Bookstore princess

Chapter 31

James

It's been four days that Nadia has been in and out of sleep and healing here at the hospital. Her mom barely leaves the room except to eat, and usually Nadia is sleeping when that happens. I haven't left yet, but Maria keeps bringing me fresh clothes. I've been staying in the waiting room and working on pack business via phone or text message. The rogues haven't been found yet, but my pack has been looking and so has Sheriff Morgan. Jenny, and Jacob have come every day after working on fixing up the store and taking care of inventory. I've gone in to see Nadia as much as possible before getting kicked out again. They say because I'm not family, I shouldn't be here. But she will be my wife as soon as this business is over and done with.
Our visits are always with her mother in the room, so I can't bring up that I need her to accept the mate bond. My mark I made over a week ago needs to be placed on her again for her protection, but again, I can't do that while her mom is in the room. She's healing slowly, and it kills me on the inside that I can't just change her so she heals faster. Most of my wounds are gone, and I keep that fact hidden under gauze and clothes. I don't want her mother suspecting anything.
"Alright James, I think it's time you and I have a little chat" Micheline came into the waiting room and I looked at her in surprise.
"Yes ma'am" I nodded, anything she wants to talk about I am more than willing to talk about. Except anything to do with the paranormal I guess. "How is she doing?" I ask.
"She's still asleep" she sits beside me and takes my hand. "What are your intentions for my daughter?" she asks me with those knowing blue eyes.
"I know it hasn't been long, but I plan to marry her" I tell her honestly.
"You know that's a bit fast, don't you?" she asks me, and I smirk.
"I'm crazy about your daughter, I just can't imagine a day in my life without her" I squeeze her hand.
"Tell me about your family" Micheline asks, sitting back in her seat.
"My parents passed away fifteen years ago. My brother Steve and I inherited the family business, and started a few of our own. It's all mainly in my name" I start to relax a bit. "I decided to expand my business out east, and stopped in this little town called Springfield, and fell in love with the woman in the book store. So I expanded my business and my entire extended family came with me, we don't like to be a part. We are very close" I explain.
"Who's Sam?" she asks quickly, not missing a beat.
"Steve and I grew up with him, he's adopted into the family like a brother, but never officially" I tell her, trying to keep most of the details to myself. "He's married to Maria, my cousin, and they are expecting currently. Maria works at the bookstore now, part time, and mainly in potions."
"You know that Nadia didn't grow up with a father, or much money, right?" she asked me.
"I know a little," I admit.
"She works hard for her money, but she's also always been a people pleaser. I wish she had a bit more of a mouth on her" she sighs.
"I've seen that she works hard. She tried going to work while she was sick. I took her spot in the shop at no charge, and helped both Jacob and Jenny with some plans to expand a bit on the store" I grin. "I'm so proud of her for doing so much on her own" I admit.
"She told me a lot about you, you will have to work a bit to gain my trust but so far I like you" Micheline patted me on the leg. "Why don't you go in and sit with her for a bit? I'll go grab some coffee for both of us, and maybe take a walk" she stands up and smooths out her clothes. She's only left once to go get more clothes, and brought enough for a week. Rieta has been going to her house and checking on the cats after bringing the three dogs back to her and Jacobs place.
I nod at her and stand up and wait. Once she leaves I rush to my mates room down the hall. I walked into the room, and the machines were beeping. She's just starting to wake up, and I can't help but grin.
"Hey" I say softly, taking her in. The bruises have really come out, but she holds them with grace. Her cuts and scratches are bandaged behind gauze, and the only thing that even has the presence of blood is the bullet hole on her shoulder.
"Hey handsome" she smiles a little sleepily. "Where's mom?" she asks after looking around the room.
"Giving us a minute" I grin and sit beside her bed and hold her left hand. "We were interrupted that night," I told her.
"Well... you did say I'm your mate, and kissed me like you meant it" she giggles.
"You've read the books. I need you to accept me, please" I say with feeling. "I can't rest without it."

