30

"Yeah, he's fine-

I stopped as I heard a loud thud from upstairs. Dread suddenly filled my stomach and my wolf became restless.

"I have to go..." I mumbled as I hung up the phone.

I bolted upstairs, the sinking feeling got worse when I smelled the blood. I ran into his room, frowning when I didn't see him. I then yanked the bathroom door open.

I clapped my hand over my mouth, tears immediately pooled in my eyes. I ran over to him and cradled him against me. I cried loudly, ignoring the blood all over me.

"SOMEBODY HELP! PLEASE!" I yelled, desperate for someone to help.

I started dragging him out of the room, but he was too heavy. I collapsed against him ahd cried louder.

"You promised....you fucking promised me!" I sobbed.

I gripped his shirt and sobbed into it, my tears slowly soaked it.

"I fucking love you, you bastard!" I continued.

"SOMEONE PLEASE!" I yelled on the top of my lungs.

"Jolene!?"

My eyes widened, "Cain! Alaricas is...I need help!"

"If that assho-holy shit." He gasped as he ran into the room.

He quickly got to work and picked Alaricas up. I followed behind him, refusing to let go of Alaricas' hand.

Pack members started asking us, but I didn't bother giving them attention. I was too focused on my mate's chest. He was barely breathing, but it was there. He was still alive.

The second we showed up with him, the doctors hurried to get him healed. Cain held me back as I tried following them, claiming that I had to be near him.

"Jo, he'll be okay. Relax." He soothed, sitting me down.

I buried my face in my hands, "He was acting okay...I thought....it's my fault."

"Hey, shhhhh, this isn't your fault. Alaricas is the type of guy who has been fighting for too long. But he's strong. Plus, if Jefferson can survive a slit throat, Alaricas can survive this." He whispered.

I buried my face in his shirt, "I don't understand though. I love him and he loves me...why would he...?"

"Like I said, Alaricas has been fighting depression and self hatred for a long time. I've watched him grow up being hated by his parents. This just pushed him over the edge. You have to be there for him when he wakes up."

"Depression is one hell of a battle. It claims so many lives, but it won't claim his. He's not done fighting yet."

It didn't take long for them to stitch up his wounds. They did have to give him blood since he lost so much. He had a panic attack when he woke up, but they were able to help him calm down.

The doctor told me that they can put him on medicine, but I refused and told them to ask him.

Cain stayed with me as I walked into Alaricas' room. He was laying on the bed with a faraway look in his eyes. When I gently grabbed his hand, he looked at me.

We just stared at each other for a moment before I started crying. He immediately hugged me, saying he was sorry.

"Why?" I asked.

He sighed, "I was just tired of constantly fighting myself. My mind is in chaos, I felt like I was just a burden on everyone. I couldn't take it anymore. I'm so sorry for being a coward."

I sighed and hugged him again, "Don't do that ever again, please? I love you, I don't know what I would do without you."

He nuzzled his face in my neck, "I regret it. I was just so tired..."

"I know, but you have me to help with that. I will always be by your side, no matter what." I murmured.

He studied me for a brief moment before motioning for me to lay with him. I gladly laid beside him and rested my head on his chest. I looked at his one wrist and gently traced my thumb over the bandage.

I then scooted closer and placed a gentle kiss on it. He pulled me even closer and kissed me on the head.

"I see that my chat with him worked."

We both looked up to see a nurse walking in. She smiled warmly at us before checking his vitals.

"Your chat?" I asked.

She chuckled, "I had a long talk with him about his suicide attempt. I told him to think of where this would have left his loved ones. You clearly love him and he needed to be reassured about it. You can blame his parents for most of this."

Alaricas frowned, "Thank you for telling her before I could."

"Oh, stop being stubborn." She grinned.

"He'll be released tomorrow, but will be put on suicide w-

"I can watch over him. He's going to stay by my side." I cut her off, not wanting him to be on that.

Alaricas sighed in relief before yawning and resting his head on the top of mine. The nurse winked at me before walking out, silently closing the door behind her.

I cuddled against my mate and kissed his cheek.

"I, Jolene Flare, take back my rejection." I whispered as I continued kissing his cheek and jawline.

He wrapped his arms around me and held me as if he were cuddling a teddy bear. I relaxed against his body.

"I love you and I promise, I'll make it up to you. I'll be the mate you deserve and want." He whispered.

I smiled up at him, "You're already the mate I want. Even with your many flaws."

I slept peacefully throughout the night, feeling completely calm, knowing my mate was safe.

I walked out of the hospital to shower and grab clothes for Alaricas when he's released tomorrow. I ran my hand through my hair, tears of relief rolled down my cheeks. He's safe. He's alive.

I tried getting some sleep, but I was wide awake. I couldn't stop looking at him, needing to reassure myself that he was alive. That none of this was a dream. Even though it was slightly creepy on my part.

I walked into the house and switched on the lights, I almost screamed when I found Eduardus sleeping on the couch. I silently closed the door and tip-toed towards the stairs, but he woke up first.

"Is he okay?" He asked.

I narrowed my eyes, "Oh, now you care? It's funny, how you care when he almost dies."

"I know I screwed up, but what he did..." he trailed off.

"When you learned that I had killed your aunt, what went through your mind?" I asked.

He frowned, "I wanted to kill you...maybe beat you up."

"I see. So...what makes you better than Alaricas?"

"I didn't actually do it. My parents guided me and told me that, that beating someone isn't revenge."

"They should take their own advice. Anyways. But Alaricas didn't have that side of their guidance. He was taught to punish and kill anyone, no matter who they are. It was literally beat into him. The only reason he couldn't kill me, was because he loved me too much."

"I didn't-

"Didn't mean to abandon him?" I snarled, cutting him off.

He swallowed and nodded.

"That's a load of shit." I scoffed. "You truly meant to abandon him."

"I'm sorry!"

"It's not me you should be apologizing to. But as of right now, I don't want you near him. He trusted you, he loved you, not once did he ever do something horrible to you. He did hurt me, but I forgave him. I stayed and made sure he was okay, because I know how he is. I knew how unstable he was and knew he shouldn't be left alone. I love him. It's a shame his own brother couldn't though. He has suffered enough."

With that said, I stormed upstairs. I slammed the bedroom door shut and released a breath. I remembered Alaricas telling me he's going to change. To be the strong mate that he believes I deserve. I bit my lip, that most likely means he's going to be his true self again. Cocky, stern, strong, brave, soft, loving, and caring. But the biggest thing that I know about his true self is the fact he doesn't forgive easily.

If Eduardus thinks he can apologize to him and be forgiven quickly, then he has another thing coming. Alaricas is known for heaving a stone heart. So far, I'm the only one who owns it.

The next morning, Alaricas got dressed and followed me out. He wrapped his arm around my waist, easily pulling me against his side. I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled.

"Does this mean you're going to be happy now?" I asked. "I want you to be happy."

He smiled sadly at me and kissed me on the forehead.

"I'm going to work at being happy. After this war, we are making a family together. If we're ready."

I smiled, "I would love that."