The Mate That Wasn't Mine novel Chapter 104

TESSA POV

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Are the rocks still on top of me? Breathing hurts and everything is dark.

“Don’t move. Don’t move one single inch Tess. You need to heal.”

My eyes haven’t even opened. Barely even capable of thinking about moving and I’m being reprimanded. I know I’m still flat on my back, mouth dusty and foul. My ears are ringing and I can smell only acrid burning.

Maxim says it again, with force. “I know you’re awake. Don’t. Move.”

When I purse my lips in annoyance I hear that beautiful, rich voice let out a relieved chuckle. “Fine. You’re allowed to talk. A little.”

The first effort at just parting my lips just leaves me coughing. My lungs are attempting a twisting, excruciating emergency exit. To the point where Maxim tips a small dribble of water into my mouth and holds my head up a little higher from the pillow.

Goddess it hurts to do anything. Is there not some way to breathe without feeling like I’m using them for the first time?

Not that it matters, because my mate is here. Oak and berries. Warmth and love. Home. The scent of home is slowly working its way through my senses. Clearing a path through the dusty carnage. His fingers gently trace around my bite. Not to tease, but just to fizz some life, some energy into my broken

form.

“You came back?”

There is a soft sound, like a choked back sob muffled as a cough. With my eyes shut I jump at the feeling of his warm hand wrapping around mine, raising it up gently for a series of soft kisses. “Of course I came back. Just not in time. I wish to hell I had.”

“I missed you so much.”

“Tess…” before the top of my hand feels his hair, his head has dropped down. My man of so many words, nearly all of them tantalising, has nothing to

say.

“Why does everything hurt?”

“Because you made half a mountain fall upon you to save people that don’t even matter. That explosion…do you want to

rest?”

or do you need some

Not opening my eyes, my forehead screws up. I can feel him sit back upright, watching me. Probably counting the wrinkles on my scrunched forehead. I know whatever I’m laid upon isn’t our bed either. It’s some other soft space.

But I’m not in Block E. I guess its nighttime? My eyes have nothing to react to despite flickering. Or maybe I’m blind. It’s bad news either way.

Fear, bubbles up from deep within. Trying to choke it down only hurts more. “One minute,” I whisper.

“Anything. There’s no rush.”

It’s coming back to me in flashes. How hard Hazel and I fought to shave Briggs out of our way, his flaming arm coming into contact with the open barrel. It was all so fast. Whatever choice I made was not some grand stand of good against evil, it was just instinct. A need for him to die and not everyone else.

So I need to know if it was worth it. Voice still croaking, “Hazel? Remy?”

Maxim’s is trying to sound light. Like this fucked up situation is okay. But I know him. I know my mate, and it kills me worse than any injury that something is broken inside him.

“Hazel we found first. She’s not badly injured. More shaken up at what she saw. She told us everything that Briggs did and said. How brave you are.”

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Chapter 104

“I wasn’t brave.”

“Don’t be insane. Of course you are. You saved her, saved the Alpha. Saved Ravenbow. She’s apologized profoundly for everything, for Malva? Do you know what that means? Hazel said you would.”

My jaw clenches a little. I won’t grieve her, but I will forget her.

“I do.”

Maxim squeezes my hand and kisses it some more. I don’t have the heart to tell him it hurts. Because then he might let go and that would be worse. Sighs escape as he rains soft, delicate kisses upon my hand and wrist. They feel like blessings. Like he’s trying to rebuild me all by himself.

“Drink this. It is from the Healers. Not the nutjob bitches, the qualified ones Warden Marshall trusts.”

Gently tilting my head, he guides the cup to me. Goddess it’s good shit.

Everything dials down a few notches. “Thank fuck, I thought your forehead was going to be permanently creased like that,” he whispers softly, a tiny smile rising up the sides of my mouth. I flutter my eyes open, only to see darkness. “I told you to rest, just keep them closed a little longer. If you fail asleep it’s fine. Let your wolf help you.”

“Maxim, it’s really helped.”

“The green gunk the Healers sent?”

“No. Having you here, knowing you’re here” squeezing his hand in mine. I’ve got to say it, even though it’s taking me ages to avoid another coughing fit. “Missing you…was worse than this right now. I was so scared when it all started happening. But…but…”

“Not that it matters for a second, but nobody will ever call you a rebel again. Do you know why? Because all will now bow to you.” his voice a harsher grunt.

I feel foggy, not quite myself. I guess there must be some serious pain medication floating round right now because even my wolf feels quieter.

“Mm, no. I don’t want bowing to-”

“But you’re being made a Warden. Warden Pagano.”

“No. No,” shaking my head from side to side.

“Remy is out of mindlink range now, they had to track up through those meadows, beyond the exile camps and start trekking over the mountains. But he knows you’re alive. And that he owes you his life. His pack. You’re a Warden. Untouchable. And you deserve it my darling.”

