Chapter : 873
Judy’s POV
The hospital room felt quiet after Gavin and Eliza left. I was left alone with Megan Churchill, and I couldn’t take my eyes away from her face. She looked as if she had never aged despite the grey streaks in her blond curls.
I sat in the chair beside her bed, my hands folded in my lap, even though they wouldn’t stop trembling. She looked nothing like I had imagined; I honestly wasn’t even sure what I was expecting.
Maybe I expected someone who looked more like a rogue… but Meg looked so young, and there was almost an innocence about her that made me want to protect her. Her face was smooth with no blemishes, and though her hair was greasy from being unwashed for all these years, it was still somehow beautiful.
My eyes burned with tears.
What was I even doing here?
I didn’t ask for any of this. I had no idea why it even mattered. I didn’t want these magical powers… I didn’t want to have to break bonds and curses. I was happy with my life before any of this.
I just wanted to focus on this upcoming wedding, Luna ceremony, and my baby. I wanted to focus on my family, and maybe one day I would focus on my career. But all this magic stuff… it wasn’t something I had signed up for.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, which was buzzing. I saw my mom’s picture flash across the screen, and my chest tightened. She had no idea about any of this, and I felt terrible about not telling her. I thought about answering the call, but I wasn’t sure I could play it off cool.
I didn’t want to tell her about this stuff over the phone; she deserved to hear it in person, so I let the call go to voicemail, and instead, I typed out a message.
Me: I’ll come over later. I need to talk to you both.
After I pressed send, I turned my phone off and shoved it into my pocket. I looked back at Meg’s still body, wondering what kind of life she had lived while being in a coma. I wondered if her world was all black or if she dreams. I wonder what kind of things she thinks about… I wonder if she ever thinks about her daughter or if she even remembers she has one.
Meg’s hand lay limp on the bed, and without really thinking about it, I reached out. The moment my fingers brushed her skin, the air in the room shifted.
It wasn’t dramatic… There were no sparks, no wind, no glowing lights—just a click. Like something old and patient had finally found the right key. I could feel something pulling me in, and I didn’t like it.
I yanked my hand back, my heart racing.
What the hell was that?
It was almost as if she were trying to pull me into her mind. Before I could think too much about it, Gavin and Eliza returned with the signed release form.
“Okay, we should be good to go. I’ll call Taylor and have him and some others bring Megan to Eliza’s clinic he fold me wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into him. He took a look at my face and
then frowned. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, not sure how to explain what had happened. I would have to explain it to him later.
“Yeah,” I said, leaning into him. “I just want to go home.”
He nodded as if he understood, which I’m sure he did.
Gavin squeezed my shoulder gently before stepping away to make the call. Eliza gave Meg one last assessing look, her expression thoughtful but calm, then offered me a small smile.
“It’s going to be okay,” she told me, assessing my face. “I’ll keep her safe and well- cared for while the Alpha figures out how to break the curse.”
“Do we know who would and could cast such a curse?” I asked.
“Someone who wanted to see the Churchill’s perish… at the same time, wanted to protect her.”
I blinked.
“Protect her?”
She nodded, and her face grew thoughtful for a moment.
“Whoever cast this curse made it so the Churchill’s couldn’t touch her f they did the they would die Eliza, told me, turning to face me. They must really love her.”
My chest tightened as I stared down at Meg. Someone out there was protecting
her… and I couldn’t help but wonder who it might be.
The door opened, and Gavin returned.
“Ready?” He asked me.
I nodded.
“Yeah,” I said as I joined him at the doorway.
As we walked out of the hospital room, I glanced at the bed one last time. Meg looked precisely the same as she had moments ago… still peaceful, unaware… and yet so young and pretty But there was a power beneath her simmering, and I worried about what kind of secrets they held.