CHAPTER 10: JEALOUSY PANGS

Nox’s POV

I clutched my hammering head with both my hands and squeezed my eyes as tightly as possible. Curling around myself, I wept like a baby as unbearable pain washed over me.

I felt broken. Battered. Wolf-less.

I could feel my left hand attached to something and a needle pierce through my thin skin when I tried to roll over to the other side, which smelled like heaven.

Unbearable pain was physically manifesting itself in the form of tears, and at the moment, I felt unusually cold and naked under the sheets as shivers buzzed down my spine involuntarily.

Where was Bolt ? Why was I feeling so cold ? Why was I not healing quickly ?

I would’ve thrown a fit, but the only comfort in the room was the comforting scent of the pillow beside me and I cried myself to sleep, tugging the pillow as close to me as possible.

Inhaling the pillow deeply, I nuzzled into it, wishing the entire time for the source of the heavenly scent to envelop me close to itself.

It felt like the Moon Goddess had granted me my wish as a huge ball of warm fur swept me to its side and let the comforting warmth and cinnamon scent lull me to sleep.

Mhmm, this was exactly what I wanted and I was out like a light.

“I love you…mate.”

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Nox’s POV

Cracking an eye open, I found myself in unfamiliar surroundings where the walls were black and the bed sheet a complimentary grey and red. The room was sharply but tastefully designed and the room oozed authority even without the presence of the owner.

Slowly getting up, I stretched my arms far and wide, and a few bones popped before I realized that I had never felt waking up so amazing before, save for my urgent need to relieve my bursting bladder.

Throwing aside the duvet, I swung around my legs and hurried to the bathroom to do my business.

Feeling sweaty and dirty, I took advantage of the luxurious Jacuzzi in the bathroom and took my time to clean myself in the warm, relaxing mint-scented waters.

Feeling bold, I reached out for the exotic products beside the huge tub and used a generous amount on myself.

Ah ! The epitome of luxury. 

‘We should ask permission first,’ my wolf finally spoke after ages. Where had he been ?

‘Nah, these babies are begging to be used on our hot body,’ I replied and poured another huge dollop of conditioner into my palms to bring home my point. “Plus where the fvck were you ?” I demanded.

‘Where are your manners, Nox ?’ My wolf admonished me as I emptied a small bottle of green apple into the waters of the dimly lit, golden Jacuzzi tub in the black-tiled bathroom.

‘The same place where you fled to. I know you left me at the end of the fight,’ I tried to keep the accusatory tone out of my voice but failed to do so.

‘He didn’t know me,’ Bolt whimpered.

‘Believe me, it’s a good thing. You definitely don’t want to come under his gutter, murderous, homophobic radar,’ I replied and sighed in relief as I opened the jet sprays under me and rested my head at the back of the tub.

‘Don’t speak ill of our mate !’ Bolt indignantly exclaimed.

'Yeah, yeah, I won't, mother dear,' I teased him and the wolf rolled his eyes at me but gave a wolfy grin nonetheless.

Feeling too relaxed in the warm, scented bath, I closed my eyes and felt my consciousness slipping away. That was too much relaxing than I’d warranted.

I was still sore and in pain, and hence my body shut down on its own terms.

Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong arms scoop me effortlessly in their hold and carry me outside.

"Babe, you shouldn't be getting out of bed alone," my sleep-paralyzed mind barely registered the fond voice and its words. “You could’ve drowned in the tub ! God, you made me worried sick for a moment there.”

The giant carrying me radiated warmth and drawn like a moth to a flame, I clung to the beast with a purr.

He chuckled softly and I felt the soft, moist press of his soft lips on my forehead.

It was crazy that I couldn't register the voice, but the touch of those petal-soft lips felt familiar.

He softly deposited me on the marshmallow-soft bed and I sank into the softness and comfort of the cool sheets against my warm skin.

Unable to open my eyes, I could only revel in my caretaker's ministrations as he towelled me dry.

Before I lost myself in oblivion again, I felt the bed dip beside me and someone tuck me closer to his chest.

Setting my head under the stranger's chin, I let his strong, steady heartbeat lull me to deep sleep while he massaged my naked body wherever his fingers could touch, especially the smooth, round tips of my ass.

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I woke up feeling stronger and energized, just like old times.

This had to be the best sleep I’d ever had in a long, long time.

I stretched languidly and let my shoulders and back pop. Kicking away the covers, I rolled on my elbows and noticed a shirtless man's back as he put down a tray of food on the coffee table in the room.

"Rhys ?" I called out and the muscles of that powerful back tensed. I realized I was dead wrong even before the scent of cinnamon hit me.

"No," the man quietly said without turning. "Have your food. I will send Rhys to look after you."

And with that, the Alpha strode out of the room, his body still tense.

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"Hey sexy," the Gamma called out and jumped into the bed, over me. However, he was cautious about keeping his weight off me and smacked a kiss on my lips. "Good fighting," he winked and I chuckled when I understood what he meant. Kissing the Alpha was 'good fighting' in Rhys' books.

I slapped his shoulder playfully and then pulled him by the collar before wrapping my legs around him and rubbing against his awakening core.

"I don't think Xayden will appreciate us doing it on his bed," Rhys wriggled both his brows. I laughed but he cut me off as he attacked my lips.

“Mhmm Rhys !” I moaned before biting on his lower lip.

“Baby…ah !” Rhys groaned when I bit him. It led him to assault my culprit lips with greater vigor and grope me from everywhere.

"You two knock it off," the Delta in high heels clicking across the black marbled floor suddenly growled.

I groaned at the interruption while Rhys peeked over his shoulder.

"Why don't you join us ?" Rhys suggested, a smirk playing on his face.

"Coz I don't want to be punished like you two," Theressa replied and crossed her arms.

"What do you mean by ‘punished’ ?" I asked, confused.

"You two are late for training, so the Alpha asked you two to run 20 laps around the Old Ford Mountain and do 500 sit-ups on separate trees at the extreme ends of the pack land. A warrior each shall be assigned to the two of you. They will count and make sure that you two don't chat with each other or cheat," she revealed.

"This is bullsh*t !" I exclaimed angrily. "I am wounded !!"

Why was he punishing us all of a sudden ? He was the one who sent Rhys to me !!

"Xayden said that you are healed." Theressa shrugged.

"Fvcking liar ! He didn't even check on me. How would he know ?" I scoffed. "He just wants me dead," I snorted. "He is the worst Alpha, ughh."

"Well, to be fair, he did take you to the infirmary in his arms. You should've seen his face. He stayed by your side the whole night and then sneaked you here, in his untouchable sanctuary, before your father could take you home. He has been with you for the past week, so he knows better," Theressa answered while I looked at her in shock.

"He did that ?" I asked in disbelief, the romantic and wolf in me touched by our mate's care.

"Hmm," the female delta nodded her head. "Now you two chop, chop, out of your bed. You don't want a furious Alpha dragging you outside," she reminded, and gracefully exited the room, her luscious ass swinging with every click of her heels.

"C'mon, motherfvcker. We need to go," Rhys slapped my ass and got up from bed.

"Hey ! What happened to 'hey, sexy ?'" I pouted.

"That went into the ditch when you got me into trouble !"

I grinned and stuck out my tongue at him.

"Then you shouldn't have come here," I teased.

"I was actually surprised when Xayden asked me to come here, given that he didn't want anyone near you or his place," Rhys replied.

"That man has mood swings worse than pregnant women, I swear," I rolled my eyes, making Rhys laugh, but I couldn't stop the wild thumping in my heart.

I had been out cold for 7 whole days ? With Xayden taking care of me ? What had happened here ?

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