Alex’s pov:
My mate – my beautifully stubborn spitfire of a mate – decided to go to the clinic, to be there for Trevor and I let her. He was gravely injuried, and according to what Luc had been told, Trevor’s chances of survival were slim to say the least.
I had seen Trevor’s injury myself, and I had no hope for my dear friend. I wanted to be there as well, if I were to be honest, but I couldn’t afford it myself. The pack needed me at this critical time. The pack needed their alpha.
Jade, on the other hand, would totally hate me if Trevor were to pass without her being able to see him one last time. She was a novice when it came to her powers, and that made me rather confident enough not to worry as to her well-being.
My mistake!
I should have worried, I realized a bit late. Jade had the knack to surprise me often.
When I received a mental call from Luc, telling me Trevor was awake and well, and that my mate, on the other hand, had fainted after overexerting herself in her attempt to save my third in command, I could only tell him to take care of her till I arrived.
I knew her not to be in danger but I still hurried to bark a few final orders before making my way to the clinic, leaving the head warrior there.
** ** ** ** **
Jade’s pov:
Coming to my senses had never been as weird. I felt as if my consciousness had been floating about and my waking up was like my landing. The moment I moved my hand a little, I felt someone squeeze it back.
And then, I felt sparks or rather acknowledged them for the first time. The feeling was so foreign and yet absolutely and undeniably pleasurable. For a moment there, I didn’t know what these sparks meant. And then, it hit me. I was feeling my mate’s touch. This was Alex.
Oh my god! I mentally exclaimed. Alex! The rogues! What happened?
I opened my eyes and met my mate’s loving gaze.
“You gave me a scare, love,” he told me in a tone that was only half reprimanding. “I have never felt that a few hours could be so long.”
“I didn’t mean to worry you,” I croaked out, my voice raspy, trying to convey my feelings to him by holding his gaze captive.
“Thank you, luna,” someone began and I tore my gaze away from my mate’s. I saw that Trevor was also in the room – he and Luc both. “Thank you for saving me from death.”
“I just did what I thought was right,” I told him with a genuine smile.
“You saved me from a wound that had been deemed fatal by the healer. I cannot thank you enough for that. You put yourself at risk to save me. Please know that I would spare no effort to keep you safe in the future.”
“I acted on impulse and did what I thought was helpful. I didn’t do it to earn…” I trailed off, not knowing how to express myself right.
“Jade,” Luc called for my name, interrupting me, “He’s expressing his loyalty to you, and as his Luna, you’re supposed to accept it gracefully, not try to explain and act like an embarrassed child. Know that I, too, would lay my life to save yours without having to blink.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. I just smiled awkwardly and nodded curtly at the duo.
They were sincere. That much was sure.
Hello sleeping beauty, the voice from yesterday came back. Happy to be awake.
Who are you? I asked her back.
I am your wolf, silly.
My wolf? I echoed back, almost in awe.
Don’t act so surprised. You went into heat. It was therefore only a matter of time before you awakened.
“Alex,” I breathed out in a murmur as I straightened up into a sitting position on the clinic’s bed.
“Yes, love?” He responded readily, his eyes searching mine.
“I feel the sparks,” I deadpanned, my eyes focused on him.
“You do?” He asked, sounding and looking amazed, and definitely happy too.
“It was my wolf who guided me through the process yesterday,” I went on, nodding at him to answer his question.
“That’s amazing, love,” he told me softly before pecking my lips.
“We have three days till the full moon,” Luc announced matter-of-factly. “Plenty of time to get you ready, emotionally, to change into your wolf.”
“Agreed,” Alex gave his approval.
“Can’t I change at will?” I asked, tilting my head to the side.
“You can. But full moons are known to draw the wolves more efficiently and less painfully,” Trevor explained in a flat tone of voice.
“I see,” I nodded.
My parents knocked on the door before coming in.
They weren’t surprised to see me sitting and having a casual talk with the alpha, beta and gamma of the pack. Mom was, however, moved to tears upon seeing me. They must have been so worried.
“Don’t you ever act so recklessly again,” she demanded as she hugged me to her.
“Foolish child,” was my dad’s soft reprimand.
“I love you too,” I told them, “mom, dad, you know me enough to know I would want to help someone in such a situation at all and any cost. Hell, fainting is a small price to pay to save a friend.”
That had the knack to shut them up.
“On another note,” I added after a moment of silence, “My wolf has awakened.”
“Really?” Mom and dad both asked at the same time, and I could see the happiness swirling in the depths of their eyes.
“Yes,” I assured them.
“We’re so happy for you, sweetheart,” dad told me lovingly.
“Yes, we are,” mom confirmed with a nod.
“Thank you,” I told them, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
“Your training will start after the full moon,” dad told me in a firm tone.
“Be ready,” mom grinned at me.
Somehow, it felt like they were going to make up for the lost time by training me to the bone. Lucky me! Kindly note the sarcasm.