Chapter 11 - Tests
Brent's POV:
The next hour was a blur of blood tests, brain scans, and physicals for Alyssa. The hospital staff wanted to get base level tests immediately as did I. Once everything came back normal, Dr. Grace gave the green light for her to begin walking in the hallways tomorrow to start getting her strength back. The healing process would rapidly increase now that she, and her wolf, were both awake and healthy.
Alyssa's parents would be by, along with Tenley, tomorrow as well. Alyssa was extremely ready to see her, but Dr. Grace felt that she needed at least one night of adjusting without the rambunctious 4 year old and as much as I wanted her here, I had to agree with the doctor.
"Now, Alyssa I have a few questions to ask you regarding some of your X-rays and some bruising noted when you first arrived at the hospital. Is this something I can discuss in the presence of Alpha O'Connor?" She looked between the both of us awaiting Alyssa's answer. I was confused about what the woman was referring to as this never came up in any of her daily reports, but I waited on Alyssa to make a decision, not wanting to take her freedom of choice away from her no matter how badly I wanted to stay with her.
Alyssa's demeanor suddenly changed and her heart began beating rapidly, "I-I-I think I just want to rest. Can we discuss this another time? "
She nodded her head in understanding, "If you wish, Luna, but we do need to discuss it."
"Yes, of course, Dr. Grace. Thank you." She quietly responded looking down at her hands in her lap.
Once the doctor had left the room I sat down on Alyssa's bed and took her hands in my own. Silently willing her to look at me as I drew circles on the backs of her hands.
After a few moments, I cleared my throat, "Alyssa?"
She looked at me as tears swam in her eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment, she responded, just barely above a whisper, "today has been one of the most incredible days of my life. I promise to tell you everything eventually, but can I just have this one good day for now? It's been so long since I have had a good day..." she squeaked the last part out, her resolve slipping even more.
Quickly pulling her into my arms I rubbed her back soothingly, "of course you can, my love. Of course, you can."
'You know this has to do with that disgusting Gamma ,' my wolf grumbled at me.
'I agree...'
She pulled away from me, her hand coming up to cover a yawn, "I'm going to go to bed I think. Will you stay? I don't really want to be alone," she sheepishly asked.
I stood up from the bed, reaching for the thick blanket at the end of her bed, and pulling it over her, "I couldn't leave you if I tried, my love. Just make sure it's not 4 weeks of sleep this time," I chuckled as I covered her up and kissed her forehead.
Smiling at my teasing she snuggled into her blanket. She was out almost instantly and I was left with my thoughts. Alyssa was right, what a damn good day.
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The following morning was bumpy to say the least. Alyssa had a rough night of sleep. Nightmares plagued her for most of the night, and now it was time for me to leave her to go and meet with the council. I hadn't divulged the entirety of the need for this meeting. I wasn't trying to keep secrets, but I did not want Alyssa worrying about this right now. Thank Goddess Anderson would be on his way back today from covering pack duty.
After Alyssa had gone to sleep last night, I had taken a moment to step out and call him to brief him on everything that had happened. To say he was thrilled would be putting it mildly. My ears were still ringing at how loudly he hollered into the phone. We also discussed that I would clearly not be taking my days at the pack now that Alyssa was awake, and with the increased interrogation efforts about to begin. I had already announced to my pack on my last trip home that they had a new Luna and that she was in need of recovery. They were all behind her so getting them to understand why I was gone was not difficult. It just meant a lot of work would be waiting for me when I returned home.
"Anderson, what is your ETA?" I spoke into the phone.
"Uuuuummm like 11-ish, I think."
"What do you mean you think? How do you not know?" My annoyance with my Beta bubbled to the surface.
"I don't drive the car dude. You won't let me. Ask the guy that drives," he said smugly into the phone.
I growled into the speaker, "Anderson, now is not the time to play games with me over not allowing you to drive a six figure car when you have wrecked the last two. What time should I expect you to have your ass here protecting your Luna?" My knuckles were turning white over how tightly I was now gripping the phone. He was annoying me, but it was nothing compared to the feeling I had in my chest over leaving my mate. I was all but sick with nerves and I feared I was going to crush this phone.
