Leah

As I claw my way up from the darkness, I feel my body, but it’s like it doesn’t belong to me. I try to move, but the movements are jerky and uncoordinated. My eyes are heavy and scratchy as I try to force them open. I’m able to blink a few times, but the bright light hurts my eyes, and I can’t stop the little whimper that pours from me. I feel movement next to me, and a hand runs along my cheek.

“Are you awake, little one?” I hear the deep, tired voice.

“Alex?” I try to croak out, but it barely sounds like anything coming from my dry, sore throat.

“Yes, it’s me Leah. I’m right here.” He says and my heartbeat quickens. I reach for him, and he grabs my hand. I blink a few more times and try to sit up, but I’m too weak.

“Stay laying down, sweetheart. You’re still pretty sick.” He murmurs, pressing his warm lips to my forehead. I open my eyes fully and see his face, his perfect blue eyes. Relief floods through me and I sob at how happy I am. I make a terrible noise and Alex’s face contorts in concern.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” He asks and I sob again at the sound of his voice. I reach my arms up to him like a child and he wraps his around me.

“You’re alive.” I croak and he pulls back to look at me.

“It was just a dream. You had a very high fever.” He says, his eyes flitting around my face. I reach for him again and he grabs my hand to stop me.

“Be careful, little one. You have a thing in your hand.” He says, pointing to a needle hooked to a tube. He kisses my hand making me smile and I look up at him.

“It’s called an IV.” I hear another voice and turn to look at Jon who’s standing in the doorway.

“How do you know that?” Alex asks. Jon shrugs as he steps further in the room.

“I’ve seen every episode of Grey’s Anatomy. I’m basically a doctor.” He says smugly and I snicker a laugh before turning back to Alex. My eyes eat him up, so grateful that he’s safe and here next to me.

“Welcome back to the land of the living, princess.” Jon says with a smile that doesn’t quite meet his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him and he sits next to me on the bed, placing his hand gently over mine.

“I was worried. We all were.” He says and I frown.

“I’m sorry.” I say quietly and both men chuckle.

“Don’t be sorry for getting sick.” Alex says with an affectionate smile and I can tell my cheeks have heated in a blush.

“Could I have some water please?” I ask and both men jump out of bed to get what I asked for, Jon beats Alex to the door and he must use his werewolf speed because he’s back incredibly fast with a bottle of water.

“The kitchen made a bunch of soup for you. They are heating it up, so I’ll bring it up in a few minutes.” He says, kissing the top of my head before turning and leaving the room.

“I feel kind of bad, everyone making a big deal out of a little cold.” I say to Alex and he looks at me incredulously.

“Leah. You were very sick. The doctor said your time in captivity made your immune system take a hit. You’re going to need to be careful for awhile until we can get you healthy again.” He says, trailing the back of his hand along my cheek. I smile at him and lean into the warmth of his hand.

“And I ordered you a space heater to keep your room warm, so you don’t turn into a popsicle this winter.” He says amusement in his tone. I giggle, but it quickly turns into a coughing fit. Alex watches me worriedly and I take a few more sips of water to clear my throat. Alex seems to relax a little and I lean over to rest my head on his shoulder.

“I’m so glad you’re not dead.” I murmur and he barks out a laugh before wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me in closer to him.

“I’m glad I’m not dead too.” He says, rubbing his hand up and down my arm like he’s worried I’m still cold, which is basically impossible when he’s right next to me. A few minutes later there’s a knock on the door and Jon comes in with a tray, followed by Penny and another woman I’m not familiar with. They all smile warmly at me as Jon sets the tray in front of me. The soup smells amazing, and I lift my spoon, only to tug painfully on the tube connected to my hand.

“Let me take that out for you.” The woman says. She pulls the tape off and pulls the needle out gently, but I still wince a little and Alex growls a little under his breath. I scowl at him and he gives me an apologetic smile.

“Sorry. Just tired of seeing you sick and in pain.” He says, smoothing down my messy hair.

“I’m Susan. A doctor. A human doctor actually.” She says with a smile.

“Thank you for taking care of me.” I say and she nods.

“Of course. Since you’re awake now, we’ll switch to pills. Take these twice a day for the next week. I’m going to give you some vitamins too for a while.” I nod and thank her again and she turns to leave, leaving me with three over attentive werewolves who stare at me while I eat.

“Are you guys hungry or something?” I ask and they all look at me confused. “You’re watching me eat like you want me to share.” I say and they all chuckle.

“It’s just nice to see you awake.” Penny says and I nod, shoveling the food into my mouth. They all chat idly while I eat and soon my belly is full, making me sleepy again. I push the blankets off my legs and swing them over the edge of the bed. Alex stands abruptly, a concerned look on his face while he rounds the bed to stand next to me.

“What are you doing?” He asks, panicked as he holds his hands out next to me when I stand, like a parent following a child learning to walk for the first time. I scowl at him and gently push his hands away.

“I have to go to the bathroom, Alex. Is that ok with you?” I ask irritably and his eyebrows furrow.

“I’ll carry you.” He says, moving to scoop me up, but I squeal in indignation and push him away again.

“You will do no such thing! I appreciate all of your concern and care, but I am fully capable of peeing on my own!” I exclaim and Penny giggles while Jon tries to hide his smile. Alex growls a little in frustration, but eventually nods and I walk slowly to the bathroom by myself.

I smile in excitement when I make it to the toilet and am able to handle things by myself. I am definitely still weak, and my lungs aren’t working like they should be, but I am not just a weak human these wolves need to take care of. I stand up and realize how gross I feel, so I turn the water for the shower. Less than a second later, there’s a firm knock on the door.

“Leah? What are you doing?” Alex’s loud voice booms from the other side of the door.

“Just taking a shower! And definitely brushing my teeth. Your poor werewolf sense of smell is probably suffering!” I shout back and he growls a little, making goosebumps erupt over my naked body as I step into the warm stream. I let out a sigh of content, relaxing into the water. I hear the door creak open and peek out from behind the curtain. Alex is standing there with his back to me.

“What are you doing?!” I squeal, pushing the curtain back.

“Just making sure I can get to you if you need me.” He says and I huff.

“Send Penny in!” I yell.

“She had to go. So it’s either me or Jon.” He says firmly and I growl myself making him chuckle.

“Fine! You stubborn wolf.” I grumble and he chuckles again. I hurry and wash, feeling much better, and towel off quickly.

“Could you get me some clothes please?” I ask sweetly as I walk over to the sink to brush my teeth. He watches me intently for any sign of trouble, before eventually nodding and leaving the room.

He comes back by the time I’ve finished and puts a large, heavy sweater over my head. His sweater I realize. His hands trail my arms as he brings it down my body and I shiver in response. He smirks when he sees my reaction and my face heats up in a blush. I drop the towel, since the sweater hits my knees, and put on the sweatpants he brought me. He leans down to grab the towel and chuck it in the wash, before stepping closer to me, wrapping his arms gently around my waist and tucking his face into my neck, breathing deeply. The feel of his warm breath against my skin makes me shudder in his arms and he holds me tighter before leaving a trail of gentle kisses up my neck to below my ear.

“You’re right.” He whispers to me. “You do smell better now.”