“Bell. Hey.” Alek sat on the side, gently rubbing his shoulder. “You feel like going to take that wash now?”
He watched Bell for a moment as he came awake. He was able to move his arms slowly but his legs were still challenging him. His eyes were unfocused, his dilated, dreary-gray pupils reflecting the tenderness and pain he most likely still felt. Alek wished he could take all of his mate’s hurt away. Of all the power he felt within him, he knew he didn’t possess that one. He smiled when Bell just nodded.
“I’m sure you are.” Alek smiled, when Bell’s nose twitched. “I know I stink, but so do you.”
Bell licked his lips, one corner of his mouth turning up just enough to brighten Alek’s whole world. He ran his thumb down Bell’s cheek, under his jaw to his throat. He massaged the mark he’d left days ago. It felt like too long. His mate began to shiver under his touch, pleasing him greatly. He liked that all parts of Bell were coming back to life. “How you feeling, baby?”
Bell moaned, swallowing a few times before he opened his mouth to try to speak. Alek leaned all the way in, almost placing his ear on Bell’s lips. “Unnngh. Huuurts. Alek…sei.”
Alek’s chest tightened. He continued to stroke Bell’s face while Wolf whined inside him. Bell’s pain was a lot for him to take, and Alek felt it as well. They just had to hang in there a bit longer. “I know. But, you’ve come a very long way. Not much more and you’ll be all healed. I promise.” Bell nodded again, then started to drift off.
“Bro. I got your bag and Farica fixed some things for Belleron,” Mac said, from the other side of the door.
Alek hurried and opened it, accepting a quick hug from his brother.
“I’m really glad Bell is all right,” Mac said in his deep voice. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“No. I’m going to take him to the alcove at the base of the falls that Farica told me about,” Alek said, taking his own luggage and the small canvass tote of supplies his sister had packed.
“It’s colder than a witch’s tit out there,” Mac scoffed.
Alek could only smirk, “I know.” He closed the door on his brother’s confused face. He yanked a pair of jeans out of his bag, not bothering to choose a shirt. He just needed enough cover to go outside in front of the other vampires. After quickly sifting through the washing supplies, he noticed Farica hadn’t missed a thing, even Bell’s hair brush and comb set.
“All right, gorgeous. Time to go.” Alek hummed quietly, wrapping a sleeping Belleron in the quilt, and hefting him into his arms. Bell gasped at the sudden movement, but soon settled into Alek’s embrace. His mate had just enough strength to wrap his arms loosely around his neck and rest his head on his shoulder.
Perfect, Wolf thought.
He feels cold, Wrath spoke for the first time in hours. Alek had felt the demigod’s strong emotions when Bell had been struggling to heal, but he’d locked them down when Bell became conscious. Let me help.
Alek blinked, wondering what Wrath meant, but suddenly his body started to heat up like a furnace. He cradled Bell tighter to him.
Don’t worry, Alek. It won’t harm him, Wrath assured him. That last time was a mistake. Our heat can be used to heal, too. Not just destroy.
Alek didn’t miss that Wrath said our. He needed to continue to trust him. He’d been the one who’d saved them all. It would make no sense for him to do any harm to them now. Alek threw the tote on his other arm, his body continuing to get warmer and warmer until Bell moaned softly, shifting against him as if he was trying to get inside Alek, to the source of the heat. All of them felt like bursting with pride at how well they were doing together.
Your sister has most of the guards out on the grounds. Your brother is in the front room with the Lord Protector and the mercenaries, Wolf informed him, when Alek went for the door. He had the ability to scent people who were in close proximity but Wolf’s capability was keener, and he preferred to rely on his intel over his own.
Thank you, Alek said.
And if any of them get too close…? Wrath rumbled, causing Alek’s chest to vibrate.
Then I’ll let you handle that how you see fit, Alek was able to feel Wrath’s appreciation when he said that. It appeared it was all the powerful being had ever wanted… was to be treated with respect. Just no casualties.
The feeling Wrath threw back at him could only be described as a sarcastically patronizing scoff that made Alek smile. He glanced down at Bell to see him looking back at him with affection. Alek kissed Bell’s forehead, holding his lips there for a long time, reveling in the fact that his mate was very much alive and in his arms. Bell was breathing better, his skin coloring had all but turned completely back to its warm ivory complexion, and he was gaining more mobility in his lower extremities with each passing hour. Alek walked down the set of stairs into the open living room.