Chapter 35: Chapter 35

SLADE

~This woman is seriously going to be the death of me~, I thought to myself as I rested my head on her hand. I hadn’t slept in days, and I looked it.

She had lost a lot of blood, but the doctors said she was healing well. Addison’s eyes fluttered open.

“Hey,” she said in a groggy voice.

“Hey.” I smiled. She even made sleepy look good. “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good”—she smiled before filling her whole face with sass—“considering I almost got chopped up into little pieces by your crazy ex.” Then she stared at me and squinted. “Slade, you look horrible.”

I scoffed. “I wouldn’t look so bad if you’d quit getting yourself into trouble!” Then I met her eyes. “But seriously, Addison, I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t gotten there in time.”

I could feel the heat of tears pricking the backs of my eyelids.

Addison laid her hand on my cheek. “But you did. Slade, I’m okay.”

I took her hand and kissed her palm. “I love you.”

Addison smiled. “I love you too.”

Dr. Thomas came in to check on her, making sure her wounds were healing properly. “Once again, Luna, take it easy for the next few days.”

I thanked him and then turned back to Addison. She let out a sigh. “Take me home.”

***

As I opened the door to the pack house, Addison holding on to my arm for support, I finally let out a relaxed breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in for days.

“Okay.” I smiled. “Where do you want to make camp? The couch or the bed?”

Addison scrunched her nose as she thought. “Couch.”

I walked her into the common area and helped her down onto the couch. She grimaced a bit but then smiled up at me.

I knew she was just putting on a brave face so I wouldn’t worry, but I could tell she was still hurting. I sat down next to Addison and wrapped my arms around her.

I kissed her head, then her cheeks, then finally I brushed my lips on hers. Addison took my face in her hands and kissed me hard. She pulled back and smiled at me. “Thank you for coming to find me.”

I laughed. “Anytime, babe.”

Addison squinted her eyes at me. “Are you saying you have more than one crazy ex-girlfriend that I have to watch out for?” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not really in the mood to get kidnapped again.”

I laughed and then pulled her into me. We sat there in silence holding each other until I heard her stomach rumble.

“Hungry?” I laughed.

“I could go for a snack if that’s what you’re offering,” she teased. Apparently, her injuries didn’t affect her sass, which I was glad about. I enjoyed her banter.

I came back with some random snacks I found in the pack kitchen, and we spent the afternoon sitting together, watching movies, and taking turns dozing off on the couch.

Rubbing my eyes, I turned to see Addison squished into her corner reading a book. I took a mental picture, enjoying how her hair fell to her face or how she bit her lip when she concentrated.

“Marry me,” I whispered.

Not even looking up from her book, Addison chuckled. “We are mates, isn’t that pretty much the same thing?”

“Maybe to other wolves, but I want everyone to know we belong to each other, not just wolves.”

Addison snapped her head up. “Oh.” She paused. “You’re serious. I thought you were messing with me.”

I shook my head, then met her eyes. “Addison, I love you. Marry me.”

Addison smiled warmly and took my hand. “Okay.”