Chapter 60: Chapter 59

After a healing night’s rest, my eyes blinked open in the morning light. Everything ached, from my head down to my leg injury, which rang with pain. Even after using healing balm and my personal tinctures, my muscles still creaked and groaned with every movement. But what ached the most, in a fiery, pleasurable way, was the down between my legs, throbbing sweetly in the aftermath of the union between Archer and me. I reveled in the feeling of absolute completeness and contentment, stretching slightly across the silky smooth sheets.

A weight anchored my middle to the downy soft bed, and something shifted beside me in response to my stretch. I sighed, snuggling slower to Archer’s blazing hot form, his arm tight around my waist holding me like I was anchoring him to this world. I felt his warm breath dusting on my neck, his nose pressing against my cheek. I could tell he was awake too; but neither of us bothered to move or get up anytime soon.

It was the first time in a while that I’d woken up in such peaceful euphoria.

Archer’s thumb circled my hipbone lightly, lazily, and I couldn’t help but wish I could stay in this moment forever. Turning my head slightly, I was an inch away from Archer’s face, his eyes closed, thick black lashes and cupid’s bow lips a delightful sight first thing in the morning. His lips were bright pink and soft, beestung from my kissing frenzy, and I couldn’t stop myself from leaning forward to press another against them.

I brushed my lips on the corner of his own, then planting another kiss below on his chin, trailing down his jaw as far as I could reach while held tight in his embrace. When I returned to the beginning, I pressed my top teeth against the plump part of his lower lip, nibbling lightly. That’s when his eyes fluttered open, hooded from sleep and desire. The normally steel orbs were pale and soft, like ash, making my insides melt. He had me undone from a simple gaze.

We lost ourselves in each other’s eyes, not doing anything ot break the silence, until I cleared my throat. “Ahem, good morning.” My voice was deep and raspy from sleep, but I had to admit I sounded sexy even to myself.

His lip corners turned up imperceptibly. “One of the best.”

I giggled as he wound both arms around me, the one around the smallest part of my waist tightening, one behind my neck, crossing my collarbones. I was on my side, my back was flush against his bare, warm chest, his every muscle lighting fire across my skin. Leaning he head up a little, he dragged his nose down the side of my neck, pecking at me so slowly and gently, it was painful. My breath caught in my throat as he planted an open-mouthed kiss right at my shoulder, nibbling slightly himself.

“You taste so amazing,” he breathed, his voice deep and gravelly. “Last night and today. I can’t get enough of you.”

“Good thing I’m yours,” I drawled.

When we finally got out of bed, we got dressed quickly and left to see how the medical hall was holding up. What welcomed us was an up and about Grant with her arm in a sling. She stood near the entrance talking to some healers.

Meanwhile, Clive still remained on his bed, seated at the edge, while two nurses doted on him. He seemed uncomfortable, trying to bat them away and insist he was fine but they were relentless.

Grant noticed me first. It seemed she hadn’t forgotten the events before she fell unconscious, because she eyed me with an unreadable gaze. Saying a last word to the healers, they left to do their work and she beelined to us.

“Vera. Archer.” Her sharp eyes moved from me to him, as if trying to format herself for newer interactions between us. I didn’t know where we stood right now either.

“I see you’re doing well,” I said tentatively. She still looked weary, bruises on her pale face, brown eyes tired and hair looking dull in a low bun. Yet she still managed to hold herself to her princess-like standard, staring down her nose at me.

“I felt good as soon as I awoke, cleared to move around. Thanks to....whatever you did,” she sniffed, as if she didn’t know how to show gratitude to vermin like me.

I supposed it was the best I could ask for at the moment.

“And Clive? How’s he faring?” I peeked behind her head, meeting Clive’s eyes a few feet from us. Light filled his liquid amber orbs, as he took the chance to escape. Getting him, he practically hobbled as fast as he could away from the nurses.

Worried, I stepped forward to catch his shoulder and support his weight. He breathed heavily, back hunched and arm hugging his chest.

“Whoa, Clive, looks like you still need some bedrest,” I noted, taking in his pale face and disheveled hair.

He grinned. “I feel better than ever.”

