Alx's P.O.V.

One by one Doc's team leaves the room, the last one leaving the door open. Telling me that I can come in. Finding Doc, adjusting her IV making sure it's flowing at the right rate. Writing down his final notes. 

"She's stable. We minimised the internal bleeding. And her swelling has started to do down." Doc, handing me her chart.

I nod scanning through her chart. Still shocked by her list of injuries.

"Alpha?" Doc. I look back at him encouraging him to continue. "Is she your mate?"

What?

Did he just ask me that?

Looking down at my bandage mate."Yes, she is." looking back at him. His eyes widen ever so slightly. properly frightened that I might take offence. "But keep that to yourself. At least for now."  

"Yes, Alpha." Doc, with a nod. 

"We've been taking things slow. I don't wish to scare her away. But the more I get to know her the less that seems likely." looking back at her. Feeling the need to share this with him, for some reason. Is it because I've been keeping this to myself for so long? "I'll announce her when the time is right."

"Understood, Alpha. This won't go past me." Doc.

I nod a thank you.

"The anesthetic should wear off in an hour to an hour and a half. But if she stays asleep longer than that, please don't be alarmed. Her body needs the rest. I'm on standby if any issues arise." Doc, leaving the room. Closing the door behind him. giving us some privacy. 

Sighing, I walk closer to Shayla. Standing at the side of her bed. Looking down at her.

You look so fragile, Shayla. I don't like seeing you like this. I should never have let this happen to you. 

Placing my hand on her forehead. Letting myself feel the sparks. Allowing them to calm me. Knowing I need it.

My mate, why must I see you hurt again? By rouges of all things. Stroking her hair. Why did it have to be rouges? I'm sorry my mate, but I won't be leaving your side anytime soon. I can't have you hurt again. Placing my hand on her cheek, tracing circles with my thumb. 

Oddly enough you look so at peace. How I would fight for you to be at peace all the time. But I must come to terms whit the fact that I can't offer that to you. You're fighting something I can't. I see that now. Please know that I will assist you. No matter what it is. Nothing will ever be too much. Please know that. Share your struggles with me. I know how hard it can be. I know it's not easy. But I'm here. Know that I'm here. I'll always be here for you

Sighing, I move the char from the corner right up next to her bed. Being sure to make little to no noise. 

The beep of the machine increases. Her heart's beating faster.

Why? What's wrong?

"Alx?" Her quiet voice filling my ears. Opening her eyes scanning the room, looking for me. She keeps blinking. Her vision must be blurry. She's awake?

"Right here." moving closer. She holds out her hand. I gently take it in mine, feeling the sparks again. Her heart rate goes down slightly. "You shouldn't be awake right now." it should have taken at least another forty minutes. 

"Are you ok?" 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm ok."

"Injuries?"

"All healed." Sitting on the edge of the chair leaning my elbows on her bed, her hand in mine.

"And Chris? Where is he?"

"He's ok. He's down the hall. They had to sedate him."

"Why?"

"He had a few broken bones. Inparticuly a broken rib. Normally it wouldn't be much of an issue, but he shifted too soon."

"But he's ok now?" 

"Yes, he's ok. They gave him wolfsbane to slow his healing. So, he might take a bit to get up. He's ok."

"Ok. And Nickey? I didn't scare her too much, did I?"

"Yeah, she's fine. Her mother made sure that she didn't see anything."

"Ok. Good." Relieved, she sighs. Taking a few deep breaths. It's easy to tell that her throat is sore. She moves to sit up.

"Wo. Easy." stopping her. "You shouldn't even be awake right now let alone trying to move around." she huffs at that. "How are you awake? The anesthetic should have lasted another forty minutes. At least." 

"I don't like going under." 

I huff a laugh at that. "They weren't going to reset your bones without it." 

"I know. I still don't like it." 

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry." kissing her hand. I don't like you going under either. "Please take it easy, Shayla. For me. Please?" leaning over her, placing my hand on her cheek. Closing her eyes, she leans into it. Feeling the sparks as I do. 

"I'll try." placing her hand over mine.

"Is that all I'm going to get?"

She nods. Making me smile. Still stubborn. Even now. I lean in hugging her as genital as I can. She hugs me back as much as she can. I enjoy every second of it. "Go back to sleep. Everyone's ok. And your body needs the rest. Ok?"

"Ok." closing her eyes.

"I'll be right here if you need anything. I'm right here."

She nods, slowly drifting back to sleep. Making me smile again. I place a kiss on her forehead before sitting back down. Still holding her hand in mine. Being comforted knowing it's helping her heal. Minamaly, but it is still helping. Feeling a little more at ease, I allow myself to get some rest too. Keeping my ears open.

-

I sit up straight hearing the door open. Rubbing my eyes a little before seeing who it is. It's Chris, I watch him as he walks in. Finding him hard to read.

"How is she?" walking up to her bed. Resting his hands on the end of it. 

I look back at her. "She's ok." looking back at him. I have to be honest with him. "But she took one hell of a beating."

He picks up her chart and starts to read through it. Having to rub his eyes. Wolfsbane isn't easy to get out of your system. "Fucking hell." his eyes dart between Shayla and her chart. seeming to reread it each time. He moves to the other side of her bed. his eyes darting across her face. He slowly drops to his knees, as if in slow-mo. He starts to cry silent sobs. placing his elbows on the side of her bed. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have left her alone. I'm her brother. I'm supposed to protect her. I keep letting her down. I'm supposed to be better."

He can't take the blame for this. He can't blame himself for this.

"Chris?" he pays no mind to me. "Chris, listen to me." standing, placing my hand on his shoulder. He tries to shake it off but I keep it in place. "Listen to me. She wasn't alone. I had Smith watching over her. You are not to blame for this. Those that are will get what they're owed. I'll make sure of it." I will make them pay for this.

'We will.'

"This isn't on anyone but them."

"You had Smith watching over her?" finally looking up at me.

"Yes." with a nod.

"Why?"

"I didn't what any harm to come to her, but I still wanted her to have some freedom. But it wasn't enough."

"Why."

I rub my forehead, He can ask a lot of questions sometimes.

I see his eyes move to my hand that has stayed in place, still holding Shaylas' hand. I can see the cogs turning in his head. "Why are you holding her hand?"

I sigh at that. I knew this was going to happen sooner or later. I sit back in the chair. "I was hoping to tell you under better circumstances. But here we are. She's my mate."