ALEX POV
I woke up to the soft beeping of monitors and the sterile smell of a hospital room. My head felt heavy, and my throat was parched. Blinking against the harsh fluorescent lights, I turned my head and saw my mother sitting by my side, her hand clasping mine tightly. Her eyes were red-rimmed and tired, but they lit up with relief when she saw that I was awake.
"Alex, thank the Moon Goddess," she whispered, her voice trembling. She stood up quickly and called for the doctor. "Dr. McKanzie, he's awake!"
I tried to swallow, but my throat was so dry that it felt like sandpaper. "Water," I croaked out, barely able to get the word out.
My mother nodded and reached for a glass on the bedside table. She helped me sit up slightly and brought the straw to my lips. The cool water soothed m
