up, forcing himself to stay calm as he carefully checked the location of her wound. Thankfully, it wasn’t her heart. It was just below the collarbone. Even so, he noticed his hands were trembling. His breathing grew shallow as he watched Stella’s face pale and her pupils dull. He gently patted her cheek and whispered, "Don’t fall asleep. I’m taking you home now." Stella was in excruciating pain, her consciousness slipping away, but she instinctively murmured a weak “Mm.” Eric pulled out his phone, quickly dialing his subordinate in the Silver Moon pack, giving orders to mobilize the security team and bring the pack doctor from Eric's Tribe—fast. He tore off his shirt and used it to quickly dress her wound. He adjusted the car seat so that Stella could lie down, then sat on the other side, one hand supporting her head, the other wrapped around her. He bent down, pressing his lips softly to her forehead, murmuring, "Don’t sleep… don’t be afraid… I won’t let you pay that fifty million dollars..." "We’ll be fine, okay?" "I haven’t shown you that house yet..." "You said you loved watching the sunrise, right? How about we plant some sunflowers there?" "Don’t sleep… talk to me…" "If you wake up, I’ll forget everything that happened before..." He kissed her forehead over and over, repeatedly reassuring her. Stella was starting to feel frustrated. She was in pain, her mind becoming hazy, but he kept speaking in her ear, making it hard for her to rest. Stella could only manage a weak nod. He hurriedly held her close, saying, “Don’t move, don’t move, be good…” Ten minutes. A long ten minutes for Eric. But also a peaceful ten minutes for Stella. She really liked him. Even though, after their marriage, he’d mocked her for a month, even cheated... but still, she really liked him. No... maybe she loved him? When she saw him in danger, her instinct had been to protect him, even pushing him away to do so. She hadn’t thought too much at the time. She just wanted him to be safe. Just as Stella was about to lose consciousness, the Silver Moon pack’s security team, led by the pack doctor from Eric's Tribe, arrived. Stella fell into darkness. Before she closed her eyes, the last thing she saw was his anxious face. Stella moved her lips, though what she really wanted to say was, “Don’t frown. It doesn’t look good on you.” "Pack doctor! She..." Eric shouted urgently at the doctor when he saw Stella close her eyes. A nurse was checking her vitals and attempting to wipe her down with a damp towel, but Eric brushed her off, insisting on doing it himself. The doctor placed an oxygen mask over Stella’s face and explained, "It’s because the pain was too much for her, causing her to faint. We need to get her to the hospital. The conditions here aren’t suitable for surgery." "Alright, go ahead. Team A, escort her. Team B, stay behind and clean up the scene," Eric commanded, signaling for Team A to take Stella and the rescue team out. Team B started clearing the area. "It’s a K Organization assassin. They operate globally, taking on any bounty they can," Team B leader, Jim, reported after inspecting the two bodies on the ground. The members of Team B worked methodically, securing the scene. "Does the pack have any involvement?" Eric asked, wiping his face with the damp towel. "Yes," Jim replied respectfully, standing up. "Investigate it. This organization is too large to completely wipe out, but we need to find the person behind this. We need to know who wants us dead," Eric said, squinting. "Start with Thorne and Carlson. I want answers in two days." "Understood!" Jim nodded. "Let’s go. To the hospital," Eric said, turning toward the vehicle provided by the security team. He sat in the backseat, eyes closed, trying to rest. He should have been exhausted by now. But he couldn’t sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was Stella’s pale face, her frightened expression, and the scent of her as she threw herself into his arms without hesitation. The dazed look in her eyes. And the feeling of her warm blood on his hands. He couldn’t deny it—he was scared. He clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth in silence, enduring the storm raging inside him. Hospital Eric waited outside the operating room, with Jim and two bodyguards at his side. He was exhausted, pale, his eyes bloodshot. It had been four hours since the surgery started. The operating room lights finally went out. The door opened, and the doctor stepped out, looking weary. A nurse pushed a gurney behind her. "Doctor! How is she?" Eric rushed up to ask. The doctor blinked slowly and nodded. "No major issues. The wound is far from her heart, but post-op care is essential to avoid any long-term complications. The patient’s also experiencing low blood sugar and is physically weak. She’ll need proper care and recovery." Eric nodded, visibly relieved. "Thank you. We’ll make sure she gets the care she needs." He turned his gaze toward Stella, still lying on the bed with the oxygen mask in place. He let out a quiet sigh of relief. In the hospital room, Eric positioned the two bodyguards outside the door and then sat beside the bed, silently watching Stella. She was still here with him. It felt so good. He reached out and slowly, yet firmly, intertwined his fingers with hers. Their hands curled together as if they’d never part. But... He pressed his lips together, thinking—low blood sugar? How could this silly woman not take better care of herself? When they were together before, she didn’t have these random symptoms. Honestly... He shook his head and sighed helplessly. It was fine. He would nurse her back to health. Eric leaned down and, with utmost sincerity, placed a kiss on her forehead. Once she recovered, he would take her to see the sunrise.