Sounds seemed to rush past me as I lay immobile, it sounded as though somebody was talking, but I couldn't make out what they were trying to say. I tried to move, to wiggle my toes, my fingers, anything, but I couldn't. I was trapped in my own body, unable to do anything as I heard the person begin to grow desperate. That familiar husky voice started to tremble, he was crying for me and there wasn't a thing I could do about it.

A warm wet droplet of water dropped onto the back of my hand and I jolted at the sensation, finally able to feel something. Alaricus called out my name in confusion, having seen my body jolt. I felt something warm and large resting on my hand, and I tensed. Trying to calm my breathing I tried to concentrate on the muscles in that one hand, putting all my strength into moving at least one finger. My efforts were rewarded with a gasp from him, and I tried again to tune into what he was saying.

"Angel if you can hear me, please come back to me. I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you, I promise I'll be better this time, just wake up please. What will I tell your parents, they trusted you to me, how will I face them if you won't wake up?" He begged, yelling for a doctor as I twitched my finger in response.

"She moved." Alaricus yelled, presumably at the doctor who'd come in response to his desperate yelling.

"T-that's great." A gentle masculine voice answered shakily. A cold round compress being pressed to my chest, making me jolt again. The poor doctor having been startled, let out a nervous shriek in response to my sudden movement. Alaricus growled angrily at the poor doctor for being so loud.

"Help her wake up." Alaricus commanded, already sounding quite frustrated with the doctor. I tried to peel open my eyes, to help end the painful transaction going on between the doctor and Alaricus quickly, but unfortunately the only thing I could do for now was move my finger.

"I don't know how to. U-usually by now the wolf takes over, waking the p-person up, but the queen d-doesn't have a wolf." The doctor mused quietly. I could bet my useless spinal cord that Alaricus was currently staring silently at the poor man, letting him know he was being very judged.

"So why are you here?" Alaricus asked, his voice misleadingly calm.

"I-I work here." The doctor replied, sounding more like a question than an answer.

"No you- I mean why would you come if you can't tend to a human. Why not send a human doctor?" Alaricus asked.

"I'm not quite sure." The doctor answered sounding as if he would drop into a coma any moment now.

"Alright so now you are going to go and fetch me a human doctor, and I swear if I see you anywhere near my Mate again, I'm going to put you into a coma and send a human gardener to check on you. Do you understand?" Alaricus asked, still sounding alarmingly composed. The man let out a squeak of agreement in response before a loud crash was heard. Either Alaricus had tackled him, or the man had tripped on his own.

"He can't even walk and he wants to treat my mate." Alaricus stage whispered to me, confirming that the man had indeed tripped.

"Sorr-" the man began to say but Alaricus cut him off with a brisk "out."

"Alaricus stop being mean." I croaked out, surprised that I had even managed to say that out loud. I pried my eyes open to look into Alaricus' bright honey eyes as he leaned over me, his eyes wide open.

"Hi." I whispered to a shocked Alaricus, who looked like a looming statue over me.

"My sweet angel." He cried out, gathering me up into his arms and hugging me tightly to his chest.

"I was so scared, I was so scared I had lost you." He told me.

"I love you." He chanted into my ear like a mantra, holding me so close to him as if afraid that I would slip away if he let go.

"Are you okay love? Do you need anything?" Alaricus gushed, helping me up so that I was leaning against the headboard of the bed. He fussed over the pillows for a moment, trying to fluff them without moving me, and I struggled to banish the dark spots from my vision as he did so. I still was unable to feel my legs, but that was just due to however long it had been since I moved them.

"Water." I croaked out and he nodded his head immediately, letting go of me for a moment to pour me a glass from the pitcher of water that sat on the bedside table. He handed me the cup of water, before pressing a kiss to my forehead, and cupping his hands over my ears. I watched in fascination as his lips moved as he called out for someone while I drank my water.

"I'm fine." I told him, my voice still very scratchy, and now that I no longer felt parched I could feel that my throat still ached terribly. A knock sounded at the door and I looked away from Alaricus to see who was at the door. A young man with curly dark brown hair, and warm mocha skin stood there, holding a big briefcase, wearing a white coat over clothes. I beckoned him in with a hand since Alaricus is absolutely useless right now, unable to stop staring at me.

