Page 25

Coming back to the real world from the land of dreams was not easy. Just as I woke up the extent of pain hit with full force. It was like getting hit by truck when you least expect it, more than the injury it's the shock of it that leaves you breathless. Okay, maybe not the best of comparisons. My body felt like it was thrown in the fire. I tried opening my eyes, they too were burning, hot tears ran down my face as I tried to get a hold of myself. A whimper escaped my mouth and in an instant something cool pressed on to me, relaxing me immediately. I relaxed, it was like ointment on my burning skin. My eyes remained close, as if they were refusing to open and I gave up trying.

"Shh... I'm here. I got you." As the words rang through my ears, I entered the world of dreams again.

The next time I regained consciousness only one thought ran through my brain. Hot. It's too hot. My insides were burning, my whole body screamed out in pain, as did I.

"Temperature is spiking,–

"Then, do something you idiot–

"Nothing–

My brain processed only fragments of the conversation going around me. I screamed as another wave hit me. I felt myself being pressed into a chest, knowing it was my mate, I pressed myself further clinging unto him for dear life. My breaths became labored and I tried fighting my tears off though failing miserably. Alec's lips felt cool against my skin. I shuddered at the contact.

"Alexander," I whimpered, my voice raspy and dry.

"I'm here, baby. I'm here." The sound of his voice hit me with different force all together. My blurry vision made it difficult to make out his appearance. We were sprawled on the bed, my hair wet as if they were recently washed. Alec was on top of me, his face buried in my neck, he placed kisses to any area he came into contact with. He raised his head, caressing my face gently and placed a soft kiss on my forehead, then my cheek, moving down to the corner of my mouth before claiming my lips.

My hands found their way towards his hair and I pulled him down to eradicate any space between us. I needed him like he was my oxygen. The kiss was gentle but it put out the fire that coursed through me. Pulling away Alec wiped my cheeks with his hands before sighing softly and pulling me down to bury my face in his chest. Only then did I realize he was shirtless. Even though my cheeks were already flushed bright due to the heat, the skin contact did nothing but further redden my face.

"Rest, my love. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I'm so damn sorry." His voice was hoarse and weak. With the small energy left in me I kissed his neck softly, which raked a shiver through his body. Smiling at the effect I had on him, I closed my eyes and drifted once again to the calm realm of dreams.

________________________

Ignoring the pain in my body I got up and looked at my beautiful mate who was fast asleep. I pressed a kiss to her forehead and went towards the bathroom. Turing the shower to full cold I stepped in. Damn, the heat shit hurt. I wanted to mark her, really I did, but not without asking her first. My love was unconscious mostly through the heat and I was thankful for that. I could not a bear a single more scream of agony that escaped her without turning the world upside down. She was in pain, and even though I could do something to help her, at the same time I couldn't.

The water droplets ran down my body, effectively cooling me down. Now that the heat was over, the full moon gone and the sun shining it's brightness, I was beyond relieved. Standing in the shower for 10 more minutes, doing my routine I turned it off and grabbed the towel from the stand.

' You could've asked her when she woke in the middle,' Aztec paced around in my mind before laying down with his head on his paws.

' She would've said yes and you would've been uncontrollable then.' I replied as I stepped out of my shower.

' If you're so sure she would've agreed then why didn't you ask?' He huffed turning his head away from me. Clearly wanting to mark his mate.

' Because it would've been the heat talking, not my Rose.' I quickly changed into something comfortable and stepped out of the bathroom. My eyes directly landing on my mate which slept peacefully on the bed. I made my way towards her sitting on bed beside her, caressing her face.

"Baby?" I gently tried to wake her up. She needed to eat something, she must be starving. My mate stirred a little before drifting off again.

"Rose? Sweetheart, please wake up. You need to eat something, my love." I bent down and placed a kiss on her cheek then on her nose. At the contact she fluttered her beautiful forest green eyes open. I smiled lovingly at her, bringing my arm behind her back to help her sit up. She winced slightly but got up nonetheless.

My brave, beautiful, amazing Rose. My mate.

"Alec?" her voice sounded hoarse. I quickly handed her a glass of water. After greedily gulping the water, she looked at me and smiled. My heart raced and I inhaled sharply. God, I feel a heart attack coming just because of her smile.

"Yes, my queen?" I grazed my fingers on her lips before looking into her eyes. She launched herself at me taking me by surprise, tightly hugging me.

"Thank you." She breathed out, tightening her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer to me, my arms around her waist.

"Anything for you, mate. Come on, let's get you ready for breakfast." I say pulling her out of the bed.