Page 30

Chapter 30

MADELINE

There's a beep, then another, then another. I try not to open my eyes, but the sound is too annoying and too familiar to not wake me up. I struggle to open my eyes, one at a time, and all I see is blinding white light.

Eventually, the light lessens, and white hospital walls take their place. I look around the room, first seeing a large open window on my right before turning to see a familiar head of hair next to me.

Nate sits on a chair beside my bed, leaning in and resting his head on the bed next to my hand.

Despite how weak I am, I lift my hand and thread it through the locks of his hair. A smile forms on my face as I continue playing with it. My mate releases a small yawn before looking up. His eyes widen when they meet mine. “You're up!”

“Barely,” I say, trying my best not to fall asleep again. “I'm so tired. Why do I feel so tired?”

Nate holds my hand and kisses it. “You don't have to talk, my love. Try to gain strength.”

The last time Nate had called me his love was when I was hallucinating in the forest. However, there’s no faking or imagining this. The man affectionately caressing his thumb on the back of my hand is my mate.

Nate's eyes suddenly grow wide. “Shit, I need to call the doctor,” he says. “He told me to get him once you were awake.”

“Hmm,” I groan. “Five more minutes. I like how it's just the two of us right now.”

Nate returns my smile. “I'll be right back, I promise.” He leaves to fetch the doctor.

I nestle further under the blanket, staring back at the window. Without Nate in the room, everything feels cold and unloving.

I'm quickly reminded of why I hate hospitals in the first place. My mind wanders to my aunt and where she is.

I don't even know what day it is or how long I've been out.

My chance to seek answers arrives in the form of Nate and the doctor as they walk in. Dr. Gordon is garbed in dark blue scrubs with a surgeon's cap and a face mask.

“Hey, Madeline. How are you feeling?”

“So tired,” I groan, drawing out the words. My body seems like it's made of lead because it takes so much energy to make even the most basic movements.

“I'm sorry, that's to be expected,” the doctor states. “You took in a lot of wolfsbane and you're lucky you threw up most of it. We're flushing out the rest from your system.”

“Will I be okay?”

“Yes,” he says, smiling. “We just need you here for another week and that's it.”

“A week?” I croak. “What day is it?”

“You've already missed the full moon,” Nate says. “You were too weak to transform, but I'm glad that's over now.”

I'm not even sure how to ask the questions that are in my mind, so I stay silent. The doctor does a quick physical exam before getting ready to leave.

“If there's anything out of the ordinary, just call me back in, okay?”

“Will do,” Nate says. “Thank you.”

Dr. Gordon gives a nod and goes to his next patient. Nate returns to sit beside my bed. “We can do a week,” he says.

“But you have to work.”

Nate waves it off. “I'm going to be with you every single day you're here.” He kisses my hand again, making me smile without even meaning to.

“What about Aunt Cora?”

“She's back to normal,” he says. “I'm supposed to call her now that you're awake, but she's been checking in.”

“Was it wolfsbane that made her sick, too?” I inquire.

“Yeah, but it's a little more complicated than that. I'm not sure why the hunter attacked her, though. It was pretty clear that his sights were set on you.”

“I do,” I reply. “I understand why he attacked my aunt. During the initial assault on my pack, his uncle, who is also a hunter, was injured. He later died from those injuries.”

“Oh … a revenge mission.” Nate grips my hands again, holding them tightly. “Um … there's something I have to tell you.”

“What?” I ask, frowning. His tone sounds like it's going to be bad news.

“I didn't want to say this now, but I know you'll be upset with me if I don't tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Madeline, Henry got to your friends at the store. He killed them.”

“No!” I exclaim. “Nate, that's a terrible joke. Hannah and Lucca are alright, aren't they?”

“I'm sorry,” he whispers as I try to pull my hand away. He holds it close to him. “I'm so very sorry, love.”

Tears start to fall. They slide down my face on their own as my heart tightens. There's a knot in my chest that I fear may never go away. How could this happen to my friends?

“Where is he? Where's Henry?”

“I killed him,” Nate says. “He'll never bother us again.”

I cry freely now, sobbing out loud. Nate gets up and sits on the bed beside me, holding me close to him.

He patiently lets me bawl into his chest. We stay that way so long, I lose track of time. Eventually, all the crying tires me enough to fall asleep. I'm out for a long time because night has fallen when I wake up again.

Just like before, Nate is sleeping in the chair next to me holding my hand. The door opens, and my aunt comes in, looking much better than the last time I saw her.

“How the tables have turned,” she makes an ironic joke.

“Aunt Cora,” I smile, genuinely happy to see her. Although there's still a lingering sadness in me, seeing my aunt up and around again genuinely improves my mood.

“How are you, my dear?” she asks softly as she sits closer to us. She sits at the side of the bed opposite Nate. My mate remains asleep peacefully, untouched by our conversation.

“I'm okay,” I reply quietly.

Aunt Cora puts her hand on my forehead. “The fever isn't as bad as before. I could've used you to make coffee, you were initially so hot.”

I chuckle. “Should you be drinking coffee so early after leaving the hospital?”

“Should you be giving advice when you're in a hospital bed?” she retorts.

I break out into an even bigger smile. “I've missed you so much. It's nice to see you moving around again.”

“I'm glad, too. I've spent so much time in that bed, but I still wobble occasionally. What did the doctor tell you?”

“That I'm lucky to be alive. Apparently, I ingested a lot of wolfsbane, but I threw it up and Nate got to me quickly.” I place my hand on his hair, careful not to wake him.

“We’re thankful for him, then. I'm glad he got to you in time. It's been a crazy couple of weeks.” Aunt Cora rests her hand on my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze. “I'm sorry about your friends.”

“I tried to warn them,” I sigh. “Maybe I should've done more.”

“There wasn't more to do,” she insists. “You did what you could and it has nothing to do with you.”

“Henry came all this way because of me. He even tried to get to you.”

“Then it's a good thing he didn't finish the job. I'll admit, a mix of wolfsbane and silver is new, but in the end, I survived. He couldn't take me out and now we won't have to worry about him ever again,” Cora said.

I let out a very long sigh. “Yeah …”

“There's some good news, though,” my aunt says, smiling at me.

“Please tell me. I need some of that right now.”

“I spoke with your doctor, and we figured out how to get you out of the hospital a bit sooner."

“Really?” I ask with wide eyes. “How?”

“Even after you leave here, you'll still be pretty weak. I convinced Dr. Gordon to let you stay at my place so I can personally take care of you. He agreed to let you leave a few days earlier than usual.”

“Madeline should stay with me,” Nate suddenly says, lifting his head. He clears his throat. “Um … it would be best because you're still recovering, Cora. It may be too tasking for both of you.”

“Nate Barlow,” Aunt Cora chastises him. “Don't you know better than to eavesdrop on a private conversation?”

“Sorry,” he apologizes, “but you know I'm right. Besides, she's my mate, so I think I'm the most qualified person to take care of her.”

My aunt looks at me. “What do you think, dear? Would you like to stay with Nate?”

“He seems pretty eager so why not?” I laugh.

He's acknowledging me as his mate!