My Mate's Touch

Chapter 47 - Elias

I opened my eyes, quickly closing them back due to the bright sunlight forcing its way through the blinds. When my vision finally adjusted, I realized that I wasn't sleeping next to Luca in his apartment. Instead, I was in a smaller bed next to others that were completely identical that lined the walls of the spacious, plain room.

"He's awake," a voice whispered loudly.

Before I could even turn around or sit up, two figures had shuffled their chairs over and sat themselves next to my bed.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," a voice greeted gently. It was Aspen, her lips contorted in a warm smile.

"Morning," I responded while rubbing my eyes. "Where am I?"

"The infirmary." I turned to see Luca with small bags under his eyes, but nevertheless awake. "We all stayed here overnight."

"Yeah. You didn't even have any injuries, but you knocked out super early last night!" I cracked a smile, Aspen's contagious energy washing away my sleepiness by the minute.

"Are you guys ok?"

"Yeah, we're fine! Just a few scratches here and there. No biggie."

The two of them adjusted their clothing to show me their numerous bandages that varied in size. After a moment of inspecting Luca and Aspen's injuries, I jolted up, fully remembering yesterday's events. After everything that had happened, I found that my mind only drifted to one concern.

"W-Where's Xander?"

Luca and Aspen shared a glance and then looked back at me, their gazes tinted with uneasiness. I furrowed my brow at their hesitation.

"Well, his injuries were, um, the worst," Aspen started. "He's in another room, probably resting still. But he'll be ok, I promise. He'll probably have to stay here in the infirmary for a few more days, though."

My lip quivered as she spoke. Luca and Aspen's arms and torsos were covered in bandages because they fought to save me. Xander, my mate, was nearly killed trying to save me. I knew that guilting myself wouldn't do anything now, but the people I cared about were hurt and I was completely to blame.

I waited for my eyes to stop watering before I spoke again. "C-Can I see him?"

"Um, sure," Luca said, standing up and moving his chair out of the way.

Aspen hesitated but followed suit, and I stood up too, stretching my arms out and yawning before following the two of them towards the door. The three of us got into the hallway and Aspen led us to a room a few rooms down from where I just was, which made me feel better knowing that Xander was somewhat close to me. Once we reached the room, Luca opened the door quietly.

I gasped upon walking into the room. Xander was in a bed barely conscious but weakly opened his eyes at the sound of us coming in, Felix sitting right at his side. His forehead had a gash held together by stitches and his skin was uncomfortably pale. Luca and Aspen's bandages didn't hold a candle to his, which covered the majority of his arms and the side of his neck. I couldn't even begin to imagine the damage that I couldn't see.

I almost felt sick seeing him in this fatigued state, but I couldn't help but go to him. As if Xander was the only other person in the room, I beelined towards him and crouched down, observing his broken body. I instinctively reached out to stroke his cheek but pulled my hand back once I realized I was doing it.

"It's ok," Felix said. "You can touch him."

Hesitantly, I rubbed Xander's cheek and he stirred slightly at the gesture. As I softly stroked his skin, the tears in my eyes began to stream down. I held my head in my hands as I cried, trying not to disturb Xander but not being able to suppress my emotions any longer. As I tried to calm my sobbing into sniffles, Luca brought me a chair. I sat down and Xander opened his eyes again, moving his hand towards my face and making me go still.

"Hey, Pipsqueak," he mustered with a small smirk, gently reaching a finger out to wipe the tears from my cheeks.

"Hi," I responded, my voice shaky.

I relished in Xander's touch, holding his hand to my face and not letting go. He went to sit up but struggled, so Felix went to help him up a bit. He smiled subtly at me and observed my face, making me feel bashful. Still, I held onto his hand, my tears close to returning.

"I... I'm so glad you didn't die," I whispered.

"It's ok, Elias," Xander said, his voice soft as he twirled a small lock of my hair in between his fingers. "I'll be fine in a few days. I've been in worse shape before."

"He's right," Felix chipped in. "Werewolves heal faster than humans do, and Xander's tough. He'll be alright."

As Xander looked at me, I noticed his eyes started to widen. "Wait, do you know?"

I tilted my head in confusion. "Know what?"

"Yes, he knows," Aspen grinned, putting her hands on her hips. "That you're mates."

"But, how?"

I blushed and turned my head away. "You were acting a little strange that one time during dinner and Luca, Aspen and I just kind of... figured it out, I guess."

"Oh."

"I guess you weren't hiding it as good as you thought," Felix said, his eyebrow cocked and a small smirk plastered onto his face.

Xander clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "Fuck off!"

We all laughed hard at the ordeal, but soon enough my focus went back to Xander. I just had to touch him. It was a strange feeling, almost as if I needed physical reassurance that he was real, that he was mine. After a while, Xander began to notice and slowly moved his arms open for a hug. I was shocked but I obliged, cuddling him close but taking care not to press too hard on his injured ribs.

"Fuck, I've wanted to do this for so long," Xander whispered, his warm breath tickling the side of my neck.

As I leaned further into the hug, I heard a growl rumbling deep within Xander, making me flinch and lift my head up from his shoulder.

"I smell that fucking bastard on you," he grumbled, "His scent's pretty damn strong."

I averted my gaze, trying not to think of Ryland's hands on me when he made his bold advances.
At my reaction, Xander growled deeper. "Did... Did he fucking touch you?"

"A little," I admitted. "I don't know if I'm ready to talk about it yet... I'm ok, though, I promise."

Xander grunted, not satisfied with my response but letting the conversation drop. Before long, the sun went down and everyone took their own beds in Xander's infirmary room. I laid with him as he softly stroked my hair, making me calm and sleepy.

"I don't want to get up yet," I whispered since the others were already asleep, "but I'm tired."

"Then don't. There's room."

I frowned. "But you need it. You're not healed yet."

Xander chuckled softly. "If you think you'll crush me in the middle of the night, you're overestimating yourself."

I huffed at his remark, further humoring him. "Fine."

As I put my legs under the blanket and got comfortable, I noticed Xander's lips upturned in the tiniest smile. I couldn't help but smile too as I leaned my head on his chest and listened to his breathing become heavier as he fell asleep. Soon enough, I did the same.

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Xander and Elias soft moment 🥺 If you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a vote and comment your thoughts! - D ♡