Elena’s POV
Consciousness crept back slowly, accompanied by familiar sounds that transported to when I’d first awakened after the alley beating. My eyelids felt weighted down with lead, and every nerve in my body scread that sothing terrible had happened.
Fragnts of mory began reassembling themselves like scattered puzzle pieces.
The rogue assault. Mom trapped inside the trailer when they struck.
Two voices drifted above , one familiar and comforting, the other commanding and unmistakable. Soone’s fingers were wrapped around mine.
"I don’t give a damn if you claim she’s your mate. Soone should have inford about this entire situation." Mom’s voice carried a sharp edge I rarely heard.
"I am your Alpha. I answer to no one regarding my decisions. Don’t overstep your boundaries simply because I’ve shown your daughter rcy tonight." Alpha Marcus’s tone brooked no argunt, dripping with authority.
"Stop talking to my mother that way." The words scraped past my throat like sandpaper.
"Elena." Mom’s relief was palpable as she moved closer.
I forced my eyes open to find Mom positioned on my right side while Alpha Marcus occupied the chair to my left. His large hand enveloped mine completely.
"Do you recall what transpired?" His voice had softened considerably.
"The rogues attacked." My gaze traveled to the monitoring equipnt beside the bed, taking in the blood transfusion bag and IV drip suspended overhead.
"How severe are my injuries?" I managed to ask.
"Extensive stitches across your back. That’s why you’re positioned on your side." Mom’s explanation ca with a gentle touch as I felt the pillows strategically placed behind to prevent rolling onto my wounded back.
"You revealed everything to her?" I directed my question toward Alpha Marcus.
"She knows the complete truth now." He settled deeper into his chair while maintaining his grip on my hand.
"I wish you had confided in sooner." Mom’s disappointnt was evident.
"You understand exactly why I couldn’t." My response was barely audible.
"I realize that. But you were attacked, unconscious, and no one thought to contact ." Her voice cracked slightly.
"Mom, you exhaust yourself working constantly, and every night I hear you weeping into your pillow. You assu I’m unaware, but I notice everything. The absolute last burden you need is additional worry about ." The truth spilled out despite my weakened state.
"Taking care of you is my responsibility. You’re not supposed to be protecting ." She reached for my free hand.
"You haven’t been yourself since Dad’s death." The words hung heavy between us.
"Don’t concern yourself with that. I’ll manage just fine. I’m not abandoning you." Her reassurance felt forced.
"You’re suffering, and I refused to add to that pain." I squeezed her fingers weakly.
"Sweetheart, focus on your recovery. We’re both survivors, rember?" She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. "I need to report for my shift now."
Her pointed glance toward Alpha Marcus before departing didn’t go unnoticed.
I sank back against the pillows, exhaustion claiming once more. When awareness returned, Alpha Marcus remained stationed beside , his hand still clasping mine. I studied his profile silently, uncertain how to navigate the conversation ahead.
His pattern never changed. One mont he’d assert his dominance, reminding of his rank and threatening punishnt at his discretion. The next, he’d spend hours at my bedside, facilitating my healing process.
His contradictory behavior left completely bewildered. I couldn’t predict which version of him would surface from one interaction to the next.
Did he genuinely want our mate bond, or was Viviana still his priority? Her Alpha uncle’s influence seed to complicate every decision he made.
"You appear troubled by sothing significant." Alpha Marcus’s observation broke the silence.
"That’s putting it mildly." I shifted slightly, testing my range of motion.
"Perhaps I can offer assistance?" His tone seed genuinely concerned.
"Doubtful." My honesty felt brutal but necessary.
"Why do you believe that?" He pressed.
"Because I’m attempting to understand your motivations." My directness clearly struck its target.
He nodded slowly, recognition flickering across his features. He comprehended exactly which contradictions I referenced. The constant push and pull that defined every interaction between us.
"Did Bane survive the attack?" I changed the subject, needing concrete information.
"No. He’s been eliminated. However, I’m certain nurous others will erge to fill his position." Alpha Marcus’s response was matter-of-fact.
"Undoubtedly. I hoped none of those rogues escaped justice."
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