Chapter 5

JAX

My mate’s eyes flutter open, wide and terrified. The heart monitor’s frantic beeping only seems to heighten her fear.

She glances around the room in a panic, trying to make sense of her surroundings. When her gaze lands on me, there’s a brief moment of calm before her eyes go blank, hiding whatever she’s feeling.

I start to approach her, but she recoils into the bed, a soft whimper escaping her lips.

I freeze, taken aback. A frown creeps onto my face and a wave of hurt washes over me. She’s scared of me.

Sure, I might not look like the friendliest guy around, but I’m her mate. I would never hurt her. I can’t figure out what’s making her so afraid.

Maybe it’s my towering six-foot-four stature, or the small scar on my right cheek from a sparring match, or the sleeve tattoo that winds its way up my left pec and shoulder blade.

I raise my hands slowly, trying not to startle her, and carefully move a chair a few feet away from her bed. I want to give her space. I’ll respect my mate, no matter what.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, not sure what else to say. She lowers her head in a show of respect, which only confuses me more.

I soften my voice. “Lift your head. You don’t have to submit to me, mate.”

She raises her head quickly, her eyes locking onto mine. “Mate?” she breathes out, sounding more like a question than a statement.

She seems to understand what I mean, but she’s human. How could she know about us?

“Excuse me, Alpha,” Tom interrupts. He mind-links me, asking for permission to examine my mate. I give him a subtle nod and turn back to her. I can see her mind working, trying to piece things together.

“Hello, my name is Tom. I’m the doctor for the Midnight Rose Pack. Do you know what your name is?” She turns her head slightly toward him but keeps her wary eyes on me.

I give her a small, encouraging smile, and she finally looks at Tom. She nods in response to his question.

“Would you mind telling us?” he asks.

She whispers, “Hayley.” I can’t help but smile wider. Her voice suits her.

I notice her voice is scratchy, and I stand to get her some water, but she whimpers at my sudden movement.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” I say. I don’t usually apologize, but it comes out naturally. The mate bond is working faster than I thought.

She doesn’t respond, so I walk over to the water dispenser and fill a plastic cup. I walk back to her slowly and hand her the cup. She just stares at me, looking confused.

She glances down at the cup, then back at me, then back at the cup. “It’s okay. You can drink it,” I reassure her.

She brings the cup to her lips with shaky hands, looking scared. Does she think I poisoned it? She takes a small sip and winces. Once she realizes there are no side effects, she looks at me, bewildered.

She quickly turns back to the cup and drains the rest of the water. The moisture highlights how dry her lips are.

Once she’s finished, she sets the cup in her lap and looks back up at me. I can tell she wants to say something. I recognize that look. I see it on my pack members all the time. But she stays silent.

“Do you remember what happened?” Tom asks, reminding me he’s still in the room.

Hayley shakes her head quickly, which makes her dizzy. She leans back against the headboard of the bed to steady herself.

Once she’s recovered, she sits back up and looks at me. I can tell she feels a pull toward me, but she’s resisting it.

Most mates are marked within the first week, but I’m willing to wait for her. I’ve waited for six years, I can wait a little longer.

“It’s normal not to remember. Your head injury might have affected your memory, but don’t worry, it will come back eventually.

“Don’t try too hard to remember, it could cause more damage. My suggestion is to get you somewhere more comfortable. No one likes being in a hospital.

“Is there a place Hayley can stay, Alpha?” Tom asks me.

“Of course. I know just the place,” I reply. He gives me a knowing smile and a nod.

Tom turns back to Hayley. “I can come see you every day for check-ups, and help you get your strength back.”

Tom pauses and looks at me. “Alpha, can I talk to you for a second, outside?” I nod, albeit reluctantly.

I look back at my mate, who seems to be processing everything. I interrupt her thoughts. “I’ll be back in a minute. I won’t be long.”

She doesn’t respond, just looks at me.

I follow Tom outside and quietly close the door behind me. She wouldn’t be able to hear us anyway, she’s human.

“Alpha, it’s clear she’s had a rough past. She’s traumatized. I strongly recommend she get counseling. If you talk to her about it and she agrees, I can set up weekly sessions for her.

“I noticed she flinches at sudden movements, so try to be gentle. She might be skittish about physical contact, but the mate bond should help calm her down.

“She’s like a deer in headlights; treat her with caution. As for her physical health, we need to get her eating and drinking.

“She’s dangerously underweight. If she loses any more, she’ll start to waste away. I’ll write her a prescription for a strong dose of essential nutrients. She needs it for her bones and muscles.”

“Stick to simple, dry foods for her. I don’t think she’s had much to eat in the past few years,” Tom advises.

“Her reaction to the water suggests she’s had her food and drink tampered with before. So, you might want to taste it first, right in front of her. It’ll reassure her that you’re not trying to harm her.

“Also, keep the portions small. Too much food could upset her system, causing her pain and sickness. It’s a drastic change from what she’s used to.

“Water and peppermint tea would be best. They’re good for digestion. I’ll keep a close eye on her and let you know when we can adjust her diet, whether that means increasing or decreasing the amount of food,” he finishes, his tone serious.

Once Tom wraps up, I let my gratitude seep out, hoping he can sense my sincerity. “Thanks for helping my mate, Tom,” I say.

Tom brushes off my thanks, but there’s a pleased smile on his thin face. He’s happy to have satisfied his alpha.

“Alpha, it’s my job. My main goal is to help people, especially you and your family. She’s my luna. I’d give my life to care for her,” he declares.

Pride swells in my chest. He’s just met his luna, but he’s already willing to risk his life for her. This is the kind of pack I’ve always wanted, where members look out for each other.

“Alright, I’ll go fetch her prescription. You can go comfort your mate and get ready to move her to your room, I guess,” Tom teases, a cheeky smile on his face.

I don’t react to his comment, simply saying, “Thank you.”

As Tom walks away, I turn back to the door, my hand reaching for the handle. I’m already missing the sight of my mate and yearning to be by her side, to offer her comfort…