Over the Edge

Chapter 6

TW: grief and loss of child (not death)

Y/N's POV

As she opened her eyes, she was met with a dimly lit room, lying on what she assumed was a hospital bed. Everything felt a little off, as if she were in a haze. The little she could see, was blurred, leaving her unable to make out details. The only light in the room came from somewhere above, but it was kept dim, just barely there.

The small cries of a baby immediately drew her attention. The soft light allowed her to make out a bassinet that the small cries were coming from. She didn't even realize her feet were moving towards the bassinet, until she was right in front of it.

Peering inside, her heart practically melted, but at the same time her mind was confused. Carefully, she picked up the small, crying pup, holding him close to her chest. She started to gently rock back-and-forth cooing at the small child to soothe its cries.

"Come now, no more tears. I'm right here"

Tilting her head down, she rubbed her cheek against the top of his head, and taking in a deep breath, she stilled instantly. Her eyes welled up with tears in recognition, biting down on her bottom lip to try to keep them from falling. The smell of fresh milk was the most prominent on the baby as it is with all pups. Mixed in with the milky smell, was her same orchid scent along with almond.

She knew this scent.

Still holding the boy, she glanced down at the other boy, sleeping peacefully, unaware of his siblings cries. Her fingers gently brushed against the full head of dark hair at the top of his head. She recognized the scent on him too, warm sandalwood, the smell of fresh morning rain, accompanied by warm milk. She hummed quietly one of the few lullabies she knew as a child, her hand moving down to touch his own tiny hands. Shaky breath left her as he wrapped his tiny fingers around one of her own while the other pup was so secure and finally back asleep in her other arm.

She knew their scents, she remembered small details, but looking at each of them she was unable to clearly see their faces. She couldn't tell if they shared any of her features. She did not know what they looked like.

But still, she knew they were hers.

Carefully, she picked the other boy up, carrying both of them over to the bed she woke up on. She laid them down beside one another before laying down next to them. She curled her body protectively around them and kept them close so she was always touching both of them. Her eyes glued to them, desperately wanting to remember their faces.

She watched over the pair as they slept, the already dim light in the room growing ever dimmer. She could feel this presence approach, having known who it was without even needing to look up. There was a sudden dip on the bed on the opposite side of the pups, finally raising her gaze. A gray wolf, a little on the small side, carefully laid down opposite her so the two were encircling the tiny forms between them.

Its coat was matted, its texture course and the varying tones of white and grays duller than they likely should have been. It looked skinny to the point of being malnourished, even with its mostly still thick coat, the ribs and hip bones were clearly visible. The once bright, vibrant cerulean blue eyes were a pale silver-blue that felt lifeless and cold. It seemed to be sick, possibly even dying.

This is her omega.

And it was clear there was no fight left in the wolf. Resting her tired head on her forepaws, her eyes locked onto the pair of pups.

"Why can't I remember their faces?"

She pleaded, hoping the wolf had an answer. The omega let out a sigh through her nose as glanced up from the pups to meet her gaze.