Chapter 227

Grayson’s POV

“Gloomy, huh? Should’ve brought chocolates.” Carter’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I didn’t turn from the window. The sky mirrored my mood—a dull, gray canvas of restless clouds. Lately, I’d been quiet. Ava wasn’t here. I wanted to tell her everything—my sorrow, my longing…

The words caught in my throat. The truth slammed into me, hard: I wanted the baby.

The realization hit like a punch. I gasped, the weight settling deep in my chest.

Then—click.

I whirled, eyes narrowing on Carter, phone in hand. “You take a picture?” My voice was low, dangerous.

A slow grin spread across his face. “Grayson Blackwood, Lost in Thought. A rare sighting.”

“Get out.”

He ignored me, sinking onto the sofa. “Only visitor, huh? Admit it, you’re happy to see me.”

I returned to the window.

“How you feeling?” he asked.

I scoffed. “You always have an agenda. Spit it out.”

He pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense. “Hurt, Grayson. Friends, remember?”

I glared.

He sighed. “Fine. Your problems are mine. Remember you told me to stop looking for your sister?”

My fingers curled into fists.

Carter smirked. “By your blank stare, I’d say you know who she is. My investigation was… unproductive. It’s…”

My jaw tightened. He continued, “But, my little investigation put me on the radar of the maniac who wants you dead. Congratulations—I’m collateral damage.”

“So?” I muttered. “Need protection?”

Carter laughed, humorless. “No. I need reassurance you have a plan. Because I like being alive.”

“Congratulations,” I said dryly. “Selfishness of the Year.”

Carter grinned. “And you’re a runner-up for Stubbornness. I need a damn plan, Grayson.”

A deep, accented voice cut through the air. “Mr. Blackwood has no visitors.”

We both turned. A tall doctor, crisp white coat stark against his dark skin, stood in the doorway, arms crossed, frowning at Carter.

Carter simply smiled. In flawless Italian, he said, “My apologies, Doctor. Important business. I’ll leave now.”

The doctor’s expression barely softened, but he nodded grudgingly. Carter, with practiced ease, rose, gave me one last look, and strolled out. “Don’t be too miserable, amico. I’ll be in touch.”

The doctor turned to me, muttering in Italian before switching to English. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine,” I mumbled.

He scoffed. “Certo. A man shot three times feels ‘fine’?”

I gave him a deadpan look. He sighed, beginning to check my vitals, but my mind was on Carter. Damien was after him, too.

Damien. The name ignited fury. That bastard had ruined too many lives.

I needed to act. Soon.

I barely noticed the doctor unwrapping bandages until his voice cut through my haze. “You need rest, Mr. Blackwood.”

I laughed, humorless. Rest? There was no rest for me.

“Cristo santo!”

The startled Italian curse pulled me from my thoughts. The doctor’s face was etched with shock; his usually composed expression shattered. His eyes were wide.

My gaze dropped to the discarded bandage. Where a gaping wound should have been…there was nothing. No stitches, no inflamed flesh, no scar. My body had healed.

I gasped, not in relief, but shock. My hands moved instinctively, tearing off the remaining bandages. Nothing. Smooth, unbroken skin.

I pushed myself up. “What the hell…?” The doctor muttered, taking a hesitant step back. Then, demanding, “What are you doing?”

“I’m not injured,” I said, eerily calm. “I’m leaving.”

“Wait—this is impossible! You were shot three times!”

“A miracle,” I said flatly.

He opened his mouth to argue, but my glare silenced him. He swallowed, but didn’t dare contradict me.

“Discharge papers,” I ordered. “Now.”

He hesitated. I took a step closer, radiating an authority that demanded obedience.

His throat tightened. Silently, he turned and left. I ran a hand down my face. The wounds were gone. But my wolf…

I reached inward, finding only silence, emptiness. He was gone.

My jaw clenched. Another question gnawed at me: Ava. My fated mate. The curse should be broken. Why wasn’t it?

I paced, trying to make sense of it. Was there something I’d missed? Unless…

Footsteps. I turned, ready to dismiss the doctor, but instead, I saw Liam.