Alpha Kane

[ 12 ] - recovery

Recovery [noun] - a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.

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For the rest of the morning, he had held me in his arms as we slept.

My head rested against his chest and our legs were tangled underneath the covers. I woke up before him because he had more to recover from. I peered up at him and felt my heart hammering in my chest.

I had kissed him.

Ever since he told me that he would wait for me to make the first move, I wondered when I would. I wasn't able to picture the right moment but fate had lined up exactly what needed to happen. It wasn't lost on me that another part of my dream didn't come true.

The full moon wasn't a witness to my death.

I still had many questions, though, and no answers. Firstly about what was happening between me and Kane, and secondly, what exactly happened last night.

Carmen had disappeared and Kane was alone outside. Where were Finn and the others who were with him, and why didn't they help him?

My hand lifted to touch Kane's face gently. I only wished we had been together so we didn't have to feel the pain we did last night. I had no idea how he bore the pain for the whole night. He didn't have anything of mine to help.

I wondered if every full moon would be the same, and how completing the mate process would affect it. Would our pain cease if our souls were finally united?

I quickly shook the thought out of my head. For that to happen, Kane would need to first mark me. The essence of his soul would run through me and unlocked to him would be the secrets of my heart and mind. Then, to tie our souls together and cement an unbreakable bond, we would—

The idea made me breathless and nervous. I withdrew my hand and rested my head back on his chest. Slowly. We needed to take things slowly.

His arms tightened around me and he adjusted his position as he slowly stirred. His hand, warm and gentle, rubbed up and down my arm. "What's wrong?" he murmured sleepily. "I can feel your heart racing."

I tried to swallow my nerves. "Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking about...you."

His fingers traced the curve of my shoulder and moved upwards until they reached my head. He slid his fingers into the hair at the base of my neck, gently pressing the pads of his fingers against my scalp. "I'm glad you're here, Rina—with me. I should've said that a long time ago."

My hand flattened against his chest. The material of his shirt did nothing to hide his muscles. I could feel his body heat through it too, which was a relief since he was no longer freezing. "I know, Kane. You've shown it every day." I lifted my head to look at him. "How are you doing?"

His eyes scanned my face and he smiled softly. "I'm better now." He tucked my hair behind my ear. I held my breath when his gaze lowered to my mouth. His hand raised and his thumb slowly traced my lips.

I stared up at him as a shiver coursed down my back. I didn't move.

He looked hypnotised by me. "I didn't feel alive until you kissed me, Rina.

" The silence that followed after his confession hung heavily between us.

That was until he realised what he said, as if he had been unwillingly vulnerable with me.

He cleared his throat and withdrew his hand.

"I didn't even ask how you are. How was your night with Carmen? "

I broke eye contact and looked at the curtains instead. "It was nice all things considered. Where did she go?" I sat up when I realised I could ask the questions that had been swarming through my mind since he returned. "Why were you alone outside?"

He sighed and sat up too. "She had to be with Finn. Before they put the cuffs on me, I...I hurt them. I told them to leave me and I tried my hardest to just get back to you."

My heart sank. "Are they okay?"

"I don't know." A shadow crossed his face. It was killing him that he had hurt his men. "I just needed it to stop. I'm going to check on them today."

My gaze dropped to his wrists. They were healing but it made sense now that he had been restrained by silver cuffs. It had burnt through his skin and I wondered how he could take that pain alongside the pain my name on his skin caused.

I took his wrists in my hands. "I can't imagine the pain you were in."

"I've never felt pain like that in my life." He closed his fingers into fists. "Please tell me you didn't feel it as much as I did."

I shook my head instantly. The state I found him in was scary. I knew I didn't. "It felt how it did when I first touched you."

A frown pulled at his lips and he stared at me with sympathy in his eyes. "I'm going to find out why this is happening."

I stared back at him, reeling at the sincerity in his tone. He hated that I had been in pain. I tentatively spoke, knowing that I had to show some vulnerability too to show him it was okay. "All I could think about last night was how much I wanted you near me."

