Chapter 14

*****Ryder's POV*****

When I arrived at Xena's place, the rain had already begun to fall in torrents. I felt uneasiness in my chest that proved that Xena wasn't fine. I just hoped she wasn't in such bad shape.

I packed my car in her driveway and realized that her car was nowhere in sight. It seemed like my thoughts were right about her car being faulty. I made a countdown before highlighting from the car.

I ran off to her porch, shielding myself from the heavy downpour. I sighed as I thankfully stood before her front door.

I turned to ring the doorbell, taking in deep breaths and waiting for her to come lash out at me as usual.

But after several rings, there was still no sign of Xena opening the door. I tried to unlock the door, but it was locked from the inside.

I frowned in confusion, was she not at home yet?

"She might not be at home," Jeremy said, but I shook my head.

"She has to be at home," I said to him,

"Check her balcony," Jeremy said and I blinked. Why didn't I think of that?

I walked to the side of the house where her balcony was located. I took in deep breaths before climbing up to the balcony and trying to force her windows open.

I saw a silhouette, probably Xena's as she clumsily walked to the window with a vase.

“Ahh, she is at home” Jeremy laughed, "And she is trying to attack you?"

I rolled my eyes at that, but still proceeded to unlock the window. I knew she was standing by it, probably waiting to hit me with something, thinking it was an intruder.

I breathed in and directly pushed the windows open. The moment I stepped in, I reached out a hand to snatch the vase from her, overpowering her in an instant, but she lost her balance, or so I thought before she stumbled forward and qlanded into my arms.

Her gaze was unstable as she looked up at me, surprise evident on her delicate face.

"Ry_Ryder?" She croaked out before she shut her eyes completely.

I panicked immediately, thinking she was dead or something.

"Don't worry, she is fine." I heard Jeremy reassure me and I took in deep breaths.

"Now take her over to the bed and please shut the window." He instructed again and I did as I was told.

I lifted Xena, bridal style and took her to her comfy looking bed. Then I went back to hurriedly shut the window and avoid the cold from sipping in.

Xena was already so cold and I just couldn't risk her health anymore.

I walked back to her bed, also taking In the sight and the warmth that enveloped the entire room.

"She smells so nice!" Jeremy purred and I chuckled. "I told you so at first, didn't I?" I said and lifted the covers to cover Xena up.

I checked her temperature and winced at the hotness of her skin.

"Why is she so hot?" I asked and Jeremy sighed. "She has the normal wolf fever, so all you need to do is make her something warm and bitter to make her get better." He explained and I frowned.

"Am I supposed to make that myself?" I asked confused and Jeremy snorted.

"Did you come with any unseen forces like a maid or guard to do the job for you? You're the only one here so you're going to be making it."

I gritted my teeth at his words and sighed.

"But I never even stepped into the kitchen before." I tried to reason, but he chuckled and said, "I'll guide you."

The surprise I felt was overwhelming. Jeremy knew cooking and knew how to go about illness.

"Don't make it sound too embarrassing." He warned and I raised my white flag. I looked down at Xena who looked very peaceful in her unconscious state.

Her hair was swept back away from her face and her T-shirt and sweatpants made her look even more alluring.

I pulled the covers up sightly to tuck her in properly, and that was when I saw that her shirt was bunched up a bit, revealing her fair stomach.

I watched her perfect body that even the casual home outfit could not conceal and felt a certain part of my body twitch.

"Hey! Watch it, boy!" Jeremy warned again and I hurriedly covered her up again, I listened to Jeremy and turned around to walk out of the room.

I pulled out my black jacket and threw it somewhere in the room.

"Watch it! She seems to me like a neat freak!" Jeremy reminded me and I nodded.

I walked out of her room, taking in the sight of everything.

Her house was small and neat. Like Jeremy said, she was a neat freak.

The entire house looked very cozy and homely, making me relax instantly.

I wondered what it would feel like to start a family here with Xena.

"You're just 18 and you're already thinking about starting a family? She hasn't even accepted you yet!" Jeremy laughed.

I rolled my eyes and remarked, "It's not bad to dream."

He said nothing more to me as I finally found her kitchen. Just like every other place, her kitchen looked spotless.

"Now we're here, what next?" I asked, picking up the apron by the counter and putting it on.

Jeremy then began instructing me on what to do and what not to do. The process seemed difficult at first but soon became easier and faster.

In no time, I added everything that was needed into the pot.

"This is so absurd!" Jeremy suddenly whined and I paused in my tracks.

"What's absurd?" I asked with a smirk.

"The fact that the Alpha of this pack is cooking!" He said and I scoffed, "You call this cooking?" I asked in surprise.

"What do you think it is? Baking?" Jeremy asked sarcastically. He was clearly insulting me, but being my wolf, I couldn't do anything to him.

Soon, I brought the pot down and poured the liquid which smelled disastrous into a cup.

"Are you sure this is the recipe? This smells horrible." I asked as I scrunched my face.

Jeremy chuckled and replied, "Yes, that's what she needs to get better, though it looks kind of different from what I envisioned."

I paused, "You're not sure? You want me to poison my Xena?!" I shrieked, about to throw the liquid away, but Jeremy added immediately.

"No! No!! You did great, that's the drink. I only said it doesn't actually look the same as the usual ones I know. But as long as it's bitter, Xena would be fine."

I narrowed my gaze at his words, should I believe this conniving wolf?

"You have no choice, now hurry up and go feed her."

Reluctantly, I carried the cup back to Xena's bedroom and placed it aside to help her sit up first, then I grabbed the drink after I made her lie on me slightly.

"Now feed her," Jeremy instructed and I hummed before proceeding with the feeding part.

I managed to feed her a little of the drink and watched her scrunch her face in disgust.

"Is she supposed to do that?"

"Yes, it's bitter. You don't expect anyone to take such a horror with a straight face. Why don't you try it?" Jeremy said and laughed.

I growled in anger and pushed the damn drink away from my nostrils.

After I fed her the entire thing, I placed the cup aside and climbed into Xena's bed.

"Now cuddle up and sleep." Jeremy finished and I did as instructed. I cuddled her immediately, feeling both warmth and joy spread across my chest. Maybe after this care, she would begin to see me in a new light.

The rain falling endlessly outside stood as a testament to my undying love for this woman in my arms, and I would do absolutely everything to keep her safe and happy.

Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, I shut my eyes and fell into a deep slumber just like her.