Chapter 18 Before Surgery Moira's POV The exhaustion hits me like a physical weight . My body feels hollowed out , drained in ways I've never experienced before . Every muscle aches with the memory of transformation , and my bones feel like they're made of wet sand . " You should rest , " Logan says gently , his voice cutting through the fog in my head . " Your body needs time to recover from the shift . " I don't argue . Can't argue . I sink back against the hospital pillows , my eyelids already heavy . The sound of their footsteps fades as they leave the room , voices murmuring in the hallway . I try to let sleep take me , but my mind won't quiet . ' How did Lila find us ? ' The memory of her cruel smile makes my stomach clench. Even unconscious and broken , I couldn't escape the people Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading ! cordinghad evidence of my shift , of me being alive when everyone thought I was dead . ' This can't be good . ' Lucas and Logan had dragged her away , talking about holding cells and handling the situation . But what if she'd already sent that video to someone ? What if my family knows where I am ? My breathing gets shallow , panic creeping up my throat . A knock on the door jerks me back to the present . Dr. Flynn enters , carrying a clipboard and wearing the kind of serious expression that makes my chest tight . " I'm sorry to wake you , " he says , approaching the bed . " But I need to check your vitals and do a quick examination . Shifting with broken bones can cause complications . " I push myself up to sitting , wincing as my ribs protest . " I just closed my eyes . " He nods apologetically and begins his examinationchecking my pulse , listening to my 21.31 10.17 % breathing , gently probing the areas where my injuries are worst . His race grows more concerned with each test . " The shift hasn't worsened your existing injuries , which is good news , " he says finally . " But I'm moving your surgery up . Instead of tomorrow morning , we need to operate within the hour . " The words hit me like ice water . " Within the hour ? " My voice comes out small , terrified . " The internal bleeding is more severe than we initially thought . Your wolf's emergence put additional stress on your system . We can't wait . " Fear floods through me , sharp and immediate . Surgery . They're going to cut me open , and I'll be unconscious , helpless , completely at their mercy . ' What if something goes wrong ? What if I don't wake up ? ' My hands shake as I fumble for my phone . I need Jaxon . He'll know what to do , he'll make this less terrifying somehow . The call goes straight to voicemail . " Jaxon , it's me . They moved up my surgery and I'm scared and I need " My voice cracks . I hang up and try Rosalie . Ring . Ring . Ring . Voicemail . " Rosalie , please call me back . They're doing surgery in an hour and I don't know what to do and " The door opens , and Rosalie rushes in , still wearing her coat like she ran here . The panic I've been holding back explodes out of me in a sob . Tears pour down my face as terror overwhelms every rational thought . " Hey , hey , what's wrong ? " Rosalie drops her purse and rushes to the bed , pulling me into a fierce hug . " I'm here . You're okay . " " Surgery, " I choke out against her shoulder . " They moved it up . I have to have surgery in an 21:31 9.82 % < Chapter 18 Before Surgery hour and I've neverl don't know what it's like and what if " " Breathe , " she says firmly , rubbing my back . " Just breathe with me . " Get 55 Menu I try to match her steady rhythm , but fear keeps clawing at my chest . " Let me call Logan , " she says , pulling out her phone . The call goes to voicemail , just like Jaxon's and Lucas's had . " They're probably busy dealing with Lila . They'll be here soon . " I nod , wiping my eyes with the back of my hand . That's when the smell hits mewarm cinnamon and sweet apples , comfort food that makes my mouth water despite everything . " Are those your famous apple muffins ? " I ask , spotting the bag she dropped . Rosalie laughs , the sound bright in the sterile room . " I brought them as a surprise for your first shift . Celebration muffins . " She pulls a container from her bag , and the smell gets strongerhomemade and perfect and exactly what I need right now . I take a huge bite , and for a moment , the fear recedes . The muffin is incrediblemoist and perfectly spiced , tasting like home and safety . " Thank you , " I say around the mouthful . " These are perfect . " " Although , " Rosalie says with a grimace , " you