Chapter 13
that was going to change now that he knew what his mistakes were. He’d make it up to her even if it was the last thing he did.
“Listen, guys. I think you should let her rest a bit,” Elias said as he pushed away from the wall he was leaning against. “Melanie, please feel free to come see Fay anytime you want. Finch… I forbid you and everyone else from seeing her until she’s fully recovered.”
Elias could see that his words really hurt Fay, but he was just so angry that he couldn’t allow her father to get anywhere near her right now. He’d just have to think about the future when the time came.
er
Fay was laying in the hospital bed, staring up at the white ceiling with the minor cracks that had been imprinted in her mind over the last week. She was so damn bored and she wished she could just go home already.
“There’s our favorite girl!” Tybalt declared as he walked into the room holding a bunch of balloons. “You ready to go home?” “Could you try to keep it down? We’re in a hospital,” Elias scolded as he followed his friend into the room.
Elias had a giant stuffed bear pinned under his arm, which shipped out when he playfully slapped Tybalt’s chest, but he managed to catch it before it hit the ground. Being their usual joy–filled selves, the guys plopped onto the bed and made themselves at home.
“Stop teasing me like that,” Fay giggled.
Visiting hours were always the best. The guys came to see her three times a day, and every time they came, they brought her something. Every second day she got flowers, but sometimes they even snuck in something sweet.
I’m not joking!” Tybalt gave her a look of mock horror. “We’re here to show you to your new living quarters.”
“Really?” Fay was so excited that she didn’t realize she’d grabbed Elias‘ hand. “Is he being serious?”
He gave her a cocky smile and winked. “He’s dead serious. You’ve officially been released into our care.”
Without giving it a second thought, Fay threw her arms around Elias, holding him tight. She was just so happy that she didn’t care, or even thought about the consequences.
All Fay wanted to do was express her joy. She tried to let go when she realized that Elias was frozen in place, but then he chuckled and pulled her closer.
Fay could tell he was being extremely careful, especially with the placement of his hands. But she’d thought of this for so long… Now she finally knew what it felt like when he held her. She didn’t want him to let go.
She wanted him to increase his pressure, to envelop her in his arms so she could feel every inch of his body pressed against hers. She wanted him to whisper sweet nothings in her ear as she rested her head on his chest.
But mostly, she just wanted to get lost in a moment like this one.
“It’s nice to know that you’re so happy about coming to live with us,” Elias whispered, reminding Fay of her situation.
She cleared her throat as she pulled away. “So, when do we get to leave?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Elias said with a warm smile.
Fay pulled her blanket aside. “Let’s not waste any time, then
As they drove back to the Pack House, Fay took a moment to consider what might happen unul she was fully recovered. It had often crossed her mind while she was in the hospital, but now that she was out and on her way home, it suddenly became real.
She’d be living with Elias and Tybalt, seeing them twenty–four–seven. That right there already made life harder, since she would have to be extra cautious about keeping her secret. Not to mention that she had no idea what they expected her to do while she was there
To make matters worse, she wasn’t allowed to see or communicate with her father, who had always been her pillar of strength. Her mother also agreed to keep her visits to a minimum, which meant she’d only be coming by on weekends.
It sucked, but an Alpha’s order had to be obeyed, whether it was logical or not.
“So here we are,” Elias said as the car pulled to a stop. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
Fay was shocked by the beautiful room Elias had set up for her. It was as if he could read her mind. The room was set up in a rustic style with neutral colors, which was something she always wanted. And it was huge.
There was a vanity, built–in cupboards and a bathroom fit for a queen. As Fay looked over it, she realized it must’ve been the master bedroom. She wondered why he would give her the biggest room in the house.
Fay turned around to question him, but Elias had already left. With a shrug, she walked to the bathroom to have a quick
shower.
“Crap!” Fay said with a huff as the moisture loosened her bandages.
She had no choice but to take them off, but there were no clean ones in her room, not to mention that she couldn’t put them on by herself, even if she wanted to. So she swallowed her pride and walked to the living room where the guys were sitting, watching TV.
“Tybalt, I was wondering if you could help me redress my wounds?” she asked shyly.
“I… Uhm… I’ve got something to do,” Tybalt said as he got up and rushed out of the room.
Elias looked up at her with big eyes. “Do you mind if I help you?”
Fay shook her head as she took a seat next to him. Elias gently pulled her robe down and as she felt a breeze caressing her cuts, she heard him take a breath. His fingers ghosted over her back, sending a shiver down her spine. She bit her lip as she forced herself not to lean into his touch.
“You’re healing very slowly for a werewolf,” Elias mumbled as he gently bandaged her. “Must be because of the silver pills.”
Fay stiffened. She’d always been like that and she blamed it on her wolflessness, so it never really bothered her. But Elias sounded so concerned about it, and for some reason, that made her feel less worthy.
***A few days later***
Fay was so happy she thought she was going to burst out of her skin. It was Saturday, her mother was finally coming to see her. She’d been waiting for this day all week, because she really needed to get some stuff off her chest.
