Page 94 of Red River

Several men began hoisting the rope up. At its end, Archer clung tightly, carrying Igor’s limp body over his shoulder.

My son’s head lolled forward against his chest, and my heart stopped again. Was it too late? Had all of Archer’s effort, all of his courage, been for nothing?

But the men worked quickly, knowing that every second was precious.

As soon as Archer and Igor were close enough, two other alphas reached over the railing and pulled Igor up. One of the onlookers, an omega, shouted, "I’m a doctor! I can help!" and rushed to Igor’s side.

Everyone hovered over him, pressing on his chest, forcing water from his lungs. I stood there like an idiot while my own son was being saved—shaking like a leaf in the wind, silentlybegging Fate to have mercy, to let him live just this one more time.

Then suddenly, I felt wet hands gripping my back. I lifted my head—it was Archer. Soaking wet, his eyes locked onto mine.

"Archer…" I choked out. I couldn’t believe it—I was staring at him—whole, alive. "You saved my son—"

"It’s okay, River, it’s okay…" he muttered.

Lake and Aiden stood beside Van, who had his arms wrapped around them. They were all watching Igor, who was still being resuscitated. It was only then that something in me snapped back into place, and I rushed toward him.

His hands were so cold! The omega doctor pressed hard against Igor’s chest, his movements firm and desperate.

"Igor, please, I’m begging you! Come back to me, son—come back to me!" I sobbed, gripping his limp hand, lifeless in mine.

And then—a miracle.

Igor coughed.

"He's alive! He’s alive!" The words echoed through the surrounding crowd.

Some people started clapping. A few shook Archer’s hand. Phones were out, recording him, recording Igor.

The world tilted—I nearly fainted from relief. I didn’t know what state he was in yet, but the moment I saw his dazed eyes flutter open, a wave of emotion crashed over me so hard I could barely breathe. I trembled, sobbing—loudly, more desperately than before.

Archer wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.

"He’s going to be okay, River. He’s alive," he murmured, his hand smoothing over my hair.

I clung to his wet body, still overwhelmed, still in shock.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Thank you, Archer…"

He gave a small, familiar smile. "Hey, you don’t have to thank me. I’m his guardian—it’s my duty."

I shook my head. "No… this goes beyond anything a guardian is supposed to do. You’re a hero. You’ll always be my hero."

Tears poured down my face as I pressed it against his chest, and he just held me, his hand gently stroking my hair, his grip steadying me.

The shock, the terror… I still felt dizzy, on the verge of collapsing from relief.

Twenty minutes later, the ambulance arrived. Igor was thoroughly examined, and the doctor decided he should be taken to the hospital for observation, just to be safe.

So we all went with him.

Fortunately, he had suffered only minor effects from the near-drowning—just cold and exhaustion. In fact, the low water temperature may have worked in his favor by slowing his metabolism and reducing his body's oxygen consumption, preventing his brain from being deprived too quickly.

Listening to the doctors, Igor was so quiet. He avoided my gaze.

The physicians checked him over, running tests while he lay there.

During a short break, Van scooted up beside him and showed him a video on his phone.

---