Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 17: In the Shadow of Fear

After what felt like an age, the doors to the operating room finally swung open, and a doctor stepped out, his scrubs stained with sweat. My heart raced as he scanned the waiting room.

"Are you family?" he asked, his voice steady but tinged with urgency.

"Yes, we are!" I replied, nearly jumping to my feet. "How is he? How's Tommy?"

The doctor's expression softened slightly, and I held my breath, hoping for good news. "Tommy is stable. The surgery was successful, and he's going to be okay. We'll be moving him to recovery shortly."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I could see the tension ease in Aras and Jacob's expressions as well. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much."

The doctor nodded, a small smile breaking through his professional demeanor. "He's a brave kid. You can see him soon, but he'll need some time to recover."

As the doctor turned to leave, I felt the weight of the day lift slightly off my shoulders. Tommy was going to be okay, and for now, that was enough.

One hour later .

Now, I felt calm. Tommy was safe, and they were moving him to his room. But one question kept swirling in my mind: How was Derek? The fear in his eyes earlier, how devastated he looked, it all haunted me. Alpha was still in surgery. I had heard the doctors came out a few times to reassure him that things were under control, but the procedure was far from over.

I was in Tommy's room, where Aras and Jacob watched him sleep. I needed to leave-I had to see Derek. As much as I hated to admit it, I was worried about him.

"Aras," I whispered, careful not to disturb Tommy.

Aras looked up, giving me a quick nod of acknowledgment, his gaze steady and calm.

"I'm... going out to get some fresh air," I informed him, already making my way toward the door.

The hallway felt like a tunnel, stretching and narrowing with each step toward the operating room. And there he was, sitting on a chair with his gaze fixed on the door, barely moving, like his life depended on it.. Derek sat there alone; neither Julia nor any of the other staff were anywhere nearby.

Slowly, I approached him and took the seat beside him, staring at the same door. It had been such a long day.

"How are you feeling?" I finally mustered the courage to ask, my voice betraying my concern.

He let out a bitter, humorless chuckle, not looking away from the door. "Like I've been shot."

I winced, but pressed on. "I'm really sorry," I murmured, though it sounded hollow, too small for the weight of what he was going through.

Then, he turned his gaze toward me for the first time. His eyes were hollow, filled with a raw emptiness that said more than words ever could. He looked back at the door just as quickly, dismissing my sympathy.

"I understand you," I said quietly after a moment of silence. He looked at me again, this time with an expression as if to say, Do you?

I nodded. "You're scared," I continued, meeting his gaze. "Actually, you're terrified. You feel like you're suffocating. You can't cry, can't scream..." I saw his eyes glisten as they filled with tears he was holding back.

I wish I could hug you right now, I thought to myself, surprised by my own feelings.

"I live with that filling every single day," I admitted softly, knowing it would resonate with him. "But I think you do too..." I hesitated, recalling his mother's memory. "You're afraid of losing him , aren't you? Just like you lost her...". Then suddenly I saw his gaze darken, raw pain flickering across his face.

"Deniz," he snapped, his tone harsh and cold. "You shouldn't be here. Please leave." His voice cracked with restrained anger. "If you came here just for that thing you had to say earlier today, this isn't the time or place."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling a pang of regret. I didn't understand if I had done something to upset him, but I stood up from the chair, my heart heavy, and walked toward the cafeteria.

Derek's Story

I was so close to believing she actually cared about me. For just a second, I felt a bit lighter-a tiny glimmer of hope. But then, she brought up my mother. And her parents.

It was like salt in an open wound. The reminder cut deep. I wanted her by my side so much at that moment, yet the way she reminded me of who she truly was-her loyalty to her family-was a painful favor in disguise.

But now, she was really gone, and anxiety clawed its way back. The fear, that nagging, relentless fear, sat like a stone in my chest. Minutes dragged by, each one another reminder that there was still no news about my father. The silence in the hall grew heavier, more oppressive. I lowered my head, lost in thought, trying to shut out the gnawing worry.

Then, a faint clearing of someone's throat made me look up again.

She'd come back. Deniz stood in front of me, looking right at me. My eyes drifted from her face to her hands, where she held two cups of coffee. One of them was extended toward me.

I took it with a brief nod, letting the warmth of the cup seep into my cold fingers. Part of me was relieved she'd come back, though I tried to mask it. I knew better than to let myself hope. Having her here, even just sitting silently next to me, was enough. It was strange how her presence alone had this calming effect on me, easing some of the tension-even if only slightly.

She settled into the chair next to mine, the warmth of her shoulder a quiet comfort beside me. We sat like that in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I took a slow sip of the coffee, inhaling the familiar, grounding scent. I didn't realize how much I needed that small bit of comfort until now.

Deniz's Story

Derek..." I started but paused, choosing my words carefully. "Alpha Derek, everything will be fine, believe me. The best doctors are in there right now, doing everything they can to make sure your father will be okay."

"Four hours," he said quietly, his voice devoid of energy, as though he'd been drained of any hope. He really did look like a man shot.

I took a breath, trying to find something to say. "Look, I'm not your biggest fan, and we both know that," I began slowly. "But... if everything I've heard about Alpha is true, then there's no doubt he'll survive this. People admire your father, Derek. He's known as the bravest and most stubborn man in this entire city. After you, of course." I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but his shoulders remained tense, his jaw clenched.

He stayed silent, lost in thought, and it bothered me that I couldn't do anything to ease his pain.