When it was over, the surgeon sighed into his mask. “Stable for now. We’ll monitor in the ICU.” Elena exhaled only when they rolled her out, machines blinking like small beacons of hope. As Bay Three was being prepped, she got the waiting dog some leftover scraps from the mess and patted him gently.
Valorian seemed to hear the wheels long before he saw the gurney. His whole body tensed, tail still but ears forward. As the doors opened, his nails clicked against the tile once, twice, before he froze. Elena met his gaze. “She’s okay,” she said softly. “She’s back.” The dog lowered himself, like a soldier dismissed.