“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere,” Alek rumbled low and deep, running his strong hand up and down Bell’s spine. “Anytime you leave my side, Belleron, I’m gonna follow. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to.”
What in life had he done to deserve this? Seconds later, Bell sunk his teeth into Alek’s throat, going for a vein that was easiest to puncture and close afterward, wishing he could’ve made it completely painless, and enjoyable, but his elixir needed to replenish just like his blood. Alek grunted when he started to drink. Long, slow pulls, his throat working the thick, wonderful nutrients into his system. There was no word to describe how good Alek’s Siberian blood tasted.
“The only time I can reach your mind is when you’re feeding.”
Bell felt every bit of Alek’s anguish of their unfinished mating. And what it could’ve meant if Bell had died. He didn’t try to communicate that way, it took too much concentration. As it was, Bell was beginning to experience fatigue from the short time he’d been awake. When he was finished drinking, he clumsily flicked his tongue over the wound, trying to close it, wincing when nothing happened. Damn.
“It’s okay.” Alek rubbed his rough cheek along Bell’s jaw. “You’re still healing, baby. Give it time.”
Bell licked all traces of Alek from his lips then drifted off to rest again.
Wolf and Wrath had moved about restlessly inside him ever since Bell had opened his eyes. They both wanted out to see for themselves that he was well. Alek didn’t want to overwhelm their mate again. But, things were different between him and his animals, so he was confident they could rectify their mistakes and get Bell to understand their dynamic… and accept them. So far, it seemed they were functioning well.
He’s suffering, Alek. He feels like he’s failed everybody. His fallen soldiers, his king, and especially us.
I know, Wolf. Alek held Bell while he slept. He believed it was almost sunset, meaning the Lord Protector and his intrusive opinions would be returning soon. It was a blessing Bell was awake and wouldn’t be requiring that doctor after all, because Alek didn’t wanna have to teach the self-assured vampire an important lesson about shifters and their mates. The cardinal rule—don’t intervene.
As the evening wore on, Bell began to shift a bit in his sleep. His body looked even better after the third feeding. Once his insides were fully healed they could fly home. Alek was sure a good soak in a hot bath would do Bell wonders. He slid his arm from around him and went to the door to call for his sister. When she turned the corner and came down the hall, Ramon Vega followed her. Wolf growled.
Farica stood in front of him with her hands clasped behind her. “Yes?”
“If you and Mac go to any more eateries, please be sure to bring me back a hefty doggy bag, okay? I wanna double Bell’s feedings, so I’m gonna need the calories. And lastly, are there any supplies here for us to wash with? Meaning towels, face cloths…” Alek asked her, not bothering to acknowledge Ramon’s scowl.
“Yes. I can get some things together for you. And Bell’s travel bag is here, I can go through and pull some of his items if you want.”
“Yes, that’d—”
“Won’t be necessary,” Ramon interrupted him. “I can have one of his assistants take care of that, that’s what they’re for. He can be here in a few hours and get Belleron ready if that’s what’s needed. I presume he’s awake now.”
Alek could feel his fingertips tingling. If the vampire hadn’t been such a high-ranking official, Alek would’ve allowed Wolf to reach out and slap him in his mouth for uttering such a stupid suggestion—no one else was going to clean his naked mate.
“Ramon.” Farica spun on her black and white checkered Vans, giving the vampire a bright, sweet smile, all while pushing some of her soothing energy into the air. “Why don’t you let me fill you in on Bell’s tremendous improvement he’s made under Alek’s care, and you can tell me all about your briefing with Wick. Because I want you to be fully informed. I’m sure your king is quite pleased with the job you’ve done here. I mean the way you were fighting those rebels, I was so impressed. I think we make one heck of a team, don’t you?” Farica hooked her arm through Ramon’s and began to lead him away from Alek as Ramon ate up every charming word.
Alek closed the door, glad he hadn’t called on Wolf to take care of the intrusion. Farica had pulled out her gift at just the right time. Alek circled the bed, noticing Bell had turned over in his sleep and was resting closer to where Alek had just left.