Word Count: 1814

~Meara Sire checks Kyro's body to ensure he is truly dead while I rush to Hazel's side. She's no longer groaning in pain, having been knocked unconscious. She's still alive though, thankfully, barely clinging to life at this point. After telling Sire about a healer I know of, he takes us both there. The healer's hut is in the middle of the woods, surrounded by a garden bursting with life, growing what must make up a lot of their medicine. With Hazel in his arms, Sire walks up to the wooden door, gesturing at me to knock. I do so, trying to will calm over myself as the healer opens the door. "Misty, I hope you're not busy," I say to the older woman, who gives me a thorough once over with worried eyes. No one comes out to this cabin unless they are in danger. She specialises in traumatic injuries. "Oh Meara-" She breaks off, noticing my limp friend in Sire's arms. "Hazel dear, what happened?" "She was stabbed in the shoulder and lost a lot of blood. I don't think she's entirely conscious," I explain as we are led inside. Sire tucks his head so he can fit, taking a sceptical look around. He may not believe in the methods Misty will use to heal Hazel, but I do. When it comes to witches, she knows what she's doing, and Hazel would want to be here. "Quick, set her down here." Misty starts pulling things off the table in the centre of her room. Sire obliges her, putting Hazel down gently. "Let me take a look." She peels back the fabric of Hazel's shirt, taking in the wound that still seeps with blood. "Please help her. Please," I encourage, standing off a bit so I don't get her way. My nails are going to be completely chewed down before the day is over. "The wound hasn't hit any major arteries. In fact, it looks relatively inoffensive to me," Misty mumbles, taking little time to figure out how serious it's going to be. I let out a deep breath, resting my hand on my chest as relief overcomes me. Sire stands next to me, giving my other hand a comforting squeeze. "So she's going to be okay?" Misty turns, plucking various jars and vials off her shelves, muttering to herself as she goes. "She's lost a lot of blood so after I've stitched her up she's going to need to stay here under my observation to make sure she's okay," Misty explains to us, setting down all her equipment on a small table next to Hazel. "I need to stay...I can't leave her," I say to both her and Sire. I'm not leaving until Hazel is looking me in the eyes and is smiling. I'm not leaving until she is ready to leave with me. Misty pats my shoulder. "That's fine darling." I back up some more, not wanting to see Misty draw a needle through my friend's flesh. Thankfully she drops some liquid onto a cloth and presses it to my friend's nose to ensure she doesn't wake when she starts. Sire turns me to look at him, taking my face into his hands. "Are you going to be okay? I need to return and have Kyro's body burned before the witches can resurrect him or something." I nod. It's not like I'm going anywhere anyways. "Good idea." I smile tightly. "I'll be fine." Sire gives me a kiss on the cheek before he vanishes. Thankfully Misty is too busy working on Hazel to ask questions about Sire. I don't think I have the energy to explain to her that my mate is basically her new Alpha now. Misty takes her time stitching Hazel up. By the time she is done it's late afternoon. She dismisses herself, so I shift to my friend's side, taking her hand into mine as I settle into a stiff wooden chair. "It's going to be okay Haze. I'm not going anywhere," I whisper, knowing she can't hear me. It just feels good to say. I'm not sure how long I sit there with her, watching her chest rise and fall as she sleeps. Eventually exhaustion from the stress of the last few days overcomes me and I feel sleep pull me into its sweet embrace. A hand on my back wakes me some time later. My neck aches, my head resting against the table. I sit up, feeling Sire's presence behind me. "Hey," he murmurs, shifting beside me so I can see him. The only light comes from the candles that flicker and dance around the room. Sire looks unreasonably beautiful like this, with the shadows wrapped around him, accenting his taut muscles and fine facial structure. "Oh." I rub my eyes, tiredness weighing me down. "How much time has passed?" "I was gone for a couple hours." He brushes his hand through my hair. "It's late, Hazel's sleeping now." Glancing at my friend, she seems peaceful, the herbs and potions keeping her in a state of slumber while she heals. "We can't leave. I need to be here when she wakes," I tell my mate. I want nothing more than to fall into his arms and let him take me home to his bed. I want to debrief with him, to talk about what happened and to finally admit how true and real my feelings are for him. "Of course. Come sit down by the fire with me," he encourages gently. His hand lingers on the small of my back, guiding me to the fireplace. It feels controlled by magic, emitting heat that targets my bones, my chilled skin. "How do you feel, Alpha?" I ask as we sit together in front of the hearth. "Strange. I've always wanted this, and it feels odd to finally have," he breathes, staring into the fireplace, his expression edged with sadness. "I wish my family were alive to see it." I swallow past the lump in my throat. I wish they were here too. It haunts me that I'll never meet the people who made my mate. "I know. I wish they were too." "I have you now, though. Someone I really love." He smiles gently, my heart melting in response. Every time I see those deep blue eyes I feel the need to lean forward and kiss him. Right now the urge is as overwhelming as ever, but with my wounded friend sleeping nearby, I don't want to kiss Sire when I don't know what will happen after.

