Chapter 752: After the Unbinding
Chapter 751: After the Unbinding
13 Days To Go
Sophia moved before she even thought about it.
The moment Orion’s body began to tip forward, she was already in motion. Her knees hit the stone floor hard, the impact shooting up through her legs, but she didn’t feel it. All she could focus on was catching him before he hit the ground.
She slid beneath him, her arms wrapping around his chest, and guided his fall so that his head landed in her lap instead of against the cold stone. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
"Orion," she said, her voice tight. "Orion, can you hear me?"
He didn’t respond.
Madam Tyler closed the distance between them in three quick strides, her staff tapping against the floor. She crouched beside Sophia, her hand reaching for Orion’s wrist.
Sophia’s gaze was fixed on his face, searching for any sign of consciousness. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow but steady. The tension in his jaw had eased, and his features had relaxed into something that almost looked peaceful.
She exhaled then.
She pressed the back of her hand against his forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin. His temperature was elevated, but not dangerously so. Just the natural heat of a body that had pushed itself too far.
Madam Tyler nodded, her hand still resting on Orion’s wrist. "His pulse is steady. He’s just exhausted. I’m sure with some rest, he’ll be back to normal."
Sophia’s throat tightened. "I know." Her voice came out softer than she intended. "I know he will. But I’m worried."
This was the third time she had seen him collapse like this. And she did not like it. She hated seeing him this way.
Madam Tyler’s expression softened. "We can call a healer if that’ll keep you at peace."
Sophia nodded immediately. "Please."
Madam Tyler straightened and gestured to one of the workers, who hurried off without a word.
Sophia turned her attention to Josiah. He was still unconscious, his body limp on the stone floor, his face pale and tear-streaked.
She turned to the guards.
"Take him back to the medical facility," she said, her voice steady. "He needs to be checked on. But keep him chained to the bedpost. And observe him closely. If anything changes, I want to know immediately."
The guards nodded and moved to lift Josiah from the floor. They carried him out of the shrine carefully.
Minutes passed, and then Lysander walked in.
He paused at the threshold, his gaze sweeping across the scene.
He crouched beside Sophia and pressed his fingers against Orion’s wrist, checking his pulse. He sighed in relief and then nodded.
"He’s fine," he said. "He’s just exhausted. You don’t need to worry."
Sophia nodded. She knew that, but she just wanted to confirm it.
Lysander straightened, then glanced at Orion’s still form. "I can help you take him home."
Sophia smiled, relief flickering across her features. "Thank you. I would appreciate that."
A worker lifted Orion onto Lysander’s back. Lysander groaned at the weight, and then he began walking out of the shrine with Sophia following behind him.
The moment she stepped outside the shrine, her eyes widened.
The sun was high in the sky, bright and unyielding. She had no idea how long they had been inside the shrine.
"Oh wow, I didn’t realize how long we spent inside the shrine," she said.
Lysander chuckled. "It’s almost noon. Everyone is awake now."
Sophia shook her head, a small, disbelieving laugh escaping her. "I didn’t even notice."
They walked together through the compound, past the curious glances of pack members who noticed the Alpha being carried home.
When they finally reached Orion’s home, Lysander carried him inside and laid him gently on the bed. Sophia moved to his side, her hand finding his.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I can take it from here."
Lysander hesitated. "Are you certain?"
Sophia nodded. "I’m sure. Besides, an exhausted Orion is easier to handle than an awake one."
Lysander chuckled at that. "I suppose that’s true. But if you need anything—anything at all—don’t hesitate to reach out."
She nodded.
He lingered for a moment longer, then turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
Sophia stood beside the bed, looking down at Orion’s sleeping face. His breathing was steady, his features relaxed.
She removed her cloak and folded her sleeves up to her elbows. Then she turned her attention to the task ahead.
She tried to remove his tunic, but he was far too heavy. She huffed in frustration, her arms straining against his limp weight.
"I should have asked Lysander for help," she muttered.
She shook her head and adjusted her approach. She removed his shoes first, then loosened his tunic and his belt. She tugged at his trousers, but they wouldn’t budge. She gave up after a moment, pulling the blanket up to his chest.
The room felt too cold, so she moved to the hearth and added more wood, stoking the fire until the warmth spread through the room. Then she placed a jug of water on the table beside the bed, within easy reach.
She paused, considering what else he might need when he woke.
Food.
They hadn’t eaten at all today. He would be hungry.
She rushed out of the house and across the compound to the dining hall, where she found Cook. She asked for enough food for two people, making sure to include plenty of meat.
Cook didn’t object at all because she knew exactly who it was for. Orion liked a lot of meat after all.
Sophia carried it back home and placed it on the table. Then she picked up a clean piece of parchment and a quill. She wrote quickly, her hand steady, and folded the note carefully.
She moved back to the bed and watched him for a long moment. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, letting her lips linger for just a moment.
Then she straightened, pulled her cloak back on, and walked out of the house.
She would have loved to stay. To wait until he woke up. But there were still things to do in the pack. And she could not let only him handle everything.
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