probably shouldn't eat before surgery . " I freeze , the muffin suddenly tasting like cardboard in my mouth . ' Of course . Another rule I don't know . ' But Rosalie doesn't look at me like I'm stupid . She never hasnot even when Jaxon was part of the family that hurt me . I remember her arguing with him , threatening to leave if he didn't stop participating in my abuse . She saw me as a person when no one else did . She's the big sister I always needed . " Don't worry about it , " she says gently . " We'll tell Dr. Flynn . They'll adjust accordingly . " We settle on the hospital bed together , and she finds a movie on the small TV . Some thriller 21:31 9.94 % that requires no thinking , just background noise while we wait . The door opens , and my heart leapsbut then sinks as all three of them file in . Jaxon looks haggard , stress lines carved deep around his eyes . Lucas moves with barely contained energy , like he's been pacing for hours . Logan's jaw is set in that way that means he's thinking hard about something unpleasant . They each kiss my foreheadquick , distracted gesturesthen settle into the chairs and couch without saying a word . Five minutes of silence stretch between us . They stare at the TV screen , but I can tell none of them are actually watching . ' Really ? They're just going to ignore me ? ' " Hi guys , " I say , my voice dripping with false cheer . " How was your evening ? Mine was great , thanks for asking . Had surgery moved up , had a panic attack , ate muffins I shouldn't have . You know , typical Tuesday . How about you ? Have fun interrogating people ? Get any good information ? Learn anything interesting ? " They all look at me , then at each other . Lucas chuckles despite himself . " Your impression of Logan is spot - on . Can else ? " I glare at him and turn back to the movie . you do anyone The bed dips as Lucas crawls in beside me , his presence warm and solid against my side . " We're not ignoring you , " he whispers , his breath tickling my ear . " We're decompressing before we tell you what happened with Lila . Processing some heavy stuff . Don't be mad at us ? " He looks at me with those dark eyes , and my anger dissolves despite myself . ' Damn puppy dog eyes . ' " I have news too , " I mutter . " Surgery was moved up to within the hour . That was over an hour ago now . " 21:31 10.04 % < Chapter 18 Before Surgery Get 5 Menu Lucas goes rigid beside me . " What ? But I thoughtwe thought it was tomorrow morning . " "Plans changed . " I lean into his warmth , suddenly exhausted again . " Dr. Flynn said the shift put extra stress on my system . " " Shit . " Lucas pulls me closer , pressing a kiss to my temple . " I'm sorry , sweetheart . We would have been here sooner if we'd known . " Logan and Jaxon immediately move closer , their faces creased with concern . " What exactly did Dr. Flynn say ? " Logan asks , settling on my other side . " Internal bleeding is worse than they thought . Need to operate now instead of waiting . " I take a shaky breath . " That's really all I know . " The fear must show in my voice because all three of them instantly shift into protective modeLogan taking my hand , Lucas rubbing my back , Jaxon hovering nearby like he wants to do something but doesn't know what . " Now tell me what happened with Lila , " I say , needing the distraction . " What did she say ? " Jaxon starts to shake his head . " Maybe we should wait until after " " No. " My voice comes out sharper than intended . " I want to know now . Don't treat me like I'm too fragile to handle the truth . ' They exchange looksone of those silent conversations that happen between people who've been through hell together . Logan squeezes my hand gently . " She told us about the bullying . At school . What she did to you . " My stomach clenches , but I keep my expression neutral . " And ? " " Things we wish we'd known sooner , " Lucas says , his voice tight with suppressed rage . " Rosalie was in the family , in the pack , but she only knew your family bullied you . She didn't know the extent . " " What Lila described was sickening , " Logan continues , his thumb rubbing circles on my knuckles . " I swear to you , Moira , no one will ever hurt you like that again . Not while I live . " 21:31 10.16 % < Chapter 18 Before Surgery " Never , " Lucas and Jaxon echo simultaneously . Get 5 > = Menu I nod , keeping my face carefully blank . ' They don't know the worst of it . And I'm not ready to tell them . ' " So , what did you do with her ? " I ask . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!