Naomi's POV: I went straight to the hospital by taxi. My heart was beating fast as I stood in the hallway, eyes locked on the room where Samuel was staying. My fists curled without me realizing it. I took a steady breath, reached for the door, and stepped inside. Inside the room, Samuel's mother, Cleo Maxwell, was by his side, calmly slicing an apple. Samuel, now awake, was sitting on the bed. When he noticed someone coming in, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, especially when he realized it was me. I stood frozen near the door, staring at him. My throat tightened, words caught behind it. He didn't speak, just watched me in silence. His face was pale, but his eyes held something heavy like a storm just waiting to break. It hit me harder than I expected. Cleo noticed my presence and placed the fruit into Samuel's hand before rising. She stepped in front of him, blocking him from view. "Ms. Lawrence, did you come to see Samuel?" Her voice was calm and polite. "I ... " My voice trembled, fear sneaking into my chest. After a second's pause, I lowered my head. "I'm sorry ... " The apology was the same as before, but this time, it came from a different place inside me. "Haven't you said that already? I told you that what happened wasn't really your fault." She frowned a little, clearly confused by my sudden reappearance. Samuel turned away slowly. He didn't say anything, but the look on his face said enough, he didn't want me here. "No, Mrs. Foster, that's not it ... " My voice shook as I tried to explain. My hands felt clammy. "I came to say sorry to you." "Sorry to me? What for?" she asked gently, waiting. I bit my lip, then looked at her seriously. "I shouldn't have made that promise to you. I've changed my mind." Cleo glanced at her son, then looked back at me with a faint smile. "Then tell me. What do you want to say now?""I finally understand that I have feelings for Samuel." The words nearly caught in my throat. Samuel's shoulders gave the smallest twitch, but he kept his gaze turned away. "Really?" Cleo's expression shifted slightly. "If you're only saying this because you heard Samuel is awake and want him to forgive you, then I suggest you leave." "No, please ... " I rushed to explain, panic creeping into my voice. "That's not it at all. I know this might sound strange, even wrong, especially now. For a while, I thought I was just dealing with guilt but that wasn't the truth. I like him, and I've just been too scared to admit it." The words tumbled out in pieces, my thoughts a mess. "Maybe it's too late for this but I need him to know. I acted selfishly, I see that now ... " I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to calm down with deep breaths. Still, after everything I had said, I felt foolish. I claimed I wasn't seeking his forgiveness but was that true? Deep inside, a greedy thought arose, I still longed to be close to him again. That selfish hope made me want to slap myself. I said, "I just want to hear it from him, even if all he says is no." I tried to smile, to seem unaffected, but for some reason, my eyes began to sting. I longed to hear Samuel speak again. I wished I could see him once more. Cleo's expression darkened, and a quiet scoff escaped her lips. "Ms. Lawrence, don't you think you're being selfish? Who do you think you are? Huh. If I hadn't looked into your spotless history, I'd be questioning your motives as the Luna of the Meteor Pack." I remained silent, just standing there without a word. "Are you going to break your word now?" Cleo asked, her voice sharp. The room grew quiet. Slowly, Cleo turned to glance at Samuel, who was lying on the bed. In the end, she let out a weary sigh. "Is this the outcome you were hoping for?" I thought she was addressing me and lifted my head, puzzled, only to discover that Samuel had turned his face toward us. Our eyes locked in that brief moment, and my chest tightened as though time had paused. My face flushed, growing warm without warning.Cleo noticed the silent exchange in our gaze. Something shifted in her eyes, and she began to approach me. "Mom ... " Samuel called out suddenly, as if the words had come without thinking. Cleo's POV: I clenched my jaw, not saying a word, then faced my son again, my heart sinking with disappointment. I had believed the future Alpha of our pack would endure a little longer, but he had already stepped in to protect her. In fact, from the first time I met Naomi, I could feel how much they loved each other. I just hadn't pointed it out. I, too, was waiting for Naomi to realize her true feelings. As that thought crossed my mind, I turned and glanced at my rebellious son. "What exactly do you expect from me? Am I not even allowed to step outside for some air?" Samuel looked caught off guard. His lips parted, likely wanting to explain, but I didn't give him the chance. I simply walked away. Naomi didn't move. She stood there quietly, looking unsure of what to do. Samuel, still lying in bed, seemed just as unsure. His gaze eventually dropped to the white wrappings around his hands. An odd silence took over the room. Watching from the hallway, I let out a sigh and shook my head. Then I turned and reached for my phone. "Honey, Samuel really is your son. That stubbornness of his? Exactly like yours." My husband, the Alpha of the Meteor Pack, sighed after hearing my words. I couldn't help but let out another sigh myself. "He always says he has moved on, but the moment that girl shows up, he's ready to throw off the blankets and run after her. By the way, I've had a strange feeling about this accident. Have you figured out what really happened yet?" I muttered as I kept walking.