by Alana Dyer
"I suggest you both shut up. Talking about your leaders behind their back especially with one of them in the room is grounds for punishment." I ground out letting the power of a Luna suppress them. I let the two girls sweat for a moment as they realize their mistake before turning on my heals and walking away, letting the pressure ease off the two while I take a peek at my daughter who is being fed by Chris.
“Your parents would be proud of you, Luna.” Chris grins, using my new title. I roll my eyes at my cousin before a frown takes over. Where those girls speaking the truth and is Tate injured? As if answering my question, a familiar face bobs in the crowd that makes their way out of the shelter. Mike approaches me and it is then that I realize Eeva and her boys are gone.
"Laina, Doc told me to come get you." His face holds a grim look, one that holds sympathy that is directed at me. I feel my heart drop as dread fills me. Tate is fine, right? Taking a shaky break Chris hands me Julia as Jack comes to stand behind me giving me a shaky smile.
“Okay Mike. Lead the way.” I motion towards the door letting my Head Warrior guide me towards the exit as we climb the stairs and exit the pantry. Chris and Jack stay behind me making sure no wolf can rush ahead of me. I could tell what Mike and Doctor Rex have to say is serious.
Instead of taking me to the front door so that we can drive to the hospital I am lead to another room - one that is guarded heavily. I notice the elevator first, Mike pressing a button that allows our group entry as it ascends. Time feels like it is ticking by slowly growing my anxiety. The elevator holds a sombre atmosphere as we pass each floor until landing on the fifth floor. Rushing out as soon as the elevators open Mike leads us to a set of closed doors his hands shaking as he opens the door. What greets me first is that annoying sound of beeping from the heart monitor. This sound causes my heart to stop momentarily as the scent of blood and my mate reaches my nose.
"Laina." Eeva's strained voice reaches when I slowly pad into the room taking note of the sterile environment. I turn my head to see my sister-in-law walk towards me a strained smile on her face.
"We won and drove them away with no deaths, but-" Her voice cracks as she falls to the ground hugging herself. I stand there, tears falling down my face as someone takes Julia out of my arms. I notice Jack giving me a sad smile as he adjusts Julia in his arms.
"Go to him Laina. Chris and I can take care of Julia." Jack's voice reaches me as he steps away. I give a small nod turning to look at the figure on the bed barely breathing where the sound of the heart monitor beeps away. I hated that noise from my own time in the pack hospital but right now I was grateful for this annoyance. It meant that Tate is still alive. Taking a few tentative steps before rushing to the side of the bed I collapse beside Tate, clutching at the blankets that cover him.
"You...can't...leave...me!" I cry out, hiccupping between each word.
"Please...Tate wake up." I plead burying my face into his side and crying harder. I had already lost a child; I couldn't lose my mate as well. I cried like I did on Kelly's funeral, praying that the Moon Goddess will not take him away from me. Julia needed her father and I needed my mate as well.
…
Beep
That sound is starting to get on my nerves, but it meant that he is alive. That Tate is alive. That I still have hope to hang onto.
Beep
"Hi Tate. The elders and I postponed the attack on Pinepaw till you wake up." I say, my words sounding hoarse. Slowly I put Julia on his stomach, watching her move slightly towards his face. It’s been two weeks since Tate went into a coma. I refused to return home without him, and a room next door was set up for Julia and me to live in while we wait for Tate to wake up.
"Julia is getting bigger, she misses her Daddy." This time my voice is a whisper and I carefully move Julia so that she is by his side moving his arm so that it wraps around her. I hated knowing his life still hung in the unknown.
"Please Tate, it’s been two weeks. We need you." I cry out, my head lowering to the bed as tears flow again for the umpteenth time. I don’t know how long I sat in this position, my body shaking from my sobs. I needed Tate more than ever to open his eyes.
"Laina?" I straighten in my seat and turn to see Doctor Rex standing at the door. His face grim as his lips is set in a firm line.
"What is it?" I ask trying to sound strong, although my tear stained face says otherwise.
