The Young Mate

Chapter 31

Landon

It's been about two weeks. She hasn't woken up. Whatever was on the nails of the rogue has caused a few different infections. But they managed to get rid of them quickly. Her body was starting to heal, slowly. I haven't let her room. I've been by her side the whole time.

"Go take a shower. Get some food. I can watch her." Uriley put a hand on my shoulder. He has been here with me the whole time.

"I can't leave her. What if something happens?" I looked up at him. "I just can't leave her." He wouldn't understand.

"I know how it feels. I know it sucks but-" I slapped his hand away and stood up, pointing a finger in his face.

"You don't know a damn thing. She could die." I choked up. "She could die."

"You know very well what I've been through. I'm going to excuse the fact you said that." He grabbed my shoulder a little too hard for my liking. "I know exactly how you feel. But sulking around and not taking care of yourself will not make Lila any better. So get your ass up, take a shower, and get something to eat." His voice slowly turned into a yell.

"Your right I'm sorry." I wiped my sweaty palms on my thighs. About 10 years after he turned, which was in the 1600's, he met his soulmate. But she got sick. Very quickly. She died about a year after they met. He spiraled and went off the rails. He didn't get himself together until around 1800's.

"I will take care of her." He pushed me to the door with a hurt look on his face. He pushed me out and shut the door. I listened for what was going on. I heard him sit down and that's it. I shuffled to the cafeteria. A lot of people were surprised to see me. I got a sandwich and a water. I could barely finish that.

"Alpha you can use the private showers if you wish." Said the head nurse. I thanked her but before she could walk away I asked her to sit.

"Can you update me on how she is?" Her face fell.

"She's healing fine now. She could wake up. She could not. It's all up to if she wants to or not." Something was called over the intercom and she excused herself. My mom had left some clothes in a bag by her door so I grabbed those and went to the shower. I looked in the mirror and almost screamed.

My eyes are red with purple bags. My hair is so greasy that it looks like I have hair gel slathered on my scalp. I was scared to know how bad I smelled. I turned the water as hot as it would go and stood under the head. After doing what's needed I headed back to the room.

Uriley lived up to his word. He was there watching her. But he was leaned in close and he's also holding her hand.

"What are you-" I started to fly off the handle. But he shushed me. He turned and looked at me.

"Watch." He looked back at her. "Lila if you can hear me squeeze my hand." Her hand squeezed his. Not like a muscle spasm or something. A hard squeeze. I put a hand over my mouth to keep from letting out a sob. Uriley stood up and let me sit down. I carefully took her hand in mine.

"Cherry." I choked out. "Are you there?" I watched a tear roll down her face as she squeezed the life out if my hand. "I love you so much." The heart monitor started beeping loudly. A nurse came in to check on her.

"What is going on?" She said checking the machines.

"She's responding to me. Take her hand." She did. "Lila squeeze my hands like you just did."

Lila

I tried to squeeze as hard as I could.

"Lila do you think you can open your eyes?" The nurse asked. I have been trying for so long to. I feel like I'm floating in a pool. The surface is just a little beyond my touch but I can't reach it.

"Lila baby you can do it." Landon's voice encouraged. Like a black hole I was sucked back to the surface. The bright light hurt. I tried to lift my hand but Landon was holding it still. My back was sore whenever I moved. I let out a groan.

"Landon?" I croaked out. He leaned in closer.

"Yes cherry?"

"Whens the last time you brushed your teeth?" I whispered. He started laughing and crying.

"Of course you say something about that. The one thing I forget to do." I tried to laugh but I started coughing instead. The nurse left and brought back a jug of water. I drank the whole thing and asked for more.

"Where's Jane?" I asked.

"School. It's Monday." He popped a piece of gum in his mouth making me giggle.

"So I've only been out for a day?" I asked. His face fell.

"No Lila." Oh no. My real name. "It's been two weeks." I made a face. Then more memories surfaced.

"How many people died?" Tears leaked out and my throat started to hurt.

"27 dead. 3 on life support. Over 50 injured." He sighed. This is my fault. If we didn't have a party no one would be dead. No one would be injured. I started sobbing. I couldn't control it. The heart monitor went crazy. A nurse rushed in trying to calm me.

"Lila if you keep crying like that your gonna rip a stitch. You need to calm down." She said in a soothing voice. I started shaking.

"This is my fault. My fault. My fault." I kept repeating myself.

"What is happening?" Landon said panicking.

"She's having a panic attack. I need to sedate her." Another nurse came in with a little glass bottle and a needle. I don't want to go back to sleep.

"NO!" I screamed. "Don't let them put me back to sleep Landon." I begged. He pet my hair crying.

"I'm sorry baby." The nurse stuck my arm and everything went black.