Chapter 281

My stomach twisted into knots as I stared at the thick cast encasing my leg. This couldn’t be happening. Frantically, I searched the room for a clock, praying there was still time for me to heal before the competition.

Sebastian’s voice cut through my panic. "It’s nearly dawn. We’ve been here for hours."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Dawn meant no time left. I was going to be disqualified—or worse, humiliate myself in front of everyone. This was my one chance to prove myself, and now it was slipping through my fingers.

Before I could spiral further, the doctor entered, his expression calm but firm.

"Miss Lillian, you must stay off this leg for the next 24 to 48 hours. Your wolf’s healing will kick in now that we’ve properly reset the bone," he said, offering a reassuring smile. "I’ve also given you something to speed up the process."

"Thank you," I murmured, though gratitude warred with frustration. The medicine wouldn’t work fast enough.

The doctor nodded, then bowed slightly to Sebastian before leaving.

Sebastian arched a brow. "Are you actually going to listen to him and rest?"

I pressed my lips together.

"Doesn’t seem like I have a choice," I muttered.

"No, you don’t," he said, his voice low, laced with quiet authority. "I have business to attend to today. I trust you’ll stay put."

He turned to leave, but I blurted out, "Did you stay with me all night?"

He paused, shoulders tensing. "What?"

"Did you stay?" I repeated, louder this time.

Silence stretched between us before he finally glanced over his shoulder, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

"Yes."

"Why?" My voice cracked, betraying the tears I was fighting to hold back. I didn’t want his pity—not now, not ever.

His answer was simple, yet it sent my heart racing.

"I didn’t want you to wake up alone."

With that, he walked out, leaving me staring at the door, wondering where he was going—and if it had anything to do with the competition.

Should I be involved?

A groan escaped me. Helpless. Weak. Stuck in this damn bed.

The door burst open, and Beatrice rushed in, throwing her arms around me. "I’m listed as your emergency contact, so they called me after your surgery."

"I think I just ruined everything," I whispered, tears finally spilling over.

"No, you didn’t," she insisted, squeezing me tighter. "There’s still a way."

"My leg is broken, Beatrice. The competition starts today."

"We’ll figure it out," she promised.

Exhaustion and pain meds pulled me under, and when I woke again, it was to an unexpected presence.

Beta Benedict stood at the foot of my bed, clipboard in hand. Beatrice followed, her grin wide enough to split her face.

"What’s going on?" I asked, glancing between them.

"She came to us and explained your situation," Benedict said, tapping his pen against the clipboard. "We’ve rescheduled you for tomorrow morning."

My breath caught. "Are you serious?"

He nodded. "You have her to thank. She was… persistent."

As soon as he left, Beatrice squealed and hugged me again.

I couldn’t believe it. I still had a chance.

"Thank you," I breathed.

She smirked. "Told you we’d figure it out."

And she was right.

We would.