"I love you too," I whisper. His smile drops in pure shock. "You do?" I turn to face him properly, so he can see that there is no part of me that is exaggerating. I'm not sure what happened, but one moment I was doubting whether my feelings were caused by the bond, and now...I feel it so much deeper than anything else. It's ingrained in part of me that knows this feeling isn't coerced by anything else but me. "With all my heart. I can't wait to spend forever getting to know you better." Now that this is all over, I know I'm going to be Sire's main focus for the rest of time. And that's both terrifying and exhilarating. "I want you to keep that power, by the way. It suits you." Sire's brushes his thumb along my cheek, like he can't bear to not be touching me for a second. "You think?" The thought has scared me before. After what happened with Kyro, it felt natural. I would like more to explore what I can do with the magic. "Oh yes. I like seeing that you can take care of yourself, that it's so natural for you. I have no doubts you'll master it into something truly incredible," Sire says earnestly. I push forward until I'm seated right next to him before I lean my head against his shoulder, gazing into the fire. "Thank you. Let's hope it doesn't go to my head." I laugh a little. I say that knowing there is a chance I can't muster that much emotion to control that power again. "I'm proud of you for what you did with Kyro," Sire says. "This would have been impossible without you." "I'm just happy your revenge fantasy is finally dealt with so we can be together with no interruptions." I turn my head to gaze up at him, expecting him to be smiling back at me. Instead, he looks troubled, like now that his thoughts are clear, he's regretting ever thinking about putting an end to Kyro first. Little did we know that we would be faced with no other choice. "Me too. I just want to be normal for a while," he admits. "I'm afraid you're far too good looking to be just any normal guy," I bring up. Alpha's aren't exactly normal people, especially with his power, and anyone can tell just by getting a good look at him. He turns his head, smirking. "Oh yeah?" "Uh huh." It's definitely not the heat from the fireplace that is burning up within me. Grasping my chin in a gentle grip, he leans forward and kisses me. I let myself relax into the kiss, enjoying the flutter of sparks against my lips. Finally having this close, having his mouth against mine washes away any worries about the past few days. He doesn't push it. He keeps it sweet and romantic, his hand delving into my hair, sending shivers over my skin. "You best bet I'm going to have my way with you when we get home," he murmurs against my mouth. "You'll hear no complaints from me in that regard." I almost whimper as he pulls away, leaving me with nothing but thoughts of what he has planned for me when we are next alone. "Why don't we get some sleep. This has been a lot to handle, and that bruise of yours needs a real chance to heal." He brushes his knuckles against it, a dark cloud passing over his face at the thought of Kyro hitting me. Lucky for him, he got his revenge. "I can finally rest knowing I have you all to myself." I settle down on the rug next to Sire, yawning. As much as I would like to stand up with him all night, I'm desperate for more sleep. He interlocks his fingers with mine, gazing at me lovingly. "You definitely do."

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"...I've never had an orgasm before!" I blurt out, backing away a few steps.

He sits up, dark hair ruffled and messy from the fingers I ran through it. His eyes, once wide, slowly darken.

"You what?" He breathes.



~Midika 💜🐼