Nadia

There's a quiver in James' voice that brings me up short. He's not one to sound vulnerable, but here he is doing it again. It's like he's bearing his heart and soul to me for just a few little words. I've been thinking about this a lot, and it feels like fate brought us together. I'm scared, but I know he's good for me.
"I, Nadia Dragonheart, accept you as my lifelong mate. Not because we are fated, but because I love you" I finally say, and a look of utter joy comes across his face. His blue eyes lit up, and his perfect teeth are showing with how much he is smiling.
"I, James Grant of the Rosemoon pack, accept you as my lifelong mate, and love you eternally" James says, and leans in and kisses me softly on the lips. "You finally said you love me" he adds with a single tear falling down his cheek. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard," he continues.
"Of course I love you, silly Alpha" I giggle.
"Once you're out of this hospital, can I change you?" he asks me, and I stop short and feel a hint of panic fill me. Will I become a different person? Will it hurt?
"Can we talk about it then? I need to think about it" I say softly.
"All the time you need, but I do want to mark you again. I just can't do it in such a short period of time" James frowns.
"Why do you need to mark me?" I ask, a little confused.
"I need to make sure you give off my scent. You're mine, and I'm not sharing with another wolf or human" he hums.
"I never wanted you to share," I giggle. "I just want to spend more time with you" I admit. He reaches over and cups my cheek in a loving gesture and leans in to kiss my lips again. "I love you" I can't stop myself from saying it. I need him to understand how much I love him. I feel something shift between us, and he's looking at me hungrily. I want to show him how much I love him, but the IV's are hindering my movement and not to mention the soreness in my body. He's starting to lean in for another kiss, but Luke knocks on the side of the open door and clears his throat.
"Hello Alpha James" he says, bowing his head slightly.
"Hah! I knew he was a werewolf" I say quickly and James chuckles.
"Hello Luke, nice to see you" James smiles and sits back in his chair.
"How is my favorite patient today?" Luke comes in more and starts looking at the different machines and switching out the IV bags.
"Sore" I admit, moving slightly in the bed. "I'd like to be able to get up and move around. My legs weren't shot" I tell him.
"We let you walk to the bathroom" he lifts an eyebrow teasingly.
"You know that's not the same" I give a light laugh.
"I'll tell you what, you stay here with your mate Luna, and if you're good, and more importantly your vitals are good. I'll help you get up and go for a walk" Luke says. "And Alpha James, you should really go home, we won't let any harm come to her here. She's being protected by Alpha Tony's pack here."
"I don't feel comfortable leaving" James says and I look at him in shock.
"You haven't left yet?" I ask him.
"No, Luke has been letting me use the shower and Maria has been bringing me clothes. You asked me not to leave you and I vowed I wouldn't. I'm staying right here with you my love... my Luna" James says lovingly, taking my hand and pressing it to his lips.
"How bad is the pain?" Luke asks.
"Like a seven" I say softly. "It's almost bearable" I shrug. He nods and takes out a needle and injects it into my IV line.
"That's not good enough for me. We need it at five and under" Luke sighs. "Did you need anything? Are you hungry enough to eat?" he asks.
"I am a little peckish, but more tired" I admit, the tiredness coming out in my voice.
"I'll grab your supper tray" Luke bows a little to James and leaves.
"Have you eaten?" I ask James, looking at him.
"I will" he says. "After you fall asleep again. Your mom is giving us a few cherished minutes, and I intend to spend every second with you that I can" James grins. I reach up and touch his beard and run my fingers through it. "I'll shave" he chuckles.
"Trim" I correct him. "I don't mind the scruffy man I met one night in my bookstore, in an expensive suit mind you" I wink at him.
"That's the night I knew you were mine" he murmurs. "I could smell you from across the street. The sweetest flowers after it rains in the morning. It's refreshing" he turns his head and kisses my palm. I can't help but smile. He's so sweet to me, and I hope that never changes because I do love him. I didn't think it was possible, but I've fallen so deeply in love with this man, I don't know where it actually started. He's done so much for me, and I want to do something for him too.