Chapter 193: Can taste me

Ira’s POV

I come back to myself slowly, like I am surfacing from water.

My ears twitch at the sound of the gentle breeze. And then the ceiling comes into focus.

Slowly blinking as the morning light filters into my room, I attempt to lift my head.

Shit my head feels heavy. Like I haven't raised it in a while.

I shift beneath the blankets and stop when I notice them. These are not the clothes I remember wearing.

I squeeze the soft cotton shirt, smiling when Ruel's scent hits me.

My heart almost leaps for joy but I know he isn't around. If he was, I wouldn't still be feeling the saddening tug on our bond.

But then, who changed me?

What happened?

Just then a small movement near the end of the bed pulls my attention.

Selena the young maid sits quietly in a chair beside me. The moment she notices my eyes are open, relief spreads across her face.

“You’re awake,” she says softly, standing quickly. “The doctor said you will be but we were still worried.”

I swallow down my dry throat before speaking.

“How long was I asleep?”

Her expression softens. “Three days.”

“Three?” I gasp in horror.

She nods.

“You woke a few times to eat, but you were barely conscious.” She hesitates. “Everyone has been worried. The first day you barely responded but you cooperated fine when I put you in your mate's clothes.”

My chest tightens instantly.

“Alpha Davan.” I whisper, suddenly remembering. “How is he?”

Selena smiles, confusing me a little.

“He is well.” she answers.

I push myself upright too quickly, wincing when the room tilts.

“Careful,” she says, hurrying forward.

“I need to see him.”

“You should eat first.”

“I can eat after.” I insist, fear sitting in my chest.

What if something happened?

What if I failed again? I know she said he is well but what if she's just trying to be nice?

A knock sounds at the door.

“Come in,” the maid says, looking expectant.

I watch quietly as the door opens. And for a moment, I genuinely think I am still half asleep… dreaming.

Because Alpha Davan walks into the room, and he looks… better.

He looks undeniably healthier.

The exhaustion that used to cling to him is gone. His skin doesn't look pale as it previously did. His breathing sounds easier and he isn't barely supporting himself on his feet.

He is actually taking firm strides.

Behind him, more people walk in.

Omar, Bukasvad, Yona, Granny Bel… some other faces I do not recognize. Nearly the whole pack is gathered in my room.

Anna and Oren rush to my bed, hugging me as tightly as they can.

I gently rub their heads but my attention drifts back to him.

When I sit up straighter the ache in my head worsens but I focus on the decade-young looking man right in front of me now.

“How...” My voice catches. “How is this possible?”

His laugh is quiet, holding the familiar warmth that's always been there but sounding richer. “You tell me,” he says.

Before I can react, he steps forward and wraps his arms around me.

He does it so carefully that I almost don't feel it.

“You scared us,” he says quietly.

“I'm sorry. I've never used that much energy before. I had no idea it'd drain me so much.” I mutter, my gaze drifting to Bukasvad who exhales .

“We're glad you are fine. Maybe next time don't make decisions like that on your own. Especially when the one person who can quickly recharge you in case of emergency isn't present.” From his tone I can tell he was pretty upset.

But I guess I'd be too if my friend suddenly became non-functional for three days.

Three days. I still can't believe it.

I look at alpha Davan again. This time I notice even more.

The constant strain in his face is gone.

For the first time since I met him, he looks really bright and cheerful.

“You’re really alright?” I ask quietly.

The doctor steps into view from somewhere behind everyone else.

“Not fully,” he says.

My stomach drops.

“But every organ is functioning properly,” he adds quickly with a soft smile. “His lungs, heart, blood. Everything we feared was failing is quickly recovering.”

I breathe out in relief… That's more than I'd hoped for.

“We can't thank you enough, honey.” Granny Bel mentions with teary eyes, moving in for a warm hug.

A large party is thrown later that evening. Nearly everyone is present. Within the pack house, outside…. Both pups and adults are present, each person eager to see alpha Davan in good health.

The amount of people who stare at me makes me a bit cautious. Still I smile back when they wave or bow, understanding just how much healing their alpha means to them.

Eventually, late into the night, I end up near the end of the table with Anna and Oren.

Oren, who is halfway through telling an unnecessarily dramatic version of something that absolutely did not happen the way he claims, stops talking the moment Omar walks over.

Anna also goes quiet immediately.

Omar notices and shifts awkwardly before squatting so he is more at eye level with them.

“Hey, I know I was a guard in Vahl,” he says quietly, looking mostly at Oren. “I know that probably makes you uncomfortable.”

Oren keeps staring but says nothing, moving closer to me. I place a gentle hand on his back, welcoming Anna when she too moves towards me.

“But I am not that anymore,” Omar continues kindly. “I left because I thought the alpha king was dangerous.” He pauses. “The same reason you escaped. I just got there later than you did.”

Oren studies him for a long moment before looking at up at me as though seeking permission.

I nod, encouraging him with a smile.

Then, unexpectedly, he reaches up and pats Omar’s cheek twice.

“You don’t have to worry,” Oren says seriously. “You have us now.”

“Ira says this is our home now.” Anna says, giving him a smile. “No one can hurt you here.”

Omar grins.

“Anna! Oren!” A child across the hall yells and immediately Anna and Oren run after their friend laughing.

“How are you doing?” Omar asks when it's just two of us.

“Like I need a bit of fresh air.” I answer truthfully.

“Mind if I walk with you?” He asks politely.

Silently we both step outside. The cup of wine in my hand is still untouched, the stars already shining bright in the sky.

I settle onto a raised platform, staring at the trees and few people moving about.

I wonder where Ruel is.

If he is eating.

Sleeping?

If he misses me as much as I miss him.

The thought sinks heavily in my chest.

“How does it feel?” Omar’s voice breaks the quiet.

I glance over as he lowers himself beside me.

“Being marked,” he adds after a second.

I look down at the glass in my hands.

“Like...” I pause, wondering how to explain something I barely understand myself. “Like something missing in me has finally found where it belongs.”

Omar nods slowly.

Silence stretches for a while before he continues.

“I have been thinking about it,” he says eventually.

“Being marked?” I wonder.

“How any of it works.” He says carefully. “He is a man,” he's barely audible. “I am a man.”

“And?” I softly press.

He exhales, turning to me. “How do we have a pup? How does any of it look the way it is supposed to?”

I turn toward him fully. “Omar, there are people who spend their entire lives doing everything the way they are supposed to and never find what you have.”

I hold his gaze.

“You love him, he loves you. Families happen in different ways. Love does too. What you feel is not something broken that needs fixing.”

He frowns slightly and I soften my voice.

“If your fear is having a pup, that's a possible fix. I do know it's not impossible to find a pup to adopt. And… who knows, perhaps you'll somehow miraculously carry your own.”

Something shifts in his expression then. “Me? Why not Elric? If anyone was getting pregnant, it'd be him. Certainly not me.”

I laugh, finally taking a sip from my glass.

“If I knew they were going to take this long,” he mutters, frowning toward the trees, “I would have gone with them.”

Managing a smile I respond “Same.”

I let the word go out toward the treeline and the dark, toward wherever Ruel is tonight, and I hold the glass with both hands and wait.