"Good evening your majesties." The man said smoothly, bowing down lightly before us and I made a face making Alaricus let out a breathy little chuckle, that sounded more like he was just relieved I was alive than amused. Alaricus pressed another kiss to my cheek, before reluctantly moving away so the doctor could check on me.

"How is her majesty feeling?" The man asked, setting his briefcase down on the bed beside me. I put up a thumbs up, not in the mood to hurt my throat by talking again. The man smiled warmly in response.

"Alright well I do apologize, but I will have to touch her majesty to check on your throat. According to what Doctor Dinger told me, that is where the injury is." The doctor said, and Alaricus scoffed whispering about what a fitting name that was for the other doctor. Ignoring Alaricus I gave the doctor a nod in permission and he stepped forward.

His hands were slightly cold as he gently felt around the area of my throat, I could see Alaricus tense but he kept quiet.

"Please open your mouth." The doctor said, grabbing a silver tool from his briefcase, he looked down my throat carefully, seeming very hesitant to touch me, choosing rather to bend himself uncomfortably to get a proper look.

"How is she? Is she in any pain?" Alaricus asked anxiously from behind the doctor, his face looking pale, and slightly sunken. Dark circles had appeared under his eyes, he was still strikingly handsome, but looked more exhausted than I had ever seen him. If I wasn't so sure he was very strong, I would think he needed to be checked more than I did. The man looked about ready to fall into a coma of his own.

"The Queen is quite alright Sire Knight, the week long rest has done her well. There is still some swelling and bruising, so I'd suggest she kept speaking to a minimum. Get lots of fluids. We've had you hooked up to meds all this week, so I'd like to you to avoid medication unless the pain is too much." The doctor said, looking between the both of us as he spoke.

"She must be in pain, get her medication." Alaricus ordered.

"No." I retaliated, shaking my head.

"I'm fine." I said, although my voice sounded anything but. I didn't like taking medication unless absolutely necessary, I could handle a bit of pain.

"Well I'll leave them here if you decide otherwise. But other than that you seem to be fine your majesty. Please get rest, and try to drink some broth, or any juices to keep yourself energized. I'll have some broth sent for you on my way out." The doctor said, putting a small red bottle on my bedside table, before bowing once again and leaving the room.

Immediately Alaricus was at my side, gently taking a hold of my hand, as he settled into the chair pulled up to my bedside.

"I was so scared. You'd been out for a week angel. How are you feeling really? Taking medication isn't a sign of weakness." He told me gently, lifting my hand up to his lips, and pressing a kiss to the back of it. I shook my head at him silently, pulling my hand out of his, to ruffle his hair playfully, and he leans into my touch, letting out a quiet sound that sounded almost like a purr. My adorable little wolf.

"I love you." I said, my voice scratchy, and I tried not to wince at the sharp pain that shot through my aching throat. Alaricus' eyes softened, looking like melted honey as he began to tear up, a single tear falling from his thick bottom lashes and trailing down his cheek. It disappeared into the slight stubble that had grown onto his cheeks. My poor baby looked exhausted. Cupping his cheek gently, I wiped my thumb over the scruff collecting the wetness of tear from it.

"I should have been able to protect you, I never should have let Eros take over. If I had a clear mind this never would have happened. My angel is suffering because of me." Alaricus said, looking at me with big vulnerable eyes.

"No." I said hoarsely, shaking my head at him. I needed to get myself a notepad, because talking hurt way too much.

A knock sounded on the door and Alaricus kissed my palm before getting up to go answer the door.

"Thank you Fatima." He mumbled, and I craned my neck to see who was at the door. Turning back to me, Alaricus now held a large tray in his hands, that had a big bowl of something that was steaming and a smaller bowl and spoon beside it. A tall glass of some funky looking juice sat beside it. Alaricus walked over slowly, carefully adjusting the tray so its legs were balanced on the bed around my lap.