He cracked a small smile. He cupped my cheek and his thumb lightly caressed my cheekbone. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

I tried to hide my smile but failed. He chuckled and I joined in. "Why don't I make breakfast today?" I suggested. When his eyebrows raised, I got up and continued. "I'm making breakfast today. Meet me downstairs?"

He nodded. "Okay."

My face warmed as I made my way to the bathroom first. I freshened up before going to the kitchen and making a start on breakfast. I decided on blueberry pancakes.

I was flipping the last batch when Kane finally came down. He had showered again and was dressed in warm clothing. He sat behind the island. "Smells good." He smiled. "Carmen is coming back to check on you by the way."

"That would be nice." I glanced at him over my shoulder and almost felt my heart stop at how handsome he looked. All it had taken was one kiss for my defences to come down.

I felt the nerves bottom out in my stomach when I caught a whiff of his scent. It captivated me more than I would have liked to admit. It was hypnotising as I scooped his pancakes off the pan.

My hands were shaking so much out of nervousness that I accidentally touched the back of my knuckles on the pan. I drew in a sharp breath as I swiftly placed the spatula down on the tabletop.

Kane was beside me before I could even blink and his fingers gently gripped mine as he looked down at my knuckles. "Are you okay?" he asked quickly.

I nodded, squeezing his fingers. "I was distracted." I felt the embarrassment as soon as I said it but couldn't take it back when he glanced at me, fighting a smile. I couldn't look at him and instead turned my gaze back to my reddening knuckles.

"Run it under some cool water." He saved me from my misery and opened the tap to check the temperature before letting me place my hand under the running water.

I laughed at my behaviour. "God, Kane, you make me so nervous." I winced. "I can't even believe I just said that too."

He turned off the tap and took my hand in his. He gently placed it on his chest, ran his thumb across my knuckles to grant me further relief, and spoke with a low tone. "What do you think you do to me?"

I looked up into his eyes. They were so different from the first time I saw them. There was a softness in them now—like I was someone to him. I focused on that when he squeezed my hand. He took a step closer until there was no space between us.

"Kane..." my breath became shallow when he slowly leaned down.

He inhaled gently through his nose and pressed his forehead against mine. His proximity was dizzying. "Four years..." his voice was deep and smooth as honey. "The wait was worth it."

This new dynamic between us was nice. "It was."

He didn't say anything more and kissed me. The feel of his lips on mine was intoxicating. His hands curved around my waist and he pulled me against him. I sighed into his mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck, stepping up onto my tiptoes to return his kiss.

I could only focus on his mouth on mine until there was a knock on the door. My hands flattened against his chest and I reluctantly pulled away.

He sighed. "It's Carmen," he murmured, opening his eyes. He stared down at me for a moment, lingering in my space before he softly pecked my lips.

I felt cold when he stepped back. He turned around and walked towards the door. I stared at his back, dazed for a long moment before I set myself into motion and followed after him.

He pulled the door open and Carmen was standing there with a sombre expression on her face. She smiled slightly. "Hey, Alpha. Luna."

The guilt was rolling off Kane in waves. It was clear that Carmen's mood was dictated by Finn's current well-being.

"Hey, Carmen. Come in." Kane stepped to the side and welcomed her in. "How is he?"

She wrung her hands together and sighed. "Resting. How are you two?" she asked. Her gaze levelled with mine. "I'm sorry I left while you were sleeping. I had to be with Finn."

Kane didn't answer first, because perhaps he didn't want to say he was feeling much better than any of his men. I answered for us. "I get it, it's okay. We felt better once we were together."

She smiled. "That's great."

"Can I get you anything, Carmen. A cup of tea?" Kane offered.

She shook her head. "I can't stay long. I spoke to my uncle for you though. He said he'll look into your situation for you, see if anything like this has happened before."

