Animalia: The Green Forest, Book 2

Chapter 29

"Jaxon?" A muted voice called. "Jaxon, wake up! Please!"
Jaxon's eyes slowly started to open. Everything was fuzzy to him. He was laying on something soft, but he didn't know what.
Something shifted beside him and moved on top of him. "Jaxon!" It's voice still sounded distant. "You're waking up!"
Jaxon's senses slowly started to recover. He realized that Alex was the thing on top of him. The cat girl was straddling him and brushing her cheek against his. His senses sharpened enough for him to recognize that he was in Alex's room, laying on her bed.
"Jaxon, I was so scared!" Alex's voice sounded clear now. She was crying; her tears rubbed off on Jaxon and left his cheek wet. "I went to get help after Luca trapped you. But Samson and my dad didn't know what to do either. We were forced to wait until the fire went out to make sure you were okay! But then you passed out on us before we could reach you! I thought you were dead, and that you and Luca killed each other!"
"No, we both lived," Jaxon rasped. He glanced down and noticed that his shirt was gone, leaving a white undershirt in place. Bloody gauze bandages were bound around his chest where Luca's claws had sunken into. There were more bloody bandages on his arms; one had more than the other. "Um, thanks for patching me up. I didn't know you animals had these kinds of things around here. . ."
Alex pulled away from him. "Rose gave us a lot of these things called alcohol and bandages a long time ago. She taught us how to use them in case we ever had an open wound injury like a cut or something." She gave him a passionate look. "I'm glad she did. You were so beat up out there. How do you feel now? Anything feel broken or sprained?"
Jaxon shifted his legs. Everything felt fine. He then shifted his arms. A sharp pain ran through one of them, making him gasp. "This one hurts to move," he breathed out.
Alex gently held his arm with both of her hands. "I felt like this one would give you trouble when you woke up," she sounded worried. "It was so bloody and mangled after the fight. I hope it's not broken. . ."
"It's not," a new voice spoke up. Jaxon barely realized that Samson was in the room. "Luca just bit into it pretty deep. It's going to hurt for a while. Keep treating it and keep an eye on it. It should heal soon."
"Yes, you will be fine," Jaxon recognized Ferris standing close to Samson. There was a look of respect in the eyes of Alex's father. "You did very well, Jaxon. You are only a human who is naturally weaker than us animals. But you managed to beat Luca, one of the most dangerous enemies this forest had ever seen. He has special powers than you don't have, yet you still managed to take him down. I'm proud of you. Alex chose well."
Jaxon's heart lifted from the tom's praise. "Thank you," he swallowed back the emotion welling up in his throat. "It was scary, but it was worth it to save Alex."
Ferris looked pleased. "You have a lot of determination," he purred. "I know you'll fit in here very well." He gave Alex a knowing glance, and the father and daughter exited the room.
Jaxon was left alone with Samson. An awkward silence hung between them.
Then Samson broke it. "So," he cleared his throat. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling fine, I guess." Jaxon smiled at the fennec fox. "I'm still in a little bit of pain, but that's okay. I'm just glad Alex is safe."
Samson nodded. Then he looked pained. "You're a hero," he murmured. "You-a human-protected Alex from a wild animal like Luca. You must be so proud of yourself. . ."
Samson blames himself for what happened to Alex. Jaxon sadly realized. He must have been holding on to that guilt all this time. No wonder why he's always so difficult to reach out to.
"Samson," Jaxon started. "What happened to Alex all that time ago wasn't your fault. She doesn't blame you for it, and neither should you. I hope you can understand that soon.
Samson instantly looked away. "It was my fault," he growled. "I should've dealt with Luca the moment he started acting up. Now look at what he's become. He's hurt Alex, has killed someone and-" he glanced at Jaxon's severely injured body. "He did this to you. You could have died, Jaxon. How many more people will Luca hurt before he's stopped? If he ever does something to Rose in the future, I don't know what I'll do."
Jaxon stood up. He still felt sore from the battle yesterday, but he refused to let it show. "That's not going to happen," he replied firmly as he walked toward Samson. He stopped in front of the fennec fox and looked him in the eyes. "I know you can take care of Rose. You can fight Luca better than I can. My sister will definitely be safe with you. I trust you." He held his hand out.
Samson looked deeply moved by Jaxon's words. Then his gaze hardened. "I will protect your sister," he promised gruffly. He reached out and grabbed Jaxon's hand in his own. "I'll do anything to keep Rose safe and happy, no matter what happens to me. I promise."
Jaxon's blue eyes remained locked with Samson's red ones. Respect shone in Samson's gaze. I finally got Samson to open up to me. Jaxon withdrew his hand. He's always treated me like a friend, but he's always been kind of aloof towards me. This is the first time I've ever felt close to him.
They both turned when Ferris entered the room. "You boys okay?" The tom asked.
"We're fine." Samson shrugged. Then he started to walk out of the room. "I'll see you two later." He said without turning to look back at them. "Get well soon, Jaxon. You deserve a nice rest."