“Mom!” Fay shouted as she ran up to Melanie.
“Hello, sweetheart.” The two hugged before Melanie held her at arm’s length. “You’re looking so much better already.”
Fay led her mother to the living room. As the two of them sat down, she let out a heavy sigh.
“How’s Dad?” Fay asked tentatively. “I hate that I can only communicate with him via the mind link because I can’t see if he’s acting or not.”
“Your father is fine, honey,” Melanie assured. “He’s happy that you’re trying to make an effort to keep in touch. Hearing from you always brightens his day.”
“I wish I could believe that,” Fay mumbled. “I hate being kept from him… There have been so many times when I thought of sneaking out just to see him.”
“Please don’t do anything like that!” Melanie gave her a stern look before cupping her hands. “You have to be brave, Fay. That way, time will pass faster and you’ll be home before you know it.”
She knew her mother was right, but it was so hard for her to keep faith. Fay missed her father terribly. And even though she liked having some space, she really wanted to see him.
As the girls were talking, Elias walked past the living room. At first, it didn’t seem like he noticed they were in there, but he
quickly returned.
“Hello, ladies,” he said with a dazzling smile. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
Fay put her hand over her mouth as she tried to conceal her smile and she left the talking to Melanie, since she didn’t know how long her mother would stay.
“We’re good, thanks.” Melanie tapped her watch. “I have to leave in a few minutes, anyway.”
Elias shrugged before disappearing again. Fay turned toward her mother as she tried to gather the courage she needed in order for her to be a bit more open.
“What are your thoughts on the Alpha?” Fay asked, not meeting Melanie’s skeptical gaze.
“I think he cares about you a lot and that those feelings run deeper than he’s willing to let on,” Melanie said with a wink. “No man will beat up a girl’s father if he wasn’t truly concerned about her wellbeing.”
“I want to believe that too, but…” Fay bit the inside of her cheek. “It’s pretty hard for me to accept something like that because I’ve never had someone taking care of me like he does.”
“Tell me something. Does he try his best to make you laugh? Or to make sure you’re truly happy?” Melanie shifted so she could see Fay’s reactions. “Does he try to spend time with you?”
Fay nodded. Elias did all those things, and so much more. Even though she was out of hospital and well on her way to recovering, he still got her small gifts.
He always made jokes, he seemed genuinely concerned about her happiness. Even though she tried her best to avoid him, he always found some reason to be close to her or spend time with her.
“I guess you’re right… The two of us have gotten a lot closer since while I’ve been living here,” Fay admitted.
“That’s because you’re always around each other, but it wouldn’t be so obvious if there wasn’t any chemistry between you,” Melanie said, confirming Fay’s suspicions. “The question is, how do you feel about him?”
“I don’t feel anything for him,” Fay lied.
Melanie laughed as she got up. “Keep telling yourself that, honey, but I promise you the truth will come out someday. And you will have to decide if you want a fling or a mate, because you can’t have both.”
With that, Melanie turned around and walked out of the house, leaving Fay even more confused about her feelings. She sank into the couch, her arms folded over her chest, as she thought about everything her mother had said.
She was sure about the crush she had on Elias, but what she wasn’t sure about was how far she was willing to take things between them. Every time Fay saw him, she wanted to touch him. Each time she got lost in his gaze, she wanted to feel his lips pressed against hers. But was he worth the loss of her potential mate?
“Hey,” Elias said as he walked into the living room holding a giant bowl of popcorn. “Wanna watch a movie?”
Damn him for being so irresistible, she thought to herself.
“Sure. What do you want to watch?” Fay asked.
“Hmmm.” He took a seat next to her as he picked up the remote. “How about… Lord of the Rings?”
“Okay,” she shrugged.
Elias clicked play and moved closer to her. The only thing that was separating them was the bowl of popcorn. With each hour that passed, Fay could feel the chemistry between them growing stronger.
About halfway through the movie, Elias rested his head on Fay’s shoulder, with soft snores following. The action caught her completely off guard, and she froze at the contact. But as she sat there, she realized she liked having him that close to her. She enjoyed the fact that he was comfortable enough to fall asleep next to her.
She also realized that she could no longer deny that there was something brewing between them. They might both have been ignoring it, but it was definitely there and it was stronger than anything she’d ever felt.
Fay rested her head against his, not daring to move, and she drifted off as well. When she woke up the next morning. Fay was cradled against Elias‘ chest. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her tight, and his gaze was roaming over her
face.
“You look so beautiful when you sleep,” he whispered before leaning in.
Fay closed her eyes as his hot breath caressed her skin. That was when she felt his soft lips against hers. She moaned at the delicious sensation. They were just as soft as she thought they’d be.
As his tongue teased at her mouth, she opened for him. As soon as the delectable flavor of rich whisky with a tinge of something sweet assaulted her taste buds, she was transported to another world.
Elias‘ hands roamed over her body, and as they reached the edge of her shirt, Fay was reminded of her mother’s words. Overwhelmed with embarrassment, Fay broke the kiss, got up, and ran to her bedroom.
