Chapter 36

~Grace~

“Alex? Oh my god Alex please…” I cried, holding Alex’s head in my hands. I couldn’t stop the tremble in my voice.

He had just collapsed in an instant, I had no idea he was this injured! He always hid everything so well.

Why’d he have to be so stubborn! If I knew earlier, maybe I could have helped him! He didn’t need to act so tough all the time.

I caressed his face, tracing my thumb over his cheekbone. Blood stained his clothes and skin, and my heart hurt deeply as I knew it was all his. Liam hadn’t been hit until the end, and even then, it was a blunt hit.

I brushed the smooth, black hair out of his eyes, biting my lip as I felt tears well up in my throat. I was unable to stop them.

Warm tears poured down my cheeks and fell on his face, and I hunched forward, holding him tightly against my chest. My very soul ached in anguish as I held him, and even amidst the crowd of my old clan, and Liam standing behind me, I couldn’t hide my pain.

I had no idea how bad the injuries were or if anything could even be done. Guilt consumed me, and I hated myself for letting him fight my fights. It should have been me.

I knew with certainty that if I had fought instead of Alex, I would have been defeated. I had no wolf, and my physical strength was nowhere near a match against Liam.

It was then I realized that Alex must feel something deeply for me. I knew I wasn’t just his plaything, just another woman he kept around to use and to entertain himself.

There was no way he’d go to these lengths and risk absolutely everything just for me if that was the case.

He… really must genuinely care about me.

Suddenly, I felt him stir, and he let out a low groan.

I sat up, giving him some room to breathe.

He grimaced, and his breathing was ragged. I supported his head in my lap, and looked into his golden eyes that flickered open to look up at me.

He laughed, or rather, he started to before breaking out into a painful coughing fit.

I smiled sympathetically and placed my finger against his lips.

“Hush, you’ll hurt yourself more,” I told him gently, but honestly, I was overwhelmed with relief that he had woken back up.

Alex gave me a sorrowful look, his brows lowering and his lips turning into a pout. I’d never seen such a gentle look on him before, and I watched him intently.

He slowly reached his hand up and brought it to my face, wiping my wet cheeks with his thumb.

“You look so sad,” he began softly, his eyes searching my face, as if looking for a reason why.

I felt my throat tighten as tears threatened to spill out of my eyes at his words, and I could only shrug in response, looking down and blinking quickly to clear the tears.

Alex brought his hand down to my chin and lifted it, slightly frowning at me.

“If you’re so sad, you should have just let me mark you from the beginning,” he said, and I stared at him, stunned.

Alex was never one to shy away from his words, but he had never been so forward about his feelings toward me. I really was speechless, I didn’t know what to say to that.

I felt a twinge of regret as I realized that all of this could have been prevented if only I had let Alex mark me. He was definitely stronger than Liam, and his mark would have cancelled out Liam’s bond on me.

Instead, I had been so selfish to draw out this long battle just so I felt like I had some sort of control of my own decisions.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up, my cheeks glistening with tears in the sunlight. Enzo.

He gave me a sympathetic smile, and I saw him motion to the car. The crowd had mostly dispersed by this point, and there was a straight path to the car.

Yes, we needed to go home. There, Alex could get treatment.

Enzo shared the same thought, and he helped me hoist Alex up and get into the car.

I sat in the back seat with Alex, letting his head rest against my shoulder as he fought his eyelids to stay open. I felt him breathing deeply next to me, felt the warmth of his body next to mine.

I couldn’t help but smile a little, happy to be sharing such an intimate moment with the Lycan King. I knew I was special, that he wouldn’t let just anyone see him in such a condition.

In his room, with Enzo’s help, I removed his clothes and laid him on his bed. Enzo brought me a medicine kit, looking at me with intent.

I smiled with gratitude. “I… I can tend to him. Thank you for all your help, Enzo.”

He lowered his head, and smiled back. “If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

I nodded, feeling warm from his kindness. Shutting the door behind him, I returned to Alex’s side, sitting on the bed.

His eyes were closed again, but his brows pressed together, his chest rose and fell with labored breaths, and he looked to be in pain.

My heart ached for him. Just looking over the wounds on his body and how many there were… It was almost too much to bear.

But he wouldn’t get better if I just sat around and moped about it.

I opened the medicine kit and began cleaning the wounds. I felt his body tense, his muscles hardening as I cleaned, and I hummed gently to him.

“It’s okay, I’m here,” I told him quietly, which also put my mind on something other than the fact that I was hurting him.

I moved onto bandaging him, placing bandaids on the smaller cuts and gauze on the larger ones. I wrapped them securely with bandages, and after I finished, he looked a lot better.

Some color had returned to his face, and his face looked less scrunched, and his body more relaxed.

His body…

My eyes trailed down his torso, looking over every inch, appreciating each curve and edge. His muscles, even when lying down, were so prominent. My eyes trailed down his abs to his hips.

Get a hold of yourself! Alex is injured and this is what you’re thinking about?!

I hissed, frustrated at myself. Really, now. Get your priorities straight!

Putting the medicine kit away, I decided to stay by Alex’s side for the night. If anything went wrong, I wanted to be there for him in a moment’s notice.

Pulling up a chair, I sat beside him, looking out into the night sky. A full moon.

Looking back at him, I leaned forward, watching his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful now. I hoped he couldn't feel the pain as he slept.

I kissed him gently on the forehead, so light I’m not sure if he even felt it.

That same feeling from before tugged at my body, and my eyes moved back down his body. An uncontrollable wave of desire washed over me. I wanted him. I wanted him bad.