His Savage Devotion

Chapter 3

Gavin

I don't know how long I sat by Taryn's bedside, it felt like days. She looked so peaceful, lying in the hospital bed, like she was sleeping. I looked up when I heard the door open to see my father standing there, concern etched on his face. "Jesus, Gavin. When was the last time you slept?" My dad asked. "I don't know. What day is it?" "It's Wednesday, bud." f**k, I thought to myself, I haven't slept or showered in 4 days. My head was killing me. "Here's the deal," my dad hauled me up by my arms gently. "You're going to go shower and get a meal. I will sit here with Taryn, and I'll link you as soon as she wakes up." I shook my head "No. I'm not leaving her. I can't leave her dad." I started crying. "Look, Gavin, bud, the doctor says she's not waking up any time soon. You can't keep running yourself ragged like this. I won't leave her side, I swear. Please, go shower and eat. Maybe even take a nap. You need it. Arrax needs it." I knew he was right. I shook my head and headed out of the hospital room to get something to eat.

I stood in my room, feeling better after my shower and lunch. I opened my top drawer to grab a shirt and spied the ring box I had hidden there a few days ago. In the chaos of everything that had happened, I forgot that I had bought it. I was going to propose this week on our anniversary. I opened the box and stared at the 4-carat solitaire diamond ring. Without a thought, I grabbed the ring and put it in my pocket and headed back to the hospital. I was going to propose to Taryn the second she woke up. I couldn't wait anymore.

Taryn

I was so warm and comfortable. My eyelids were heavy, but I could hear someone calling my name, "Taryn. Taryn, you have to wake up now." I couldn't wake up. My eyelids were so heavy. I was so tired. "Taryn." the warm, loving voice floated through my head again and then she appeared. A beautiful woman with flowing silver hair smiled at me, knowingly. "Selene." I whispered in awe. The woman opened her arms. "Hello, Taryn. It's good to see you." "What are you doing here? Am I dead?" She chuckled softly, "No, child. You're not dead. Why does everyone assume that they're dead?" "Uh well, because you don't usually make appearances to people who aren't dead. What is this about?" Selene raised a single eyebrow and I cursed myself silently, I really should be more polite to a goddess.

"I'm here to talk to you. You know that every time a wolf loses its human counterpart, they are reincarnated and joined with a new one. Do you know how many times your wolf has been reincarnated?" I shook my head, I had never thought to ask Stella. "Your wolf is very old and very powerful. She has witnessed her human counterparts make horrible decisions that have led to death and destruction. You and Stella will play an important role in the future of multiple packs. Listen to her and trust your gut. I'll see you soon." Selene started to disappear slowly. "Wait!" I called after her "What does that mean?" but she was gone. I snapped my eyes open and blinked at the sudden brightness.

It took me a minute to realize where I was. I looked to my left and saw Gavin there, asleep. He looked so tired like he hadn't slept in days. "Gavin" I whispered, reaching over to tap his shoulder. I winced in pain as I sat up and Gavin's eyes snapped open. "Taryn?" he looked incredulous. "Hi, baby." Gavin pulled me into a hug, placing soft kisses over my hair and face. "Oh, Taryn, you scared the s**t out of me." He held me at arms length, inspecting me like he couldn't believe I was real. I patted the bed next to me, indicating for him to sit down. He obliged and wrapped his arms around me. I released the breath I didn't realize I was holding. I finally felt safe, being held by him like it was any other day.

"What happened to me?" Gavin took a deep breath, like he was mentally preparing himself to tell me horrible news. "Well, baby, you had wolfsbane in your system. You've been unconscious for a week." "A week?!" I shouted "How did this happen?" Gavin launched into the full story of what happened after I collapsed. The trip to the hospital, the doctors finding the wolfsbane, everything. After he was done, I sat there in disbelief, staring at the floor. "I still don't understand. How did I get wolfsbane in my system? I was with you the whole time." "I was hoping you'd be able to fill in some blanks there. My dad and I have no idea how this could have happened. You swear you weren't with anyone else the day before?" I shook my head no. Gavin pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head.

It felt so good to be in his arms again. I nestled closer to him, breathing in his comforting scent. Dove soap and a hint of his peppermint shampoo. I kissed his neck, suddenly desperate to be as close to him as possible. He growled lightly in response and I let that spur me on, kissing my way up his neck and his jaw until I reached his full lips. I kissed him like I was starving and he was my last meal. My tongue traced his lips until he opened his mouth to let me in. I swept his mouth with my tongue, relishing the taste of him. He groaned and pulled my head back by my hair, exposing my neck to his soft lips. I tugged on his shoulders lightly, a silent plea for him to get on top of me. This seemed to snap him out of it, and he pulled away breathing heavily. "You should rest, baby. There will be plenty of time for us to catch up when you're feeling better." "I feel fine, Gavin" I whined, "I don't want to wait." I knew I sounded needy, but I didn't care. I needed his familiarity after everything that had happened. "I can't wait either" he responded, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a ring. "I love you so much, baby. You are everything I have ever wanted in a wife, mother of my pups, and Luna of my pack. So, with that in mind, Taryn Leon will you marry me?" I gasped. We had always talked about being each other's chosen mates. We had our entire future planned. Where we would live, what our kids' names would be, how many we would have. It was a no-brainer. "Yes, Gavin! Yes of course I will!" But as he slipped the beautiful ring on my finger, the image of a dark-haired man with golden eyes flashed in my head.