Snow White and the Alpha

Chapter 7: Morning

|Nieves|

The moment the man carefully laid me down on the bed, the doctors and nurses rushed forward, their movements urgent yet precise. My body trembled with the force of my sobs, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. I barely noticed the flurry of activity around me—everything felt distant, like I was trapped in a haze of pain and exhaustion.

I sensed the man beginning to pull away, stepping back to give the medical team space to tend to me. But before he could move, my fingers tightened around his wrist, acting on their own accord.

Or maybe… maybe I just couldn’t bear to be alone right now.

He froze at my touch, his storm-gray eyes locking onto mine. My throat felt raw, each breath scraping against the dryness. I tried to speak, but the words barely came.

“P-please…” My voice was barely above a whisper, hoarse and fragile. “Stay.”

For a moment, he simply stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet exhale, he lowered himself onto the edge of the bed. His hand found mine, warm and steady, and despite everything, the simple contact sent a wave of calm through me.

The fear, the pain—it all dulled just a little.

“You can treat her wounds now,” he commanded, his tone firm yet controlled.

The medics hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances, but eventually obeyed, stepping closer to begin their work. I winced as they started cleaning the gashes on my arms, legs, and the raw soles of my feet.

It was only then that I realized—I didn’t even know my savior’s name.

Turning my head slightly, I stole a glance at him. His attention was fixed on the medical team, his jaw tense as he watched them work. There was something about him—an air of authority, an unshakable presence—that made it impossible to look away.

How could I ever repay him for…saving me?

“Alpha Kairos…”

A new voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

The man who had spoken emerged from the shadows, his gaze briefly flickering to where my hand still clung to my savior’s. He lingered on the sight for just a second before shifting his focus entirely to the man beside me—the one he had called Kairos. With a respectful bow of his head, he delivered whatever message had brought him here.

"Alpha Luca has arrived. He requests your presence."

The moment those words sank in, my fingers instinctively released their hold on Kairos' hand. He turned to me immediately, his sharp eyes catching the shift in my demeanor.

"T-Thank you..." My voice was barely above a whisper, my head dipping as I avoided his gaze.

Gratitude felt insufficient for everything he had done, but I wasn’t in the right state to express it properly. Not now. Not when my thoughts were still tangled in the choices I had made just earlier. I needed time—to reflect, to compose myself.

"Thank you for s-staying with me," I continued, my voice faltering. "I... a-appreciate it."

A heavy silence settled between us, broken only by the hurried footsteps of the doctor and nurses moving around the room. I could feel Kairos watching me, his stare weighted with something unreadable, yet he said nothing. Then, after a moment, he rose from the bed.

Through my peripheral vision, I saw him turn to someone nearby.

"Once her wounds are treated, make sure she eats and gets some rest," he instructed, his voice carrying quiet authority.

I kept my head lowered, but I sensed the moment his attention shifted back to me.

"We’ll talk tomorrow," he said, his tone firm. "There's something I need to tell you."

That caught me off guard. My head lifted before I could stop myself, and our eyes met—his gaze cold, unreadable.

"Rest," he murmured. "You'll need it. I’ll be here first thing in the morning."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room. The man who had delivered the message about Kairos’ unexpected visitor followed closely behind, leaving me alone with only the fading echo of their footsteps.

My gaze lingered on the door they had disappeared through.

So… his name is Kairos?

The weight of his presence had been strangely grounding. Even though he was little more than a stranger, the brief time he spent with me had somehow settled the storm raging in my mind. Now, in the silence that followed his departure, reality came crashing down once more.

I exhaled shakily. I still couldn’t believe it—just moments ago, I had been ready to end my own life.

I bit down on my lower lip, hard enough to sting.

What had I been thinking?

The grief was still raw, the tragedy too recent. I could still see it so vividly—the fire consuming everything I had ever known, the screams of my pack, the haunting image of my grandmother’s final moments.

Lola.

