Chapter 339 Recovery

Chapter 339 Recovery
Gavin's POV

I felt my face heat up. "Understood, doctor."

Dr. Vittori gave me a knowing smile before checking Eleanor's vitals one more time. "I'll be back to check on her progress later," he said as he left the room.

Olive and I sat in companionable silence for a while, both watching Eleanor's steady breathing. Eventually, I cleared my throat.

"Thank you," I said to him.

Olive raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For not threatening to set me on fire for once," I replied with a half-smile. "I know this isn't easy for you either."

"You and Sebastian might always look at my sister like she's the last slice of pizza," Olive said with a resigned sigh, "but I know you're responsible. You always put Eleanor's health above everything else."

I chuckled, surprised by his shift in attitude. Usually, our conversations involved him warning me away from his sister.

"Eleanor gets tired of scolding me every time I threaten you," he said. "So I'm changing my attitude now. The last thing I need is to make her angry when she's trying to recover."

The hours stretched on endlessly. Olive and I talked more than we ever had before, discussing wedding plans, honeymoon destinations, and when he might start searching for his own soulmate. I could feel our relationship improving with each passing hour, the shared concern for Eleanor creating a bond between us.

Eventually, I convinced Olive to lie down on the sofa in the corner of the room. "You're no good to her exhausted," I told him. "I'll wake you if anything changes."

He reluctantly moved to the wall couch. A nurse brought Olive a pillow and blanket, lingering a bit longer than necessary. I caught her eyeing him appreciatively before she left, and had to suppress a smile. Even half-asleep, Olive had that effect on women.

Once Olive was settled and sleeping, soft snores filling the room, Aurora arrived, looking as tired as her brother but determined to be there.

Aurora sat beside me, her gaze fixed on Eleanor's pale face. After a moment of silence, she spoke softly.

"My poor sister," she whispered, gently touching Eleanor's hand. "She hasn't known what it feels like to be loved since she was five years old, when they caught her biting me. After that, they always treated her like a monster."

Aurora's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I'm so grateful she found you and Sebastian. You've shown her what love really is."

Around five o'clock, Eleanor began to stir. I gripped her hand tightly, and felt a weak squeeze in return. My heart leapt into my throat as I bent down to kiss her hand, rubbing my cheek against it.

"You need to shave," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Your face is scratchy."

I laughed, relief flooding through me. "That's your punishment for scaring me," I said, trying to keep my voice light despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me. "Don't do that again."

Her eyes fluttered open, a weak smile forming on her pale lips. "Did my wolf worry? I didn't mean to frighten you."

I couldn't hold back anymore. "Sebastian and I were terrified. We promised to protect you, and we weren't there when you needed us most."

"I had to save Sebastian," she whispered. "I'd do the same for you."

Aurora leaned over the bed, tears streaming down her face. "Please don't take any more risks, Eleanor. Olive and I would be lost without you."

Eleanor's eyes found her sister's face. "I love you too, Aurora," she whispered before slipping back into unconsciousness.

Aurora broke down crying. "I just want her to wake up and sit up and be okay and ready to go home."

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "She will. We just need to be patient. She's healing from a lot of damage."

Eleanor woke briefly several more times but quickly fell back asleep. Dr. Vittori wasn't sure why she wasn't fully waking up and passed her case to Dr. Johnson, who specialized in supernatural medicine.

By sunset, Sebastian arrived.

"She's been in and out," I explained as he approached the bed. "But she's not staying awake."

Sebastian studied Eleanor carefully, his red eyes intense with concentration. "She's reacting like a half-vampire who's lost too much blood. She needs the energy that blood provides."

Without hesitation, Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed and bit into his own wrist. He held the bleeding wound over Eleanor's mouth, letting the blood drip between her pale lips.

"Come on, princess," he murmured. "Drink for me."

At first, nothing happened. Then Eleanor's hand shot up, gripping Sebastian's arm with surprising strength. A small moan escaped her as she began to drink, her throat working to swallow the blood.

I extended my claws and sliced open my own wrist, holding it near Eleanor's nose. The scent of my blood made her release Sebastian's arm and turn toward me. Her lips found my wound, and I gasped at the sensation of her tongue gently lapping at the cut.

"Eleanor," I groaned, the feeling more intense than I'd expected.

The sound of my voice seemed to wake her fully. Her eyes flew open, silver-gray and alert for the first time since the battle.

She gave my wrist one final lick, sealing the wound, then released me. With Sebastian's help, she sat up, looking around the room in confusion.

"Where am I?" she asked, her voice stronger now.

"Darkmoon pack hospital," I told her, relief making me lightheaded. "You were shot."

Recognition dawned in her eyes. "I remember Melissa shooting me. I told you I was sorry before I lost consciousness."

Eleanor's voice broke as she continued, "I couldn't breathe. It hurt so much... I couldn't tell you the bullet hadn't hit my heart."

"You should have told us earlier," Sebastian scolded gently. "I thought you were going to turn. We weren't prepared for that."

Eleanor looked down, tears spilling onto her cheeks. "I didn't know how to tell you. I thought you'd notice... you don't put your head on my chest and listen to my heartbeat like I do to you."

"Please don't be angry," she whispered, looking between us.

"We're not angry, just scared," I assured her, stroking her hair. "None of us were ready to lose our Eleanor."

Aurora and Olive stood at the foot of the bed, holding each other and reaching out to pat Eleanor's leg reassuringly.

"Is everyone else okay?" Eleanor asked, always thinking of others even after nearly dying.

"There were some casualties, but no one you knew personally," I told her. "Melissa is dead, so you don't have to worry about her anymore."

The relief on her face was palpable.

Dr. Vittori returned to check on Eleanor and was pleased with her recovery. "You can go home tonight, but you need to rest for at least three days. No strenuous activity, including any form of blood exchange."

Sebastian nodded politely. "We'll follow your instructions, doctor."

A nurse helped Eleanor remove the medical equipment. Since her clothes had been ruined by the silver bullet and blood, she dressed in hospital-provided scrubs.

Sebastian lifted Eleanor into his arms despite her protests that she could walk. I led the way to my car, opening the passenger door for them.

"Olive and Aurora will follow us back to the mansion in Olive's car," I explained as Sebastian settled Eleanor in the front seat and buckled her seatbelt.

Sebastian took her hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles. "Let's go home, princess. Our enemies are gone, and our friends are waiting to see you."

Eleanor leaned her head back against the seat, a contented smile on her face. "Soon we can send all the guests home and live our own lives."

"I can't wait," I said, starting the car. "Now we don't have to be afraid anymore, sweetheart. I'm so excited for our wedding and to start our life together."

In a few weeks, we would have our wedding. Eleanor might be more excited about traveling than the ceremony itself, but I knew she would love the important ritual. And I couldn't wait to see her face when she discovered the surprise Sebastian and I had planned.