Sitting by Devlyn’s side, I watch his chest rise and fall. Each breath is both a miracle and torturous for me as I do not know when he will wake from his coma. Alpha Asteria had come a few times both alone and with Luan Gale, bringing me food and a change of clothes. She promised me as much time off as I needed, even if it meant skipping out on the battle for Pine Moon, to be by Devlyn’s side until he woke up.
I could kill Quincy for what he did, take him out for hurting my Mate all because he doesn’t agree with Devlyn being here. But I keep myself either in this room or in the guest room at Quest’s house to not do anything I would regret.
“Ashton?” I jump, turning my head towards the open door to find Rune standing there, a worried look on his face.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.” He mutters out, slowly making his way to the empty seat on the other side of the bed. I hum some noise of acknowledgment while rubbing my free hand along my tired eyes, the other one grasping Devlyn’s hand and I can feel the steady thump of his pulse reminding me that he is still alive. Doctor Jasmin had said skin-to-skin contact between Mates while one is healing would help the injured party and I cling to that knowledge hoping it would help Devlyn wake faster.
“What brings you here?” I finally ask the beeping from the heart monitor making the silence seem louder now that another person is here with me.
“Brynlee sent me to bring some food for you. Apple cinnamon scones.” Rune says with a chuckle, holding up the basket in his hand.
“Isn’t that like cocaine to her right now?” I ask, finding myself laughing along.
“Yep. You should have seen her glare at Andre today.” Rune answers. He must have seen my confused expression when he mentioned this Andre person as he then proceeded to tell me about the events from yesterday up until this morning. I had heard about the attack that happened at the southern border and had even ran into Jennifer who was fuming while on her way to the training facilities last night when I was heading to Quest’s place. What I did not expect was the three wolves put into a similar situation as Devlyn and to learn that a pup was in danger.
“Valor and his friends really need to be put down.” I grit out, taking a bite out of one of the scones.
“No offence.” I add, realizing I just told Rune his own father needs to be put down.
“None taken. I agree and can’t wait to slit the bastard’s throat myself.” Rune shrugs, munching on one of his own scones.
“Goddess! These are good!” He exclaims in shock, staring at the baked good in his hand.
“Brynlee doesn’t share I see.” I tease with a grin, Rune rolling his eyes at me.
“Not really. The last time I tried to take an apple treat from her, I nearly ended up with a fork through the hand.” He answers with a groan.
“Thank god Ashton and I won’t have to go through that.” Someone retorts back, their voice husky as if not been used for a long time. Both Rune and I freeze, our eyes widening before we both turn to look at Devlyn. There, my comatose Mate, smiles weakly back at us, his eyes going from staring at the scone in Rune’s hand to finding my gaze.
“Is that damned collar finally off me?” He asks. Without thinking, I toss the half-eaten scone onto the table and throw myself onto Devlyn, holding him tightly as tears fall from my eyes. Rune has disappeared, most likely to grab a Nurse or Doctor, while I relish in the feel of Devlyn weakly holding me.
“Ashton, get off Devlyn so Jasmin can check him out.” Rune calls from beside me, carefully placing his hands on my shoulders. I growl at him, not ready to be separated from my now awoken Mate, but Devlyn gently pushes at my body, bringing me to my senses. I pull away carefully, catching tears in his eyes as Rune helps me straighten up.
“Don’t worry Ashton, you two can cuddle as soon as I make sure Devlyn is okay.” Doctor Jasmin reassures me, a smile on her face. I wait off to the side as she assesses Devlyn, asking him what the last thing he remembers is and if there is anything that hurts right now. Once it has been confirmed that Devlyn is not at risk of slipping back into a coma and that all his injuries have indeed healed, she tells Devlyn to rest up and will be back in four hours for final testing.
Rune helps me move Devlyn just slightly to the side of the bed so that I can crawl in beside him and snuggle my Mate close before handing both of us a fresh scone from the basket and taking a seat once again.
“So…” Devlyn begins, picking at the apple cinnamon treat.
“What did I miss?” I sigh, not sure where to begin as the last week has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Thankfully, Rune takes the lead on explaining everything to Devlyn who silently takes it in. He even mentions the situation with the three wolves Hawk, Misa, and Andre which causes Devlyn to growl lowly and set his heart monitor off. A Nurse came in, scolding us for getting Devlyn worked up, and said next time we would be kicked out before storming out of the room in a huff.
“All that, and I slept through it.” Devlyn jokes, turning his head to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you for sitting beside me through it and helping me, Ashton.” He adds. I blush, not sure what to say as that is something a Mate should do. Rune eyes us, a soft smile on his lips and for a moment I think back to when we first met. I had been a total dick to him thinking that Brynlee deserved better. Now being in a situation of meeting my Mate in the dungeons after spying on Crescent Phoenix, I understand Rune more.
“Hey, Rune.” I say, my voice quiet.
“Thanks for being a good friend.” He smiles at me, standing from his chair, and playfully punches my shoulder.
“Don’t worry about it. You had every right to be a dick to me when we first met. I am just glad that when Brynlee and I take over Pine Moon, we have someone loyal like you we can trust joining us.” He dismisses my words with a shrug and I smile. I never thought he and I would become such good friends. Never thought he would be such a chill guy. Yet here he is, making sure I ate and kept tabs on how Devlyn was doing.
“So when do we leave for Pine Moon?” Devlyn chimes in from beside me. Rune’s smile falls, his eyes hardening as he turns to look out the only window in this room.
“We leave in three days. Jasmin won’t allow you to fight with us, Devlyn, but we will take you with us in one of the vans so that you can be there when we inevitably kill Valor and Tanya.” With that, Rune tells us to get some rest and that he expects me at training tomorrow. I readily agree, happy to know I am still part of the battle, and watch Rune close the door behind him.
With Rune gone, I turn my focus back to Devlyn and hold him tight. Crescent Phoenix is no longer home to me. Not after what Quincy did. I know he was punished but the safety of my Mate now comes first.