"Your uncle?" I questioned, glancing at Kane.

Carmen nodded. "My uncle is part of the Council. He has access to books we don't—we're hoping he can find something in one of them."

The Council were a group of fifty wolves across the globe who dealt with all things in the werewolf world. They were our very own governing body.

"Like how our names are on each other's wrists instead of our first words to each other?" I followed up, wrapping my hand around my wrist.

Carmen looked down at our hands before meeting my gaze again. "Hopefully. All he could say so far was that it seems like nothing was going to stop you two from finding each other, that your names appearing was you branding each other."

"Branding?" Kane echoed, glancing at me.

"Yes." Carmen motioned to our hands. "You didn't have words on your wrist. Fate was ensuring you knew that you belonged to each other."

The back of our hands brushed against each other, my right, his left. It was then I realised we were one side each of the same coin—an alpha and a beta. Kane had been imprinted into my very being before I had ever laid eyes on him in the flesh.

He slowly linked our fingers and pulled me into his side. "But why didn't we have anything on our wrists in the first place?"

Carmen shook her head and shrugged. "That's one thing he needs to find out.

We know that if someone's mate is dead before they meet them, they get a second and new words appear instead of disappearing completely.

You're both alive but still don't have anything.

As far as we know right now, this has never happened before. "

I sighed and looked up at Kane. I couldn't comprehend how against all the odds, our paths still crossed.

I would never have expected us to be mates.

It was why I was so determined to kill him the second I realised who he was.

What was so special about us that fate demanded we be together no matter what?

The brands on our wrists made it so we would be.

His gaze met mine and we stared at each other, almost as if we were searching for the answer in each other's eyes.

"I should go," Carmen said, snapping us out of our trance. "I smell pancakes so I'll let you eat your breakfast." She made her way towards the door.

Kane stepped towards her but kept hold of my hand. "I'll come and see him and the others right after. How is the rest of the pack?

Carmen had her hand on the door handle. "They're good. Worried about you and the others. All they know is that the moon had an adverse effect on you and that it wasn't in your control."

The moon usually strengthened but last night was the weakest I had ever felt. Was it strengthening the pull between us and compelling us to complete the mating process?

Kane frowned. "I'm calling a pack meeting this evening to address it. Will they be healed by then?"

Carmen's gaze softened and it was then that I saw the strong connection that she, and by extension the rest of the pack, had with him. She could see that the guilt was turning in his stomach and wanted to ease his pain. "You didn't hurt them badly. They'll have their strength back by tonight."

The tension in his body ebbed and he sighed quietly in relief. "Thank you for coming, Carmen."

I pulled my hand from Kane's to bring her into a hug. She was surprised but wrapped her arms around me. "I didn't say thank you for last night so thank you."

Her hazel eyes were warm. "Any time, Rina."

Once she left, I turned to Kane. From the expression on his face, I could tell he was replaying the events of last night in his mind. When he realised I was watching him, he tried to steel his expression. I wasn't sure what mask he was putting on but I didn't say anything.

"I need to see my men alone but will come back for you. Are you up for coming to the meeting?"

I nodded and smiled slightly. "I'm part of the pack now, aren't I?"

He immediately nodded. "Yes, of course. Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. Just...last night was a lot."

I slowly wrapped my arms around myself and his eyes tracked the movement.

He closed the distance between us and pulled me into his embrace.

My nose pressed into his chest and I instantly took in his scent.

His fingers tangled into my hair and he laid a kiss on the top of my head.

It wasn't lost on me that ever since I kissed him, he was being more affectionate.

It was something to get used to after three years of his touch inflicting pain in my nightmares. That version wasn't him—I knew that now.

"You're more than just a part of the pack, Rina," he spoke into my hair. "You're a part of me, exactly like Carmen said. We belong to and with each other."

I craned my neck up and stared into his eyes. "You were part of me way before I met you that day," I mused out loud, my voice low.