"We need to talk. It been two weeks and he is on life support. The coma he is in is getting worse." More tears flow and I try to wipe them away as quickly as I can, but I couldn't help it and in seconds I felt Rex wrapping his arms around me and letting me cry. Finally my sobs came to an end and Rex hands me a handkerchief to wipe my tears
"I'm glad someone can sleep through this." He states and I turn to find Julia snuggled up to the man who stepped up to be her father. Who will forever be her father in our eyes.
"Just continue please." I whisper and I hear Rex sigh. I hated long winded stories and Rex learned to get right to the point with me.
"We need an answer by next week, but wolves can't survive on life support forever. And his time is almost up. I'm sorry you have to go through this but as his mate you decide whether to take him off of it or not." I could feel his eyes on me and I just nod. Finally the door clicked shut and I am left alone with my mate and our daughter. His life is in my hands now and only I could decide if he will stay on life support or if I let him go and join the other side with Kelly and our loved ones.
Chapter 18
Beep
"Are you sure Laina?" The sound of the steady heart monitor follows Eeva’s question as I look at Tate’s still form on the bed.
Beep
The sound continues as everyone looks at me with worry in their gaze.
"I'm sure. It’s better than letting my mate suffer." I whisper out. Eeva nods knowing that the decision for her younger brother to be taken off life support lies in my hand.
Beep
Rex slowly walks over to the life support machine and lets out a long sad sigh. I could see the pain in his eyes as he stares at Tate with a sad smile.
"Good bye friend." He says sadly before flicking the machine off. Slowly everything comes to a stop; the only thing working is the heart monitor for now. Eeva takes Julia from my arms and motions for me to go to Tate. With tears in my eyes I stand at his bedside and take his hand in mine.
Beep
My heart brakes at his still form and with one last try I open the link just between me and him, bending down and kissing his lips gently.
[I love you.] I confess tears flowing down my face and onto his as I stand straight. I wipe away the wetness on his cheeks as I try my best to give a wobbly smile. Just over a month with Tate and I knew that my life will never be the same without him.
The sound of the heart monitor slows down with each beep taking longer to sound my hear cracks just a bit. It takes everything in me not to break down now.
Beep
The final beep sounds and the room goes silent. With tears streaming down my face once more and sobs ready to wrack my body I turn away from the bed ready to walk away.
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
My steps falter briefly. The machine is going off and I turn with wide eye at the heart monitor that made a comeback stronger than I thought it ever would. That annoying sound is something I relish with joy as it can only mean one thing.
[La....] it was weak but I knew it was Tate.
[I'm here baby, please wake up.] I link him, rushing to his side and clasping his hand.
[Laina....] his voice is stronger and my tears turn from ones of pain to ones of joy.
"Whatever you did Luna worked. He is waking up." Mike's mate Ashlyn - a nurse that was assigned to help take care of Tate- says from the door. No one else dares to come near as I clutched his hand tighter.
[Laina where...] I hear his question loud and clear even if he can’t finish it.
[I'm here. All you need to do is wake up.] I reply as I looked to the sky outside the big window, staring at the moon that shines down on us.
[Just open your eyes] I plead turning my head to find myself staring into forest green eyes.
"I...did." His voice is hoarse and I couldn't help but laugh as he states the obvious, letting go of his hand to fall into his chest and cry, clutching his shirt. I feel a warm hand pet my head as fingers run through my hair gently and I look to see that it is Tate doing this with what little strength he has, his face looking guilty.
"Sorry...you...waited." Tate whispers and I laugh again.
"I'll always wait for you baby, I love you." I reply with before moving to kiss all over his face, ending at his lips. His lips move with mine in a heated passion filled kiss, feeling his hand clutch my hair.
"Um, can you guys save that till after he gets better and are in your own home?" Eeva says awkwardly coming to stand with Julia in her arms. I pull away from Tate with a blushing face for getting that others were standing with us when joy overcame me when Tate awakened.
