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?”

my eyes off him. “No. They…they get upset, when they come, and see you just laying there. They’re with Rafe and Bridgette, at the cottage. My

a cozy crew,

laugh a little. “You don’t remember anything else?” I

you and the boys went upstairs to…to finish things.

a little and again winces

press the button for the nurse. I hate seeing

happened,” Victor asks, when I turn my attention back to him.

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 time for all of that.

see

ask,

don’t know,” he says, coughing a little. He winces after each cough and I can see a tinge of blood on his

the nurse comes in at

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

says, but I can tell he’s 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 to Victor, I can see

her voice calm. “He’ll

fit finished, but

your best to keep him calm,” she says lightly. “No

agreeing. Then I turn my eyes

whispers. I put my hand back in his, shaking my

him back, need him healthy, strong. We have a whole life to

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

some vitals and checking the machines. I

and an ashen grey, like someone who has

my head, knowing that no matter what happy act the doctor is putting on…it’s bad. It’s very

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 help

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

Victor that he’s heard him. “Quite frankly, Alpha Kensington,” 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 resting.

for a moment in his

“Are Alpha Kensington’s affairs generally in order? If he sleeps for a few more hours, will

of them and shrug. “Honestly, Victor, it

and so does

“And Ms. Ortega,