Even after everything in the car, Elliot let me act as I wished. I felt the lingering heat crawling through my body, a reminder of the drug's pull, but strangely… so did he. His tension was palpable, every muscle coiled like a wolf ready to pounce. I could sense his wolf stirring, instincts brushing against mine, teasing and claiming in equal measure.
Looks like this mate is dangerous not just trouble, but a seductress of the most primal kind.
"Are we near the hospital yet?" Elliot asked Rey, his voice low, steady, but edged with an undercurrent I could feel in my chest.
"We're almost there," Rey replied, and the car turned onto the hospital's driveway.
Elliot was out before the vehicle stopped. He opened the back door and reached for me, lifting me effortlessly. I felt the strength of his pack dominance in the curve of his arms, the heat of his body anchoring my own fiery wolf. We moved together into the hospital, the night behind us still alive with scent and adrenaline.
Ten minutes later, I was in the VIP ward. Sedatives dripped through the IV, grounding the fire in my veins, lulling my wolf into a quiet whimper of relief. My eyes closed, but my flushed face betrayed the heat I had carried in from the car.
Rey handed Elliot a tissue. "Young Master Elliot, there's blood around your neck. You should wipe it off."
Elliot's hand went to his throat. A faint stain, a mark of my teeth the teeth of a wolf claiming her bond, playful, possessive, sharp as any predator's.
When Rey left, Elliot stayed, guarding the ward like an Alpha watching over his mate. His presence radiated through the room, steady, dominant, and reassuring. My wolf, though subdued by sedatives, stirred again at his nearness, curling instinctively toward him.
Slowly, consciousness returned. My eyes blinked open, and the first thing I saw was him sitting there, watching, unyielding. My pulse jumped. My face burned as memories of the car rushed back, the kiss, the dominance, the fire.
"You…" I whispered, voice trembling.
"This is what happens when you don't listen," Elliot remarked, his tone sharp, teasing, but still laced with protection. My wolf quivered under his gaze equal parts reprimand and claim.
I swallowed, realizing just how dangerously I'd underestimated John Curtis. I had thought my warning about my colleague waiting outside would deter him but no. He had ignored me completely.
"Thank you… can you tell me the time?" I asked, voice low, still flushed.
"9:30 PM," he replied.
"I should head home now," I murmured, glancing at the IV drip. The medicine was half full, still coursing through my veins, keeping the fire in check.
Elliot's eyes narrowed, sharp and piercing. "If you're worried about your son, I can have Rey take care of him until you finish the IV."
"I'm fine," I insisted, stubborn as ever, my wolf purring at the challenge.
"You better consider the consequences of ignoring the IV," Elliot warned, voice low and dangerous. "What if the effects flare again?"
I paused, feeling the tension in the room his dominance, my need, the delicate bond that had been forged in fire and instinct over just a few hours. My gaze dropped to my bag.
"Can you… hand me my bag?" I asked, my voice softer now, carrying both submission and trust.
Elliot's hand extended, steady and sure, bridging the gap between Alpha and mate. In that simple gesture, I felt it: the bond, the claim, the promise of protection. My wolf sighed quietly, curling closer, finally at ease under his watchful dominance.
After Elliot handed me my bag, my hands shook slightly as I pulled out my phone. I dialed Francis, forcing my voice to sound casual, even though my wolf still throbbed with the memory of everything that had just happened.
"Dad… I might be back around 10 PM, maybe later. Can you help Jared get to sleep tonight?" I said, trying to keep my tone calm, like nothing had erupted inside me moments ago.
"Of course, don't worry. Focus on your work!" Francis's voice was warm, a safe anchor. He loved looking after his grandson.
"Alright, thanks," I said, hanging up, and then my eyes lifted… landing on him. Elliot. The hospital light cast shadows across his face, highlighting every sharp angle. My breath hitched as I noticed his white shirt unbuttoned at the top, and oh no a red mark on his collarbone.
My wolf nearly yelped. That mark… couldn't have been from me, right? And everything in the car… my teeth, my lips… Oh God, my heart was a runaway wolf pounding in my chest. I buried my face in my hands, trying to push the memory away.
"What's wrong? You feeling uncomfortable?" Elliot's voice was low, commanding, but threaded with concern.
"I'm fine!" I huffed, trying to sound firm, even though my wolf trembled. I pressed my head into my chest, trying to vanish inside myself. "I… lost my consciousness. I don't remember what happened, so you don't have to remind me. I don't want to think about it anymore."
Elliot smirked, wolfishly amused. His dominance, calm and teasing, prickled my senses.
"What are you going to do to compensate me after kissing me so forcefully?" His voice was sharp, demanding an Alpha reminding a mate of her bond.
I flushed, my ears burning. "1… Just decide yourself!" I snapped, my wolf curling tighter in embarrassment.
He chuckled, eyes gleaming, but he didn't push further. "You owe me a favor," he said, settling onto the couch like a wolf reclaiming his territory.
I froze. A favor… because of a kiss. My wolf whimpered softly, conflicted part thrilled, part mortified. Well, this is one way to settle debts, I thought, trying to ground myself. Maybe he'd forget eventually.
I sat through my IV drip quietly, the sedatives calming the fire still simmering inside me. The nurse removed the needle, and Elliot didn't move from his phone, his presence still radiating power and control. Then, without a word, he stood and gestured for me to leave.
At the hospital entrance, I tried to assert my independence. "I'll take a cab home," I said, determined not to burden him any further.
Elliot's eyes darkened, dominance flaring. "Let me take you home."
"It's fine," I insisted, though my wolf bristled at the thought of losing control.
Before I could protest further, his grip tightened on my arm strong, firm, Alpha strong and he pulled me toward Rey's car. My pulse spiked. My wolf growled softly, a warning and a thrill, because even though I had wanted to be independent, instinctively, I knew my mate was taking the lead and I wanted nothing else.
The night was ours, and my wolf understood: in this modern world of concrete and neon, bonds and dominance were primal, irresistible, and unbroken. And Elliot… my Alpha, my protector, had claimed me completely.