Xander POV:

I wasn't sure how long I'd been out but even unconscious I swear I could feel Addie. It was like our bond reached a new level and somehow she was with me even when I wasn't awake. It was different than it was before. Our bond was more open, like she was finally not only letting me in but reaching out to me.

A few times I heard her voice though I couldn't make out what she was saying but just hearing and knowing she was there brought me a strange sense of calm after the shit that happened. Finally, I was waking up and I felt her stronger than I ever had before.

"Fuck," I groaned, squeezing my eyes together tightly even though they were already closed. My shoulder and chest ached something awful

"Are you hurting?"

Goddess, that voice. I felt Addie's fingers brush against my forehead and I opened my eyes, finding her sitting next to me on the bed. I felt and saw the relief come over here when our eyes met and she bent down, kissing my forehead.

"What do you need? Pain killers?" She asked, running her fingers through my hair. Nothing had ever felt so good despite the pain.

"No. I'll be fine," I said, sitting up and wincing at the weight I put on my right side.

"Careful," she frowned.

I couldn't help the chuckle because it was almost exactly what it was like not too long ago when she woke up in the infirmary and tried to sit up. I sat up and met her eyes again. "We're coming full circle here, love."

"I'm glad you're well enough to find this funny," she said, trying not to smile and leaning over, pressing her lips against mine quickly. "I'm so glad you're awake," she whispered, pressing her forehead against mine. "You scared the shit out of me."

"It's payback for the stunts you pulled with Allister," I said, letting my eyes shut. Just being close to her like this was making everything else fade away.

It couldn't last forever though. I wasn't sure how long I'd been out or what the hell was happening but right now was not the right time to be weak, we still had Rego, the rogues and the vampires to deal with.

"How long have I been out?" I asked, swinging my legs off the bed.

"Xander, don't," Addie said, sliding off the bed and standing in front of me. "Please rest some more. You're still in pain."

"I'm fine, love. It's just sore," I said, rolling my shoulder back, trying to ignore the twinge of pain. "I have shit to get done. How'd Travis take the news?" I asked reluctantly.

"He was pretty freaked out at first but," she shrugged. "He's mostly fine now. And you don't need to worry about getting anything done. We've taken care of it."

"What do you mean, we?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"Kaden and Tess helped me figure stuff out and there's nothing you're behind on because we've kept up with it. So please," she said, setting her hand on my uninjured shoulder. "Just stay in bed. At least until Anna checks you."

"You helped with pack business?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She bit her lip and nodded, darting her eyes away. "I wanted to help you. I didn't want you to wake up and immediately start working," she brought her eyes back to mine and set her hand on my face, narrowing her eyes at me. "So you better stay in this goddamn bed until Anna checks you."

Hearing that she'd stepped up for me was the best thing I could've heard. I grabbed the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. "Thank you, love," I murmured against her lips.

"Um," she breathed, blinking a couple times. "Yeah, I should be the one thanking you. Travis said you took the bullet for him."

For him. Yeah, not for him. For her.

"I knew I could take it," I shrugged then winced at the movement.

Addie's face crumpled and she pressed her forehead against mine, setting a hand on my face. "I was scared I was going to lose you," she whispered. "God, Xander, I'm so sorry. Thank you. Thank you for everything," she said, pressing her lips against mine. "But please don't ever fucking do anything like that again. No jumping in front of bullets, all right? I really thought I was going to lose you."

My heart skipped a beat, hearing her say that. "You're not losing me, love," I assured her. "I'm fine. In a couple days, it'll be like it didn't happen except for maybe a scar."

She opened her mouth to speak but then Anna walked in. Addie moved out of the way but kept her fingers laced with mine as Anna checked me. Once Addie was satisfied Anna checked me enough, we made our way to the pack house because despite the pain, I was really fucking hungry.

It was then I found I'd only been out for a day but Addie had done a lot while I was out. She apparently met with Luna Marissa and Luna Lynn and improved that relationship, then also met with Alpha Geoff and so we currently had four packs watching our backs and watching out for movement from Rego's pack.

