Avery's POV
The pain came out of nowhere, sharp and relentless, like claws raking through my soul. I stumbled, clutching at my chest as if I could physically hold Nova, my wolf, inside. But she wasn't there. Her presence, which had been my constant companion since my first shift, was slipping away.
What was happening? What the hell was happening?
"Nova!" I called out in my mind, my voice trembling with desperation. But the only response was silence—a void so hollow it felt like the universe had turned its back on me.
The torment wasn't just emotional; it was physical too. My legs gave way, and I crumpled onto the cold, wooden floor of my room. Waves of pain rolled over me, each sharper than the last, until my vision blurred and darkness consumed me.
I woke to the smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of a heartbeat monitor. Blinking against the sunlight streaming through the curtains, I realized I wasn't in my room anymore. The bed beneath me was firmer, the sheets crisp and unfamiliar.
"Finally awake?" A familiar voice broke through the haze. I turned my head and found Charles sitting on a chair beside me, his stethoscope draped around his neck like always.
"Charles?" My voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper.
"You scared the hell out of me, Ave." His hazel eyes were full of concern as he leaned closer. "What happened?"
The memories hit me like a punch to the gut. "It's Nova," I croaked, my throat dry. "She... she's gone."
His brows knitted together. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
"I mean, I can't feel her anymore. She was in pain, screaming, and then—nothing. Just... nothing."
Charles frowned, pulling out his penlight to check my pupils. "Did you hit your head when you fell?"
"Seriously, Charles?" I snapped, though my voice lacked any real heat. "This isn't about a damn concussion. Something happened to Nova, and I need to know what."
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll run some tests, but for now, you need to stay calm."
"Calm?" I echoed, incredulous. "How the hell am I supposed to be calm when my wolf is missing? This isn't like losing my keys or misplacing my phone, Charles. This is my soulmate we're talking about!"
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I get it. This is serious. But stressing out won't help. Let me do my job, okay?"
I flopped back against the pillows, my body still weak and trembling. "Fine," I muttered. "But hurry."
The minutes dragged like hours, and the unease in my chest only grew. I couldn't just sit there, waiting for answers that might never come. I needed comfort, reassurance—someone to tell me it would be okay.
Without thinking, I reached for my phone and dialed James.
It rang twice before he picked up. "What?" His tone was clipped, impatient.
"James," I breathed, relief flooding through me at the sound of his voice. "Something's wrong. It's Nova. She's—"
"Wait," he interrupted, his voice growing colder. "Where are you?"
"At Charles's house," I said, confusion creeping in. "He's running tests—"
"You're what?" His words came out like a growl, sharp and cutting. "You're at Charles's house?"
"Yes, but—"
"Unbelievable," he muttered, cutting me off again. "I should've known you'd run to him the first chance you got."