Healing

RHIANNON

A slow, rhythmic rocking rouses me from sleep. I look around the bright, white room. A hospital, maybe?

The slow, easy up and down, up and down below me is calming. I smile as the haze of sleep wears off and I realize that it’s Isaac.

It’s his shallow breathing while he sleeps, with me stretched across his chest. I keep perfectly still, knowing that he will wake up if I move.

I revel in the warmth of his chest, the light sound of his breathing, the beating of his heart. I close my eyes to keep my burning tears from falling.

~He’s alive.~

I want to throw my arms around him and squeeze him while kissing him everywhere. I settle for sniffing him, inhaling his subtle, woodsy smell.

His chest rumbles below me, a light chuckle filling the air. The sound is music to my ears.

I pull myself up, carefully, feeling the painful stretch of my wounded skin. I don’t miss the sling over his left arm.

We stare at each other in silence, our emotions passing through the bond. I’m overwhelmed by the profound feelings I feel both for him and from him.

He breaks the trance by bringing his forehead to mine, a single tear slipping from his eye.

“I was lost without you. I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you. I should have been with you.” His voice is laced with pain.

“Isaac, they would have found me anywhere. My…my s-sister was the blood tie,” I sob. “She let them into Mag Mell, she brought Julius to me. She was tracking me through the tie.”

His body clenches and a deep growl rumbles in the back of his throat.

“That’s who stabbed Rhodes?”

I nod, feeling ashamed that my own sister created so much trouble for so many people.

“How is Rhodes?” I ask.

“As of last night he still wasn’t awake.” He runs his hand over my hair.

“When did you wake up?”

“Yesterday,” his voice is soft.

“How long was I asleep?”

“Three days.”

“No wonder I feel so refreshed,” I laugh, trying to cover the fact that my shoulder aches.

“Do you need anything for the pain?” he asks like he doesn’t know the answer.

“Are you in pain? Show me where you’re hurt,” I say before pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“I’m fine baby, a couple of gunshot wounds can’t take me down,” he smiles before pressing a small button.

A nurse, followed by Alpha Hunter, enters the room.

“Hey! You’re awake!” Hunter smiles at me. “You should have seen this guy yesterday, pacing around the room!”

Isaac growls, “Is there a reason you’re here?”

“Oh! Rhodes woke up a few hours ago. He was asking about you so I came to check on you to give him an update.”

“Tell him we’ll come visit as soon as her doctor looks at her,” Isaac nods.

When Hunter leaves, Isaac turns to me and says, “I wanted to discuss a little pack business, Luna.”

I quirk my brow at him.

“How would you feel about asking Rhodes to join our pack?”

I know my face lights up. I didn’t even know we could do that, but I’m absolutely thrilled with the idea!

“Isaac, I think that’s a great idea!”

“I wasn’t sure in the beginning, but really, I trust the guy. I think he would be an asset to our pack.”

“I completely agree!”

He kisses my forehead and pulls me onto his lap, holding me tightly. I just sit, enjoying the feeling of his strong arms. We both need this after everything we’ve been through.

“I’m never letting you go again. Not for one single day,” he nuzzles into my neck. “I love you so much.”

“I love you. Don’t worry, I’m never leaving you. You’re going to have to hide in your office for a few minutes away from me.”

He snorts, “I have an office in our house.”

I can’t wait to go back to the pack, to meet everyone—again—and see our home.

***

Isaac insisted on carrying me to see Rhodes even though I have no injuries to my legs. I think he just needs to have me close right now.

Madelyn and Alpha Hunter visited us earlier, and both agree that inviting Rhodes to officially join our pack is a great idea.

When we knock on his door, I feel Isaac’s attitude shift. He’s walking into this room as an alpha about to conduct pack business.

Madelyn is sitting in the room when we enter. They both bow their heads respectfully. Isaac asked Alphas Hunter and Lucas, as well as Beta Morris, to join us.

Everyone sits quietly, giving him their attention. Isaac sets me in a chair next to where he’s standing.

“First and foremost, I’m glad to see you awake and healing, Rhodes,” Isaac clears his throat.

“I… I don’t know how to thank you guys for what you’ve done for my family. You risked your lives for me, for my mate. I… I owe you all, eternally.”

“Jacko, Julius had to be stopped before he wiped us out. Don’t sweat it, brother,” Alpha Hunter tells him.

“No. The council planned to invade in six days. You all volunteered to come with me, early, to get my mate. Please, don’t downplay what you’ve done for me. I will never forget it.”

My eyes well up with tears. I can’t believe they did that for me.

“I know I haven’t been a very easy or likable person to be around. I...”

Hunter and Lucas snort while the others try to remain respectful to an alpha.

“That’s the understatement of the century,” Alpha Lucas laughs.

Isaac takes my hand in his, rolling his eyes at them.

“I have one more thing I’d like to address if you guys are done?”

They nod but keep laughing.

“Rhodes, I’ve discussed this with my luna, my gamma, and my beta at home. We would like to formally invite you to join my pack in Nevada.”

Rhodes’s eyes go wide. “Alpha, I-I... thank you. I haven’t been a part of a pack for a long time. I’m not sure if I...”

Isaac puts his hands up, stopping him. “Come back with us, stay for a month. We won’t pressure you to stay if you don’t want to.”

Rhodes is quiet for a moment, the wheels clearly turning in his head. “Okay. I’ll come for a month.”

I squeal excitedly, “Let’s go home!”