“Couldn’t say the same about your looks,” Archer muttered, sharp silver eyes glinted at the way Clive leaned on me. I gave him a warning glance, amused by his jealousy. Archer simply rolled his eyes. 3

A messenger came up to Grant’s side, his glasses lens cracked. Disheveled, he still managed to stand at attention like he was trained, speaking formally, “Update about the current state of the pack, ma’am.”

Grant nodded authoritatively, falling into her role easily. “Give it to me.”

“After taking a count of all wolves, we’ve found about fifteen percent of the population have fled the pack.”

Wincing, Grant stroked her chin with her free hand. Her red hair caught the sunlight from the window as she looked out thoughtfully.

“Wow, that many?” Clive said sorrowfully.

“What a bummer,” Archer grumbled, not looking that put off by the news.

“You could at least sound a bit more disappointed by it,” Clive shot, a wry grin on his face.

Archer shrugged. “I mean, if they were that cowardly, that we’re not losing anyone are we?”

Grant scoffed. “It’s still a problem. The other packs will know quickly how much in tatters we are. We could be the laughing stock of the land at best, and vulnerable to further attacks at worst.”

The messenger brought their attention back to him. “There are also a number of still missing wolves that might be around the pack or surrounding areas injured. We’re still looking and treating the wounded as we find them.”

“It’s good to know that we’re prioritizing that,” I popped in, smiling at the messenger encouragingly.

“Well, of course, Ve-ra,” Grant snapped, looking at me up and down. She said my name as though she wasn’t sure how to say it properly; she was used to only doling out rude names for me. “I’m making sure most of our manpower and resources are going into the medical hall right now. It’s the only way to get us back on our feet.”

I could tell she was right; the medical hall was crowded and teeming with activity on our way here. Many wolves were in the discharge room, looking ready to get up on their feet to clear their cot for the next patient.

I shrugged at her, not too bothered by her attitude. I was used to it, and really it was part of her personality.

Archer didn’t seem to agree.

“Chill off, Grant,” he snarled. “Let’s have some respect for the one who saved your life.”

Grant had the good conscience to look regretful, but she didn’t say anything.

“Uh, anyway, Clive,” I tried changing the subject, turning to the man in question who towered over me. He still looked like he could use some more rest, and being that he was still shirtless, his bandages showed dried blood seeping through on his chest. “How is Reily doing?”

Archer scoffed beside me, but Clive only smiled sadly, not even mad.

“He’s still recovering. His amputation was pretty....” he let out a whoosh of air. “Well, infection’s tough, especially after being in a disgusting, dungeon-like basement.”

I nodded somberly, recognizing that Clive was still torn about everything that was happening. He must have felt so helpless when Reily just up and disappeared from his room.

“Do you mind if we visit him?” I asked, and at this, Archer head nearly broke as he swung his head to see me with an incredulous gaze.

Why the hell would you do that? he seemed to be saying.

It was an excellent question, especially after everything he did to me. But the truth was, the mate bond was still a living thing inside me, if not broken, and after the unsettling connection that plagued me while in Cianwood, I was compelled to see how he was, if only to let my nagging mind rest. I had to do something about this annoying mate thing somehow. Maybe with time it would fade, but I didn’t want to wait that long. I wanted to feel everything with Archer turned up to the highest intensity.

Clive bit his lip, hesitantly. “Sure, if you want to. He’s on the third floor. Here, I’ll lead the way.” He started making his way, before stopping suddenly and twisting his face in pain, hand clutching his chest wound.

I hovered around him. “Wait, Clive. It’s okay, just stay here, we can find him.”

“No, no. I only got to see him once, and I was meaning to visit again when I felt better. I have no idea if he’s awake or not.” He moved his lips into some excuse of a smile, before continuing forward.

I turned to Grant to - I didn’t know what, say goodbye? We still hadn’t figured out our new relationship after locking up our insane grandfather - but she was occupied, already talking to a few other guards. As I followed Clive out, Archer stuck to my side, his arm brushing mine every few seconds, creating electricity down my skin.