Alaricus used the cradle to pour some of the salty smelling light brown broth into a bowl, before lifting the bowl into his hands. Scooping up a spoonful he gently blew on it for a moment before bringing it before my lips. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of the plain chicken broth. It didn't look very appetizing.

"Please." Alaricus mumbled, and looking into his tired eyed, I knew now was not the time to be picky. I opened my mouth allowing him to feed me the soup. Swallowing it quickly so that I wouldn't taste it too much. I winced as the hot liquid went down my throat, it left the nasty taste of boiled chicken in my mouth. From when I was little I'd always loved spicy food, plain bland stuff grossed me out. But spice wouldn't be good for my throat so for now I had to do with this. Alaricus fed me a few more spoonfuls before setting the bowl down and reaching for the juice.

I stretched away from it making him frown, I stared at it pointedly before looking back up at him. Leaning forward Alaricus sniffed it lightly, his own nose wrinkling in response.

"Kale mango and carrots." Alaricus said making my eyes widen. Jesus Christ why did the chefs hate me? Sighing deeply, I took a few sips of the strange tasting liquid. Perhaps if it were only mango and kale it would have been alright, but the addition of carrot was making it nauseating. Alaricus poured another bowl of broth as I drank half the tall glass of juice. Even though I wanted to put it down after one sip, I didn't want to make Alaricus more stressed than he already was. I let Alaricus feed me a few more spoonfuls of the broth, before refusing to eat anymore. It didn't go to waste though as Alaricus drank the rest of the broth.

"Get rest." I said and he seemed to misunderstand as he nodded his head, getting up from his chair, and grabbing onto me to lay me down. I shook my head at him, and he looked at me in confusion. Pointing at him, I patted the empty space beside me. He shook his head in response with a small smile.

"I'm fine angel." Alaricus said and I pursed my lips, grabbing onto his arm, pulling him making his eyes widen.

"Don't hurt yourself beautiful, I'm getting in." Alaricus mumbled, gently disentangling himself from me and walking to the other side of the bed. He crawled in beside me, immediately wrapping himself around me, his arm on my waist, legs tangled with my own, head resting next to mine, making my heart warm.

Turning to face him I gently rubbed his under-eyes with my fingertips, frowning at him.

"You know I can't sleep without you." Alaricus mumbled, grabbing onto my hand and intertwining my fingers with his own, he brought our hands to rest above his heart. The rhythmic pumping against the back of my hand making me feel at peace.

"Khan?" I asked, struggling to swallow after to soothe my throat.

"The troops took him, you don't know how many calls from Alphas I've been getting in apology for them not being there to help, or checking up on Khan earlier. I didn't receive them but they've been leaving messages for the both of us." Alaricus told me.

"You also have a visitor that wants to see you when you're feeling better." He said and I arch my brow in confusion. As much as I wished it were, it couldn't be my parents, perhaps Marina. I hadn't spoken to her for over a year though so I was doubtful.

"You need to rest first, we'll let it be a surprise for later." Alaricus said, and I pouted in frustration making him smile. Alaricus pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, tenderly wrapping his arms around me, he rolled me onto him, cradling me close to him.

"I missed you so damn much." Alaricus mumbled against my lips, and I rest my forehead against his, letting my eyes fall shut.

"They told me you would be alright, but you just weren't waking up. I was so scared I'd loose you, the one good thing in my life. You're so young, it terrifies me. If something had happened to you, you still have so much to experience. So much to do. For the first time I wished you weren't my mate. I wished I had never met you." Alaricus says, and I pushed away from him, tears coming to my own eyes as I turn over, scrunching up into a ball at the corner of the bed.

It wasn't my fault I was weak, that I was young, or just a human. I couldn't change any of that. I'd always thought he was okay with all that, but apparently not. It made my heart ache far worse than my throat to hear him say that to me. I wasn't the ideal mate for someone like Alaricus but I'd been trying my best.

"Angel you've misunderstood." Alaricus said, trying gently to roll me over but I shied away from his touch. I knew I wasn't queen material, but I never knew he thought that too.

