CONNOR

The unbearable urge to scratch at my chest has me opening my eyes. Blinking a few times to focus around me, I narrow my eyes when I spot the familiar cream coloured ceiling above me.

Why am I in the infirmary?

As if being triggered by the question, images of the witch throwing the dagger at Fenris and me running in between to take it on me instead, runs past my mind and has me alert and very much aware of the bandaged-up wound on my chest, which is itching like hell as of now.

Shifting my head, a bit, I try to look at my chest but it proves to be impossible with the number of sedatives given to me. My entire body feels numb only the chest region active enough to itch.

The beep of the machine beside my cot causes me a headache now as I try to scratch at my chest, the urge unbearable and I let out a growl in frustration.

Someone gasps, alerting me that I am not alone in this room and my wolf immediately perks up, my head clearing a bit as I focus my gaze around myself, taking in the small figure huddled on the chair in a blanket beside my cot.

Unable to lift my gaze from the small figure of my red-headed mate, I growl once again to hear her moan. Smiling at her response as if her brain knows my voice even in her sleep, I growl once again, playfully this time which jerks her awake.

She sits up in the chair, suddenly, her red hair flying around her before settling in rumpled waves, causing another itch to run through my body. This one makes me want to run my fingers through her long hair while I claim her lips, never wanting to let her go.

"You are awake," she cries when her gaze lands on me, and is out of the chair in a second, stumbling a bit as she leans over me, running her hands all over my face, checking me up like the nurse she is. My very own personal one.

My headache immediately reduces as the blood rushes to my nether regions, stimulated by the presence of my fiery little temptress.

"Hey, Solnyshko."

"Don't hi me," she snaps at me, trying to show her anger but I can see the pain in her eyes, the fear in them as she checks on my wound.

Letting out a sigh but also feeling a bit happy that she's scared for me, that she cares enough, and still not believing my good fortune, I lift my hand and remove the fucking embarrassing IV from my arm and throw it away.

"What are you doing?" she hisses in reprimand but then comes over to remove the needle from my arm and puts a cotton ball over it. Her touch soothes me more than the piece of cotton ever can.

Not replying to her, I simply hold my hand up for her. She doesn't hesitate, instead holds my hand in both of hers and then comes closer. I let go of her hands squeezing them first, to pull her by her waist, almost making her sit nearby my head so that I can bury my face in her lap, taking in her delicious scent.

"I was so scared," she whimpers, caressing my head and running her fingers through my hair, calming me, all itches are forgotten when I hear the sad tone in her voice.

"I am fine, Catrina. I am sorry for scaring you," I whisper in her lap, loud enough for her to hear. She gets up from the cot, leaving me feeling cold and then turns around to face me, her eyes wet with unshed tears, making me feel guilty all of a sudden.

"You shouldn't be. I just don't want to experience it again," she whispers, shaking her head as tears stream down her cheeks. Unable to take it anymore, I sit upon the cot, ignoring the pain that runs through my sternum when it jars a bit.

"Connor. Don't," she whispers, scared for me which makes me the happiest man ever but also feeling shitty for putting her through the trauma. She immediately helps by pulling a cushion from the neighbouring cot and placing it behind my back, while checking on the bandage once again. I have boxer shorts on but it's good to have a sheet covering my lower body.

"I am already healing, Solnyshko. My wounds are itching already," I reassure her while pulling her to me, so that I can put my face in her neck, relishing the sparks that go through my body when I touch her.

This is heaven!

"You are hurt. You should rest," she chastises me but I don't listen neither do I let go. After a few seconds, she gives up and relaxes, cuddling closer to me, making me sigh in contentment and my wolf purr in delight.

"How long was I out?" I ask, kissing her neck, and rubbing my hand along her back, relishing the feel of the silkiness of it and reminding myself to be more alert next time.

"More than 18 hours now. It's the next night. We left my house yesterday night," she whispers and I wait for her to continue. She sighs, kisses my cheek once, her lips lingering on my skin before she moves out of my embrace and settles on the chair in front of me.

I frown at the distance, a growl escaping my throat which has her rolling her eyes and then she shifts her chair close to me, which allows me to at least hold her hand without stretching her arms.

"You got lucky. The dagger had just poked into your lungs and not pierced it. Elder Fridolf treated you, cleaned your wounds with moonflower and Tatiana gave her blood to you because you had lost a lot due to the wolfsbane in the dagger," she whispers and I can see her struggling with her tears.

