The Alpha's Sniper

Chapter 9

The only sound in the room was the constant beeping from the heart monitor. Jean was lying in bed wrapped in bandages. His shoulder, arm, neck and torso were covered, and his arm was in a sling. The night had gone by slow and painfully. Jean had gotten infected by the rogues and almost died twice. Jean's family was sitting together with their mates at different places in the room. Taking up the space of the couch specifically placed in the corner. Eric was placed by his mate's side never leaving for more than five minutes to go to the bathroom. The night had been hell for Eric; seeing his love convulsing, being pushed out of the door and standing there lost and not knowing if his mate would make it.

The doctor had spoken with him after the first briefing and the news was not good. Willis had explained that he had saved Jean's arm, but he was not 100% sure if there would be complications. It was something they could only take into an account, when Jean opened his eyes. If that came to pass, then Eric swore that he would never let his mate feel the burden of being without legs and an arm, he would devote himself to find a solution.

Eric hadn't been out of the room except for those two times. The need of being near his mate drilled him to the seat. After the doctor's educated guess, Jean would wake at some point throughout the day. Hoping that this was indeed the truth, Eric sat staring at the most beautiful creature lying in a hospital bed. He wrapped his colossal hands around the lifeless white hand laying upon the duvet, making it disappear from sight. With a heavy heart and little to none hope to hold on to, the Alpha rested his forehead upon the tightly clenched fingers.

When the time was approximately 12 am, Jean's eyelashes began fluttering. Eric didn't see this fact, as he had fallen asleep from the constant worrying. After a couple of tries Jean opened his heavy eyes. A sudden shock of pain exploded in his shoulder and traveled down to his sacrum. Moaning in pain, Jean steadied his breathing and opened the eyes, he had shut tight. The pain became somewhat bearable when he set his eyes on the fragile Alpha sleeping by his bedside. A smile graced his face, and he removed his hand and stroked his lover's hair lovingly.

Eric groaned and was about to remove the thing disturbing his sleep, when he jumped up, startling Jean. The other occupants who had followed the Alpha into sleep, jolted awake from the noise. Their shackles raised, but soon their bodies calmed down, as they didn't sense any danger nearby. Jean slightly noticed the caution from his team, but his attention was soon drawn towards his mate, as their fingers intertwined.

The Alpha's eyes bore into his and Eric showed an expression filled with worry, fright and love. Eric's facial structure changed when he realized that Jean being awake wasn't a dream; a blinding smile took over his face. "Jean..."

The soft voice almost sounded frightened, not wanting to take the chance that this was a dream, and he would soon wake up to find his mate asleep once again. Jean's expression softened even further and his hand lightly touched Eric's cheek. "Good morning love."

Eric returned the affection by nuzzling his face into the warm surface. He softly laid a few kisses upon the inside of Jean's palm and reached forward to give his lover a passionate kiss. "I was so worried."

"It is okay now. You are not getting rid of me that easily."

The lovers smiled at each other and laid down together. The two mates were in a world of their own and had completely forgotten the other occupants. Jean's family didn't anger, but softly smiled, relieved that their captain was alright and that he had found his happiness. They were about to quietly leave the room, when Willis entered. The doctor smiled upon seeing the pair laying together. Eric having already fallen asleep. He walked to Jean's side of the bed and began his check-up, alerting him in the process; the military training kicking in. "Hello Jean. I am your doctor Willis. How are you feeling?"

"I have a slight headache, pain traveling from my shoulder to my sacrum and I feel drained, but other than that I'm fine."

"I see. What about your arm? Can you feel when I push here?"

Jean felt a dulling sensation and nodded at the doctor. Willis was relieved that the nerves in Jean's arm was still intact and that the damage wouldn't cause complications. "How about moving your fingers?"

Willis saw the movement and nodded satisfied. "That's good. I was afraid that your arm would be paralyzed, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Your wounds are healing a bit slow for a werewolf. Can I ask why? With your history in the military and the wounds you have from there, it should have abled you to heal faster, but apparently that doesn't apply to you."

The doctor's stare bore into Jean, who looked down. Should he answer the question or leave it be? Well it wasn't like the truth would hurt but being pushed into a category wasn't something he enjoyed. His family knew of his birth and didn't discriminate against him. It only made them respect their captain even further. They softly gestured a farewell and left the room, leaving their leader to talk in private.

Checking if Eric was still asleep, Jean answered. "I was born an omega; my healing has improved over the years. When I first enrolled, my healing was that of a human being, now I am healing like a normal omega if not better. I hope, I don't have to emphasize that you as a doctor have sworn an oath of confidentiality, so this information doesn't leave this room. Are we clear?"

The piercing gaze from Jean made Willis shiver. He would never have thought a man of his caliber would have been wounded, but in his condition, it wasn't impossible. The man in front of Willis was a true marine; strong on the inside and outside. Willis' expression forged into a smile and he nodded.

Jean calmed down and thanked the doctor. After saying goodbye and watching Willis leave the room, Jean laid down with his sleeping mate and fell asleep.

When Eric was sure that Jean was asleep, he opened his eyes. Having heard the conversation between Jean and Willis, he felt proud. An omega left home to join the army, became a captain who fight like a champion and have the air of a leader. Status wasn't something to define a werewolf, it was their willpower. Eric had to rethink his training program; the omegas weren't treated badly, but everyone was soft on them. That fact would have to change, or they wouldn't last long. Maybe Jean would be willing to train them for a period of time, even with his injury, he would be a great trainer. Eric made sure to remember this fact and noted to ask him later.

Eric smiled and kissed his mate's forehead gently before laying back down sliding his arms around Jean to pull him closer. Laying his head in the crook of his love's neck and breathing deeply. After a while the smell of his mate once again lulled him back to sleep.