The Scarred Alpha’s Mate

FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

ELARA.

I wake up again, exhausted, as if pushing through a blanket of cobwebs. I’m no longer almost-naked. I am wearing a large t-shirt that falls over my hips.

I’m in a different room. My joints feel like rubber, and my strength is gone. I clench my jaw tight, feeling the fatigue pulsing in me like a second heart. My eyelids feel heavy. Everything feels wrong.

I push myself up with a grunt, surprised to see I’m in a different room. This room is bigger. The bed is Queen-sized. I’m in Wilder’s room.

My memory slowly returns. He wanted me to heal him, so I gave it a shot. His curse is as stubborn as an anchor. It has sunk deep into his bones, but for a tiny second, it budged. It felt like I was going to heal him, like I was going to fix him. I almost did and passed out. I pushed it too hard. I still have so much to learn.

The door opens, and a young woman comes in. Her eyes widen when she sees me. She runs back outside, and I blink, pushing back the fatigue.

I force myself to my feet and stagger backwards as the door is slammed open.

Wilder walks in, eyes pinned on me.

“You’re awake.” He rasps, running his gaze over me.

I look at him, and my mouth parts when I realise his left eye has cleared. The fog is gone, and I can now see his iris, his pupils, every part of his eye. It’s functioning. The rot on his face is still there, disappointing, but his eye is clear.

“You have a gift. You have been touched by divinity, but right now, you need to rest.” He takes my hand and leads me back to bed.

I wrap one arm around his neck for stability. He helps me to the bed and sits beside me.

“Your eyes are clear,” I whisper, a smile pulling at the corners of my mouth. I feel like death, but at least it’s worth it.

“Yes, it is. Your healing powers are real. Thank you, Elara. No one has been able to make a difference, but you did.” He looks at me intensely.

I nod and urge, “We should do it again. We should try; maybe you’ll be fixed.”

“Maybe I’ll be fixed?” He smirks, eyes filled with mirth.

He looks dashing, handsome in a way that makes my toes curl.

“Well, maybe not fixed, but you know what I mean.” I shift closer to him, “Come on, let’s try it. What’s the point of a gift if I do not use it?”

He takes my hand and kisses my wrist softly. It goes straight to my core, and c**t throbs hungrily. My lower belly tightens in need, and I lean into him.

His pupils dilate, and he bites his lips, “Elara,” he rasps hoarsely, and I nod, still so close to him.

His lips are full, and I want him to devour me. I don’t want to think about what this means. I don’t want to think about who I used to be. I want to focus on right now, on him.

Boldly, I sit up and straddle him. He groans and wraps his arm around me. I feel his c**k beneath me, stiff and hungry. He threads his fingers through my hair, and I hold on to the nape of his neck, writhing on him.

He digs his fingers in and warns, tone low, “Be careful, Elara. If we start, we won’t s –”

I cut him off, mashing my lips against his. He is frozen for a second before kissing me back. He lights a fire in my belly and consumes my whole soul. I feel his wolf beneath my fingertips, impatient and ready to consume me. I want to be consumed by him. I want him to mark me. I want to show Alaric, Sera and the entire Raventhorn that I’ve tamed a beast.

As if he hears my thought, he pulls away instantly.

Something crosses over his face, and he shoves me off carefully.

He stands up, adjusts his raging hardon and shakes his head, “When I take you, and I will, I’ll be the only name in your head. The only one.”

My eyes widen in shock.

“Now, stay here. The Madame will be right with you soon. You need to eat and rest. You’ve been asleep for two days, so you’re not in the right shape to try to heal anyone again.” He glares at me, fangs bared, and he takes a second to pull himself together, forcing his wolf back.

“You’re here to heal me. I own you, not Alaric, me. Do not ever forget that.” Then, he walks out without a backward glance.

I sit on the bed, panting and breathless. Oh, crap. Have I been asleep for two days? Healing him took two days from me, and that only cleared the fog in his eyes. What will healing his entire body tak? My life? Is he going to use me, drain me till there’s nothing left to use?

I pat my leg impatiently, thinking of the next course of action. I need to leave. I cannot be here, not when he makes me feel like this, and yet, all he wants from me is my gift.

The door opens, and I tense, expecting Madame.

Instead, Alaric sneaks in, eyes wide, weapon in hand.

“Elara.” He whispers in relief. “Come on, we have to go before that beast gets back.”

I stare at him, my mouth parted in shock, “What are you doing here?”

All the feelings I’ve buried crawl back in. All the love I felt for him threatens to burst out of me.

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve come to rescue you. Come on, before he returns and hurts you. All he wants to do is use you, and you belong to us, to me.” He grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room.

I stagger behind him, confused, “What are you talking a –”

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY MATE.” Wilder roars, and my heart jumps.