Chapter 60 - Damon

I held Clara's hand as they rushed her, losing blood, towards the emergency ward on a stretcher. My body was covered in her blood. Two male nurses held me back as they pushed her into the ward. "I'm sorry, sir, you can't go in," one said. I grabbed him by the neck, glaring. "She's my wife, and I have to be with her," I muttered through clenched teeth. I released him, about to run in, when Luca stopped me. "You'll only make things worse. The doctors can't help her if you're breathing down their necks!" His words didn't calm me. If I were near her, she might wake up. She had to.

"Let go of me, Luca," I commanded. He sighed. "Let them help her, Damon. You can't do anything," he murmured, releasing me. He was right, always right. I sighed, moved away from the door, and the nurses bowed before rushing back inside.

"Is she going to be okay?" I murmured, barely recognizing my own voice, thick with emotion.

"We can only hope, but Clara is strong," Luca said, leading me to a chair. Delilah sat across from me, covered in Clara's blood, staring blankly, silent tears streaming down her face. She was exhausted from crying. I looked at the floor and, for the first time in my life, prayed. I prayed for my wife's life and promised to be a better husband.

After a while, I asked, "Have you identified the man?" Luca sighed. "You practically mutilated his face, so it was hard. But luckily, we have a great tech team."

"Did you find out who he is?" I demanded. He gulped and nodded. "He's from the Lakeview pack, one of the southern packs." I clenched my fist. I'd deal with that later; right now, all I could think about was Clara.

Hours passed. The doctors and nurses remained silent, and their frantic movements with bloody bandages only fueled my panic. "I need to know what's going on," I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fist. Luca was about to speak when my parents and Alicia ran towards us.

"I heard what happened. Is she okay?" my mother asked, wide-eyed. Delilah scoffed, her reaction speaking volumes. My mother sighed, sitting beside me, remaining silent. I was grateful; I didn't know what I'd do if anyone spoke poorly of Clara.

The doctor emerged from the emergency ward. I approached him immediately. "My wife, how is she?"

He sighed. "There was a lot of blood; the wounds were deep and aren't healing quickly because she was stabbed and sliced with silver. Some bones are broken, and she suffered a blow to her throat, so she may have trouble speaking when she wakes up. She's strong and responded well to treatment. I've done all I can; now we wait. Unfortunately, the baby didn't survive."

Initially, the words didn't register, but then I froze, eyes wide. "A baby?" My mother asked softly. The doctor nodded. "Yes, she was one month pregnant." Everyone gasped. She was pregnant? "Are you sure? She's supposed to be barren. She said she couldn't have children! Why is she pregnant?!" My voice rose as I clung to the doctor's shoulders.

"That information is wrong; Mrs. Donovan's womb is perfectly fine," the doctor said quickly. I froze, then slowly turned to Alicia, who was pale. "Explain!" I screamed. She fell to the ground, shaking with fear.

"I went to her old pack to gather information, and I met a woman who said Clara was barren," Alicia whispered. I clenched my fist, about to approach her, when Delilah stepped in front of me and slapped Alicia. "I won't let my brother touch a witch like you! You did this because of your obsession with him!" She slapped her again. "Because of you, my best friend is fighting for her life and doesn't even know she's pregnant!" Another slap sent Alicia sprawling.

"Clara believed she was barren… that wasn't my doing," Alicia managed to say. She was right. Why had Clara thought she was barren? Delilah was about to attack again when Luca held her back. "Let me go!" Delilah screamed. Luca held her tight. "If you don't let Delilah finish, I will, and I'll be much more brutal," I threatened. My mother jumped in front of me. "I know what she did was wrong, but she's still your cousin. You can't kill her."

I scoffed. "I can't? You want to bet? I can kill you if need be, so who is she?" My words shocked her. I wasn't joking. I could kill them if they betrayed me. "Damon, you're being unreasonable," my mother exclaimed.

"Unreasonable? I just lost my child, neglected my wife because I thought she was barren! She called me before the attack! I couldn't even save her! So pardon me for wanting to kill the person who started this!" Tears streamed down my face. My mother's face softened, tears falling as well.

"You need to understand we're all at fault. You can't blame Alicia. She didn't force you to stay away from Clara, to neglect her…" My father began, but I punched him. His eyes flashed red; he snarled, about to attack when we heard a weak voice.

"Whose child?" I turned, eyes widening at the sight of a frail Clara leaning against the wall, wide-eyed. Her voice was shaky and hoarse. I walked toward her, but she held up her hand. "Whose child died?" she screamed before collapsing. I rushed to her. She weakly tried to push me away, then wailed in my arms. My father was right; I wasn't forced to stay away. I was stubborn. I'd never forgive myself, but selfishly, I hoped Clara wouldn't hate me. I held her tighter.