Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One

Nathan’s POV

The door opened, and for a ridiculous moment, I hoped—actually hoped—that it would be Hailee stepping through. But the second I saw who it was, that fragile little hope shattered. It wasn’t her. It was Leo. My best friend.

He stepped in, looking like he hadn’t slept properly in days. His dark hair was a mess, his hoodie wrinkled, and his usual easy grin was nowhere to be seen—at first. Then he caught sight of me sitting up and scoffed, trying to mask the relief that clearly washed over him.

"Well, damn," he said, letting the door shut behind him. "I come all the way here and don’t even get a smile? What, not happy to see me?"

I gave him a tired look. "You’re not exactly what I was expecting."

He clutched his chest dramatically. "Ouch. Wounded."

I rolled my eyes, but the smallest of smiles tugged at my lips. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you’re still in one piece, idiot," he said, walking over and dropping into the chair next to my bed. "You scared the crap out of everyone, man. They called me right after the accident—I was halfway to the training grounds and turned right back. Thought you’d gone and died on me."

I looked down at my hands resting over the thin blanket. "Didn’t mean to."

"Yeah, well," he sighed. "Try not to do it again."

There was a beat of silence, and then I asked the question I hadn’t even wanted to admit had been burning on my tongue since I woke up.

"Has... Hailee been here?"