Alek hated how Bell’s arms fell like limp noodles at his side. He never could’ve imagined seeing his mate so weak. He kept running until he heard the sound of water crashing into rocks. He was getting close to the bottom and being extra careful not to jostle his precious cargo, since Bell’s wounds still weren’t healing.
He needs our blood. Now, Wolf fussed at them. But they had to get them to a safe, comfortable place where Bell could recover. Wrath seemed positive they could heal him, and it was that encouragement that kept Alek pressing forward with hope.
The second the medium-sized stone-cottage came into view, Wrath skidded to a halt and sniffed around the area. It was safe and empty. They barged inside, taking in the wide-open layout, minimal furnishings and basic amenities on the first floor. There were stairs running along the right side of the living room, leading to a second level of what he assumed were bedrooms. He bolted and cleared the staircase in two jumps and hurried down the hall to the last door at the end. The room was spacious with a neatly made full-sized bed and an armoire beside the only window. The fireplace was dark and cold, but there was plenty of kindling and logs to start one.
“Brother, we’re here. We’ll keep everyone away,” Mac sent to him.
“Is… is he all right, Alek?” Farica’s voice was pleasant in their head.
“I’ll let you know. Give us some space, please.” Alek sighed and felt his brother and sister regretfully close their link for a while, honoring his wishes. He couldn’t handle any more in his mind.
Wolf continued to fret instead of trusting them. Alek put his faith in Wrath who hovered close as Alek hurried to the fireplace and threw in some kindling and logs, and used their hand to ignite it. Alek didn’t have time to marvel over that. He removed what was left of Bell’s dirty clothes and tossed them to the side. He stared in dismay at the seeping hole in Bell’s stomach for a tense moment before he felt Wrath pulling at the surface. Alek allowed him forward to take control. Wrath didn’t waste a second putting their wrist to his mouth and biting a decent-sized gash into their flesh. He placed their wrist over the wound and let his blood drip inside.
Will this heal him?
NO, Wrath answered, chilling Alex to his core. My blood will only kill the poison which is stopping him from healing. Then it’ll have to be your blood that does the rest… if you can get him awake enough to feed before…
Alex winced. No. Gods please.
Wrath let his blood coat the wound all way through. It took a lot, and Alek felt Wrath’s weariness. He’d been on high alert for many hours, and now he’d lost quite a bit of blood in the effort to save Bell. Alek eased forward, pushing his understanding and compassion towards his fierce companions. Rest Wrath. Wolf be calm. I got him. Alek waited to see if they’d have to debate this like they used to have to quarrel about everything else, but he felt them both retreat from the surface and settle down… neither dropping their guard and leaving Alek completely alone.
He gazed down at their battered mate with moisture in his eyes. He held his tears in check. He needed to be strong. He covered his and Bell’s naked body with a duvet he’d grabbed from the foot of the bed. It smelled clean, and was soft. He turned toward his mate and let his natural temperature warm him from the inside, while the heat from the fire worked from the outside.
After he wrapped himself around Bell, he tilted his head to the side and pressed his lips to his throat. “Come on, baby. Drink. Bell, please,” Alek whispered brokenly. He wanted to speak to Bell’s mind, but he didn’t have that luxury yet. Fuck!
He couldn’t lose it. Everyone was counting on him. He stroked Bell’s wild hair for a moment, trying to calm his racing pulse. He was afraid. With agony and despair tugging at his heart, he cupped the crown of Bell’s head and pressed him even closer. All his mate needed to do was smell him and he’d open his mouth naturally and want to taste him. “Come on, mate. You can do it. Fight. Fight for us.”
Bell continued to lie there. Minutes passed… that turned into many, many hours of him not making a move no matter what Alek said or how hard he pressed his jugular to Bell’s cold, dry lips.
“Alek, I’m really sorry to interrupt,” Farica said quietly through the door. “But, everyone is concerned. Any word for us on your mate’s condition?”
Alek sighed, staring down at Bell’s closed lids. He didn’t want anyone else in there. He used their link instead of allowing her to come in. “Not yet.”