Koda awoke in a haze of white—sunlight streaming in slats through the blinds, machines humming steadily, and the faint sterile scent of antiseptic filling his lungs. His body ached, but it was different this time. A warmth bloomed somewhere beneath his ribs, slow and strange and alive, like something ancient had stirred from slumber.
"Koda?"
The voice was low, familiar. Tristian.
Koda turned his head. Tristian was sitting in the corner chair, elbows on his knees, watching him like a man guarding a sacred flame.
"You're awake." Tristian's voice was steady, but his eyes—those deep molten gold eyes—held relief, and something more.
Koda tried to sit up, winced, and fell back.
"Take it slow." Tristian was already up, helping adjust the pillows behind him. "You fainted. They said it was a mix of exhaustion, infection, and dehydration. You've been out for hours."
"I feel weird," Koda mumbled.
Tristian stilled. "Weird how?"
"I—I don't know. Like... something's moving in me. Not in a gross way—just... warm. Electric."
Tristian's lips parted slightly, but he said nothing. His wolf, however, raged in silence. The bond was stirring. Stronger now.
But there was more. A shift in scent. Something subtle—but primal. Not human.
Tristian's breath caught as it hit him like a whisper. The faintest trace of wild earth, fresh rain, and something uniquely Koda. Something only a mate could sense.
It couldn't be. He's human… isn't he?
Koda leaned back, confused. "It's probably the meds."
Tristian smiled faintly. "Probably."
But the pull between them tightened.
Before he could say anything, the door creaked open.
Zara stormed in first, flanked by Nova, Jace, Tala, Eliah, and Orion. A rush of warm voices followed.
"There you are, dummy," Zara huffed, dropping a gift bag beside the bed.
"You had us freaking out," Nova added, though her tone was gentler. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Koda muttered, blinking. "I didn't expect... all of you."
"We're not going to let you rot alone in a hospital bed," Tala said.
"We brought snacks," Eliah added, holding up a pack of gummy worms like an offering.
Even Jace smirked. "And I *don't* share snacks."
Koda chuckled, overwhelmed. Then he spotted Orion in the back—silent, watchful.
"You came too?" he asked.
Orion nodded. "Wouldn't miss it."
Zara beamed. "He even threatened to bite a nurse when they said visiting hours were over."
Orion raised a brow. "She was rude."
The group laughed, tension easing.
Then came a soft knock at the door.
The nurse poked her head in. "You've got another visitor, Koda."
Before anyone could ask who, the door opened fully and in stepped a boy—tall, wavy dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and eyes the color of burnt caramel.
"Koda!" he said, grinning. "You look like crap."
Koda blinked. "Reed?"
"Who the hell is Reed?" Nova whispered.
Reed strolled in confidently and leaned close to Koda's bedside. "Heard you were in here. Couldn't stay away."
His hand grazed Koda's shoulder, lingering.
Zara's smile vanished. Tristian's jaw clenched.
"You're still soft," Reed said teasingly, running a finger down Koda's arm. "Guess some things never change."
Tristian stood abruptly.
Reed barely glanced at him. "Friend of yours?"
"Something like that," Tristian replied coldly.
Reed smirked. "Cute."
He turned back to Koda, brushing back a strand of hair from his forehead. "I'll swing by later. We need to catch up. Alone."
Then he winked and sauntered out.
The room fell silent.
Nova finally broke it. "What the *hell* was that?"
"Old friend," Koda said too quickly. "We... grew up together."
"You let all your old friends pet you like that?" Jace asked dryly.
Koda flushed. "He's just like that."
Tristian didn't say a word. But everyone felt the tension ripple beneath his calm.
Zara looked between Tristian and the door. "That guy gives me bad vibes."
"Same," Nova muttered.
Koda gave a weak shrug. "He's not *that* bad."
"You sure about that?" Tala asked.
Just then, Koda shifted in bed—and another wave passed through him. Not heat, not fever, but a pulse of energy, like something just under his skin stirred.
Tristian was at his side instantly. "What's wrong?"
"I—I don't know. Just dizzy again." He looked down. His hands were trembling.
Tristian's eyes narrowed. His wolf snarled beneath the surface, agitated, aware. Koda's scent had changed again—stronger, more distinct.
It wasn't just a fever.
Nova caught the shift in Tristian's posture—concern laced with something else. A protectiveness more intense than she'd ever seen from him.
"Rest," Tristian said softly. "We'll stay."
As the others began settling in around the room, a small moment bloomed in the background—Zara had slumped against the window, worry etched across her face.
Nova sat beside her, touching her shoulder gently. "He'll be okay."
Zara nodded, eyes misty. "It's just hard seeing him like that."
"You care a lot."
Zara met her eyes. "You do too."
They smiled quietly, a shared warmth growing between them. Nova brushed her thumb across Zara's knuckles without thinking. Neither of them pulled away.
Meanwhile, Orion had found his place—seated beside Eliah, tossing candy wrappers into a cup across the room. Eliah snorted. "You're better than Jace at this."
"I don't miss," Orion said simply.
Eliah grinned. "I'm starting to see that."
As they all settled in for the evening, the energy in the room shifted again. The bond between them deepened—not just with Koda, but with each other. Pieces falling into place.
And while Tristian watched over Koda like a silent sentinel, something inside him ached.
He had to wait.
But the mate bond was waking.
And soon, it wouldn't be silent anymore.