"What I mean is if you had never met me, you wouldn't get hurt. Your life wouldn't be in jeopardy, you would live out your life happily, and safe away from any kind of danger. I know you came out just to stop Eros from killing Khan. You ended up getting hurt while trying to protect me. You're the best thing to ever happen to me, I'm the one that's unworthy of such a blessing. I wish I wasn't your mate so that you could be happy, I have no hope of being happy without you but you could have been." Alaricus explains and I turn back to face him, leaning forward I dug my teeth into the smooth soft skin of his throat.

"Mine." I mumbled but it sounded much more like a growl due to my hoarse voice. I couldn't explain to him verbally that I only wanted him, that he was worth every bit of trouble I went through, so biting him, marking him although the mark wouldn't stay was the more convenient way to do so.

"Yours, only yours." Alaricus breathed out, peppering kisses all over my face, removing any trace of tears with his sweet affection.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." Alaricus whispered to me, holding me tenderly to his chest, nuzzling his face into my hair. He inhaled deeply and my eyes widened. I probably smelt rancid, how was he holding me? I leant away from him, pointing to myself and then holding my nose.

"You smell delightful, Victoria came and bathed you daily. I washed your hair and brushed your teeth. I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable with me seeing you undressed, but I-I needed to take care of you so I just washed your hair, you were dressed every time I did." Alaricus clarified, his cheeks reddening.

"I don't mind." I whispered back making his cheeks heat up further and he leant down to dig his face into my neck to hide from me. I started coughing lightly and he was off the bed in a flash, pouring me a cup of water, before helping me up to drink it.

When I'd had enough, I lay down on my back and opened up my arms to him. Setting everything back in its place, he crawled in, keeping his legs off of me so that all his weight wasn't on me, but rested his head on my chest, wrapping his arms around my waist. I ran my fingers through his hair, and in just a few moments he was asleep. A light laugh escaped me as I looked down to see his mouth open as he slept. Despite what he'd been through he looked almost childish when he slept. It was endearing.

"Amara." He mumbled and for a moment I thought he had woken up, but he only tightened his hold on me, nuzzling his face into my chest, mumbling my name once more. His eyes were still gently shut, and his breathing even. My wolf was still asleep.

Somehow while watching him sleep, I'd fallen asleep myself. How I was capable of sleeping again after an entire week of doing just that, was beyond me.

A knock sounded on the door and I was jolted awake. Alaricus let out a sleepy growl, snuggling his face into my chest, as he held me down on the bed by my waist. Clearly he wasn't ready to be awoken yet. Craning my neck I looked out the window to see it was well past midnight, the night was dark and the moon was out.

"Don't move." Alaricus grumbled into my chest, burying his face between my breasts and I shook my head at him. I was glad he'd found himself a comfortable pillow for the time being, but now he needed to move.

"Alaricus." I called gently, trying to wake him up kindly. I did that a few more times before stooping down to poking, but when that didn't work I grabbed his ear and pulled to the side until he rolled over with it. The terrifying thing was he barely made a sound. If he had slipped into a coma because he hadn't been taking care of himself, I was going to wait till he woke up, and then murder him. But I doubted people could move so much or talk so early into their coma.

"Come in." I called out, gingerly raising myself so that I was resting against the headboard. My jaw nearly dropping as the familiar thin tan face showed through the small opening the person had made in the door. Seeing we were relatively appropriate she swung the door open further, revealing her entire frame to me. Relief filling me as I saw her body had grown to a healthier weight, and her face was practically glowing.

"Nicole." I called out as happily as I could with my hoarse voice and she walked over to me, leaning down to give me a hug, cocking a brow at Alaricus who was still out cold. I guess he hadn't slept for the entire week.

"I'm so happy you're awake. I came as soon as I heard what had happened." Nicole said.

"How are you?" I asked her. I had to keep my talking to a minimum, it still hurt very much every time I tried to talk.

Something nuzzled into my stomach and I looked down to see Alaricus had somehow in his sleep managed to weasel his head back into my lap. His inner navigation system was off the charts.

"I've been well, as has Ibrahim. You don't know what it was like to see my family after that long. My mom tears up every time she sees me. Ibrahim wanted me to tell you he's very sorry, and wants me to keep updating him on how you're doing." She told me.