Dark Prisoner ✔

Chapter 22: A True Mate's Mark

Kade couldn't breathe.

He tried to open the door but it had been locked from outside and his goddamn family was being annoying as hell. He stood alone in the hospital room where Alec was laid out behind him, his presence stronger than a hurricane. Kade dropped his head against the door in defeat. For days, he avoided coming here because all his heart wanted was be by Alec's side, but he knew he couldn't do that. He was the one who put Alec here. Kade didn't deserve to be here.

Taking in a shaky breath, he turned and faced him. But before he approached Alec, he went to the window and shut the blinds so none of the others could see them alone. It was as if the whole world was locked away outside and Kade only existed in this lonely moment with the one he considered his enemy.

Kade approached the bed where Alec slept these past few days all alone. There was a white bandage wrapped around his torso where he had gotten injured. He held a frown between his brows as if he was thinking about something demoralizing right now. Kade leaned over and ran his thumb between Alec's brows lessening the tension and easing the thoughts he must be thinking right now.

"What am I supposed to do? Kade asked as his fingers shifted the dark strands of Alec's hair. "There's all this hatred in me that turned my blood black and poisoned my mind. I can't even sleep anymore. Lucas Waldorf is dead and I set out to kill you but... I couldn't do it-" Kade's eyes drank the sight of Alec as the black wall around his heart crumbled away- "How can I kill you?" his voice tightened with the tears that burned in his eyes. "When I-" he choked on his words- "when all I find myself breathing for is you. I see you. I feel you... I... want... you." Kade leaned over Alec, bracing his hands on either side so he stared directly at him. "All I am left with is this aching desire to mark your body." His heart crushed under the truthful confession he finally admitted to himself. "I can't forget my hatred towards your father, but I'm losing myself whenever I am near you and it makes me utterly and completely defenceless against you."

Mark him. Make him yours, his wolf howled.

Kade slipped off his father's ring that he always had on him. He took the heavy gold ring and slid it onto Alec's finger binding them together forever. He couldn't escape this anymore. His heart was already with Alec and as long as he slept, so did Kade. He wasn't alive and he craved to hold his mate and take him home.

Kade sat on the bed. "Wake up, Alec," he whispered gently to his mate. "Please, I'm sorry. I need you. I can't breathe if you're not by my side." He picked Alec off the bed and embraced him in his arms tightly. "Please, come back to me. Come back, Alexander."

You have to mark him, his wolf commanded.

Kade held his mate in his arms wondering what he should do. He can't mark Alec without his consent. On top of that, what if Alec didn't want to mate him after the accident?

He died for us, his wolf said. Mark our mate, Kade. Save him right now!

Kade tilted Alec's head back, far enough so he could latch his sharp teeth onto his neck. He bit down ferociously, claiming his mate as his own forever. His wolf howled inside him and he felt satisfaction blaze within him. It was as if he was reborn and complete this time. His heart healed and his body knew its purpose now. He'd live to love Alec and die protecting him forever.

"I love you," Kade whispered. "You're mine. You were born just for me. You're not a Waldorf. You're a Guerriero-" Alec coughed surprising Kade. He pulled Alec back and gaped at his blue eyes that stared up at him. "Let me get the doctor-"

"Don't leave," his voice was gruff. He struggled to move.

"Stop," Kade warned. "You're injured-"