Claws Against Petals✓

52•|Lovely Monster

Orchid's POV:

"Mommy loves you, more than anything. Never be afraid of who you are...Orchid."

Hearing her delicate voice, I knew right away it was my mother. She sounded beautiful, yet tired. Her tears, I feel them... they're so cold. I never understood why she would give up her life to have me and my sister. Was it worth it for her, to take the chance in having us live? Was death for her, not something she feared? This scar that she gave me...was it her gift? So I could survive and carry my little sister's heart within me until the very end.

Slowly opening my eyes, I felt that they were swollen. Everything around me looked completely hazy, it took a while for everything to adjust as my eyes tried to focus on what I was seeing. This familiar ceiling above me instantly brought me comfort. But wait, how did I get here!?

Confused, I lifted my body up but immediately felt soreness throughout my entire being. It hurts, everywhere. Frightened, I placed my hand over my belly and noticed a needle in my arm! Seeing where it led, I saw that it was attached to an IV bag. However, I saw a blood bag next to it as well. Concerned, I followed the tube to where it was connected and felt my heart drop the moment I saw it attached to Grayson's arm! He was lying right next to me...

"Grayson! Oh my god..."

I stuttered my words as I felt mortified seeing the condition Grayson was in. He had stitches on his forehead, his entire body was wrapped in badges and I could see some serious bruising around his neck and jawline. How did this happen?!

"You have to stop doing this Orchid, You'll give me a heart attack at this point...it seems that I'm always giving you an IV."

Before I could even reach for Grayson's hands, I was startled as I heard Erica's voice as she entered the room. She looked completely exhausted on the face as she went ahead to check my vitals. But shortly after she was done, she immediately embraced me. And the warm tears she began to shed started to stain the robe I was wearing. Without realizing it, I too hugged her back...I didn't think I would miss her this much in such little time.

"I'm sorry..."

I said to her as I felt my voice cracking, instantly gripping her arm, she pulled away as she looked at my tired expression...

"You've been through alot, so it's only natural you're body will force itself to shut down and rest. From what the others told me, you weren't getting any proper sleep, let alone eating enough as you should. Did you know you stayed asleep for three days straight-"

"Three days!? Wait, what do you mean by others? Rebecca...the children! Are they okay- what about Grayson, what happened to him?!"

Overwhelmed with my worries, I needed to know what was going on. The desperation in my voice had Erica worried as she struggled with what to say. But after listening to what had happened...my heart truly felt like it would stop beating. As relieved as I am to hear that Grayson will be okay and that he will just need a long time to recover, I still couldn't help but grow concerned. But looking at him, his appearance was becoming a blur as I felt my cheeks getting wet and I could no longer stop crying. I didn't want to believe it, can someone... anyone...tell me that it's a lie...

"He's not dead...Damien...no..."

I sobbed uncontrollably as I gripped the sheets with my trembling hand. This can't be the reality, how am I supposed to handle this?! And my father...I can't do it, how do I tell him this news!? Even with Erica trying to comfort me, it wasn't enough to pull me out of my torment.

"I'm sorry Orchid, I don't know the full details of how it happened-"

"He fought until the very end, like any true alpha...he never backed down. Regardless of how reckless it was, it's because of him and my brother...that the head alpha of Silver Crest is finally gone. Orchid, is this where you give up? With everything, we all have gone through. Dying is a part of living. We've all lost someone, and sacrifices had to be made. I was ready to give it up, but you made me promise...that I should keep living...no matter how painful it would it be. I intend to keep that vow, and I expect you to do the same. I don't care how excruciating it will be, or how much you'll break. For the sake of my brother...and the child that still lies within your womb. Keep living for everyone's sake..."