Emma pov

　　"I'll go check on Ava now," I mumble with my face still close to Matthew's. He nods, and I slowly move away.

　　"Meanwhile, I'll see what I can find out about Milena Golden's whereabouts. I'll ask some of my warriors to search the borders," Matthew replies before clearing his throat.

　　I hurry back to the infirmary area of the Night Howlers Pack's packhouse. Throughout the journey, I wished that Ava would already be awake and well. Before I entered the infirmary room where Ava was being monitored, the pack's doctor called me into his private office. His request made me think that something terrible might have happened. My heart races, and my palms suddenly sweat.

　　"Did something happen, doctor?" I ask apprehensively, feeling my lips dry as various disaster scenarios flash through my mind.

　　"For now, there hasn't been any improvement in Ava's condition, Miss Emma. But there hasn't been any worsening either. Have you managed to find the sorcerer who cast the mental spell on her?" the doctor informs professionally.

　　I shake my head, unable to find the right words to say. "Her mother, her supposed mother, actually, she just disappeared. Alpha Matthew is going right now to investigate her whereabouts, without her, it will be impossible to know who cast the spell," I explain with a downcast voice.

　　"I advise us to keep hope for the rest of the day. If there hasn't been any deterioration in her condition, that's already a victory for us. Patient Ava may just need some rest," the doctor informs, and I nod in agreement.

　　"We all need it, doctor," I affirm hopefully. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

　　It takes a few seconds for the doctor to respond, "Stay by her side, talk to her, maybe your voice will bring her back. We need to remember that it's a traumatizing moment for her. Today has been an atypical day, full of very big emotions and revelations. She might feel overwhelmed too. I believe Ava needs familiarity right now, someone who truly knows her... she needs you, Emma," the doctor declares with conviction, and I thank him with more optimism.

　　I go to the infirmary room where Ava is being monitored. There's a bit more color in her face, dispelling the paleness that worried me. The only sound in the room is the monitor recording her heartbeat. I pull up a chair and sit near the bed Ava is on, leaning forward, resting my elbows on the mattress, and holding her thin, frail hand. "Hey, it's me, Emma. I'm going to stay here by your side until you wake up, okay? You don't need to be afraid, Ava. You're not alone, I swear." I say the words with a choked voice, holding back tears. "Please, wake up soon."

　　It takes two days for Ava to respond to my plea to wake up. During that time, I only left her side for brief moments, just to use the bathroom and grab something to eat from the kitchen. On the first night, I slept next to her in the room. Ava woke up in the afternoon, while I was humming our favorite song from when we were pre-teens.

　　"You always got the lyrics of the song wrong, Emma," Ava whispers in my direction, making me jump with surprise.

　　"Ava!" I exclaim, almost jumping on top of her. "Do you remember the song?" I ask, surprised. My best friend confirms with a weak nod of her head. "Sing, sing with me, Ava!" I request enthusiastically.

　　Even though she's a bit weak, Ava sings along with me to our favorite song. I

　　 press the emergency button for the doctor. "Thank goodness you're okay, I was so worried."

　　The doctor examines Ava thoroughly and finds no problems at all. "Do you know where you are, Miss Ava?" the doctor asks, and Ava confirms. "Do you know who this lady is next to you?"

　　Ava smiles kindly in my direction before answering him, "Yes, she's Emma, my best friend."

　　"Do you remember what our last conversation was, Ava?" I ask, concerned, and she confirms that she does. "Do you remember when you got this necklace?" I ask, pointing to the pendant still around her neck.

　　"On my fifteenth birthday. My dad had it made exclusively for me," Ava replies, warming my heart with joy.

　　"Who was the first boy I kissed?" I ask with a bit of humor. Only Ava knows the true answer because I lied to everyone else about who the first boy was.

　　"Glenn, at the party we sneaked into. You always say it was Frank, but I know it wasn't," Ava responds with a laugh, and I feel even happier. It really is Ava, my best friend!

　　I climb onto Ava's bed and hug her tightly, showering her face with kisses and my tears of happiness. "Your memories really came back, you're really Ava! Thank the moon goddess you're back safe and sound, Ava!"