"Can....I?" He looks at our daughter and I smile, taking her from Eeva and putting her beside him with his arm around our little girl. His face is one of joy as he snuggles our baby close to him, relief filling me.
‘Thank you Goddess.’ I pray, closing my eyes. Everyone stays for a few more minutes before Rex with tears in his eyes orders them to leave before having a bassinet and other baby equipment rolled into the room for Julia. I refused to leave Tate’s side now that he is awake. With everyone gone and Julia asleep I let Tate snuggle into me, his head on the crook of my neck with arms wrapped tightly around me. My hands play with his hair gently, feeling his body relax as his eyes droop with exhaustion.
"I love you." He whispers and I kiss his cheek.
"I love you too." I reply back smiling when he falls asleep with a happy grin on his face. I stay awake a little longer watching the man I love. He did everything he could to protect Julia and I when Pinepaw attacked and I had almost lost him. I am just happy I had a second chance. Yawning I snuggle closer to Tate, hugging his body to me as tightly as I can without hurting him.
"Get better my love." I whisper before falling asleep.
Chapter 19
"Laina I am fine!" Tate sighs as I fluff his pillow for the umpteenth time today. I couldn’t help but hover over my mate the way he did with me when I first woke from my emergency surgery.
"No you're not so stop complaining and let me pamper you." I argue back hearing Tate mutter something about me being a worry wart. How the tides have turned. It’s been three days since Tate first woke up from his coma. I spent most days either curled up in bed with Tate and Julia watching T.V. The only times I leave this room is to use the washroom or to take Julia outside to get some fresh air.
When Tate is asleep I find myself at the desk Loren and Mike brought in going over pack paper work with the help of the two men and Eeva. Rex would come in every now and then to check on Tate’s condition then would leave Tate, Julia, and I for the rest of the night. Deciding that Tate is thoroughly tucked in and comfortable I stretch for a moment ready to go to the desk to get some work done.
"If you want to pamper me, there is a great way that I can think of." Tate says catching me off guard as he grasps my wrist and pulls me on top of his body. I feel him wince when my knee hits the wound on his thigh and I try my best to get free and off of him only to be held tighter by my mate.
“Cuddle with me please. We haven’t spent much time alone and I just want to feel you close.” His voice is a low hoarse whisper sending shivers down my spine. I relent to his request and rest my head on his shoulder snuggling in close. The room is silent as his hands slowly moved from my back, under my shirt and ran up and down my sides slow and gentle sending tingles of pleasure through me where his hands touch my skin. I sigh in contentment, gently kissing Tate’s jaw line.
"I love you Laina." He whispers, turning his head to kiss my forehead.
"I love you too Tate." I whisper back, moving my head and connecting our lips together. His hands stop moving, pulling me impossibly closer to his body. My hands snake up his chest and around his neck bringing his head closer to mine as our kiss deepens. I squeak in surprise when Tate manages to flip us so that my back is pressed against the bed and Tate on top. My legs wrap around his waist and moan as our lips continue to collide with our passionate kiss. Tate slowly grinds against me, sending more pleasure traveling inside me causing me to gasp. Tate takes this opportunity to plunge his tongue into my mouth as one hand slowly explores along my stomach to rest on my breast. Another moan escapes my lips and I flick my tongue across his, gaining a feral moan from him as he presses his bulge against me and I curse the jeans I decided to wear today. Slowly we pull apart, panting from the kiss. His eyes were dark and filled with lust and I had a feeling my eyes matched his as he leans his forehead on mine and takes a deep breath.
"God you're so beautiful." He groans out before claiming my mouth in another passionate kiss, one arm supporting him above me while his free hand explores under my shirt, my own hands feeling every muscle, every scar and ever movement of his body. I wanted him. I wanted him above me, below me and inside me. I wanted to completely mate with him. The kiss ends prematurely as the door opens, causing both of us to growl and glare at the intruder.
