The Alpha's Match

14. Sweet Return

Lewis

Lauren...

I woke up with a start, shit I had fallen asleep! I clutched the smooth hand that had been covering mine. She was still here. Her beautiful emerald eyes were looking at me with amusement.

"You're awake?" My throat was constricted and I had to cough a little to clear it. I listened to the sound of strong, steady heartbeat in time with the pips of the machine. It was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

"You look terrible." Her expression furrowed in concern as she took in my unshaved and unwashed visage. I had to chuckle.

"You look amazing. How do you feel?" I rubbed soft circles on the back of her hand - worried by the weakness of her grip. She shrugged and then winced in pain at the effort. Instantly my hands moved to flutter over her, to help her somehow. In the end, I settled for tucking the covers more securely over her fragile frame.

"I'll be fine."

I added brave to the list of characteristics that I loved, but exasperated me, about her. I sat back down in the chair I'd slept in last night but still kept a hold of her hand. 

"I lost you for a minute back there," I told her softly. I shuddered at the memory. A life without her in it - was no life at all.

"Sorry." Her apology warmed up my blood and I quickly let go of her hand before I lost control and squeezed it too quietly.

"Never apologise for this. It's those monsters, who should-"

"Hush now, calm down." She smiled and reached for my touch once more. "I'll be fine."

Lauren

Lewis didn't leave. I questioned why I wasn't in a hospital. Don't get me wrong I was glad- since I'm in hiding hospital would have been a bit of a giveaway.

"I wanted you to see my doctor." He explained.

"Is Minerva your own private doctor?" 

He shrugged as if it was nothing. Blimey...

When the doctor came to check up on me I was surprised to recognise her assistant.

"Fiona?" 

Fiona smiled warmly down at me.

"Hey, I would ask how your head was but..." She gestured to the machines and wires sticking into me. I laughed at her joke but had to stop when the movement upset my ribs. Minerva checked the machine readings whilst Fiona inspected my bandages, checking the wounds were healing alright.

"So you're a doctor?"

"More like a trainee vet."

"Like a trainee vet?" I was feeling a lot less confident in my medical treatment.

"Relax that was a joke." Her expression didn't seem very light or humorous but I let the matter drop. Instead, I turned to face Minerva.

"How am I doing?" 

The good doctor was staring intently at her readings - a frown crossing her already stern features.

"Minerva?" Lewis stepped forward, breaking her reverie.

"You're healing remarkably quickly." She finally replied in a stiff voice. She gave me a look of disapproval that I didn't understand.