On the third floor, the halls were narrower, the lights dimmer. It was the intensive care unit, where most patients found themselves in a private room after surgery. I didn’t need to wait for Clive to guide me to Reily’s door; his crew slumped outside did the job.

Kori and Zion sat on the bench, Darren preferring to sit on the floor, his arm leaning on the bench seat, hand roughly running through his buzzcut. On the other side of the door, Trevor and Mathew stood forlornly, looking down, hair shadowing their faces. They all seemed like a line of sentries, guarding their leader.

Upon our approach, they looked up. Anguish and fear filled their faces as I strode to them, stopping in front of Reily’s door.

“I see you guys are here,” Clive said, looking at them all with a raised brow. “Is Reily up yet?”

Most of them gave a slow shake of their heads.

“So how have you all been?” I couldn’t believe Clive bothered to ask, but I assumed since he felt responsible for Reily, that transferred to his crew too.

Darren was the first to speak. “Could be better.” Hs eyes looked bloodshot.

“Oh yeah, considering you helped so much during the battle with Dane,” Archer snapped, glaring at them.

Darren’s gaze met the floor, and Zion flinched. Beside him, Kori with her long platinum hair in her signature braid spoke, regret thick in her voice. “I...know and it’s not something we’re proud of.”

“Please,” Darren muttered, still giving us his buzzcut head to see. “Forgive us our cowardice.”

“And what you did to Vera? Are you sorry for that too?” Archer snarled.

Zion slumped further. “We were only doing what Reily told us, not thinking about the good or bad. We didn’t care, so long as we won. Looking bad now, it was so stupid. And we wouldn’t do it again given the chance.”

“I’m so sorry, please forgive us,” Trevor whimpered from a few feet away. “I swear, we’ll stay out of trouble. We’ll no go anywhere near Vera again.”

I sighed, putting a hand on Archer’s shoulder before he could say anything. “Thanks for recognizing your actions and feeling remorse and all. I don’t think I’m ready to forgive anything. But I appreciate it regardless.”

Silence filled the air as the group fell further into despair.

“I’m not forgiving shit.” Archer growled under his breath.

“No one asked you Archer,” Clive murmured. “Now let’s come do what we came for.” He limped to the door, turning the knob and letting it push forward. He waited for me to go in first.

I entered the darkened room, the shades down. Somberness filled every corner. A close-eyed but stable looking Reily say on the bed, covered in sheets and wires stuck to the needle embedded in his arm. His dark blonde hair was messy, his face looked the worst I’d ever seen it. Dark circles smudged his under eyes, and his lips look white and chapped.

To the left, Gina sat on the blue plastic chair. Elbows perched on knees, her curly head of hair was down. She wore simple gray sweats, her hair looking like it needed a wash, scraped into a messy knot at the back of her head. Looking up, her eyes looked hollow and hooded, not a single speck of makeup or even chap stick on her. Her fingers wringed each other, nail polish scratched and peeling.

Upon recognizing me, Gina’s eyes widened, then looked behind me as if to get confirmation from her crew.

“Vera,” she said shakily, her eyes watery. “You’re back.”

“I’m just here to see how Reily’s doing,” I said, walking closer to his bedside. Clive remained beside me while Archer seemed more comfortable leaning against the door, arms crossed as he surveyed the scene cautiously. He didn’t trust my previous bullies being in the same room as me, I could tell.

Closer now, I could see the resulting impact of Dane’s work. His arm was covered in bandages where it ended at the wrist, still looking slightly blunt. Brown, dried blood stained the end.

“How’s the infection?” I whispered.

“The doctor said yesterday he broke his fever and should be feeling better from now on. He’s set to wake up any day now,” Gina answered in a hushed voice.

I nodded.

“I have to be here by his side,” Clive said tensely, clenching his fist. He laid a hand on his brother’s arm gingerly.

“Just focus on getting better yourself,” I murmured to soothe him.

Gina got up, wet eyes managing to direct a fierce glare at me. “This was all your fault — ”

“Gina,” Darren interrupted her with a firm shake. She dissolved into sobs, unable to say anything more.

I sighed, taking Clive’s hand in mine, attempting to offer a comforting squeeze. “Stay, it’s time for me to go.”

I left the room, Archer following after me.