19. Michael
CHAPTER NINETEEN
MICHAEL
As much as I wanted to head to Doyle's cozy cabin and stay holed up there for a week, without any distractions, we had other matters to take care of.
First and foremost was making sure my dad was okay.
"Everything good?" I asked Doyle after he made a phone call to Zane.
"Yeah, Ivan will come up here, clean this mess up," Doyle said. "You doing good?"
"Yeah, let's go see my dad. And... you need to get your wounds checked. Don't worry, Oak Meadow Medical is used to shifters," I reassured him.
At the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as we walked through the bustling corridors.
Doyle was immediately whisked away by a nurse, leaving me alone with my thoughts as I headed to my dad's room.
My heart pounded with a mixture of relief and anxiety.
I found my dad fast asleep, his face peaceful despite the bandages and IV lines.
Seeing him like this, I felt a wave of gratitude that Doyle had arrived in time.
The wounds, though serious, were not fatal.
"Hey, Mike," my dad rasped, startling me as he stirred and opened his eyes. "Is that really you?"
"It is," I said, standing up to pour a glass of water for him.
He drank slowly, the tension in his face easing.
I sat beside him and began to relate everything that had happened in the Silvercrest Mine.
"She's really gone?" he asked in disbelief, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, understanding his skepticism.
"Yeah, Dad. She's never bothering us, or Doyle and his family ever again,” I said.
"That's a relief to hear," my dad said, sinking back into his pillow. "So what's next, for you and Doyle, I mean?"
I flushed for no apparent reason.
"Well, I figured we'd stay here for the next few days, you know, keep a close eye on you,” I answered.
He snorted softly. "I have Stan and the others for that. I'll be alright, Michael. Doyle and you... should head back,” he said.
It was as if my dad already knew I wasn't returning to Oak Meadow at all and had chosen to stay with Doyle in Sky Stead.
I didn't even need to bring the awkward topic up.
"We'll stay a few more days, keep you company," I said, and that brought a smile to the old man's face.
The nurse returned to update me on Doyle's condition.
"Your friend is doing fine. We've patched him up, and he should be able to leave soon," she said with a reassuring smile.
"Thanks," I replied, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
Doyle finally joined us, covered in bandages. He sat beside me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"How's he doing?" he asked, nodding towards my dad, who had fallen asleep.
"Better, thanks to you," I said, giving Doyle a grateful smile.
"Good to hear," Doyle said, his eyes warm and reassuring.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of genuine peace settle over me.
After three days, my dad was discharged from the hospital.
Doyle and I helped drive him back home, the weight of recent events lifting slightly with each mile we traveled away from the hospital.
Once we got him settled in the living room, I made sure he had everything he needed before turning to Doyle.
“Let’s head to my room?" I asked with a small smile.
"Lead the way," Doyle replied, his hand finding mine as we headed down the familiar hallway.
We entered my room, a flood of memories washing over me.
When I first entered this room after Doyle rescued me, I remembered thinking I felt like a stranger in my own home.
Now, looking at my old posters on the walls, the bookshelf crammed with old novels and trinkets from my childhood only filled me with nostalgia.
Doyle closed the door behind us, and the world outside seemed to fade away.
We sat on the bed, the springs creaking softly under our weight.
Doyle wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. I rested my head against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat.
"Remember when we first met?" Doyle murmured, his fingers gently tracing patterns on my arm.
"Of course," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "I was terrified of seeing you in your dragon form, but you changed back to your human form to assure me you meant no harm."
"And you asked me if, since I had no intentions of eating you, I could let you go," Doyle said with a laugh.
We lay down, our bodies fitting together perfectly as we cuddled on the narrow bed.
"Doyle, back in the mine, when you said you weren't going to give up on me because I'm your mate, that really touched me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
I continued, "Knowing how important I was to you... I think that helped me break Liliana's hold over me."
"Yeah?" Doyle asked, tilting my chin up so our eyes met.
His gaze was intense and seeing the possessive hunger there never failed to make me feel all warm and giddy.
"Well, be it black witches or anything else, I won't let anything or anyone ever harm you, Michael,” he said.
Emotion welled up inside me, and I couldn't hold back the tears.
"I love you, Doyle,” I whispered.
"I love you too," he replied, his lips brushing softly against mine.
The kiss deepened, a promise of love and protection. As we pulled away, Doyle's eyes darkened with a sense of purpose.
"Michael, there's something I've wanted to do for a while now,” he said.
He gently pushed aside the collar of my shirt, exposing the skin of my neck.
I shivered in anticipation, understanding what he was about to do.
Doyle's lips pressed against my neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin.
The bite was both sharp and tender, a spark that ignited a bond deep within me. I felt a surge of energy.
A connection forming between his dragon and my fox that was more profound than anything I had ever experienced.
Doyle's warmth flooded my senses, and I knew he felt it too.
The mate bond solidified, a glowing thread that tied our souls together.
I could feel his emotions, his love and protectiveness wrapping around me like a shield.
Doyle pulled back, his eyes glowing with a fierce, possessive light.
"You're mine, Michael. Always,” he said.
"Always," I echoed.