ALPHA QUEEN

THIRTEEN.

I couldn't move a muscle but I could hear people talking around me. I was laying in my bed, that I knew. What happened in the kitchen was still a mystery to me. I tried to open my eyes and, after a few attempts, I gave up. A soft hand was caressing my cheek and I recognized it as my mother's. Another person was holding my hand in theirs, but it felt foreign and new. Oh, I know. It's Axel. As soon as his name crossed my mind, I felt sparks where he was holding my hand. I couldn't move so I enjoyed it as long as I could. 

Damn mate bond.

"Axel, honey, go get some sleep; you need it. I'll stay with her, no one will disturb her." Mom said and Axel was quick to object.

"Thank you, Amelia, but I am not letting her out of my sight. I need to be here when she opens her eyes to make sure she's fine." I felt mom plant a kiss on my forehead and then heard the distant clicking of her heels. She left. I heard Axel exhale and then his phone started ringing. 

Why can't I open my eyes?!

"Hey, Hector."

"Are you alright, man?"

"To be quite honest, no."

"She'll wake up, she's the toughest girl I know. If she can jump out of her bedroom window and stay alive, then she can survive a little blood loss and a hit on the head. Trust me, I've hit her with a baseball bat once." Axel laughed a little at Hector's words and they bid their goodbyes.

"Please, mate. If you wake up now, I will make you the best vanilla cupcakes. I'll decorate them, even though I suck at that. Please, baby." His voice became a whisper and I felt like hugging him.

Wait.

Didn't I tell myself that I would torture him? Yes, I did, but I give up. It's been five months and I'm tired.

I tried to open my eyes again and it worked, thank God. I blinked a few times before my vision cleared and then I looked to my left. Axel's eyes were closed and he was swinging back and forth in my armchair. I tried to lift my hand and only managed to move my finger. My throat was dry and I was also hungry. Dear God, haven't I just eaten a few hours ago? Actually, how long have I been unconscious? I tried to call Axel's name, but nothing came out of my mouth. Nothing.

I pushed through the mind link and tried to mind-link him even though I doubted it would work. But, we were mates so might as well try.

"Axel?" I saw him jump from his chair and look at me. When he saw I was staring at him, he rushed to my side and hugged the living daylights out of me. Suddenly, my limbs started to function and I felt my arms wrapping themselves around his figure. Axel let me go after a few seconds and smiled warmly at me. 

Oh, dear God, help me. He's adorable.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, already bringing a glass of cold water to my lips. I took a few sips and felt my throat relax.

"I don't know. Weird?" Axel set the glass down on my nightstand and I looked down at my lap. Wow, wait. I am not in my shirt.

"Who changed me?" I asked and connected my eyes with his.

"Your mother. It is my shirt, though." He smiled slyly and eyed me with approval. I chuckled and replied:

"Hector and I are just friends. I stole that shirt from him years ago." He nodded like he didn't care, but I knew those words meant everything to him. Alpha males don't like it when their mates wear other men's clothes.

"I know. Malik was restless and I had to give your mother something of mine for you to wear."

"Your wolf's name is Malik?" He nodded.

"It's really unique."

"Your Athena is quite interesting. She and Malik have been talking for hours yesterday." My eyes widened. 

She did what? 

I'm going to kill her.

"What about?"

"They were getting familiar with each other. It was hilarious." He laughed to himself and I wish I was conscious then to hear it myself. But...that probably wouldn't have happened if I hadn't fainted.

"Hey, what happened to me?" I asked all of a sudden and sat up straighter.

"You had a drinking spree because you were upset – Toni's words, not mine. Then, you cut yourself on the wine bottle; you smashed it on the counter. When I tried to grab you, you moved away and fell off the stool. Then, you hit your head pretty badly and have been out for two days."

"Great. Way to go, Your Royal Highness." I covered my face with my palms and sighed.

Really, a drinking spree in the kitchen, where everyone can see me?

"What matters is that you're okay. No one has to know you wanted to get drunk so you could forget about me." He pulled my hands away and I saw I had a bandage around my right hand. But once he said the other sentence, my head snapped up.

"Run," I growled and his eyes widened at the force of my voice. He bolted up from his seat and I chuckled. When Axel was gone, I reached for my phone and dialled Lily's number. She answered after a few moments. 

Okay, okay. I actually had to call her twice.

"How come I wake up and see Axel beside me and not you?"

"ROSE! YOU'RE ALIVE! I'M COMING THERE RIGHT NOW! OKAY, BYE!" She screamed into the phone and hung up.

"I am hanging out with a madwoman. Life is amazing."

"Why thank you, bitch." She smiled from the doorstep and I laughed at her, running towards her to hug her. 

I missed my ray of sunshine.