Eyes still shut I take in a deep breath. I don’t have the capability to process such an idea. Me, a Warden?

“If it makes you feel better Marshall informed me you were the only Pagano he would have ever voted to receive such a position. He said he would have used his veto on me. So he’s definitely still a prick,” squeezing my hand. The wonderful pain medication allows me to smile lazily at his little joke for a few seconds.

“Why does it hurt? Everything hurts Maxim-” my voice breaking.

Maxim’s speaks firmly. “I know it hurts beautiful. I know. It will for a while. I would give anything to take it away. It’s down to your wolf now. Because… fuck’s sake you shouldn’t have done it Tess. You didn’t need to risk yourself for this stupid, idiotic, fucking useless pack. You could have died. I could have been burying you tonight,” planting more kisses on my hand, before stroking through my knotted hair,

“I’m sorry.”

“I thought you were dead. I thought I had nothing when we took away those final rocks.”

He squeezes my hand tight, planting rough, angry kisses into my hair, my forehead. His voice is no more than a rough, desperate rasp.

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Chapter 104

“Fuck’s sake Tess how could you possibly think charging into that lunatic Briggs‘ game was the answer? I was on my way to help. How could you…. couldn’t have carried on if I’d lost you. If I’d found you dead in that place I was going to just throw some rocks up at the ceiling so it could bury me with

you.”

“I’m so sorry.” I whisper. I know he isn’t actually angry with me. He’s been dangling on a knife edge and now everything is spilling out of him. “But I had to. I found Malva, then Hazel screamed…I had to,” as the a wall of pain started to well up from my toes upwards, causing me to whimper, face creasing up tightly.

Maxim’s mouth lands near my ear. “I know little Heathen. I know you had to. But it doesn’t mean I’m celebrating it.”

“Why do my legs hurt? There is something you aren’t telling me. I think…I think I’m going to pass out soon so tell me please. Please Maxim.”

“Hazel got pressed against some metal with a few broken ribs. You were…well you were seriously lucky. I mean…there is some damage. But we got you

out.”

“My legs?”

“Yes darling.”

“They really hurt,” I whimper, tears falling steadily as Maxim curses. “really, oh they hurt,” choking out sobs. I feel whatever soft surface I am on slope downwards. Maxim is gingerly lying along the length of my body. His nose is pressed against my cheek, his hand holding mine. But he is close enough to feel and smell. For my wolf to rise up with hope.

“Tess, when you open your eyes it will upset you. But it will heal. It will be fine.”

“How bad?”

“Your legs? Marshall has examined everything the doctor did. He believes if you are patient and let your wolf work, you will be okay. But right now, you’re lucky to just be alive.”

“But I’ll be okay?”

“You will. I promise. You’ll be on the archery range dressed in your fancy new Warden unfirom in no time.”

“I don’t care about that. I want to walk with you to that log. I want to be myself with you. I don’t want to lose-”

“Shhh. Help your wolf. Back to sleep. Now, I know it’s not our room. I know you’re not even on your side of the bed. But just us. Me and you. From the moment we met. We’re a team. We’ll be just fine. This, what happened today might change the outside world, but not us. You’re still my Tess. I’ll always be yours.”

I burble sleepily. “My Maxim. Heart. My heart.“.

I know they’re just comforting phrases. But they mean more than he could ever know.

He was right to tell me not to look at my feet. In the darkness, eyes still clamped shut there is a series of twinging, painful gripes. I want to sleep but I’m stuck in a floating, useless doze between the two states.

Until a door softly opens.

“Get out.”

“Maxim the doctor won’t leave until he’s seen you.”

“Then he had better get a bed set up somewhere out there. I’m not leaving her side. And he’s not coming in here.”

“Maxim. She’s going to make it.”

I think that voice is Warden Marshall. Maybe? Or Silas? My mates fingers grip mine a little tighter.

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Chapter 104

“Fuck’s sake Tess how could you possibly think charging into that lunatic Briggs‘ game was the answer? I was on my way to help. How could you…J couldn’t have carried on if I’d lost you. If I’d found you dead in that place I was going to just throw some rocks up at the ceiling so it could bury me with you.”

“I’m so sorry.” I whisper. I know he isn’t actually angry with me. He’s been dangling on a knife edge and now everything is spilling out of him. “But I had to. I found Malva, then Hazel screamed…I had to,” as the a wall of pain started to well up from my toes upwards, causing me to whimper, face creasing up tightly.

Maxim’s mouth lands near my ear. “I know little Heathen. I know you had to. But it doesn’t mean I’m celebrating it.”

“Why do my legs hurt? There is something you aren’t telling me. I think…I think I’m going to pass out soon so tell me please. Please Maxim.”

“Hazel got pressed against some metal with a few broken ribs. You were…well you were seriously lucky. I mean…there is some damage. But we got you

out.”