Chapter 128
Erin's POV
This was the fifth day since I'd woken up. My injuries were healing surprisingly fast. Now I could sit up on my own and even get out of bed briefly with a nurse's help. The physical pain had subsided, but the wound in my heart remained raw.
Alexander, where are you? My wolf paced restlessly inside me, longing for his scent. He hadn't shown up once since I'd regained consciousness.
"You look much better," Isabella said, arranging wildflowers by my bedside while studying my face.
"Thanks for the flowers," I managed a weak smile, pointing at the colorful bouquet. "They bring some life to this sterile place."
Carter nodded in agreement. "The doctor says if you keep recovering at this rate, you can leave in a few days."
I forced a smile, my thoughts scattered.
Chris had been visiting almost daily, keeping me updated on the aftermath. "Marco survived," he said with relief. "He and Lila are recovering in a safe location."
This should have been good news, but Alexander's absence kept me from feeling any joy. Why isn't he coming? Doesn't he miss me at all?
As night fell, moonlight cascaded into the room. Half-asleep, I suddenly caught a familiar scent—that distinctive mixture of pine and musk immediately alerted my wolf. I kept my eyes closed, feeling the mattress dip as someone carefully sat down. Warm fingers gently brushed across my forehead, followed by the brief touch of lips.
Just as he was about to rise and leave, I grabbed his wrist.
"You kiss me and try to sneak away?" I opened my eyes, frustration evident in my voice. "Is that how you treat your mate?"
Alexander froze. In the moonlight, I could see his haggard appearance—those usually sharp eyes now sunken and bloodshot, stubble covering his normally defined jawline, his typically immaculate shirt wrinkled. He looks terrible.
"I didn't want to wake you," he murmured, his voice hoarse.
"You haven't visited me once since I woke up," I stared directly into his eyes, my voice slightly trembling. "Why?"
Alexander lowered his head. "I don't deserve to be in your presence."
"Don't deserve or don't want to?" I struggled to sit up, wincing as the wound still caused some pain.
"I almost got you KILLED!" He suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with remorse. "I was supposed to protect you. If we hadn't argued, if I'd noticed Marcus's suspicious behavior sooner, you wouldn't have—"
"Enough," I reached out to cup his face, forcing him to look at me. "We both made mistakes. I should have trusted you more, told you what I was investigating instead of sneaking around with Chris."
He closed his eyes painfully. "When I saw you strapped to that operating table... I thought I was going to lose you. Erin, I nearly lost my mind."
"I'm here," I said softly. "I survived."
Silence stretched between us for a long time before he finally took a deep breath, looking directly into my eyes. "I've been thinking about why seeing you with Chris made me lose control like that." His voice trembled slightly before he looked away. "I never told you about my mother."
I felt a wave of unease wash over me. Frowning, I asked, "Your mother? What happened to her?"
"She died of an 'illness,'" Alexander's jaw tightened. "But what really killed her was my father's betrayal. He had countless affairs, naively thinking no one knew, but my mother... she was incredibly perceptive." His fingers trembled slightly. "I watched her sink deeper into depression each day until she simply gave up the will to live. She... passed away when I was fifteen."
God, so that's why he's so sensitive about betrayal. My chest tightened at his pain.
"Before she died, she told me to be careful who I gave my heart to," he choked out. "Since then, I swore I would never betray someone I loved, nor would I allow myself to be betrayed."
My eyes grew moist. "Alexander..."
"So when I saw you meeting Chris secretly on the security footage, I had only one thought—I was being abandoned again." He laughed bitterly. "My rational mind told me it wasn't possible, but my wolf had already lost control."
"We're both still learning," I said softly, running my fingers through his disheveled black hair. "Learning how to trust, how to communicate. But we can't push each other away out of fear of getting hurt."
His eyes locked with mine, the intensity in them making me catch my breath. "Without you, I'd rather not exist."
My heart raced. "Then stop pushing me away."
"Never again," he promised, leaning forward until our foreheads touched. "No more secrets, no more doubts."
We stayed like that, quietly breathing each other in, feeling our bond reforming. Alexander's scent surrounded me, his wolf calling to mine through our skin.
"There's something I need to tell you," he finally pulled back slightly, his expression turning serious. "My father has decided I'll take over as Alpha of the Black Stone pack. The ceremony will happen soon."
I blinked in surprise, complex emotions rising within me. "That's... good news, right? Congratulations," I managed to say, despite the anxiety bubbling up inside. The gap between us just got wider.
He caught my hesitation immediately and grasped my hand. "What are you worried about? Tell me."
"You'll be Alpha, and I'm just a low-ranking Omega," I admitted, my gaze drifting away. "The gap between us will be even greater."
He gently lifted my chin, making me look at him. "Listen to me, Erin. Becoming Alpha means I'll finally have the power to change all that. Once my position is secure, I can publicly acknowledge you—my mate." His thumb caressed my cheek. "I'll challenge those ancient prejudices and reshape the entire pack's rules."
"Your father will oppose it."
"So what?" A determined smile curved his lips. "My father has no right to decide who I love. I'll consolidate my position first, then we'll face him together."
Love. The word warmed my heart.
"Will you wait for me?" he asked softly, his eyes showing rare uncertainty.
I squeezed his hand, feeling his warmth. "Just promise me that no matter how long it takes, you'll come back for me."
"I swear," his voice was deep and resolute. "On my life."
I took a deep breath, then gently leaned into his embrace, resting my head against his chest. "Then I'll wait," I promised quietly. "No matter how long it takes, no matter what challenges we face."