Alpha Hole

Ch. 34

I was stuck to a sweaty chest, I realized as I woke up.

Groaning, I tried to shift away but my head spun as I attempted to sit up. Everything came crashing back in mortifying detail.

"You're awake," the voice of the body I was currently stuck to said.

"Jaxson," I groaned, my voice barely a whisper.

"Just lay back down," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "What can I get for you?"

"Clothes," I said suddenly, panic creeping in. "Where are my clothes?" I only had on a bra and panties.

The bra had seen better days, covered in dried blood and nearly falling apart.

Jaxson sat up slowly, his eyes filled with concern. "I had to cut those other clothes off you before I could put you in the bed. And it would have been too hard to dress you with the splint on. Plus, skin-to-skin contact with your mate helps our kind heal faster."

I wasn't sure I believed that last bit but I nodded. "Fine. But maybe now that I'm awake, I can wear one of your big T-shirts."

Jaxson stood and moved to the dresser. After rummaging through for a moment, he brought me a big shirt as I'd requested and slid it over my head. His fingers brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

"You need to eat," he told me. "I'll get Eric to bring us something for dinner."

Something seemed off with him, and I couldn't exactly tell what.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked tentatively.

"Most of today," he said, to my surprise.

"You'd lost a lot of blood." His voice wavered slightly, and he cleared his throat, sitting at the end of the bed.

I took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck," I muttered.

"I bet. That she-wolf really did a number on you."

"I don't understand why they all hate me so much," I said, frustration and confusion mingling in my voice.

Jaxson's expression darkened. "The teacher is under investigation. There are strict rules about sparring, especially for new students. It should never have gone that far."

"I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling a sudden rush of guilt. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."

Jaxson's eyes softened, and he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "You have nothing to apologize for. That wasn't your fault."

I nodded, though the guilt didn't entirely fade. "So, what now?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Now," he said, "we get you some food, and you rest. We'll figure out everything else later."

He helped me sit up, his touch careful and gentle, but his lips thinned as he looked at me. 

"So—I didn't realize you and Aiden were so close." The insinuation in his tone caught me off guard.

I tried to school my expression, but what the heck. "Well—I wouldn't say that we are close."

"No?" His brows creased. "Well—you looked pretty chummy to me."

"What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice rising from his accusation.

His expression hardened. "You know damn well what I mean."

"Jaxson," I said, trying to keep my cool. "Aiden was only there because he was still listed as my emergency contact. The nurse didn't realize there had been a change. You got there just a few minutes after him."

"And if I hadn't?" he asked, disbelief coloring his tone. "Do you think I'm blind? Do you think I didn't see the way he was holding you?"

"He was helping me!" I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "I was hurt and alone, and he was there."

"He was there?" Jaxson's eyes flashed with anger. "You think I should be okay with him touching you? The way he was holding you

I felt my own anger rising to match his. "I don't know!"

The room fell silent, the tension thick between us. Jaxson's eyes bore into mine, a storm of emotions swirling within them.

"Layla," he finally said, his voice low and intense, "I am your mate. Not him. Never him."

"I know that," I said softly, my anger draining away as quickly as it had come. "But you have to understand, Jaxson, I was scared. I needed someone, and Aiden was there. That's all it was."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was silent for a long time before asking. "I need to know—if Aiden had been your mate, would you have waited to mark him?"

I felt the world crumbling beneath me. 

I couldn't believe he would ask something like that. "Jaxson," I started, but when I didn't answer immediately, the expression that crossed his face caused a lump to rise in my throat.

He nodded, his jaw clenching. Without another word, he backed out of the room, slamming the door so hard I swear the whole packhouse rattled.

Tears welled up in my eyes, the weight of his words and the intensity of his reaction crushing me. I sat there, stunned and alone, my heart aching with the unspoken accusations hanging in the air.

I knew Jaxson's protectiveness was born out of the bond, but it was suffocating. The way he looked at me just now—like I had betrayed him—tore at my soul.

I pulled the big T-shirt tighter around me, feeling both vulnerable and furious. This wasn't how it was supposed to be.