Free Web NovelChapter 99: Chapter 99 Healing Touch
Elara
I jumped when Dominic’s cool fingers pinched my cheek.
The oversized blue hospital gown hung loose on my skinny frame.
I must have looked terrible.
His eyes scanned my body with worry.
"Be good for me, okay?" Dominic sighed. He gently squeezed what little flesh was left on my cheek. "Any thinner and you’ll disappear completely, Luna Wolfe."
His playful tone helped clear some of the sadness in my mind. "Dominic, that hurts!" I said.
"Good. Maybe the pain will help you remember to take better care of yourself," he replied.
I pressed my lips together, annoyed. I watched him pick up a white ceramic bowl.
His fingers stroked the warm rim as he scooped up a spoonful of creamy soup.
"The doctor says you need to eat light food for now," he explained. He held the spoon toward me. "Open up."
I wasn’t used to being fed like this. I reached for the bowl. "I can do it myself."
Before my fingers could touch the ceramic, Dominic pulled it away fast.
"Can’t you see the IV in your hand?" he frowned. His eyebrows knitted together. He set down the bowl and moved to the left side of my hospital bed. Then he pulled me onto his lap.
"Are you crazy?" I gasped.
"Not crazy," Dominic replied calmly. He picked up the bowl again. "Just dealing with a stubborn mate who won’t cooperate at mealtime."
He used his free hand to give my backside a gentle pat. "Stop squirming. Eat properly."
"If you won’t eat," he added, his voice dropping lower, "I might have to find other ways to occupy our time."
That threat from the Alpha King was enough to make me behave.
I tensed up and opened my mouth obediently.
The warm soup slid down my throat.
My taste buds were dulled by medications, but I could detect a slight chicken flavor.
"It’s chicken broth with herbs. It helps with the bitter aftertaste of the medicine," he explained. "Good?"
I licked my lips tentatively. "It’s okay."
That small bowl took nearly thirty minutes. Dominic patiently fed me one spoonful at a time. freeweɓnovel.cøm
When I finally finished the last bit, he smiled with satisfaction.
"That’s my good girl. Keep eating properly and you’ll put some meat back on those bones. Makes you much nicer to cuddle," he teased. His voice carried a husky undertone.
I was annoyed. I jabbed my elbow into his ribs. He let out a deep grunt.
"Elbowing me again?" Dominic’s hand found the back of my neck. His voice carried a warning. "Keep squirming and I’ll have to kiss you."
I felt heat rush to my ears. "You jerk!"
"Enough teasing. Stay still, or I might actually respond to you," he murmured. His voice dropped meaningfully.
That made me freeze instantly.
"Let me go then!" The position was too embarrassing. I was being cradled in his arms like a pup.
Dominic’s eyes darkened. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. "No. I’ve missed you. Let me hold you a little longer."
I looked up and met his intense gaze.
"Dominic," I asked hesitantly, "didn’t you say you weren’t interested in women?"
Nothing about his current behavior suggested that at all.
"Hmm," he hummed with an amused smile. His tone was playful. "During my business trip, I had an epiphany. Turns out I was just waiting for the right woman to come along." His thumb traced my jawline. "Funny how meeting your mate changes everything."
I was left speechless by his smooth answer.
Though something in his eyes told me there was more to the story.
We sat in awkward silence.
Then the hospital room door slowly opened.
Orion’s curious eyes peeked in as he looked at my embarrassing position.
"Aunt Elara! I came to see you!" he announced cheerfully.
My ears burned with embarrassment. I lightly pounded on Dominic’s chest. "Get up, now."
Dominic made an annoyed sound but reluctantly rose from the bed.
Hunter cleared his throat from the doorway before entering with his cane.
"Well, Elara, your color looks much better today," he chuckled. "When I heard you collapsed yesterday, I nearly had a heart attack myself!"
It hit me then - I’d been unconscious for an entire day.
"Me too, Aunt Elara! I was so scared!" Orion chimed in.
"Aunt Elara, let me kiss it better! If I kiss your boo-boos, they’ll heal faster!" he declared.
Dominic watched Orion approach me.
"Orion , ever heard of boundaries?" he asked dryly. "She’s recovering. Give her some space."
My cheeks burned hotter. I shot Dominic a withering glare for his bluntness. "Orion, don’t mind him. He’s just being protective."
Orion let out a small huff of protest. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate. "Aunt Elara, this is my favorite kind. Eat it if you get hungry, so you won’t faint again."
The innocent child clearly thought my collapse was due to hunger. So he offered his favorite snack as comfort.
He cast a disapproving glance at Dominic. He was silently scolding the Alpha King for not feeding me properly.
Dominic ignored the boy’s silent judgment and turned to his father instead.
"Dad, since the Amber Pack has chosen this path, they can’t blame me for what happens next," he said firmly. His Alpha authority was unmistakable.
Hunter sighed heavily. "I used to think Alpha Enzo was smart, but now I see he’s completely lost his way."
"And Elara," the older Alpha added kindly, "don’t let your mother’s actions upset you. We are your family now. Remember, our entire pack stands behind you."
My throat tightened with emotion. "Thank you, Dad."
Author
Almost immediately that day, Alpha Enzo discovered that many of his longtime clients had suddenly ended their business relationships.
When he asked about the reason, they all gave the same answer: go ask your wife.
The message was crystal clear. Alpha Enzo knew without doubt that Alpha Dominic had made his move.
He placed all his hopes on his daughter. "Selina, please speak with Zack. If he doesn’t help us, we’ll struggle to survive this crisis."
"Dad, Zack said we’ll make it official by the end of the month," she reassured him. "Just hold on until then. Everything will get better once we’re mated."
Alpha Enzo sighed heavily. "I suppose that’s our only option now."
"Selina, you can’t afford to be so impulsive anymore."
Selina pouted defensively. "Dad, I’ve already told you her grandmother’s illness has nothing to do with me!"
"Don’t worry," she added with conviction, "I won’t let our company collapse."
