Refusing to let go 

ISABELLA’S POV 

The moment our eyes met, I felt like the whole world had stopped spinning. The air seemed to 

leave my lungs as I find it hard to breathe, feeling the weight his gaze. 

His eyes were so dark and intense, pinning me in place, leaving me cold. 

Xavier was awake… and he was now looking directly at me. For a moment, I couldn’t move. I 

couldn’t even find my own voice. My body felt paralyzed yet not at the same time as the effect 

of the mate bond started rushing though me like a wave. 

I can still feel it… It was stronger than ever, ignited by our proximity and the touch of his skin 

against mine. 

Then, I saw how his eyes narrowed slightly as he finally spoke. “You…” 

That one word shattered the spell, sending me out of my stunned stupor. Hearing the low and deep rumble from his voice sent a shiver down my spine. As I broke out of my trance, panic. flooded through all my senses as I fought against his hold, desperate to break free. 

I didn’t say a word and only struggled. But his grip was unyielding, his hand was clasped around my wrist with full force. His gaze never wavered. I can feel it… He never moved his eyes away from me. As our eyes met for the second time, I realized that he had an unreadable 

expression on his face. 

But I could see the intensity, the depth of emotions simmering just beneath the surface. 

“You’re here…” He spoke once again. His voice was thick with something I couldn’t name, perhaps a mixture of disbelief… but something I could also feel far more dangerous. 

I didn’t know how to respond. I couldn’t find my words. My heartbeat roared in my chest, and with each passing second, I can feel the ache I had buried so deeply after all these years starting to resurface. 

I stared at him, my emotions a tangled mess as the memories of our past, the pain, and the lost dreams, came crushing back like a continuous surging waves. 

Just then, Xavier, who was still lying on the bed and holding my arm firmly suddenly shut his eyes tightly, as if he was in pain. But when he opened them again, his gaze was now filled with more intensity that made my breath hitch. 

“Is this… a dream?” He slowly asked, his voice cracking with a vulnerability I hadn’t and never 

expected. 

1/4 

+50 Point 

Refusing to let go 

I froze. For a moment, I let myself continue staring at his face. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even know why he asked those words, or what he meant by it. However, something in the weight of his question, the rawness in it, painfully clenched my heart. 

I couldn’t stand his gaze any longer, so I turned away with my eyes that was now stinging from the tears that had yet to fall. Damn it! Why am I even feeling like this? 

This wasn’t how I imagined I would see him again. Not like this… 

“Let me go.” I demanded, gritting my teeth even though my voice was almost trembling. I tried to fight against his hold once again, but then, his grip only tightened, holding me even firmer as if he was clinging to the very essence of his life. 

I shut my eyes tight, just as I was about to say something further, the door suddenly swung open and Bethany entered with another pack healer. Both of them stopped on their tracks at the sight of Xavier holding me so tightly. 

Bethany’s eyes widened, but then she recovered quickly, ordering the other pack healer beside her to bring sedatives. 

“He must be reacting like this due to the healing process… because you cured him with ‘that‘ 

power.” 

Because of the healing process? My abilities? Bethany’s words started to etch at the back of my mind. After processing her words, I felt like laughing at myself. 

Yeah right. Why would even Xavier react this way and say those words right in front of me? He was in a delirious state. He probably doesn’t even know what he was saying right now. So, why do I have to get so affected like this? 

I clenched my fist, feeling those thoughts weighing too heavily in my heart. I didn’t bother to continue struggling against his hold and only waited for Bethany and the other pack healer to handle the matter, the hollow feeling in my chest growing. 

Xavier growled lowly, a sound full of so much anger and desperation as Bethany and the other pack healer moved closer to him with the sedative. 

I stood frozen, unable to move or do anything as they tried injecting the sedative in his arm. Xavier continued growling, resisting so forcefully that Bethany had to hold him back while the other pack healer handled the injection. But despite his resistance, his other hand never left my arm, even pulling me more forcefully towards him. 

I staggered, but just then, his grip on me slowly weakened after they successfully injected the 

sedatives on him. 

2/4 

450 Points 

Refusing to let go 

No matter how I tried to hold myself back, my heart wrenched painfully at the sight of him. fighting the sedative. I took a step back, trying to get some space away from him, when all of a sudden, our eyes locked. 

His eyes were filled with so many emotions… emotions I couldn’t even dare to understand. Whether it was real or just the effect of the healing process, I didn’t fail to notice the pain, desperation, and anxiousness on that very gaze. Then the next moment, he weakly raised his hand, as if reaching out towards me. 

“Don’t go…” He whispered, his voice barely audible. 

Something inside me seemed to break as soon as he said that. After five years, the pain came crashing back to me all at once. He’s probably mistaking me for Sophia, that’s why he was telling me not to go. However, I’m not her. 

I hardened my heart and made myself turn away from him. I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t allow myself to fall back into the pain that once took me over the pain that once shattered me. 

Without glancing back, I left the room. My feet felt heavy as I walked down the hospital corridors. I injured the suffocating pain in my chest as I continued walking back to the packhouse. 

Yet, I was still so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize I had already accidentally bumped into someone. 

– 

“I was just about to look for you – what happened?!” 

Hailey’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she gently grabbed both my shoulders. Her eyes were staring at me in deep concern and that’s when I realize that my cheeks were already stained with tears. 

I haven’t even notice that I was already crying. I hastily wiped them, struggling to get myself together. 

“I… I already healed him.” It was all I could muster to say. I couldn’t even bring myself to talk about what just happened… or what was going on. 

I just feel so exhausted and lost. 

Hailey seemed to understand my current feelings as she nodded and said nothing, only accompanying me back to the packhouse. 

Raymond and Alexander were also there. Both of them looked very anxious and concerned seeing my current state. But I forced a smile and assured them everything has been taken care of, though I can’t find any strength to explain everything that had happened. 

+50 Points 

Refusing to let go 

My heart seemed too heavy, and my mind was too chaotic. I immediately made my way straight to the room where my babies were staying. And when I finally saw them sleeping with 

their innocent faces looking so peaceful and unbothered, a bit of comfort and relief washed 

over me. 

I slid into the bed beside them, holding them close as I kissed the top of their heads. The 

warmth they bring somewhat calmed the storm brewing within me, but by no means 

extinguishing it. 

The pain, worry, and fear still clung to me like shadows, refusing to let go.