"Bye Samson," Jaxon waved at the fennec fox. He was alone with Ferris now. He turned to face Alex's father.
Ferris was staring at him with a smile. "Lie down, Jaxon." He purred. "You should be resting, not moving about like this."
Jaxon shook his head. "I don't feel like laying down right now," he said. He sat on the edge of Alex's bed instead. "I'll just sit."
Ferris sat beside him.
"Where's Alex?" Jaxon asked.
"With her mother," the tom replied. "They're preparing dinner. You should join us. We're having fish today."
Jaxon remembered the crow Alex fed to her younger brother. Their food is kinda weird. He reflected. But they really like it. And besides, they're just having fish today. I guess I can give it a try. "Okay. I will."
There was a comfortable silence.
Then Ferris broke it. "You know," he started. "You're a very impressive human."
Jaxon blinked. "I am?"
"Yes," Ferris smiled. "When I saw you bleeding and passed out on the stones-with Luca defeated right next to you-I realized just how special you were. You took a huge risk taking on a beast like him. It nearly cost you your life, yet you still managed to win. And you did this for Alex. . . You truly are worthy enough to be a part of this family."
Jaxon took a deep breath. "Thank you," he felt tears forming in his eyes and quickly blinked them away. "Ever since I first laid my eyes on your daughter, I've always felt something for her. Something about her strange but unique personality has always fascinated me. I honestly couldn't believe it when I found out that she had feelings for me too."
Ferris looked slightly amused. "I couldn't believe it either when you two became mates," he chuckled. "I always thought Alex would end up with Samson. I noticed the way he acted around her. He always treated her with a kindness and compassion that he'd never treated anyone else with."
Samson had feelings for Alex? Jaxon was shocked. I never knew that! Maybe that's the reason why he was always so distant towards me in the past. I didn't mean to steal his crush. . . Then he brightened up. At least he has Rose now.
Ferris suddenly cleared his throat. He had a serious look on his face now. "I've never fully recovered from my fight with Kasia," he started solemnly. "I'm not as strong as I used to be. It makes me so happy when I see how hard you've been working to fit in with us animals. Jaxon, one day you will take my place and be the man who takes care of my family. You've proven yourself worthy of that duty over and over again."
Jaxon felt tears forming in his eyes again. He wiped them away and stared at Ferris with compassion. "I hope that day doesn't come soon," he replied shakily. "You're such a great husband and father. You deserve to have the chance to take care of your family for as long as you can."
Ferris' orange eyes brimmed with emotion. "I'll keep protecting them for as long as I can," he assured Jaxon. "When the day comes that I'm no longer able to do that, I know I can trust you to take over. You'll be a wonderful guardian to my family."
"Thank you," Jaxon breathed out. "Thank you for having faith in me. I promise I'll always support you and everyone else. This forest is like a second home to me, and I hope sometime in the future I'll be able to live here too. That way I'll be even closer to you and Alex."
Ferris let out a purr. "I will be looking forward to that," he replied happily. "And I know Alex will too. We will both be waiting for you."
This is it. Jaxon turned when Alex entered the room. This is my future. Soon I'm going to be living here with my girlfriend and taking care of her for the rest of my life.
Alex wrapped her arms around him and nuzzled his chest. She didn't even flinch away when she brushed against the dried blood on his body. "Hey Jaxon," she greeted softly. "I heard you and my dad talking. I can't wait for you to start living here."
Jaxon's heart started to beat faster. It always did whenever she was near him. "It won't be long now," he murmured. He shakily placed his hands on her hips and leaned down to speak in her ears. "I'll be graduating from high school next year. I'll finally be able to live with you. We'll have the freedom to do whatever we want without being limited to anything. I'm so excited for our future."
"I know you are," Alex giggled. She pulled away and blinked at him with happiness gleaming in her orange eyes. "I can see it."
Nearby, Ferris let out a contented purr. "I'll be excusing myself now," he walked out of the room with a wave of his tail.
Jaxon smiled at the tom. He opened his mouth to say something but was silenced when Alex pressed a finger to his lips.
"Jaxon," Alex's eyes rounded innocently.
"Yes?" Jaxon whispered hoarsely.
"I love you," Alex whispered. She removed her finger, stretched up, and kissed Jaxon on the lips.
Jaxon was surprised at first. Then he happily kissed back.
They remained like that for a while; passionately kissing and holding each other.
They finally broke apart after what seemed like forever. Jaxon's hands were still on Alex's hips. He gave them a quick squeeze and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Alex let out a squeak and shifted in his grip. But her eyes were shining with happiness.
Jaxon chuckled at this. "You're so cute," he murmured. He moved his hands up to cup her face. "I love you so much."
"I love you a lot too," Alex sweetly smiled up at him. "I'm glad I chose you to be my mate."
Jaxon met her gaze. Her orange eyes were rounded with passion and innocence. He felt his heartbeat quicken. "I'm glad you chose me too."