The Alphas Prize

Chapter 29: I won't lose him - Part 2/3

Gunnar looked at me curiously. "Are you sure? You were banged up pretty bad, and you also passed out." I smiled, knowing that he was concerned for my wellbeing.

I opened my mouth to respond when something to the right of me caught my attention. That's when I realized that Rose was still in the room with us, just standing there in the corner. With all the commotion that just arose, I had forgotten she was even in here.

I looked over to her and smiled. "Rose, this is my brother, Gunnar." Through hooded lashes, she gazed up at him, and a broad smile appeared on her face. Gunnar's attention was on Rose now, and he seemed trapped in those coffee-coloured eyes of hers for a beat before shaking his head and extending his hand out.

Rose's cheeks turned a shade of light pink as she reached out to shake his hand, but he took her by surprise and kissed the top of her hand, causing her to gasp in delight. Now, this was an intriguing turn of events. As I continued to watch the encounter between the two of them, I wondered if something was happening between them as Gunnar had never been the affectionate type. The man didn't even date; he had hooked up with a few women within the pack, but nothing more.

My eyes flickered between the pair, waiting to see what would happen next, but neither of them moved or said a word. Instead, they both just stood there staring into each other's eyes and smiling from ear to ear.

I was beyond ecstatic that Rose and Gunnar were having such a beautiful moment together, but now, I was thinking of Cain and all the moments we shared.

I cleared my throat. "Where's Cain? Is he alright?" I asked in a soft tone, feeling guilty for interrupting their moment, but the urge to be with Cain was growing by the second.

Rose broke the connection with Gunnar and took a step back, putting space between them. My brother didn't seem too pleased by this as his chest rumbled and his hands balled into fists. Rose's eyes flickered between him and me, causing him to freeze. Gunnar sucked in a deep breath, and his gaze landed on me finally. "Cain is here; he is just down the hall and...I can't answer that question because I honestly don't know Freja." He told me, regret and sorrow in his tone.

My heart skipped a beat with each word, and I didn't want to waste another second. So, I jumped out of bed, determined to see my mate. "Take me to him," I demanded.

Gunnar turned to me and his hands wrapped around my biceps, holding me in my place. "Freja, you need to rest. Get back in bed." He said, scolding me.

I shook my head frantically. "No, take me to see Cain. Now, Gunnar." I said with authority, needing to see him.

He closed his eyes and exhaled heavily. "Fine! You know, you are the most stubborn creature I have ever met?" Gunnar said with a frivolous stare.

I waved him off. "Yes, I know. You have been telling me that my entire life. Now, let's go." I tried to move around him, but he remained where he stood. He stared into my eyes before looking to Rose, almost as if he was pleading with her to help him, but she only pursed her lips and gave him a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Gunnar was reluctant but finally moved out of the way and gestured towards the room door. "Go on then; he is down the hall and is in the last room on your left." He told me. I walked out of the room and started to make my way down the hall. There were people everywhere, observing me closely and whispering as I continued. I finally reached the end of the hall and stood outside his room now, staring at the door that separated us. I closed my eyes and willed myself to have the courage to go in. Finally, I grabbed the door handle and slowly turned the knob, then pushed the door open.

As I entered the room, the first thing I saw was Cain laying there on the bed with the sheet pulled halfway up his body and machines surrounding him. I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, watching his chest rise and fall softly. I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating beneath my palm and holding onto that steady rhythm. I stared at his pale face, noticing that he had been cleaned up and the scratches were healed now. I reached up and caressed his stubbly cheek but quickly retracted my hand, as his skin was cold.

Panic coursed through my body, and my stomach began to churn from the uneasy feeling I had when touching him. My eyes roamed all over his face, as I was baffled by the coldness of his skin, Cain's skin should be warm to the touch, but he felt like ice. My lip quivered, and a wayward tear trickled down my cheek at the thought of losing him. All I could think of was what little memories we had together, some good, some bad, but there were so many more memories for us to make and a future to build together. Now, I wasn't so sure what was to come.

Suddenly, a hand gently fell onto my shoulder, gripping it reassuringly, and I flinched a little from the unsuspecting touch. My eyes squeezed shut, and I inhaled deeply, realizing the hand belonged to Rose. Her sweet, floral scent never ceased to relax me, it reminded me of my mother, and I missed her dearly.

"I'm sorry, Freja," Rose said, using my name this time instead of calling me Luna. That struck me as odd, Rose had always referred to me as Luna, right from the start, but this time, what she said was a meaningful apology from her heart, one that didn't require such formalities.

I squeezed my eyes even tighter, unwilling to cry again, "Don't you say that, not you!" I said before letting out a shaky breath, not wanting to hear it from her because then it becomes all the more real, and I can't bear that thought.

I sucked in a sharp breath. "What's wrong with him?" I asked her.

Rose exhaled heavily. "I won't lie to you; it's not looking good. The knife had only penetrated his skin a quarter of the way, but he is now dying a slow death. The doctor figures he has three to four days." She told me, compassion lacing her tone.