According to Luna Lynn, it looked like Rego was getting ready to make a move. The clans of vampires with the biggest grudges had been spending a suspicious amount of time crossing into Rego's borders with vans unloading things she couldn't identify. I had a guess. Supplies for the witch, silver to use against us. It was undeniable what they were doing now.

They were getting ready to attack us.

I talked to Lynn briefly and all she could do was gush over Addie, making our alliance feel even more secure, I couldn't possibly explain how proud I was of Addie pulling packs together like that. Mateo and Geoff were already solid allies but it seemed that her talking with Marissa and Lynn solidified that relationship as well. She was a natural Luna.

"So I've come to the conclusion that the Elders suck," Addie said, taking a bite of the lunch Ginny brought over.

"You tried to talk to the Elders?" I asked in surprise.

"She's been on top of everything," Kaden grinned.

"Yeah and they suck," Addie repeated. "I thought they were supposed to keep order and shit."

"What, you mean like your human government?" I pointed out.

Addie sighed and shrugged, nodding in agreement. "I just was hoping they'd step in but you were right. They need physical evidence and this and that and they don't know me and blah blah blah," she said, rolling her eyes. "Lynn even tried to help me, told them about the weird activity happening in Rego's pack but they just don't give a fuck. They won't do anything. It's not protocol."

"You see why I avoid them," I said, taking another bite of the stir fry.

Tess came into the room and sighed, rolling her eyes. "So Travis is probably in bed for the day. I told him not to try to keep up with our drinking," she shrugged. "He just had like an hour long vomit session and is currently asleep on the bathroom floor."

"He's using alcohol to cope," Addie said. "He'll be fine. We've had worse nights."

"The Elders are going to be pissed I have two humans involved in our business when only one is technically supposed to be," I sighed.

"I already told them and we handled it and sent in the paperwork," Addie said, taking another bite.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Told you," Kaden grinned. "She's on top of everything."

"Yeah and between her and Leila, we're getting the rogues away from Rego," Tess added.

"We're what?" I asked, my eyes going wide. "For fuck's sake, I wasn't out that long."

"Yeah, well, your girl moves fast," Tess said with a proud smile. "One of the rogues last night ended up being Leila's mate. Between that and Addie's impressive negotiation skills, the rogues are pulling away from Rego and agreeing to work with us."

"How did you manage that?" I asked, looking at Addie.

"Well, Kaden told me your prisoner said they were helping so they could have their own land and pack. So I just turned the tables and offered them Rego's land after we take care of that whole issue and told them we'd vouch for them with the Elders and be an ally when this is all over. They were actually very reasonable," she shrugged. "They weren't helping Rego because they agreed with him, they were helping him because he was the only one offering them sanctuary and they were desperate. Oh, by the way, there's like fifty rogues sleeping in and around that cabin right now."

"Shit, I might as well go back to bed," I said, shaking my head. "Sounds like you don't need me."

"True, we have Addie now," Tess shrugged.

"Not true," Addie said, rolling her eyes. "I'm really glad you're awake," she said, setting her hand on mine.

I laced my fingers with hers and never felt more complete in my life. "So Leila found her mate, huh? What's she like?"

"She's nice," Kaden nodded. "She's a little intense but nothing Leila can't handle. Her name is Farah. They're getting along real well, if you know what I mean," Kaden said wiggling his eyebrows.

"Yeah, I've unfortunately witnessed part of what you meant by werewolves hooking up immediately. Like, immediately," Addie said, a blush reaching her face. "I'm sorry but it's still hard for me to comprehend just getting with someone that fast."

"I would," Tess shrugged. "Honestly, I'd probably fuck my mate before I even knew his name."

"Seriously?" Addie giggled.

"Hell yeah," Tess said confidently. "I mean, sex with your mate is supposed to be amazing. It's better for me to just fuck him before he has a chance to piss me off so that moment can be untainted," she said, winking.

"Oh my God," Addie said, hiding her face in her hands.

"Tess is also kind of a sex-addict, so..." Kaden shrugged.

"Look who's talking," Tess scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Hey, I wouldn't just fuck my mate without knowing her name," Kaden shrugged. "I'm with Addie on the waiting thing. I don't want to get attached to someone I don't even know. What if she doesn't like any of things I like or is too cheerful or something?"