A sharp ache spread through my chest. I would never see her again. Never hear her gentle reprimands, never feel the warmth of her hand as she brushed my hair from my face.

A single tear slipped down my cheek, and then another. The sorrow was overwhelming, pressing against me like an unbearable weight. But even through the pain, I knew the truth—choosing to leave this world wouldn’t have been the answer.

If Kairos hadn’t stopped me, Lola would have been furious. I could almost hear her scolding me, telling me how foolish I had been. The pack… they would have been disappointed too.

A memory surfaced, clear as day.

"You need to be strong at all times. You must keep a clear head. The outside world is unforgiving, Snow. You have to sharpen your mind, fortify your spirit. Because one day… I won’t be there to protect you. And when that day comes, you must survive on your own."

I had always rolled my eyes whenever she said those words, dismissing them as nothing more than her usual lectures. I never truly believed that the day she spoke of would actually come.

But now it had.

And only in her absence did I finally understand.

I pressed a hand over my chest, feeling the slow, steady beat of my heart. I was still here. I was still breathing.

This was my second chance.

If Lola could see me now—alive, fighting to survive—I knew she would be proud. Because that was the kind of person she was.

And it was the kind of person I needed to become.

Kairos’s words from earlier felt like a slap across the face—sharp, jarring, and impossible to ignore. But maybe I needed it. His bluntness had shaken me out of my sorrow, forcing me to see beyond my own grief. I had been so consumed by loss that I failed to recognize what I still had.

I wasn’t entirely alone.

I still have David.

A shuddering breath escaped me as I wiped the dampness from my cheeks. It took a while for the storm in my mind to settle, but eventually, clarity replaced the overwhelming tide of emotions. I wasn’t as lost as I had been mere moments ago. I could think again.

And now, something else gnawed at my thoughts—Kairos’s cryptic remark before he left. He had said he would tell me something in the morning. But what? Was it important? Did it have something to do with…me?

My mind whirled with possibilities.

Then I remembered, he was an Alpha, wasn’t he? If that was the case, then he must have connections. And if he had ties to the Ares Clan, then surely he knew about the Clarkson Pack. If that were true… then maybe—just maybe—I could ask for his help in meeting them.

A deep sigh left my lips, and for the first time since my world had been torn apart, I felt… lighter. I wasn’t completely okay, not yet, but at least my thoughts were no longer suffocating me.

Glancing at the doctor and nurses tending to my wounds, I made an effort to cooperate, eager for them to finish quickly. Once they were done, they gave me a few gentle reminders—rest as much as possible, eat well to regain my strength. Then, they left.

Not everyone left, though. Two attendants remained behind, assisting me as I cleaned up, changed into fresh clothes, and ate a warm meal. I attempted to ask them where I was and who Kairos was, but my questions were met with silence—just as I had anticipated.

By the time I was finished, exhaustion settled deep into my bones. The weight of everything—the endless running, the emotional turmoil—dragged me under, and before I knew it, sleep claimed me.

Morning came too soon.

A faint rustling stirred me awake, and as my eyes fluttered open, I noticed the attendants still lingering in the room. The moment I made a move to get up, they were at my side, assisting me to the bathroom.

Despite the grogginess clinging to my body, a sense of anticipation thrummed beneath my skin. I wasn’t sure what to expect from Kairos, but I was prepared to find out. I considered heading down for an early breakfast, but one of the attendants quickly informed me that Kairos would be dining with me in my room.

So, I waited.

Seated at the small four-person table by the window, I watched as the first streaks of dawn painted the sky in soft hues of gold and lavender. The sight was calming, yet it did little to ease the quiet tension in my chest.

And then, I felt it.

His presence.

Heavy. Commanding. Unmistakable.

Even before the door opened, I knew Kairos was near.

A few seconds passed before the handle turned. The door swung open, and there he was. Kairos stepped inside, his gray eyes locking onto mine as he strode forward with quiet, controlled confidence.

I held his gaze, bracing myself for whatever he had to say.