Iris talked about apartment interior decorations with Jessica and Laura, but she noticed that Maverick looked worried. The men spoke quietly to one another; Iris felt that something was wrong. That was when she remembered the little boy who was in the hospital. Iris excused herself and went toward the men. The three men stopped talking to one another. "Sorry for interrupting, but I was wondering if I could speak to Maverick alone, please." Matthias and Rickon looked at one another and went inside the apartment. Once alone, Iris noticed that Maverick tried to conceal his worry. "Maverick, I noticed that something was bothering you."

Maverick was worried that she would try to involve herself too much, especially in dangerous situations. However, the current situation was different, and he didn't feel the need to keep it a secret. "Remember the child I spoke to you about? He finally woke up. I'm going to see him."

Iris was silent momentarily and thought about the boy. She felt sad for the child who lost his family. "I want to go with you."

"Iris, you-"

"No, I want to go. The child might get confused and scared; I think someone like me should go, since women tend to be motherly. You could be by my side. Please trust me."

The two looked at one another; Maverick smiled, knowing that he wouldn't be able to change her mind. "Alright, let's tell the others that we will go and return. I know Laura will not be happy if we miss dinner." The two entered the apartment and announced that they were going somewhere and would return soon. The couple then went to Maverick's car, got inside, and left for the hospital. "You didn't have to do this. I wanted you and Jessica to have your moment in your new home."

"We can always celebrate another day, Maverick. This is more important. The poor child lost his loved ones, and I don't want him to think he is alone." She looked at him. "You said that you will look after him. Since we're dating, I will help you out."

The image of her, him, and the boy came across Maverick's mind; it was like the family he always wanted. He didn't have the opportunity to have a family with Ofelia, but his dream could still come true. Maverick made another turn that led to the hospital's parking lot.

The Beta parked the car and turned it off. "We're here." The two got out of the car and walked inside the hospital. Before going inside, Maverick's mind linked with the doctor to tell the staff that he was going with Iris, who is a human. He warned them not to mention anything about their kind or the pack. Once inside, the doctor stood by the main desk, waiting for them. 

The doctor refrained from calling Maverick by his title. "I am glad you both could make it. I will take you to his room." 

Everyone walked toward the elevator that would lead them to the fourth floor. "How is the boy? Has he tried to speak or do anything?"

"He cried from the pain since we had to stitch him up and the fear of being in a different environment."

"Does the boy have any extended family?" asked Iris. She couldn't imagine the pain the boy was going through. 

"No, there was no one else in the records; he has no other family left," answered Maverick.

Everyone was silent until they got to the fourth floor; the doctor led them to where the boy was. Once inside, there was a bed with machines on both sides, some connected to the young patient. The five-year-old had short, dark brunette hair, but parts of it was shaven to get his surgeries; his skin was slightly pale from blood loss. He was thin due to malnutrition, and his dark brown eyes looked like empty shells. Iris wanted to cry immediately; she had never seen such a broken child. The doctor left the couple alone; they slowly walked toward the child. Maverick walked behind Iris since he didn't want to intimidate the boy. "The doctor said that the child might suffer with his speech and language; the hospital will provide him with speech therapy once he is better."

The young woman nodded as she sat on the bed, but she gave the child her space. The boy did not look up to see either one. Maverick wanted to speak to the boy but had little experience with children except with Rowan. However, he watched Iris, who focused on the child and sat on the bed with him. "Do you know his name?" Iris asked.

"The paperwork states that his name is Asher."

Iris's look softened. "Asher, what a unique name you have. I know everything is new to you, but my name is Iris. That man here is Maverick. We are here to see if you are okay."

Then, the boy began to cry. His throat was dry, and his cries sounded like screeches. Maverick flinched as he panicked about what to do. He thought about calling the doctor, but Iris motioned him to calm down. She slowly moved closer to Asher until she sat beside him; the boy flinched when she got closer. He wanted to move away, but Iris gently put her hand over his left hand and gently patted it. Asher moved his hand away, but Iris returned to her spot and sat patiently. "I will be right here, sweetie. You're safe now, and we won't let anything happen to you."

It was quiet in the hospital room, and Maverick was amazed by Iris's patience as she sat close to the crying boy. Iris then stood, poured a cup of water, and put the cup on the table in front of him. Maverick sat on a chair farther from the bed; he didn't want to scare the poor child. He felt his heartache seeing Asher in his current state. Then, his sadness turned into anger toward the person who did this to Asher and his family. Maverick swore that when he found the killer, he would give the culprit a painful death. 

The boy cried for thirty minutes until he could no longer cry; his throat was too dry. Iris then motioned Asher to the cup of water. He slowly took it and drank it with slight difficulty. Asher finished drinking the cup, and Iris got the cup and put it back. It was quiet again; she was thoughtful and then decided to do something that might soothe Asher. Iris began to sing a song from the movie Beowulf: a hero comes home.

https://youtu.be/g270m8ST63I

Maverick was surprised at her soft voice; he never knew she could sing so well. While singing, Asher sat still while Iris sat beside him, but she did not touch him. While singing to him, the couple noticed that the boy was slowly falling asleep, and when he did, his head landed on Iris's right arm. When Iris finished signing, she gently wrapped her arm around Asher and patted him. 

Iris and Maverick looked at one another and smiled. Maverick felt his heart beating rapidly, and he knew right then that he was feeling more than care and the mate bond; it was love.