Page 3 of Savior Mate

I turned to Agatha, and she didn't look really surprised about the lad’s condition. She gave me a brief smile as she murmured, “We should let him rest.” She put her hand on my shoulder and patted it lightly.

“Sure.” I nodded and followed her out of the ward. I shut the door and released a trembling sigh, leveling my gaze at her.

“If you must know, Denzel. This isn't your fault. His name is Marion Devereux, and he's been like that since he came to terms with his magic.”

“What do you mean?”

“He has episodes where he screams and thrashes in pain until he passes out. We don't know how to fix it. The boy has no hope of being normal again. Thankfully, we're able to revive him every time it happens.”

“So if I wasn't there. He might have…” I mustered with a tortured expression, and Agatha bobbed her head in affirmation. I just couldn't say the word. This was all my fault. If I hadn't asked him to return home. If I had just been with him, perhaps he would still be safe. How could I be so stupid to let myself almost lose my second chance mate?! “I’ll keep an eye on him.” I said to her.

“Call me if anything changes.” She beamed as she sauntered away.

Opening the door, I quietly crept into the ward and settled into the seat closer to his bed, holding his hands with a smile. I stayed awake most of the night, watching him until I got the reassurance that he was fine. I fell asleep with my hands knotted around his arms. All I wanted was for him to be alright. Yes, this new sense of attraction, this thing I feel for him regardless of the mating bond, was all new to me. But I was giving the thoughts of exploring the parts of me that remained hidden most of my life a consideration.

The following morning, before Marion woke up, I left his ward and called on my daughter to explain what was happening to the young witch. I only left out the part of being his fated mate. I didn't think I was ready to disclose that to anyone just yet. Frey reassured me she would do everything within her power to figure out what was wrong with the witch.

I returned to his ward with a tray of breakfast containing hot coffee, fruits, and toast. I knocked on the door and waited for a reply, which came after a short while. Unlocking the door, I stepped into the ward, seeing Marion, who sat on his bed with a distraught expression on his face. “Mate is hurt!” my wolf, Silver, cried. “This is all your fault, you crackhead.” Silver growled at me.

“Hey, I brought you breakfast.” I said as I put the tray on his bed.

“What are you doing here? I thought you said you never wanted to see me. Please leave.”

This was the exact reaction I expected from him. I tried to reason with him, speaking as calmly as I could, “I’m sorry, Marion. I was being inconsiderate of your feelings.”

“My feelings? Please leave Mr. No name and don't come back here.” He asserted.

“Ok,” I sighed and put the tray on the side table beside his bed. I wasn't expecting anything less from him, not after the way I acted toward him last night. In fact, I deserved this. “If you need anything, call me.”

“I don't need you!” He added with anger in his eyes.

All I wanted right now was to hold and comfort him. He was hurting, and I saw it from the tortured look on his face. I didn't want to leave him this way, but I didn't think I had a choice. I was respecting his wishes.

Turning on my heels, I headed toward the exit with an exhale. I was almost out of the ward when I heard a soft whimper. I wheeled back to the young witch and saw him shaking as he cried. “I thought I was going to die.” He murmured with tears in his eyes. My mate was crying in front of me and I desired to console him. I didn't want him to be like this. His life was hanging by a thread, and I wouldn’t let him give up. Not just yet. Not when he hadn't experienced that passionate love he desired so much. So fuck his wishes of me leaving. I'd be damned if I left him like this. I was never leaving his side again.

“Hey, hey, hey. It's ok. You're safe now,” I took hurried steps toward him and climbed onto his bed, holding him close to me. The hospital bed wasn't big enough to contain both of us, but I had to squeeze myself in and give him the comfort he deserved. “I’ll figure out what is wrong with you, and I'll help you get through it.” I reassured him, and he nodded as he relaxed to my touch. Our mere contact sent irresistible sparks flying through us, and I held him tighter in my arms.

“It hurts so much, you know. The pain. I've had to deal with it for a long time, and I don't think I can anymore. I just want it to be over.”

“It breaks my heart when you say that, Marion. I'm here for you, and I'll help you in any way I can.” The fact that my mate wanted to die and leave me all alone in this world was disheartening. I didn't want that for him. I would do anything to keep him alive, no matter the cost. That was a promise I made to myself last night when I saw him lying on the floor barely alive, when I saw him at the hospital and treated his wounds. That night when he saved me from a hound. Just now I realized these feelings came even before the mating bond. This might still be conflicting, but I was willing to learn and accept this new part of myself that was blooming in my heart. This part Marion had planted in the depths of my soul the moment I set my eyes on him. The moment he pushed me against that tree and pressed his perfect body against mine.

“Excuse me, but you haven't told me your name yet.” Marion pulled me out of my thoughts with a chuckle.

“Denzel Hemming. Something else you should know is that my wolf, Silver, adores you.”

3

Marion

I still recalled when the pain came and swept me off my feet, leaving me vulnerable to the cold hands of death. How long could I hold out and figure out how to put this to an end? I thought it was going to be over. That this pain would finally take me to my death and set me free. But I was wrong. I survived again. I didn't know when the unbearable torture was going to stop, and I had lost the strength to keep struggling. I wasn't expecting any of that to happen last night. Neither was I anticipating to see Denzel in my ward this morning.

“I thought I was going to die.” Was all I could muster after I just couldn't keep it in anymore.

It didn't take a second, and he had cleared the distance between us and held me in his arms, comforting me in every way possible. I had never felt the peace I sensed when he wrapped his arms around my weak frame and reassured me everything would be fine. No one had ever told me that. They were only concerned with reviving me, not even realizing how this thing has stolen most of my life from me.

I was so lost in the thoughts of his ethereal embrace that I didn't know when I fell asleep in his arms. I woke up again, and it was already nighttime. A nurse walked into the ward and discharged me from the hospital, stating that I was all set to leave for home. She handed me a plastic bag which had a new set of clothes in them and left the room after the quick inspection. I changed into the clothes provided for me and prepared to return home. Folding my hands, I sat on the bed and reached for the pillow. I brought it closer to my nose and buried my face in it, inhaling a lungful of the scent. It was Denzel's. I exhaled deeply and clutched it to my chest, holding it like it was the most precious thing in the world and it was. I wished he was here because I was already missing him. Again, I had to ask why I was moving ahead of myself, because I wasn't sure if he still wanted me. It was just a onetime thing out of his kindness, which he would have shown to any patient in the hospital. He just saved my life out of obligation or something? I tried to convince myself, but I felt something more than just human kindness when he held me. I knew he felt it, too.

You know he cares. Was all I heard from the little voice in my chest.

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