Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 197 – Awake

On the morning of the fifth day, my eyes fly open when I hear a hiss.

Victor has his eyes pressed shut, his jaw clenched together.

The tube was removed from his throat yesterday and he can breathe on his own now, but he’s been sleeping the entire time I’ve been here.

“Oh my god,” I say, leaning forward, grabbing his hand, my own neck and back twinging at the sudden movement from my chair.

Victor’s eyes peek open when he hears me. “It’s okay,” he says, his voice scratchy, probably from the intubation. “I just…tried to turn my neck.”

“Don’t move,” I say quickly, glancing around. “I’ll get the nurse –“

“No,” he says, tightening his grip on my hand. “Evie, no. Just…” he sighs and his eyes close again.

I hold my breath, squeezing his hand back, waiting.

“Just…” he says again. “Let me sit with you. For a moment.”

I can’t help the trembling smile that crawls over my lips when I hear that. I’m completely exhausted – haven’t been catching more than a few hours of sleep for days – but the sound of his voice? Telling me he just wants to sit with me?

I feel, suddenly, like I could sing and run and dance for days.

“How are you,” I say gently, leaning forward to smile at him. “Does it hurt?”

He takes a moment to consider. “What, my body? The whole thing?”

I nod, curious.

He laughs, then, and winces at the pain of it. “Yes, frankly. My whole body feels like it’s been through a meat grinder. What…what happened to me?”

I c**k my head to the side, curious. “What do you remember?”

He frowns, thinking again, looking up at the ceiling. “I remember being shot, of course. But then I think I passed out – and then, being downstairs, with you.”

He turns gaze back to me. “I remember our conversation, every moment of that. And the boys coming down.” He smirks at me, remembering them. “Clever boys. Are they here?”

upset, when they come, and see you just

eyebrows. “That’s a cozy crew, isn’t it,” he says,

a little. “You don’t

his head, frowning. “It went quiet, after you and the boys went upstairs to…to finish things. And then, I guess I passed

little and again winces

the button for the nurse. I hate seeing

turn my attention

I say softly. “They’ve been…deposed. Marked as inadequate, rejected by members of their pack as well as the pack community. Alvin and Ian will inherit, and we’ll appoint a regent, but…there’s

the corners of his lips turning up. I can see that he is pleased. But then his face

ask,

little. He winces after each cough and I can see a tinge of blood on his lips.

the nurse comes in

face drops when she sees his condition. She presses her hands to his shoulders, working to hold him still. “Calmly, please,” she murmurs. “Just try to stay still,

in a great deal of pain. She glances at me and I can see that she’s worried. But when she returns her gaze

get the doctor,” she says, her voice calm. “He’ll be pleased to know

lightly, his coughing fit finished,

she says lightly. “No very good or very bad news, please. No news, really, would be

nod, understanding, agreeing. Then I turn my eyes back to Victor,

my hand back in his, shaking

not all right. I need him back, need him healthy, strong.

“We’ll live it, Evelyn,” he says, responding to my unspoken thoughts. I squeeze his hand, letting him know I

his pulse, measuring some vitals and checking the machines. I

clammy and an ashen grey, like someone who has one

matter what happy act the doctor is putting on…it’s bad.

Victor,” the doctor says, smiling at him. “I’m glad to see you awake but, quite frankly, your body could use more rest. I’m going to give you some pain medication to control your movements as well as a light sedative. To

frowns at this. “Is this really necessary, doctor?” he asks. “I just woke up –

the doctor says slowly, “it’s that catching-up-on-things that I do not want you to do at the moment. The only thing you should be concentrating on right now is

for a moment in his life, prioritized relaxation and healing over keeping up with

Kensington’s affairs generally in order? If he sleeps for a few more hours, will it truly affect his life and

of them and shrug. “Honestly, Victor,

so

sleep.” He turns to me as well. “And Ms. Ortega, now that you’ve seen him awake, perhaps you could…take a few