Chapter 180

Chapter 180
After that awkward moment with Crystal, Felix and Mercedes decided to get ready for the day. It was time to put their intimate time on hold and join the rest downstairs since it was likely that Crystal had already let everyone know that Mercedes was awake. It's only a matter of time before someone came to find her.

Mercedes still couldn't fully walk without any support. Felix had to carry her and help her bathe. He was so attentive and gentle as if he was handling something fragile. She wouldn't usually want anyone to treat her as if she was delicate, but with Felix, she couldn't help it. His touch was so tender and soothing. He even offered to wash her hair. It was the first time he had treated her with such gentleness, thanks to her condition, but she had no doubt that he would treat her just the same, any other day. In the past, they just didn't have the chance.

After bathing, Felix helped get dressed and dried her hair. Mercedes's heart swelled with love as she watched him do his thing. She noticed how he was deeply concentrated on doing everything perfectly. He handled everything and Mercedes didn't need to lift a finger for anything. He was done drying her hair, and he was on his knee, helping her put shoes on. Mercedes touched his face and pulled him up enough so she could lean in and give him a kiss on the cheek. Felix was startled by her sudden action, but he smiled at her.

“ Thank you,” she said, returning the smile. Felix got up and sat beside her on the bed.

“ You have to stop thanking me, Mercedes. You are my mate, and it's my duty to love and take care of you.”

Hearing those words made her worries fade away. There was nothing for her to fear while he was around because he was determined and made it clear how he felt about her. It did make her feel a little bad that she couldn't love him with the same intensity he loved her. She felt like all she did was bring trouble for him and deprived him of the love and affection he deserved. He was sincere towards her, and she knew that she had nothing to worry about as long as he remained by her side. It was time for her to do the same thing or at least try to make him feel special and finally be deserving of his love and devotion.

Felix took her hands in his and looked at her.

“ I'm so happy that you are awake, and you came back to us. For now, you don't have to worry about anything other than getting better,” he said, placing his hand on her cheek. Mercedes's eyes softened as she locked her eyes with Felix's eyes. It was good to be awake or else she would have missed out on this side of his. She smiled and leaned into his touch, enjoying the warmth of his caress. She didn't feel like going to meet the others. For that moment, she just wanted to keep getting lost in the comfort and gentleness of Felix's presence. But that was not going to be possible.

“ Alright. Let's get going. I'm sure everyone is now waiting.”

Felix got up and helped Mercedes stand as well. She was unable to stand up straight so she had to rely on Felix to support her body weight, or she would fall. They left the room and Felix held Mercedes's hand tightly so that she didn't slip.

Crystal told Jake everything she saw. For a moment, Jake couldn't believe what she was saying. He told her that she must have been imagining things and saw something that wasn't there. Crystal insisted and told him that she couldn't have been mistaken. What she saw was real. After she insisted and stood her ground, Jake gave her the benefit of the doubt. As agreed, both of them prepared breakfast as they waited for their Alpha and Luna. Jake couldn't believe his eyes. He was a bit skeptical when Crystal told him, but there was no doubt about it now. Mercedes was awake and beside Felix's side as they walked down the stairs.

Neither Jake nor Crystal knew what to say, but Crystal was on the verge of tears. Earlier, her mind was thinking a lot, and she couldn't process what she saw. Even she thought she might have hallucinated the whole thing, but she was in front of her right now. She gave into her emotions and burst into tears. Jake held and comforted her as she cried. Those were the tears of relief that her friend and sister was alive.

When Felix and Mercedes finally reached the bottom of the stairs, Crystal got out of Jake's arms and went to Mercedes. Seeing the state Crystal was in made Mercedes emotional as well. She, too, thought she would never see Crystal again. Now she was in front of her and all she could do was look at her. She didn't know what to say to her. It has been a while since they last saw each other.

“ I'm so happy, you are awake, Mercedes,” Crystal said, taking Mercedes's hands in hers.

“ The last few months have been the most difficult for all of us. We prayed that such a day would come, and a miracle would happen,” she said, trying hard to stop her tears from coming out again.

“ Now that you stand, alive and awake, our prayers have been answered. Thanks to the Moon Goddess.”

Mercedes's eyes welled up with more tears. She was too emotional to try and say something. She felt a lump form in her throat. She squeezed Crystal's hands, trying to express how she felt.

“ I don't know what to say,” she said, her voice shacking with emotion.

“ I am sorry for putting you through so much. I wish things had gone differently but here we are. I have all of you to thank for coming back.”

Crystal shook her head. “ No, no, don't apologize. You don't have anything to apologize for. You are the one who has been through a lot. You are the one who almost sacrificed your life for us all to be here today. We are the ones who failed you and couldn't be with you when you needed us the most,” her voice trembled, her tears fell harder, overwhelmed by her emotions.

“ Come on now, don't say that,” Mercedes reached her hand and wiped away her tears.

“ No one failed me. You are all alive and you survived. Everything I have fought for and sacrificed was not in vain. That’s good enough for me. Every one of you did what you could do. The fight against Drakoen was truly my fight to end, and I have done that. Now, he is finally out of our lives. The realms are peaceful. All is well. What more could I ask for?”

Mercedes smiled at Crystal as she continued to wipe her tears.

“ Stop crying now. Today should be all about happiness and reunion. I am back, so there is no reason for you to cry anymore.”

Crystal was feeling a sense of gratitude towards Mercedes. They all had her to thank for the life they were living and the happiness and love they were able to experience with their loved ones. None of them could truly express how grateful they were for her sacrifices. Mercedes pulled Crystal into a hug. All she felt was a sense of peace wash over her. She felt light, with no more worries. Her life could be better. She just had to continue living and appreciating the people who loved and cared about her.