But before I have the chance to pull her closer or to say anything, the door to the infirmary room opens and a group of people enter the room, making me growl at them for disturbing us.

"See, he's fine," laughs Zion while holding onto my sister as they enter the room behind Fenris and Sierra. My mom, Catrina's mom and Cayden all follow behind them.

"Keep your hands to yourself, mudak. You are in public," I growl at him, glaring at the hand that is wrapped around my sister's waist.

"Who says I care?" he growls back and pulls Tatiana closer to him, this time putting both of his hands on my sister.

I fist my hands, growling at him not at all bothered about the people witnessing our hatred for each other when I hear a small chuckle. Hearing the melodious voice, my growls stop and I turn to look at my mate who's trying very hard to control her laughter.

"What's so funny?" I ask, grumbling at her when she outright laughs at me, Cayden joining along with everyone else now. I smirk in satisfaction when Cayden winces at the wound in his shoulder which is not doubt bandaged up under his shirt. I also feel a sense of gratitude that he came to visit me, especially when I know that he isn't fond of me and that he's hurt.

"Now I know why Cayden and you don't get along," she whispers while Cayden smirks at me, giving me the taste of my own medicine, and I immediately have second thoughts.

"He was a manwhore before my sister tamed him," I say defensively.

"And you weren't?" smirks Cayden with a brow raised.

"I am not."

"Okay, that's enough."

Fenris and I both say at the same time and I turn my head to look at Fenris who has a smile on his face. He comes forward and clasps my forearms in gratitude.

"I don't know how to thank you. You have become my brother in the truest sense," he whispers. I feel proud of myself, to prove my friendship, to return the favour that he had once done for me.

"It's nothing," I reply and smile at him, while Sierra walks around her mate and kisses me on the cheek, causing Fenris to growl even when her own face scrunches in pain.

"Thank you," she whispers in my ear, her eyes shining in tears and I feel uncomfortable. Females and their tears always make me uncomfortable. Catrina being the only exception.

I nod my head at her instead of replying and watch as she cuddles into her mate, sighing in relief.

"Thank you for the blood."

Tatiana rolls her eyes and nods at me. I smile at her knowing that she won't admit but she loves me, the same as me. Our father beat it into us, to now show our feelings, messing up with our minds. That's the partial reason why my father hated Fenris and Sierra. This couple brought out our friendly attitude to the surface which threatened my father's sanity.

The thought of my father has me remembering his words about Elder Ernouf and Elder Alarick.

"My father confessed that he poisoned Elder Ernouf and Elder Alarick," I whisper, feeling ashamed about my father's deeds. My mother gasps in shock while Fenris eyes narrow at me.

"Elder Alarick was poisoned in his bedroom. He's stable now. We doubted that the person who killed Elder Ernouf was responsible for Elder Alarick's poisoning but this news confirms it. However, it's a pity to hear that an Alpha turned rogue because of greed."

I nod my head while my mother had silent tears running down her face. Tatiana pulls her into a hug, allowing our mom to cry on her shoulder while I have this urge to kill our father again.

"Is he dead?" I ask to confirm.

"Yes. I personally burnt his body along with your pack members-turned rogue," he answers.

"Why do you burn the body? Why not bury them?" Catrina interrupts, reminding me that she wasn't brought up with our species. Fenris looks at me and I shrug, allowing him to explain since he's the one whom she asked the question. I want her to be interactive with everyone, wanting her to be comfortable talking to anyone in our family and pack.

I would never kill the fire in her soul by locking her up in my arms.

"When we bury a werewolf body, chances of them being discovered by humans is more. Nowadays, humans have the technology to examine skeletons. We do not want to risk any werewolf body getting into the hands of a human and risking our species' disclosure. That's why we burn the body," explains Fenris all the while I watch my mate as she absorbs all the information like a sponge.

Her eagerness to hear and understand all the facts of her new and original family makes me immensely happy and relieved. It means that she won't leave me, and looking at the way she worried about me has me thinking that she'll really give me a chance.

Maybe I should ask Fenris to make it official. I know I would love to show my mate to the world.

"Okay. Let's give Connor some time to rest," says Fenris while walking towards the door. He pauses and then turns around. "There's a meeting tomorrow morning since all the Alphas are here to help out in cleaning out the Aftermath. I need to discuss a few things too."

"Yes, I'll be there on time," I reply and watch him as he nods before grinning at me and then heading out of the room taking all our relatives too, leaving me alone with my mate finally. 

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