"Get your panties out of a wad, I will for sure be there at 11," he had the audacity to scoff before hanging up the phone.
Every other wolf feared me while Anderson taunted me. What they didn't realize was that they should fear both of us, and Dalton was about to find out why. Anderson may get on my nerves, but I knew he was loyal. The lighthearted friendship was a by-product of that.
Shaking my head I turned around to my beautiful mate. She was able to tolerate a shower using a shower chair. As much as I insisted, all I was allowed to do was help her walkto and from the bathroom once she was clothed. My mate needed time and space, and I was willing to endure no matter how badly I wanted to be the one caring for her.I held it in despite my ownselfish wants and was now brushing her hair. It definitely helped to ease me and my wolf.
I pulled the brush through her hair and bent down and said lowly in her ear, "I hate that I have to go, but I will be back as soon as I can," and kissed her neck, just above her collarbone.
She shivered, "can the three of us still have dinner tonight?" She asked quietly. This was at least the fourth time she had confirmed our plans were still on for this evening.
I stood back up, pulling the brush through her hair once more. Amber and vanilla filling my senses with every stroke, " of course we are my love. Nothing will change those plans, you can trust me." I was learning Alyssa needed quite a bit of reassurance that I would follow through for her. Something else I was sure I could blame on Dalton.
She sighed.
"What is it, my love?"
"I wish you didn't have to go. I've only just met you, but I really don't want you to go. I am nervous to sound clingy, but I feel uneasy that you're going." She stared down at her knotted fingers in her lap.
Stepping around the bed to face her I knelt down to see her at eye level, and took her worried hands in mine, "my love, you are not clingy. You are my mate. I terribly want to stay with you as well, and if I am being honest, I too have had to fight off the anxiety of leaving you." She seemed relieved that I was struggling as well. Then I had a thought. The hoodie.
I walked over to my suitcase and pulled out the old faded hoodie, crossing back over to my mate.
"Lift your arms," I growled, staring into her green eyes, my wolf and I taking another opportunity to care for our mate.
Never losing eye contact, she did as she was told and slowly raised them in the air. My wolf was now howling over the respect our mate was showing us.
I stepped closer and pulled the hoodie over her head. Her damp strands brushed over my knuckles, making me twitch with lust. Fuck, hold it together, Brent - it's hair!
'Yeah, the softest fucking hair you ever felt...' My wolf grumbled in satisfaction .
'You're not helping,' I pushed back.
I finished dressing my beautiful mate and got her tucked back into bed with all of her essentials including a full water cup, all of her favorite snacks, and a book I had suggested to her; among many more things. She had made fun of me saying there was no possible way she'd need all of that. However, my wolf and I were not about to be outdone in caring for our mate by the hospital staff.
I tucked her into bed, where she sat up on a mountain of pillows against the head of the bed. I bent down to peck her on the lips, but much to my surprise (and enjoyment) she grabbed me by my collar and pulled me in for a deeper kiss. Shocking me further, she nipped at my lip and I opened my mouth to allow her entrance. Okay, I may not make this meeting after all... I thought as I wove my fingers into her still damp hair.
But almost as quickly as it started, she pulled away.
"Are you okay my love?" I asked with slight concern at her abruptness.
"I'm so sorry. I don't know what's come over me," she nervously chewed at her lip.
Pulling her lip from her teeth with my thumb, "my love, I have already told you, you have nothing to be sorry for. I enjoy it. This is how a bond is supposed to feel. You're supposed to want me this much. I assure you I want you just as much, if not more."
I bent down to kiss her forehead and mumbled against her skin, "I must go now. I will call you when it's time to place the food order and I will pick it up on my way back." She nodded silently in response, giving me a small smile as I pulled away from her .
I stood to look her in the eyes, "the nurses have strict orders that no one but Tenley and your parents is to have access to your room. Anderson will be here in about two hours and you can have him mindlink me if there's anything you need at all,” with one last kiss I turned to leave, but the squeeze of her grip and the tug of my hand caused me to pause and turn around.
