The Alpha and Me

130. Misunderstanding cleared

130. Misunderstanding cleared

Manik's POV

When I stirred to consciousness, a pang of pain shot through my chest. I hissed and remained still until the pain reduced. Sucking in a deep gulp of oxygen, I tried to get up. Surprise held me immobile as my nostrils flared with Nandini's alluring scent and my eyes stalled on her beautiful face.

She was sleeping soundly with her head resting on her hand that was put on the edge of the bed I was spread over. I blinked my eyes and moved my aching shoulder. The electrocuting pain confirmed that I was not dreaming.

Nandini was as real as the pain from the bullet punctures in my chest. Although in other cases, after waking up I went after the people who harmed me. In this case, I didn't care who was behind it or for what reason they had to shoot me. I had Nandini here sitting on a stool, in a very fucking uncomfortable position, right by my side.

Having her here beside me is all I would ever ask for. And if such attacks are able to bring her closer to me, I would happily let them put several bullets in my chest. I would even pay them if that's what it would take to get her to my side.

I lifted a hand and weaved my fingers through her hair. Serene feelings spread through me and I was instantly hard. Her hair felt so smooth and relaxing under my fingers that for a moment I thought it was my imagination.

I missed playing with Nandini's hair. I missed listening to her intoxicating breathing.

'Do you believe it!' My wolf exclaimed and I stopped moving my fingers.

'Believe what?' I asked him.

He let out a heady sigh and replied, 'That Nandini is here. Right by your side.... And that you can play with her hair again. Doesn't it feel like a dream?'

My face warmed up with a smile. I raked my fingers slowly through her hair, massaging her scalp. It still felt like a dream. Nandini was dead for five years in my life, and her departure took my soul away with her. I hardly breathed through the years just for the sake of my pack and Lelah.

Seeing her in San Francisco in the hospital was like my soul was being blown back in my body. I can't really describe how I felt. As if she knew that I needed her back in my life, she returned back to me.

"Manik," My eyes flickered as I heard her soft mumble.

Nandini was awake, and fearing that she might get angry at me for touching her, I withdrew my hand.

"Oww!" Sharp pain pierced through my chest again and I held it tight.

Nandini's fingers covered the back of my hand over my chest. I looked up from the stabbing ache, my eyes diving deeper into hers.

"Do I call Raghav? Is it paining a lot? Wait, I'll call for him." She got up from the stool.

Before her hand detached from mine, I held her wrist with my free hand and pulled her back. I didn't know the pull was forceful unless she collided with my chest and we both fell on the bed. Her on top of me. Her meadow-green eyes meeting my veiled midnight depths.

The pain that seared from her falling on top of me felt nothing as compared to the happiness of having her in my arms.

"Stay here. You're all that I need." I whispered and a shiver crawled up her spine.

It triggered her tears, causing her eyes to turn into a forest soaking wet under heavy pouring. She was soon a sobbing mess. I watched her as her face became pallid, then awfully red from all the crying, then her eyes rimmed with redness and lips began to quiver intensely.