Chapter 38 Tiring Wake

~Anna~

Beep. Beep. Beep.

What an annoying sound.

I cracked an eye open, staring at a white ceiling. To my right was a machine that constantly emitted the sound.

Very annoying.

I tried to sit up, but my muscles ached. I felt weak and tired all over. A muffled groan vibrated from my throat.

“Anna?”

Gale came into view, and I opened my other eye. He stared down at me with a slack jaw, before running out of the room.

What the-

“Anna?”

It was Lexy this time. She came over to me, with a huge smile on her face. I smiled back, just a little. My vision was spinning, and I felt lightheaded. I shook my head gently, but it worsened the dizziness.

“How do you feel?” she asked, sitting on the bed.

“The…” I meant to say “great” but instead managed a raspy whisper.

“It’s alright. You should take it easy for now,” said Gale.

I caught the aroma of bittersweet coffee.

“You’re awake,” someone said breathily.

Straining my neck, I looked up to see Rigel standing by the door with two cups of coffee in his hand.

They all looked like they hadn’t slept in a while. Lexy’s lips were chapped and her greasy hair was tied in a messy bun. Gale still had morning stars in his eyes, and Rigel’s eyes were bloodshot. Despite the strong smell of alcohol and room freshener, their stink still permeated through – they could all use a long, warm bath.

My gut clenched. I remembered passing out. I swallowed then licked my lips.

“The pack?” I whispered, unable to form proper sounds. I kept my eyes closed, trying to ignore the swirling fog in my head.

“We’re alright,” said Lexy. I felt her hand on mine. “I’m… we’re… we’re… thank you.”

Thank you?

I left them when they needed me. Taking care of the pack had left a toll on them. The pack was alright – we survived the attack.

Attack?

Liam. He…

My eyes shot open and I felt a twang in my heart. He wasn’t here. He should be here.

Where – where is he?

The beeping became louder. My head hurt. Listening to it, thinking about this…

As if sensing my panic, Lexy squeezed my hand.

“Bro’s in the other room,” she said.

Room?

Something wet stung my eyes and I realized I was crying. He should be here with me, standing beside me and holding my hand.

What’s he doing in the other room? Is he still alive? Wha- what’s this “other room”?

A hand wiped the tears that slid down my temples.

“It’s alright, Anna. He’s… he’s going to be fine.” Lexy’s voice cracked. I must’ve been out for days. And Liam wasn’t awake yet.

“He’s the Alpha, Anna,” Rigel said gently. “He just needs more time.”

“You were out for a week,” said Gale, holding my other hand. “He’ll wake up soon. If there’s one thing I know about him, it’s that he always keeps his promises.”

I sniffled. I just woke up and I was already bringing the atmosphere down on them. I should be doing the opposite - cheering them on and raising their hopes. This should be a happy moment for us.

Stupid Anna!

I nodded my head in agreement. “Yes… he’ll be alright.”

Pulling my hands off their grasps, I wiped the tears with my palms. There would be other days to cry. I needed to be strong right now.

“Up.”

Gale supported my back as he and Lexy helped me sit up, my back leaning on pillows against the headboard. Rigel handed me a glass of water. I took small sips until it was half-empty, the warm water soothing my dry throat.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice now full.

“Rigel and I were a match, and so were other members of the pack,” Lexy explained. “Surprisingly, you lived long enough for us to replenish the blood loss. We ran some tests on your blood, and…”

I nodded. They shouldn’t have done that without my consent. This was our secret – Carson and I, until Alpha Fraser and my father caught me using my blood to heal a scratch on his knee.

“There was nothing strange from the results. It all came out normal,” she said.

I guess we’d never know why I was like this.

“Liam?” I asked.

“We changed out his blood with yours. Toxicity levels went down drastically. Damaged tissue repaired itself…” she said, raising her eyes at me.

“Restored… would be more appropriate. It was like he never had any injury.”

I sighed in relief. It worked. I only knew it healed physical injuries…

I see. I’m glad.

My eyes were starting to tear up again. I pinched my arm to keep myself grounded. This was no time to get emotional.

“Off!”

Lexy suddenly threw herself at me. “Thank you for saving my brother,” she whispered.

Gale joined her from the other side. “Thank you for saving my brother and best friend.”

Rigel cleared his throat. I smiled at him as he turned his head, hesitating. He came over and joined from Gale’s side. “Thanks for not dying on us.”

Smack!

We shared a laugh as Rigel rubbed the back of his head.

“Can you stop being an ass for a minute?” Lexy reprimanded.

“I missed you guys.”

“We missed you too,” replied Gale, pulling away.

“Can I see him?”

“Maybe not now,” said Lexy.

I nodded. My body didn’t feel like me for now. And… I wasn’t ready to face him yet.

“You should rest for now,” said Rigel.

“But I’ve been resting for a week already,” I whined.

A week?

“Lucky you,” Rigel said, smirking. “We’ve been working our asses off since the attack. I’d love to take your place right now.”

I smiled up… he was suddenly behind Gale. Lexy was glaring at him.

Goddess, they’re a playful bunch.

“Come on, children. Break it up,” I chided. They narrowed their eyes at me.

“Children?” asked Gale.

“Children…” trailed Lexy, already blushing.

Rigel stuck his tongue out at me, making me snicker.

“I’m not a child,” he said, crossing his arms and turning his head in a scoff.

“I’m sorry,” I said, chuckling. “Do you guys mind telling me what happened while I was out?”

Lexy gasped, looking at her watch. “I’ve to make rounds. I’ll see you guys later.” She went beside me and gave me a quick hug.

“You’re leaving on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Yes and no. I’ll be checking up on you too as soon as I’m done,” she said, smiling as she disappeared out the door.

I looked over at the two and raised a brow. “Well?”

Gale let out a silent yawn, forcing his lips to stay sealed.

Rigel sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Go get some sleep. I’ll do it.”

He yawned again and went to where he was sitting – on a couch pushed up against the wall on the far-left corner of the room.

“How long has he been here?” I asked, watching how he almost collapsed as he neared the couch.

“We’ve been taking turns. It really isn’t much, but with Liam asleep, he’s in charge of keeping the pack together,” he answered.

“This can wait. You look tired too. You should sleep.”

“You sure?” he asked, yawning.

“Positive,” I replied. “I need my knight energized.”

Rigel grinned. He helped me lay back down slowly, something I was thankful for because I didn’t miss the dizziness.

“Thank you.”

I heard the door click, and his footsteps as he went to the opposite corner from where Gale was. A soft flutter of sheets, then silence. I took a deep breath to calm my thoughts.

“Thank you for coming back,” he said. “I thought I’d lose you.”

His voice lacked the usual playful hint. It was low, dry, almost inaudible.

I smiled. “And leave my knight behind to serve another princess?” I questioned, then scoffed. “I’m your princess until you find your mate, Rigel. Get used to it.”

He didn’t reply. I could picture the grin across his face. Gale’s loud snores filled the silence. Minutes later, Rigel’s too.

Might as well join in.

Hours later, I was up to date on the events. I’d taken a short warm shower and changed into more comfortable clothes. Then I found myself standing outside his door, butterflies fluttering in a frenzy. No training in the world could’ve ever prepared me for this.