Chapter 14
FLETCHER
I awoke to find Adam slumped over the hospital bed, snoring softly.
That was a sight I didn’t expect to see.
He grasped my hand in his, even in slumber. His clothing was rumpled and there was a dark smear on his white sleeve cuff. A bloodstain?
Was that my blood?
I blinked a couple of times to try and clear my woozy head, then looked around. I was in the hospital. An IV bag dripped clear fluids through a line into my inner-elbow, and machines beeped just loudly enough to be annoying behind me.
Ugh. It felt like I’d been run over by a lawn mower, if the lawn mower was the size of a semi. My body ached, throbbing with each beat of my heart, and the memories of what happened shuttered in slowly.
Jax’s cruel brown eyes flashed into my mind’s eye. Shit. He and the gang had found me. They hadn’t been happy, either, spewing threats like acid from their silver tongues.
I remembered the bolt of panic as they took chase. As they ran me down, their paws scuffing over pavement right before I fell beneath their fangs and claws.
I shuddered. They would have killed me, if Adam hadn’t stopped them. But how did he find me in time? Had he heard my scream? I really thought I was going to die.
Blinking back tears, I reached up slowly, lifting a hand to brush hair out of my eyes—and that’s when I smelled it.
The sharp tang of citrus and cedar.
I stiffened, sniffing at my wrists. Warmth flooded through me at the sudden realization.
Had Adam marked me?
I gazed down at him. He looked exhausted, like he’d been here by my side since we’d arrived. Had he been that worried about me?
Just then, Adam stirred, waking up. He sat up slowly, groggy. The minute he saw me, relief flooded his face, giving me the answer to the question I’d just wondered.
“Fletcher,” he uttered, my name soft on his lips. He sat up straight in his chair, determination flashing in his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I won’t let those mongrels near you again, I promise.”
I blinked, a little confused. “It’s not your responsibility,” I said softly. “Jacks came after me because I ratted them out to the cops, not because of you.”
Adam’s forehead grooved into a frown. “Which means they’ll likely try again.”
I paused at that. Would Jax really keep hunting me down? Didn’t he have anything better to do with his time? Like rob little old ladies of their coin purses?
My heart skipped a beat as anxiety welled up inside me, but Adam was right there, reaching over to squeeze my hand.
“Don’t worry, Fletcher,” he murmured. “Everything will be okay. I’ll deal with them.”
It was my turn to frown. The thought of Adam facing Jacks and his pack of mutts scared me more than I was willing to admit. “Please don’t. You shouldn’t get involved.”
“Too late,” he said quietly.
The look Adam gave me was soft, almost wistful, and it made my heart skip another beat.
Adam cleared his throat. “Enough about them. How are you feeling?”
I sagged back against the pillows and swallowed around the dryness in my throat. “Everything hurts and I’m tired,” I admitted.
He offered a smile. “It’ll take awhile for your body to heal, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. You’ll be right as rain in no time.”
I met his gaze to see truth shining clear as day, and my chest tightened. “You look just as tired as I feel,” I told him.
He blinked, as if that hadn’t occurred to him. Then he let out a low chuckle. “Yeah. I’m wiped out. Seeing you like that…” He shook his head. “But you’re okay. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
Standing from his chair with a soft groan, he stretched his back. I heard a soft pop. “Ow. Damn, I’m stiff. If you’re alright, I’m going to go home. Grab a shower and some food and take a nap, but I’ll be back. Get some rest.”
Then he did something that completely surprised me—he leaned over and kissed me on the forehead.
I sat there in shock, watching as he left the room.
After the door swung shut behind him, I brought my wrist to my nose and breathed in Adam’s scent once more.
My stomach flipped.
I laid back in the bed and tried to remember details of the attack, but all I could get were glimpses; the pain, the feeling of fangs ripping through my flesh, and Adam’s voice: “Hold on. I’m so sorry.”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Adam had saved me. Adam had marked me. He cared.
Suddenly, the hot-and-cold behavior made sense. The Alpha was at war with himself, with his feelings, because he had a duty to uphold, and I had waltzed in and complicated things.
Maybe I should have left, but I didn’t want to. I had grown so fond of Adam. Of his home-cooked meals, his kindness, his gentle eyes, our movie nights and…
I began to cry.
And that’s how the nurse found me, weeping into my hands.
“Are you in pain, honey?” she asked, her tone concerned.
I sniffled. “No. I mean… Yes? I don’t know. My heart hurts.” I placed a hand over my breastbone and clutched at my chest, as if that might somehow ease the otherworldly ache.
She seemed concerned, looking me over, and I realized how that might sound. I shook my head. “Well, emotionally. Sorry.”
She squeezed my shoulder with a knowing smile. “Ah, I get it. Young love is hard, but I’ll tell you something, kiddo—that Alpha was worried sick about you. He didn’t leave your bedside once. He’s a real one. Whatever’s going on up in your head, don’t doubt that man’s feelings, alright?”
I sniffled and nodded.
“I can usually tell when someone’s found their mate. Call it a sixth sense. And he seems pretty damn invested to me.” She chortled.
I frowned, feeling my chest tighten. Mate? Me?
I couldn’t be Adam’s mate.
The nurse just patted my knee and moved toward the door. “I’ll bring you some ice chips,” she said.
I leaned back in bed, suddenly heavy and aching all over again.
But what if…