"You're like the only wolf in the world that thinks that way," Tess said, rolling her eyes.

"That makes me one of a kind," Kaden grinned.

"Wait a second, did you just say too cheerful?" Addie asked, frowning. "Have you met yourself?"

"Yes, I have, and that's why I want someone that isn't like me. What fun would it be to just be mated to yourself? I like my girls dark and broody. You know, the ones that hate the world," he said, sighing dreamily. "I love me a girl in combat boots, making sarcastic remarks and wearing nothing but black," he said with a wink.

"Seriously? That's just so not what I pictured you liking," Addie giggled.

"He's ridiculous," Tess said, rolling her eyes.

"You're both ridiculous," I said, standing and reaching for my empty plate but Addie snatched it.

"I'll take care of it. Don't you want to lie down or something?" She asked.

"It wasn't my legs that were hurt, love," I chuckled. "I can manage."

She sighed but let it go. I went up to my office because the Alpha in me couldn't help but check and make sure everything was taken care of but my fears dissipated when I walked in the room. I had it organized before but it was even more organized now. Addie even had a stack labeled "things we took care of without you but you probably want to check anyway". I couldn't help but smile and decided to prove her wrong and trust it was taken care of.

Having Travis at the house was awkward at first. He was still recovering from the knowledge of our world and I couldn't help but we weird around him when he finally made it downstairs. He thanked me for my help and hugged me which was even weirder.

Things were on edge because we didn't know what to expect from Rego and my pack was still upset about the whole me getting shot thing. After two days I barely felt a thing from it but after Addie's insistence, went to get checked by Anna anyway. Addie barely left my side those two days and I was beginning to think getting shot was the best thing that could've happened.

Anna ran through a series of tests with me to make sure I was good. She had me do some exercises to prove my strength was back and stretches to make sure I still had range of motion. Once she was all done she shrugged and nodded.

"I think you're fine to get back to regular activities. Just let me know if you have any pain," she said.

"He can get back to everything?" Addie asked. "I mean, his workouts and training are pretty intense. Are you sure he'll be okay doing that?"

"There shouldn't be a problem," Anna nodded. "He seems to have healed up completely."

"So rigorous activity like weight lifting and sparring is okay?" Addie checked again.

"I'm fine, love," I assured her, grabbing her hand and squeezing. "I'm perfectly fine. The pain is gone, I promise."

She ignored me and waited for Anna to answer. Anna smiled and nodded. "He's fine to get back to normal, even the intense stuff."

"Okay," Addie nodded. "Thank you."

"Not a problem," Anna said, bowing her head. "Now, if you're both all right, I have some rogues to check up on. A lot of them were carrying some sickness I'm still trying to get rid of."

"We're good, Anna. Thank you and be careful with those rogues. We can't have you getting sick," I pointed out.

"I'm being careful," she assured. "Link me if you need anything."

The moment Anna stepped out, Addie turned to me and I smiled, squeezing her hand again. "Seriously, Adira. I'm fine. Stop worrying so much," I said, bringing my hand up to her face. "We heal faster than you're used to."

"Yeah..." She trailed off, a blush reaching her face. "The thing is I just wanted to make sure you're cleared for intense physical activity."

I frowned in confusion until I felt it. I felt the desire in her bond, saw it in her eyes. She draped her arms over my shoulders and pressed her forehead against mine.

"I'm ready for you to show me that animalistic side you told me about," she said, pressing her lips to mine. "Because I so do not feel like taking this slow or gentle," she murmured before kissing me.

A/N:

Hey lovelies!! Happy Friday, time for the weekend, yay! Let me know what you thought of this chapter <3

Guuuyysss Fated is number 6 in paranormal right now *distant sobbing* I'm SO excited! <3

Well readers, safe to say the next chapter is going to be a mature chapter, so be ready ;) I know, I know, it's a long time coming. What can I say? I love me slow-burns <3

Xander and Addie had some pretty sweet moments in this chapter, what'd you guys think?

What'd you think of Addie taking care of stuff and getting the rogues on their side?

Oooh, and what about her making that first move?

Until Tuesday, loves, have a greet weekend! <3