Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One
Chapter 47: Critical Condition

Chapter 47: Critical Condition

Dane’s POV

My breath caught in my chest when I saw Nathan’s wrecked car crushed along the side of the road.

"No! No! Nathan, no," Hailee screamed in pain.

I swallowed hard and held back my emotions as I sped past it. I wanted to yell out in pain too—but I couldn’t break down. Not now. Not in front of her. We needed to get to the hospital. Fast. So I pushed the gas harder, my jaw locked tight, my heart slamming violently against my ribs.

"I should’ve followed him," she cried under her breath. "I should’ve known he wasn’t okay."

Hailee turned to me, her face pale and soaked with tears. "Do you think... do you think he’s—"

"No," I cut in firmly, even if I wasn’t sure myself. "He’s not. Nathan’s strong. He’s still fighting. He has to be."

She nodded weakly, hugging herself tighter like she was trying to hold her world together. The rest of the drive was filled with the silent sobs of Hailee.

The moment we reached the pack hospital, I slammed the brakes and parked. Hailee and I jumped out of the car, not even bothering to shut the doors. Guards were everywhere—lined up outside the entrance, speaking into radios, their faces grim and tense. The air was thick with panic and fear.

"What’s going on?" I asked one of them.

He quickly stepped aside and pointed toward the right wing. "Emergency room. Nathan is already inside. They just brought him in."

Without wasting a second, Hailee and I took off running. Our footsteps echoed through the corridor as we rushed through the halls. Nurses and healers moved quickly, doctors shouted orders, machines beeped... it was chaos.

And then we turned a corner—and froze. The hallway was filled with familiar faces. Uncle Dominic and his wife... his Beta, a few elders. All of them standing there, waiting. The energy was heavy—like grief was already crawling through the walls.

Clara stood near the end of the hall, her arms crossed, pacing. Her eyes locked on Hailee, and her expression twisted with frustration.

"What is she doing here?" Clara snapped.

Before Hailee could even speak, I stepped in front of her protectively. "She’s with me," I said, my voice cold and firm. "Don’t start, Clara. Not now."

Clara scowled but didn’t say anything else. She looked away with a huff. Hailee was still trembling beside me, her breaths short and unsteady. I glanced down and saw her arms wrapped tightly around herself, like she was holding back a breakdown.

Without thinking, I gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes red and glistening with fresh tears.

"He’ll be fine," I said softly, trying to offer something—anything—that might comfort her. But the way she looked at me told me my words weren’t enough. She didn’t believe it. And honestly... I wasn’t sure I did either.

Her knees buckled slightly, so I guided her toward one of the chairs lined up against the wall and helped her sit. I sat beside her, my hand still resting lightly on her back.

We waited. And waited. Time felt like it had stopped. The hallway was quiet except for the occasional murmurs from the others. No one dared to speak above a whisper. All eyes stayed fixed on the double doors of the emergency room.

Then finally—they opened. Everyone stood at once. A doctor and a healer stepped out, both in scrubs, their expressions tight but not panicked.

Uncle Dominic was the first to reach them; his face paled with worry. "How is my son?" he said quickly. "Tell me—how is he?"

The healer, a middle-aged woman with calm expression, gave a small nod. "The good news is... he’s alive, Alpha. His body was badly injured, but I’ve managed to heal all physical damage."

Relief washed over everyone like a sudden wave—but it was short-lived. The doctor stepped forward next. "But due to the shock and blood loss... Nathan’s slipped into a coma. It’s his wolf’s way of protecting him while it heals."

Beside me, Hailee gasped sharply. Uncle Dominic’s shoulders dropped. "How long?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

The doctor hesitated, then said, "Twenty-four hours. Maybe less. If all goes well, he should wake up by then."

The hallway fell silent again—but this time it wasn’t as suffocating as before.

"I want to see him. Can we?" Nathan’s mother asked softly, her voice trembling, tears pooling in her eyes.

The doctor nodded. "Yes, but let us move him to his room first."

As the doctor led Nathan’s family away, promising to let them see him once he was settled in a private room, I glanced over at Hailee. She looked completely drained—emotionally and physically. Her hands were still shaking in her lap, her eyes red from all the crying. Today had broken her in more ways than one.

First, a video of her and Callum making out was posted for everyone to see, turning her into the center of gossip and judgment. And now Nathan—someone she clearly cared about—was lying in the hospital, unconscious.

She didn’t need to say anything. I could see it in her eyes, in her reactions, in the way her body froze when the doctor mentioned his name. She liked him. A lot. And it hurt to watch. But even though it hurt, I’m not going to back down. I won’t walk away just because she has feelings for Nathan. I love her too.

I watched her sit there quietly, completely worn out. She hadn’t said a word since the doctor left. I leaned a little closer. "Do you want to go home?" I asked gently.

She shook her head. "No... I want to see him," she whispered. "But I know I have to wait... his family should see him first."

I nodded, understanding.

Just then, we heard soft footsteps, and when we looked up, Nathan’s mother stood in front of us. Her face was tired and lined with worry, but there was a softness in her eyes when she looked at Hailee.

"Hailee," she said, her voice tired but kind. "Do you want to see him?"

Hailee’s eyes widened, and she stood up quickly. "Yes... please," she said almost instantly. Nathan’s mom gave her a small nod and stepped aside. "Come with me."

Hailee didn’t even look back. She followed without hesitation, and I did too.

But as I walked behind them, I couldn’t help the ache growing in my chestt.

I knew she cared for Nathan right now... and maybe that was okay.

But a small part of me wondered—when all this is over, will there still be space for me in her heart?