A Kiss For The Alpha

My Mate's Recovery

I sprinted down the hall and didn't waste one second more than I had to before I flew through the heavy, wooden door of the emergency room adjacent to the clinic. The groan it let out pained my ears as I entered. My heart was racing in my chest, each echo beating out a rhythm of urgency that urged me forward.

My eyes moved frantically, scanning the room in a blur of white-uniformed nurses and doctors, the occasional flash of white-clad witches, all bunched together, speaking in muted tones, their voices low hums of worry, their movements economical and sure.

There was that smell of antiseptic, laced with herbs and the faintest tang of magic in the air. My breath caught as my eyes found the figure lying on the bed, surrounded by various pieces of medical equipment and glowing runes; there could be absolutely no doubt that it was Siegfried.

Desperation rose in my chest and my legs instinctively moved closer, my need to be near him overwhelming all other rational thought. But before I could reach his side, a nurse with firm yet gentle hands stepped into my path, her face apologetic yet unyielding.

"I am sorry, but you cannot go closer," the nurse said firmly, her tone soft, only because she was doing her job. Her eyes were warm, yet there was steel to them, a seriousness of the situation reflected in them.

Swallowing hard, the lump of fear and worry clung more tightly to my throat. Taking a deep breath, I replied-my voice laced with desperation, yet a certain wayward determination: "Fear not, for I am Fey Fontaine, the rightful mate of the Alpha you're trying to save right now. Truly, I thank you for all you've done for him, but at least let me be beside him?

I bowed deeply, hoping that my sincerity and raw emotion in the words would be enough to sway her. To me, being separated from Siegfried at such a critical moment was unthinkable, and into my plea went every ounce of gratitude and respect that I felt.

The nurse's eyes widened in recognition, and she relented at once, her threatening demeanor softening. "Oh! My apologies, Ms. Fey. We actually need you," she said, all warm and inviting now. She turned and beckoned the doctors to let them know I was here, her tone now assured, quite different from that of a person in authority.

The mere sight of him as I approached Siegfried's bedside is what my aching heart did. Every step I took felt weighted with a thousand pounds, dragging me down by the simple vision of the man who saved me in such a state. His powerful and strong form lay without a single movement, plugged into an array of weird medical contraptions that blinked and whirred with an otherworldly energy.

Soft, otherworldly light bathed the room in gentle tones from a variety of magical devices designed to keep him alive. A ventilator, attached via a series of tubes to a magical implement on the side of the bed, glowed softly as it infused the air with a gentle airy rune. The magic coursed through at a steady, rhythmic pulse that seemed to match Siegfried's shallower breathing.

Pasted on his chest and neck were magic stones, aglow with healing properties, their soft colors shifting and pulsating in time with another stone on the table beside the doctor. These colours changed from pale blue to deep green, reflecting his heartbeat and condition in health. Every pulse of light seemed like a little lifeline, keeping the faint spark of life within him.

But it was his hands that finally broke me, that really shattered the last of my composure. They were burned so badly that fingers once strong and capable were twisted now, skin marked by deep angry blisters healing very slowly under the soft glow of a restorative spell. The damage was unmistakable, a cruel reminder of the battle he had fought.

His stomach was wrapped in layers of bandages, the white linen splotched darkly, almost ominously with markings from injuries far graver.

I couldn't help my tears as my hands reached out and grasped his trembling hand in mine, the raw, rough texture of his burned skin against my fingers. The pain he should be in yet made him try to squeeze my hand in return, the faintest pressure that spoke volumes about his determination to hang on.

"Siegfried." I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion. "I'm glad you're safe. Fey." He said. Words which sounded inappropriate, even to myself, being too small to encompass the maelstrom of emotions inside me: relief, fear, guilt, a tidal wave of helpless feeling.

But as I watched, horror etched itself into my heart while Siegfried's eyes fluttered shut. The cold, relentless panic seized me when his hand suddenly went limp inside mine. My vision narrowed to the blurred sight of the world around me as his still form met my gaze. I shook him, my voice rising in desperation, each word a plea born from fear.

"Siegfried, wake up! Not you, not to me!" I shook him harder, as if the force of my will could drag him back into consciousness, pull him back from the edge. My heart was racing now, with every beat a frantic cry against the silence that threatened to engulf us both.

My mind reeled, and the panic deepened into something gnawing in my belly-a terror. The weight bore down with the realization that this was all because of my decisions. It was too much to take, unable to fathom the weight of losing Siegfried or failing at protecting him as his mate.

How could I ever live with myself if I let him slip away? I was paralyzed with the fear of what might happen next, my grip on reality faltering as the feelings of guilt and despair overwhelmed me.

Just as I was about to be consumed by grief, the nurse exhaled a sigh of relief; the sound pierced through the fog of panic inside my mind. She spoke with the doctor in a calm, reassuring tone, "The sedation seems to have worked now. We should be able to tend to his wounds. Thank you, Fey."

My sobs caught in my throat, my heart leaping with her words. "You mean. Siegfried is just asleep?" I whispered, hope and disbelief warring inside me, too terrified to believe everything wasn't as grim as it had seemed.

"Right," the nurse said softly, her eyes catching mine. "To be honest, it was a bit of a hard time getting him in here. He refused to accept any treatment, just wanted to wait until he saw you. He needed to stay awake to know you were okay."