His eyebrows raised slightly and he didn't say anything for a long moment. "Tell me why you kissed me."

Instinctively, my gaze dropped to his lips and I breathed out. "I couldn't help myself...you get into my space and it's like I'm pulled under. I'm giving us a chance."

His hands caged my face and he grazed his lips against mine. The contact was brief but it was enough to set my body alight.

He quietly spoke against my mouth. "Let's eat before the pancakes go completely cold."

—————

The evening came quicker than I expected it to. Kane had been gone the entire day, and as soon as he had returned, we left for the pack meeting.

Tensions were high as people filtered into the hall.

My hand was securely in his and I felt him tighten his hold when he saw his men again.

The five he had chosen to fight in the challenge were the ones who were with him last night.

Finn, Callum, Jack, Taron and Rollo. Finn was standing tall but I could tell from the way his arm was around Carmen's shoulders that Kane had hurt his leg.

I looked exactly the same standing with Tiana the day I hurt mine.

The rest all had a bruise or scratch on their faces that was almost healed.

Sympathy filled me. I was sure that all of us wished last night hadn't happened.

Kane waited for the last pack member to enter before he spoke.

"I apologise for disrupting your evening.

Last night was unexpected but I called you here to reassure you that I'll strive to ensure it never happens again.

And to publicly apologise to you, Finn, Callum, Jack, Rollo and Taron for causing you harm.

I appreciate each of you for what you tried to do last night. "

Finn smiled graciously. "You didn't mean to. We know that."

Callum opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Celeste.

"If our best couldn't defend themselves against you, how do we know we're safe if it does happen again?" she questioned, stepping forward.

I could tell she was still bitter about losing the chance to be the luna. Her icy gaze flitted to me briefly before she returned it to Kane. It lost its biting edge. She wasn't questioning him out of spite but I didn't like where things were going.

Kane must have created an open forum for his pack to speak their mind in front of him because he wasn't taken aback by it.

"The full moon happens once a month. I'll take precautions on the next one to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

I was able to gain control last night. I'm certain that I won't lose it. "

I wasn't sure if his words granted her relief. Everything was so up in the air.

I entered her firing line when she spoke again. "This is the first time something like this has happened. The only thing that has changed is her joining our pack. After she does, the full moon negatively affects you and you attack your own. How sure are we that it wasn't her doing?"

The growl rumbled in my throat immediately at her suggestion. Kane stopped me from moving forward with a firm hold on my hand.

"I didn't attack anyone," he bit back before taking a deep breath and softening his tone.

I was sure he didn't want to lose his temper in front of them when he was trying to reassure them.

"To put your worries to bed, I'll let you all know what's going on.

We were both in pain last night. Excruciating pain that we've felt before and it only stops when we touch the marks on each other's wrists.

I was away last night and for reasons neither one of us understands, the full moon triggered us.

I hurt them by accident when they were trying to hold me down and make it stop. "

I saw sympathy enter everyone's eyes except Celeste's. It seemed that for the rest of the pack, they accepted that it was an unusual effect of the mate bond. But for her, it only stoked the flames of her obvious disdain for me, even if she had accepted that I was the rightful luna.

"Respectfully, Alpha, all I got from that was finding your mate has brought unnatural and disastrous consequences. A house divided against itself cannot stand, and the ones who would benefit from seeing you lose control, become weak and fall are her alpha and his allies."

Everyone gasped.

He couldn't contain his anger this time. He growled at her insinuation that he was becoming weak in front of the whole pack, and that I had caused it at the request of Alpha Eryx and Alpha Leander. The offence was clear on both our faces and Kane let go of my hand.

The woman beside Celeste, who strongly resembled her, quickly stepped forward in a panic. "Alpha, my daughter didn't mean that. Please, forgive her."

Celeste had publicly insulted her alpha's honour, which demanded punishment. I wasn't sure if she had done it on purpose or not but she had committed a crime.

Treason. A crime that called for a punishment of Kane's choosing.