His Guardian (MxM)

Chapter 21

Jackson

Sunlight no longer peered into the windows as it was now late evening. I hadn't left Ben's side. I watched his chest rise and fall with every shallow breath, listened to his steady heartbeat, and studied his features that had been stolen away from me for three months.

I reached my hand up to his face and gently caressed his cheek that was partially purple from his bruised jaw. He had lost so much weight that his cheekbones were much more prominent now. This concerned me. I would have to be sure he got enough food to get back to a healthy weight.

I lowered my hand to my mark on his neck and smiled to myself. After everything, we're still together. Nothing will separate us ever again.

Ben's face began to contort in discomfort. He began moving his head and creasing his eyebrows while taking in sharp breaths. I cradled his face in my hands.

"Shh, shh, shh. Everything's okay. I've got you," I whispered to him. His eyes slowly fluttered open to reveal those gorgeous, cerulean pools I missed so much. It took several moments for him to take in his surroundings. As soon as he realized who I was, he inhaled sharply.

"J-Jackson," he whispered quietly. I smiled at him.

"It's me, baby. Everything's okay now. You're safe," I assured him. His facial expression turned to one of worry as tears began to brim his eyes while his breaths got quicker, on the brink of hyperventilation. He was panicking.

"No, the Alpha-" he croaked.

"He can't hurt you anymore. I promise," I interrupted him. He shook his head in disbelief as tears began falling from his eyes.

"No, no, no... He'll find us, and-" he whispered.

"Ben, baby. I'm the Alpha now," I told him. His eyes widened as he looked up at me, confused. His hyperventilating and tears halted at the news. He attempted to respond, only stuttering at the first few tries.

"H-how...?" he asked quietly. I kissed his hand.

"I took care of it," I assured him.

"But how..? Where is he? H-he'll come for us, Jackson," he whispered as the panic began to set in again. I wanted to spare him the gory details. I didn't want to scar my little mate any more than he already had been. But it seemed he would only worry about my father coming back for us if he didn't know the truth. I leaned forward and cradled his face in my hands once more before speaking softly.

"He's dead, Ben," I broke the news to him as softly as I could, while still trying to give him the relief of being free from the monster. His eyes widened and mouth gaped as he was reeling from the shock. After several moments of staring up at me with his watery, blue eyes, he stuttered out a response.

"A-are you sure?" he asked so quietly that one might think he was afraid of anyone hearing him. My poor baby. I've told him the truth, and he is still unsure that he's safe. I hated to, but I had to prove it to him. That seemed to be the only way he would believe me. If he saw it for himself.

I leaned forward and pressed my forehead against his while gently grasping the back of his neck. I closed my eyes, and used our bond to show him. Now that he wasn't being constantly exposed to wolvesbane, it worked. I showed him the recent memory. The view of the back of my father's head. The jump. My wolf's teeth tearing into his neck. His head being separate from his body. His lifeless body fallen on the steps, pouring blood.

Ben gasped loudly and I pulled back. He looked up at me for only a moment before breaking down into full on sobs, wrapping his arm around my neck. I hugged my mate gently as his frame shook from the sobs. These tears were different from the previous ones. He wasn't panicking this time. He was relieved.

"It's... it's actually o-over," he whimpered between sobs. I nodded.

"It's over. You're safe now. He can't hurt you anymore," I sat beside him on the bed, careful to avoid all of the lines connected to him. I continued to hug his body his body close as he cried, running my fingers through his hair, and rubbing his back, careful not to upset the fractures. I could feel his spine and ribs when I caressed him, and sighed to myself. One thing at a time. He looked up at me, his eyes red, and eyelashes wet from the tears.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect our baby, Jackson," he whispered to me. I caressed his face.

"Shh, it's okay. It wasn't your fault, baby. He did this, not you," I assured my mate. He continued to cry softly as I held him. Eventually, his tears ran dry. I played with his curls, and whispered sweet nothings to him.

"I love you so much, my sweet mate. Nothing will ever take you away from me," I whispered to him. 

"I love you too, Jackson," he smiled as he looked up at me. A knock on the door rang out across the room before the door opened to reveal Doctor Green.

"Oh, Ben. You're awake," he smiled at the two of us before walking closer, looking at the monitor that showed Ben's vital signs. "How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?" Ben blushed.

"I'm a little sore..." he spoke quietly.

"I'll get you something to take care of that pain, okay? I'm so glad to see you awake," he smiled at my mate. "You do have a broken wrist, and two fractured ribs. But I'm going to help you heal up and you'll be good as new before you know it, alright?" Ben grinned and nodded. The doctor walked out and returned shortly after with a syringe full of clear liquid. He injected it slowly into Ben's IV, and Ben closed eyes as the medicine took effect. The doctor threw away the syringe and walked out of the room.

"Rest if you need to, okay? I'll be right here, baby. I'm not leaving you," I told my mate. He grinned slightly and nodded. I caressed his face and leaned forward to plant a kiss on his forehead before he drifted off to sleep.