"Hey, this is a room for patients. If the two of you want to make love then go home for crying out loud!" Rex exclaims holding his hands up in surrender and rolling his eyes. It took a while for my hormones to settle down before Rex’s words settle in and happiness fills me.
"Wait, I can go home?" Tate asks with hope lacing his voice. I smile and push Tate off of me gently making him sit on the bed. I push myself up to sit cross legged on the bed my hand reaching out to hold onto Tate’s.
"Yes you’ve healed nicely over the last few days and your scans show that your brain is functioning normally.” Rex answers chuckling at Tate’s enthusiasm.
“Just take it easy at home and rest as well as no rough sex. I get you two haven’t completed the mating process yet but I don’t need to see any of you as a patient for a while.” I blush as Rex continues his instructions of what Tate needs to do when we return home. Part of me understands that he still needed time to rest but another part wanted to fully be mated to him as quick as possible. Rex stays for a moment to do a quick check up on Tate before allowing Ashlyn to come in and remove his I.V. from his arm. After getting the final go ahead to leave, Rex and his team remove the medical equipment to be stored away in the pack house for emergency use leaving Tate and I alone.
"Now where were we?" He asks his voice husky as he leans his head towards mine and kisses me passionately one again.
"How about we go home first, go for a relaxing bath-" I start to say the moment we pull away to catch our breath.
"And continue where we left off before being so rudely interrupted." Tate finishes my sentence twirling a lock of my air around his fingers. I smile and nod climbing off the bed and holding my hand out for Tate to take. I watch my mate slowly stand to his feet, wincing from the almost healed injuries before taking my hand and pulling me in for a hug.
"I'm driving." I say sternly, looking up to catch Tate frown at me.
“No, I am." He counters rolling his eyes at me. I couldn’t help but sigh in exasperation and push him playfully onto the bed again while taking the keys to the jeep out of my pocket.
"You are in no shape to drive so I will. No arguments." I rebut with, watching him slowly stand and try to take the keys from me growling when I jump back out of his reach. For a few minutes he tries to take the keys away and I focus on staying just out of his reach.
"Fine you can drive." He relents frowning at me and pouting like a child. I chuckle at his behaviour and make my ways into his arms standing on my toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. From there I take his hand and the two of us walk into the hallway and take the elevator down to the main floor. On our way out of
the pack house the two of us pass by pack members that congratulate Tate on getting better. I felt like a huge weight has been lifted off of the pack now that their Alpha is better.
After chatting with a few of the wolves Tate and I manage to finally find solace in the jeep. I catch Tate sighing taking a deep breath of air that doesn’t smell like the pack hospital and reach out to squeeze his hand. No more hospital trips for us for a while.
Turning the jeep on I put the jeep into drive and head in the direction of home.
Chapter 20
Pulling into the drive way I shut off the jeep silence filling the interior. It felt good being home after spending over two weeks at the pack house and Eeva promising to take care of Julia for tonight at her house. I think Eeva is secretly happy to have a little girl over for the night as she has told me many times she is trying to have a daughter with Loren. A soft snore is noted beside me catching my attention. When I turn to look at Tate I giggle a soft smile on my face while I watch my mate doze away leaning against the seat. He looks so peaceful with the fall light streaming in through the window.
Slowly I lean over making sure not to wake Tate and place a gentle kiss on his lips. I lean back ready to pull away until strong hands pull me close and I find my chest pressed against Tate’s. Warm lips press against mine as we move in a slow rhythm. I let out a small moan when he nips at my bottom lip before his tongue pries open my mouth and delves inside. Out tongues dance around for dominance till I give him, letting him take control of our kiss and relish in the pleasure he brings forth in me. His hands snake around to my ass, groping me and somehow bringing me onto his lap to straddle him where I feel his large bulge press against my sensitive area.
Slowly I grind against his bulge causing not only a moan from my mouth, but a feral groan from him as his hands guide my hips down onto the bulge and move in a way that causes enough friction and has me pulling away from the kiss and cry out with pleasure, both of us panting for breath and eyes glazed with the raw pleasure.