Garden of Roses ✔️

Chapter 26

Zara

"Fermo!" Dante exclaims, raising his palm as the two large Dobermans get closer, now only a few meters between us. They suddenly halt and freeze at the spot, waiting for Dante's next command.

"Guí." They sit down, and he takes a few steps toward them. He then lowers himself down to be almost face to face with the dogs and ruffles their fur on their heads saying, "good boys, both of you."

I smile at Dante's interaction with the dogs as he explains to them how they have to be careful. The way he speaks to them would make a person think he's talking to little children. But the most interesting thing is how they actually listen to him like they understand every word.

When Dante stands back up to his full height and steps aside, the Dobermans stand up too, now walking slowly towards me. As they reach me, they don't jump and knock me down like the last time. Instead, they carefully sniffle around me before placing their heads on my legs, each at one of my sides. My heart melts at the gesture, and I pet their heads gently, whispering something about their cuteness.

"You know, you were lucky they didn't rip you apart the first time they saw you," Dante says and I look up at him, still petting the dogs.

"What do you mean? They were so playful." I remember how they tackled me to the ground, but they were just being friendly. They jumped around me and licked my whole face.

"Oh my God, you're alive!" I hear Alex's voice in the distance, and Zeus and Adonis snap their heads in his direction, showing their sharp teeth as they growl at him.

"That is exactly what I mean." Dante points his finger at the Dobermans who now look almost rabid. He steps in front of them before they charge forward to Alex and whispers something I can't quite understand. It's enough for them to transform back into cute cuddly balls of fur.

"Oh... I see."

"Is it safe to approach?" Alex yells, still keeping his distance. Dante doesn't answer him. He just waves for him over the shoulder to come closer, not turning away from the dogs.

"Why are you awake and we don't know about it?" Alex demands, crossing his arms over his chest and looking at me like I betrayed him deeply.

"Sorry. I didn't quite get a chance to say hi to you all yet. I needed to breathe some air first," I apologize, feeling guilty for deciding to catch some vitamin D before telling my team that I was alive and well.

"Well, you could've at least texted," Alex says, his facial expression softening a little bit even though he still seemed hurt.

"Where are the others? Are they all okay?" I ask, trying to draw his attention away from my secretive sunbathing. "They're fine. They're worried about you every second of the day, but they're fine," he responds, making my guilt even worse.

"I'm sorry. It was very inconsiderate of me not to tell you that I was okay. Now could you shut up and roll me to wherever they are?" My words make him lose the hurt expression on his face and he smiles as he squeezes my hand. "Sure. I'm glad you're alive, by the way."

"Yeah, me too." I turn my head to Dante before Alex takes the handles of my wheelchair.

"Go, don't make them wait any longer," Dante gives me a warm smile, putting his hand on my shoulder to reassure me that it's okay for me to go.

"Okay, well, I'll see you later then?"

"Yes, you will." And with that, Alex starts walking, pushing me in front of him, and I start wondering when exactly that later would be.