#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?”

come, and see you just laying there. They’re

his eyebrows. “That’s a cozy crew, isn’t

don’t remember anything else?” I

quiet, after you and the boys went upstairs to…to finish things. And then, I guess I passed out again. And

and again

at him and press the button for the nurse. I hate seeing

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

turning up. I can see that he is pleased. But then his face twists in

I ask, leaning forward

after each cough and I can see a tinge of blood on his lips. My eyes fly

nurse comes in at just that

Kensington!” she says, cheerful, but her face drops when she sees his condition. She presses her hands to his shoulders, working to hold him still.

can tell he’s still in a great deal of pain. She glances at me and I can see

voice calm. “He’ll be pleased

his coughing fit finished,

to keep him calm,” she says lightly. “No very good or very bad

understanding, agreeing. Then I turn my eyes back to Victor, not knowing what to

put my hand back in his, shaking my

all right. I need him back, need him healthy, strong. We

says, responding to my unspoken thoughts. I squeeze his hand, letting him know I believe

him over, listening to his pulse, measuring some vitals and checking the machines. I watch Victor closely as he responds to the doctor’s questions. His

like someone who has one foot in the

my head, knowing that no matter what happy act the doctor is

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

“Is this really necessary, doctor?” he asks. “I just woke up – there’s so much I need to catch up

do not want you to do at the moment. The only

in his life, prioritized relaxation and healing over

the doctor says, turning to me and taking a different tack. “Are Alpha Kensington’s affairs generally in order? If

I say, my eyes going wide. Then I look between the two of them and shrug. “Honestly, Victor, it really is…fine.

so does

sleep.” He turns to me as well. “And Ms. Ortega, now that you’ve seen

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