Naomi followed the healers into the medical room, refusing to let go of Alpha Kaidan’s hand until they needed space to treat him.
"Madam, please step back," Healer Evelyn instructed gently. "We need room to work."
Naomi let go of his hand and stepped aside as the healers transferred Alpha Kaidan onto the treatment bed. Blood had soaked through his shirt around the wound, and his face had grown pale.
"What is his condition?" she asked.
"We need to examine the wound before we can determine the extent of the damage," Healer Evelyn replied. "Please wait outside while we treat him."
Naomi looked at Alpha Kaidan one last time before leaving the room.
John stood in the corridor, his expression tense. He had followed them from the council chamber and already called for extra guards at the medical facility.
"Any update from the council?" Naomi asked.
"Christine is on her way," John answered. "The council has also been notified that Alpha Kaidan is receiving treatment."
Naomi nodded, then looked towards the closed treatment-room door. She could still see the moment Alpha Kaidan had moved in front of her, taking the bullet that would have struck her.
She pressed her bloodstained hands together, trying to steady them.
John noticed. "Madam, the healers are doing everything they can."
"I know." Her voice came out quieter than she meant. "I just need him to be all right."
John had no answer that could reassure her, so he remained beside her.
Several minutes later, Christine hurried into the corridor. Her eyes immediately went to Naomi.
"How is my son?"
"They’re treating him," Naomi replied. "They haven’t told us anything yet."
Christine looked at the closed door, then back at Naomi. She seemed about to speak, but the words failed her. "I never thought Serena would do something like this," she finally said.
Naomi turned towards her. "You defended her even when the evidence was beginning to contradict her story."
Christine lowered her eyes. "I know."
"You wanted her to take my position. You stood behind her while she tried to make me look like someone who didn’t deserve to be Luna." Naomi paused, struggling to keep her voice steady. "And today, she tried to kill me."
Christine had no defence. Whatever she had believed about Serena, it could not excuse what had happened. "I am sorry, Naomi."
Naomi looked away. "I can’t talk about this right now."
Christine nodded and stepped back. She did not try to force another conversation.
The treatment-room door remained closed for several more minutes before Healer Evelyn finally emerged. Naomi immediately approached her.
"How is he?"
"We’ve controlled the bleeding and stabilised him,"
Healer Evelyn explained. "The bullet caused a serious wound near his upper arm and back. We need to monitor him closely for complications, but he is out of immediate danger."
Naomi let out a breath she had been holding. "Can I see him?"
"Yes, but keep the visit quiet. He needs rest."
Naomi entered the room. Alpha Kaidan lay on the bed with his injured arm carefully supported and a dressing covering the wound. An intravenous line had been placed in his arm, and his breathing was steady. His eyes remained closed.
She pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down.
For several moments, she watched him.
Four years of marriage had taught her not to expect much from Alpha Kaidan. She had learned to stop waiting for him to notice when she was hurt, to stop hoping he would choose her without being pushed. Even when he had publicly reaffirmed her position as Luna, she had refused to believe one decision could repair everything between them.
But at the council meeting, when Serena had pointed the gun at her, Alpha Kaidan hadn’t hesitated.
He had moved in front of her.
Naomi lowered her gaze to his hand and gently held it. "Why did you do that?" she whispered.
He couldn’t answer. She swallowed, fighting the tightness in her throat. "You could have been killed."
Her voice broke slightly on the last word. She looked down, blinking away the tears gathering in her eyes.
"I know we still have so much to deal with. I haven’t forgotten everything that happened between us, and I can’t pretend that everything is suddenly fine." She tightened her fingers around his hand. "But you need to wake up, Alpha Kaidan. Do you hear me? You need to wake up."
He remained still. Naomi leaned back in her chair, keeping hold of his hand. She had no idea how long she sat there before the exhaustion caught up with her, but she refused to leave.
Some time later, Alpha Kaidan’s fingers moved against hers. Naomi straightened immediately.
"Alpha Kaidan?"
His eyelids fluttered before opening slightly. His gaze wandered across the room, unfocused at first, until it settled on her. "Naomi," he murmured.
"I’m here."
He tried to shift, but pain crossed his face.
"Don’t move," she said quickly. "You’ve been shot. You need to stay still."
His breathing grew a little heavier as he looked at her. "Are you hurt?"
Naomi stared at him in disbelief. "You have a bullet wound, and that’s the first thing you’re asking me?"
"Answer me."
"No. I’m not hurt."
Some of the tension left his face. "Good."
He closed his eyes briefly, gathering his strength before looking at her again. "Serena..."
"She has been taken into custody. The guards stopped her, and the council is handling the matter. You don’t need to worry about that now."
He gave a faint nod, but the effort seemed to exhaust him. "Stay," he whispered.
Naomi’s expression softened despite herself.
"I’m staying. Now close your eyes and rest."
His fingers curled weakly around hers before his eyes closed again.
Naomi watched him until his breathing settled. She remained beside the bed, her hand resting in his.
For once, she wasn’t thinking about anything else.
She was thinking about the man lying in front of her, and how close she had come to losing him.