Juan's Pov.

"I can help you get better. I know I can!" Her faith in this possibility touched me deeply even as I recognized the impossibility of what she proposed. Her innocent belief in her ability to heal through sheer love and proximity reflected the magical thinking characteristic of her age. Yet something about her conviction resonated with aspects of supernatural healing I didn't fully understand.

The emotional moment proved overwhelming. It tore down defenses I had attempted to maintain since regaining consciousness. With Sunny's pure-hearted dedication contrasting so starkly with Zena's pragmatic abandonment, the full weight of my situation finally crashed through my remaining emotional barriers.

"Alpha Nathan, please take her away now," I requested. My voice was breaking despite my effort to maintain composure. "Please, I can't..." The request emerged not from rejection of Sunny's comfort but from desperate need to shield her from the emotional breakdown I could no longer contain.

"She shouldn't see me like this." The protective instinct remained strong despite my physical limitations. I would spare her witnessing the depths of my despair even if it meant sacrificing the comfort her presence provided.

Nathan understood right away. He gently but firmly took his daughter out of the room, even though she cried and didn't want to go. "Come on, Sunny. We'll visit Juan again tomorrow after he's had some rest." His calm voice helped her listen, at least for now. But I could still hear her crying as they walked down the hall.

"Juan needs quiet right now so he can get better," I heard Nathan explain kindly. "Tomorrow, we can bring him something special to help him feel good."

Once I was alone, I broke down crying hard. The tears weren't just because I was hurt, although that was bad enough. I was really crying for everything I had lost because of my injury. My future as Alpha, my independence, and maybe even my relationship with Sunny-especially if Nathan thought I shouldn't see her anymore because I was different now.

"Everything is gone," I whispered to the empty room. I felt so sad that I lost all hope. "Everything I was supposed to be, everything I could have done. Gone in just a few seconds."

Nathan and Emily came back after taking Sunny somewhere else. They came in quietly, almost like I didn't notice because I was so upset. Nathan spoke softly. "Juan, we know what you're going through. We've both lost things and changed too." He put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me. "We've been there."

Just hearing them admit how bad things felt helped me in a way I didn't expect. They didn't try to say it would all be okay or that I shouldn't feel sad. They knew what it was like.

Emily spoke next. Her voice was gentle but serious, like she had been through something big herself. "The person you were yesterday is gone, Juan. That's true. Pretending that's not real won't help you heal."

Her honesty could have hurt, but because I knew she had changed a lot herself, I listened. "But that doesn't mean your life is over. It just means your future is different than you expected."

She didn't tell me to stop feeling sad, but she helped me see that there might still be something good in the future, even if it wasn't what I thought it would be.

Through my tears, I finally said what I'd been thinking since Sunny's visit. "I don't want to see Sunny anymore." I was surprised at how sure I sounded, even though I was so upset. I had thought about it a lot, and it wasn't just because I was sad in that moment.

"Please send her to boarding school. Somewhere far away, so she can't visit easily." It sounded mean, but I really thought it was the kindest thing to do for her. "She deserves a normal childhood with kids her own age. She shouldn't have to watch me struggle to get better when I might never be the same."

Nathan and Emily were quiet for a while. I could tell they were thinking about what I said and how I felt. Nathan finally spoke. "Are you sure about this, Juan?" His voice wasn't angry, just calm. "Sunny loves you for who you are, not because of what you can do. She won't stop loving you just because you're hurt."

His words made me think, but I had already made up my mind. I really believed that keeping Sunny away was the best thing for both of us. "Yes, I'm sure," I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though I was still crying. "It will hurt now, but it's better than giving her false hope and letting her be disappointed over time."

It felt like I was giving up something huge to save us both. It was painful, but I thought it was necessary. "Please do this for me. It's the last thing I'll ever ask you for." My voice showed I wouldn't change my mind.

Nathan finally sighed and agreed. "If you really think this is best, we'll do it. There's a good academy up north that takes young students with special abilities." He didn't argue anymore.

"I'll start making plans tomorrow." He sounded sad, and I could tell he knew this wasn't just about sending Sunny away for a while. It was about ending something important for both of us.

My days became very dark. The night was as scary as the morning. Nothing was new. Nothing made me smile.

The world had changed into endless shades of darkness. I couldn't tell day from night. Only small changes in temperature and sounds told me which was which. My better senses could pick these up.

"What's the point of even getting up today?" I would say to myself each morning. I stared blindly at what I thought was the ceiling.

My mother would often try to cheer me up. She would open the curtains with fake happiness. This only made my sadness worse.

"Look at this beautiful sunshine, Juan! The birds are singing in the garden today," she'd say. Her voice was tight with the effort of staying positive.

I'd turn my face toward the wall. I'd answer coldly, "It doesn't matter if the sun is shining or if there's a blizzard outside. It all looks the same to me now."

My father would visit sometimes. His strong hand would grip my shoulder. He'd try to talk awkwardly.

"The pack is asking about you, son. Everyone sends their best wishes for your recovery."