Her words came as a balm to my heart, and other tears fell, hot, tingling, and bitter. Even as Siegfried had lain in his death throes, he had thought of me; the bond between us was a shining beacon, even when his body had been too weakened to hold on to life. My chest swelled with the tide of my emotions-gratitude, sorrow, and a deep and powerful feeling that until this moment I had not known was love.

"Siegfried. You're such a dummy." I whispered, my voice shaking while clamping down hard on his hand. It was at this point that it hit me-what he had done, what he had gone through, all to see me.

He had barely known me, yet had risked all just to make sure I was safe. Finally, I knew how deep a werewolf's loyalty ran, and it overwhelmed me in a way I never would have thought. The bond that lay between us was still new, yet already building into an unbreakable state.

The nurse, who was also surprised, added, "Mr. Siegfried was against level 5 sedation and kept himself awake. Level 3 sedation will put a pureblood vampire to sleep within seconds, but he remained conscious until he saw you. I envy you, Ms. Fey." The respect was apparent in her voice, and I couldn't help this swell of pride and fondness for Siegfried.

My heart swelled with gratitude and affection, feelings apparently growing with each second passing. "Please now tend to his wounds. I'll pay whatever just to make sure he recovers fast," I pleaded, not caring about the cost.

Siegfried was my buddy, and I didn't care what his medical care would cost; I would be happy to assume the expenses. I couldn't imagine a life without him, and I would do whatever it would take to make sure he healed, that he'd continue to stay by my side.

Patting my back with her warm, reassuringly comforting touch, she said, "We promise that Mr. Siegfried will be fine; all thanks to you for soothing him. We'll take over from here."

I stepped back in, yet remained anxiously hopeful while these people of medicine moved with practiced ease. Doing his physical therapy, their hands moved over his body in careful, measured ways, pressing where gentle pressure would be most required.

Spells of healing glittered in the air and illuminated the room as they worked to heal the damage done to his body. It was a delicate and complex process in the restoration of the rune, as the nurses and witches moved in coordination with one another, funneling magic into the healing of Siegfried's wounds.

I could do nothing but stand there, clenching my hands and praying that he would recover as soon as possible. My mind went to the future and the debt that no doubt was growing with each spell and treatment applied. The image of bills piling up was another kind of anxiety I was determined to push aside. I couldn't help but say jokingly to myself: I'd be paying them long after graduation-a small attempt at humor, at least, to hold back the fear.

After what felt like an eternity, which was five system hours, the doctors and nurses finally moved Siegfried to the clinic. They also did a readjustment of my health checkup, just in case, though my head was half asleep and wholly focused on Siegfried.

Scarcely had I registered the procedures when my gaze drifted to the ceiling, gnawed by anxiety. Time seemed to tick by almost unrealistically, stretched thin by the weight of worry hanging over my head like a storm cloud.

I turned, finally, to Siegfried, and was amazed. The change was unbelievable. The physicians had cured his wounds; they even succeeded in regrowing the skin that had been burned. His hands were smooth once more; the skin soft and unmarred, as though the injuries had never occurred.

Gone were the bandages on his stomach, replaced by healthy, unbroken skin. His breathing was regular, the rise and fall of his chest steady and soothing in its rhythm, a reassurance that he was out of danger.

A precision that even modern hospitals can't dream of pulling off such a delicate operation, and it was a reminder of the magic that makes this academy so prestige. The combining of technology with magic, of science with the arcane, was a testament to the unparalleled resources of the academy and to the skill of its medical staff.

Relieved that Siegfried was out of harm's way, I took a pledge that one day, no matter how the price was required of me, I would find a way to repay such kindness in saving me. The weight of that promise settled upon my heart: a vow I would see through with all that was in me. I would never leave his sacrifice unanswered; I did what it took to show him exactly how much he meant to me.

"Uhm. about the medical bill, would installment be possible? I promise to pay it with interest next month!" I pleaded with him, knowing full well what to expect. The thought of the looming debt was really terrifying, but I was determined, no matter how long it took, to find a way.

The nurse and physicians exploded into a chuckle; the welcome sound lightened the tension in the room. "You sure know how to make us laugh, Ms. Fey. A witch's will is always answered. You won't have to pay a dime for your treatment here at Akashic Academy. Everything will be covered by the academy itself."

My cheeks started to flush, realizing how stupidly I must have sounded. All medical expenses were covered, and I had totally forgotten it. I thanked them profusely before they left, handing me the prescribed medicines for both Siegfried and myself. Their kindness and understanding only deepened my resolve to become someone worthy of the faith and care they had shown me.

As Siegfried lay in bed, still snoring soft, he began to stir. He opened his eyes and first looked for me; the moment his eyes found me lying by his side, his gaze softened. He didn't say a word; he took my hand in his and drew me closer to him.

My heart racing, pounding in my chest, his warmth and strength embraced me even after all he had endured. Strong already, the connection between us seemed to deepen in that moment, as if our souls were being drawn closer together.

"Wh-What are you doing?!" I stuttered as my cheeks flushed. The sudden proximity, the intensity in his eyes, and the residual emotions from what had happened that day came together in a storm of emotion that took my breath away, and I didn't know what else to do.