She scooted to the edge of the bed and in the faintest whisper, that even I had a hard time hearing, she stopped me in my tracks, "I want you to mark me."
I was stunned, taking a deep breath, and reminded myself I needed to say words, "what-what did you say?" I stammered, making sure she had truly said what I thought she did.
"My wolf is howling about being marked, she's been at me all morning to bring it up. I'm sorry we, we don't have to if you don't want to, Dalton didn't want me to either, I -"
I interrupted her with a growl and gripped her chin firmly yet carefully and tilted her face up to mine, "do not say his name in reference to mateship ever again." I placed stress on every word.
Nervously nodding her head, she whispered, "Okay."
"So... you want me to mark you right now? Do I have that right, my little Luna?" My hand slid from her chin to her jaw as I moved to stand between her legs where she remained seated on the bed.
She stared up at me with those beautiful eyes and nodded her head.
I brushed my hands over her cheek, admiring the flush to her cheeks, "say it, my love."
"I want you to mark me." She was breathless, her stare becoming more intense.
That was all it took. Screw the meeting. It was my meeting anyway. I could be late.
I began to kiss along her jaw, bending lower to kiss her neck and down just above her collarbone. My canines elongated and brushed against her skin, causing her to shiver.
With one last breath against her skin, I bit into my mate's delicate skin causing her to scream, followed by the most delicious moan I had ever heard. I licked her skin clean of blood and pulled back to admire the newly placed mark. Neither of us said a word, afraid we'd taint the moment. I slowly raised my hand to brush my thumb over the symbol that now bound her to me for life.
"Would it be ok if I marked you?" Those sparkling doe eyes looked up at me expectantly.
I laughed darkly, "Oh hunny, I planned on it."
I stepped over and locked the door, I'll be damned if anyone interrupts the completion of the marks.
I returned to my mate and sat on the bed, pulling her over onto my lap as she straddled me, her mouth coming in perfect alignment to my collarbone where she would place her own mark.
She took my face between her hands, "I can't promise you that I am gonna be fixed overnight, but I sure promise to try," she whispered sweetly.
"I am not looking to rush your healing, I just want to be there to help you," I said as I tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear.
She answered me by placing her lips to mine, giving me the best nonverbal response possible.
She moved quickly to the spot that would bare her mark, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin, her touch intoxicated me. The sparks of the bond danced over my skin in a tantalizing rhythm. Suddenly and without warning her canines pierced my flesh causing a fiery burn that quickly soothed into the most incredible feeling I had ever experienced. A word does not exist for the feeling that coursed through my veins. It was like I could feel her in the very depths of my soul and then beyond even that.
The mark completion was even more incredible than I imagined it would be. I was immediately flooded with her emotions as our separate energies began to bind together. She claimed my lips and my thoughts, pushing her tongue desperately into my mouth. Explosions rolled over me in waves. If this is what kissing her felt like, I might actually combust during sex.
My phone's shrill ring took us both out of our trance and brought me back to the reminder of the council meeting. I quickly answered, "Yes Alpha Jacobs, I am on my way. I was held up, but I will be down in the next 10 minutes." I smashed the end button and huffed in annoyance at being pulled away from my mate. How could I leave her? I knew I had to, but how could I? It was so unfair. Another strike against Dalton.
"I have to go now, my love. However, as an added comfort to us both, we can now mindlink since we have marked each other."
She clapped excitedly, "Oh! I forgot about that!"
I laughed at her giddiness and leaned in to kiss her forehead. Feeling it far too dangerous to kiss her lips as they were like a drug .
"Let me know if you need anything at all, I mean it," I mumbled against her forehead and she answered me with a nod.
With one last sigh of frustration at the circumstances, I walked to the door. Just as I was about to shut the door I muttered, "I love you," and quickly shut the door. I didn't want her to feel any pressure to say it back, but I needed her to know that I absolutely loved her. However, I had barely made it to the end of the hall before I felt her pushing into the bond. I immediately let her in, and what I heard had me fighting every urge in my body not to turn around,
'I love you, too.'