Page 69 of His Rejected Alpha Mate
“You were.” A croak came from the bed.
My head jerked up from where I was looking at the observations that were being taken several times a day. I didn’t fully understand the chart but got the gist.
“Wha—“ Chase looked at his brother. His eyes were still closed. He turned to look at me. “Did you hear that?”
“I did.” Teárlach spoke at the time as me.
Chase studied his brother again before continuing the story watching Axel carefully. “So, we stopped, out of breath, and Blake squared up to us. He demanded I give the cookies back, not noticing that there was only one. I refused because I wanted it.”
“Brat.” Axel muttered. Chase and I exchanged a look, and I motioned for him to continue.
“We were at an impasse because I wasn’t giving up the cookie on the principle that Blake wanted it and he was our dad’s favorite. I didn’t get that it wasn’t a good thing until much later. Blake got really mad and his eyes started to glow. His voice got really low. It was pretty scary, actually.”
Axel let out a little laugh. His eyes were still closed, but I’d noticed that his fingers were twitching around his brother’s. Chase sent me such a heavy look. It was one part hope, two parts desperation.
“This voice just came out of him.Drop the cookie,it growled. And I did as compelled. Dropped it there and then. Right in the dirt. As soon as Blake saw it, he burst into tears and ran into the house. Mama saw him crying and found out what had happened. She was so mad at us. Dad, though, was proud when he found out. He actually asked mama to make Blake a batch just for him.”
“He gave me some.” Axel rasped. His eyelids fluttered, and he blinked open his eyes. “Water?”
Chase and I moved simultaneously to help him. Chase for the water, me for the controls on the bed to sit him up.
Chase set the cup at his lips and Axel took a couple of small sips before his eyes settled on Teárlach. “Who?”
The elf stepped forward cautiously. “Much has happened while you slept. I’m… I’m a friend of the pack. Teárlach.” I could have sworn he wanted to add something. His eyes never left Axel’s.
“Teárlach,” Axel repeated the name perfectly, drawing a small smile from the elf.
“We need to tell everyone you’re awake!” Chase got up from the side of the bed, pulling his phone out of his pocket and calling his brother. “Blake! He’s awake! You need to come.”
Axel looked confused and glanced at Teárlach for answers. “You’ve been asleep for a few weeks. Chase has been awake for two weeks now. He’s one of the few betas awake.”
“Huh. The others?” Axel asked.
“I’ll go check.” I went to Grady and Trey’s room to find them quietly talking with Ívarr and a nurse.
“Ah, Dakota, I assume Axel is awake too? There have been reports of betas awakening all over.”
His words followed me as I rushed to Angelica’s room just in time to see her open her eyes. Her nurse moved swiftly out of my way so I could clasp my daughter’s hand.
“Daddy?” she whispered.
“I’m here, little kit.”
“Papa?”
“You’ve been sick, little kit. Papa can’t come see you just yet.”
“Kade?” she paused. “Hayden?” Her eyes were half closed, as if the effort to talk had sapped all her energy and keeping her eyes open was just too much.
“Who’s Hayden, sweetheart?”
“Brother. Baby.”
“Did you name your baby brother?”
“Saw him all big.” Her voice was incredibly quiet. She smiled. The nurse and I exchanged a look before working together to prop Angelica up a bit more and making sure she got a drink. Her eyes closed again.
“I think that was all from her for just now, Dakota. I’ll monitor her while you contact your mate. This seems like a normal sleep, though. See the eye movement there?” She pointed. “And her fingers are twitching. She’ll wake again soon. I need to get these readings to Ívarr.”
