Chapter 28: Waking Up

Marcus

Lying on the hospital bed holding his unconscious mate, Marcus could only focus on the fact that he almost lost her before fully claiming her. Today, he faced his greatest fear and realized what would happen to him if she had not survived, and from what the doctor said, she should not have. Whatever caused her to heal so rapidly saved her life; without it, she would have succumbed to the assassination attempt.

Marcus made the decision that as soon as she woke, they needed to talk about their relationship. He did not want to rush her, but he did not think he could wait much longer before claiming her as his. There was nothing that could change his feelings for her, and he knew that she was starting to feel the same. Even without the mark, they were bonded, and she had stepped into the Luna role in every way but title. Dax growled his agreement in his head as they watched their love sleep, whispering ‘Mine” as if he did not want to risk disturbing her slumber.

Having made his decision, Marcus settled in, and he knew that there was nothing that could convince him to leave her before she woke up. In his mind, he felt Dax's contentment.

The slightest twitching of her eyes alerted him that she was waking, and he was afraid to breathe, not wanting to scare her. “Marcia, it's me. Please, baby, just open your eyes a little bit.” Marcus did not care if he was begging; this was his Luna, and he needed her back, awake, in his arms.

As her eyes slowly opened, Marcus experienced the greatest joy of his life; she was alive, awake, and his. The doctor had assured him she would be fine, but until this minute, he secretly feared the worst. No one should have survived that attack, and it was now his life mission to ensure no one ever had the chance to try and take her again. His grip unknowingly tightened, and he held onto her, kissing her hair and whispering messages of love.

“How long was I out?” The raspy words brought Marcus back to the present and caused him to grin. She was talking to him, and he had never felt better.

“It has been two days." The whispered words caused her eyes to widen. "Let me call the doctor for you.” Before he could link the doctor, Marcia reached up and placed her hand on his cheek, stopping him.

“Stop, I do not need the doctor, I feel fine.” Surprisingly, it was true, she did not feel the slightest discomfort from her wound. Marcia knew that they had to talk about their relationship, but was unsure of how to begin. Part of her wondered if the vision had simply been an elaborate dream concocted to make her feel better about a troubled childhood.

Deciding that she was going to go with the flow and let fate decide what was to be. As long as they were together, they could face anything. “I had plans for after the announcement,” as she said these words, she learned closer, placing a light kiss on his neck.

Marcus felt all of the blood leave his head and rush lower as his Luna drove him insane with desire. “We do need to talk, but this is not the time or the place. You need to rest and heal. Please, let's call the doctor to come and check you out, then we'll talk."

Looking at the pouting look on her face, Marcus added, "If he clears you, I will take you home if you want."

Marcia lightly kissed Marcus's lips and sighed. "If you insist."

This statement was drowned out by the howling in his head, and Dax went wild with the feeling of their Mate's mouth on them. He was ready to take and claim her without any hesitation, even in a hospital bed.

As she pulled away, he fought the urge to whimper. It took all his willpower to let her pull out of his arms. Using his mind link, he called the doctor to come and see them.

The doors were pushed open, and in walked the doctor, followed by both of the twins. They had returned to the hospital, sitting outside her door whenever they were not working with their father and Jackson on the plans for the trials. Both women rushed to the bed, shoving and elbowing Marcus in their haste to reach their friend and Luna, hugging her. “You're up, we missed you so much. You can never do that again. He cannot function without you, and we need our Luna to fight for us women.” They continued to ignore Marcus as they fanned over their friend.

Marcia's face lit up at the sight of her two best friends. Having never had the opportunity to have friends before, these women meant more to her than she would ever know. They liked her when she was a weak human barely able to meet their eyes. She wondered how they would respond if what the Moon Goddess told her was true. “I am okay, or I will be when I am allowed to leave this place.” A clear message was being sent as she turned her innocent and smiling face to the doctor, who shuffled his feet in response.

“You have healed at a remarkable rate, Luna. Is this normal for you?" He questioned as he examined the skin where her wound had been. When he pressed hard, she showed a slight wince of discomfort, causing Marcus to growl at the doctor in response. Marcia placed her hand on his to calm him as the doctor completed his examination.

"I have always healed quickly, doctor. I honestly feel ready to go home if possible. I have work to do." Her words thrilled Marcus because the offhanded comment showed that she was truly feeling the pack house was her home. They were also concerned about him because it was clear his Luna had no intention of taking time off to recover.

“You will go home to rest; others can do whatever work needs to be done until you are fully healed.” The words came out in a growl, showing Marcia that both Marcus and Dax were talking. Around them, the Twins spoke up as well, arguing that she needed to take time off before resuming her duties.

Marcia rolled her eyes at the fuss. She groaned and begged the doctor to be on her side. “Please tell them I am fine to return to work; it has been two days, and the pack needs to see that their Alpha and Luna are strong and able to care for them.”

While Marcus wanted her to rest, the fact that she had referred to herself as the Luna for the first time stopped his heart. Was this a sign that she was ready to claim him? Looking over at the doctor, he tried to judge his reaction to her words.

The doctor made noncommittal sounds before looking her in the eye. "We are still waiting on the results of some testing, but I do not see any reason you cannot return to your room so long as you rest. That means no work, or I will have you brought back here for observation. It would be good for both of you to try to get some sleep. I think the Alpha has been afraid to close his eyes.” The quiet words told Marcia exactly how deeply affected he had been by the sight of the Alpha falling to pieces.

The girls seemed hesitant to let her go home, but Marcus was ready to go to his own bed. He carefully stood, sweeping Marcia into his arms before turning to the others in the room. “Would you please have a light dinner sent to our room? I will make sure she eats, and we will return tomorrow morning for the test results. Thank you all for what you have done for us.” With that, he turned and started toward their room, knowing that his requests would be fulfilled within moments.

Leaning down, he kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent. "You scared me, my love." His voice was raspy with restrained emotion as he carried her toward the other side of the pack house where their room waited. "I can not go on without you, I need you like the air I breathe."

Marcia watched in wonder as his eyes flickered back and forth, showing that Dax was fighting him for control. When she lifted her hand to stroke his cheek, Dax let out a growl, and the glow of his golden eyes showed exactly who was in charge.

"Mine. Mate." The simple words were all he had to say before he claimed her lips with his own, walking to their room as one.