Alpha Nocturne’s Contracted Mate by A E Randell
Chapter 248 Terrible Incident
Aoife straightened the bedsheets on Ann’s bed for what seemed like the millionth time that day, and sat down heavily in the armchair at the side of her bed.
The room still held that sterile smell of disinfectant that seemed to invade your senses and overwhelm you the longer you stayed there. Aoife had tried everything that she could think of to try and make it at least smell a little more homely, but to no avail.
The constant beep and whirring of the multitude of machines that were hooked up to Ann’s eerily still body gave the room a depressing atmosphere, the only thing that made any of them feel better, was that Ann was no longer hooked up to the ventilator that had kept her alive for the past week.
It was a tense moment when the tube was removed, as they waited for her to take her first breath on her own and the weight of the tension in the air was almost unbearable. As soon as the first raspy intake of air was heard, the relief that everyone felt was palpable.
She still slept heavily for the majority of the day and through the night, but the short periods that she was awake, were getting slightly longer each time.
Aoife and Lexi worked together in shifts to ensure that Ann was never alone, with one of them at her bedside during the day and one of them keeping her company through the night.
Lexi prefferred the night time shifts as it meant that she didn’t have to deal with too many people in the corridors asking after her best friend, allowing her to keep her murderous rage in check far more easily than if she was hounded at every turn with questions.
Allen had been unable to get hold of Adam until last night. His cell phone had gone straight to voice mail at every call and the messenger that they had sent on the second day reported that there was no one at the location they had believed Adam and Felix to be at, so he had been ordered to return.
It wasn’t until Allen’s phone rang last night with a frantic sounding Adam on the other end, that they were able to inform him of just how serious her condition had been, but that she seemed to be recovering well.
“Hey, you okay?” Lexi’s concerned voice came from the doorway suddenly, making Aoife jump a little.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s been an intense week.” Aoife half smiled and half grimaced.
“Tell me about it,” Lexi snorted as she pushed away from the doorframe and approached Ann’s bed, looking down at her with a sadness in her eyes that spoke of just how close the two really were.
“You’ll learn pretty quickly that when it comes to being around this stupid woman, life can get pretty insane, real quick.” Lexi murmured as she reached for Ann’s hand and sighed.
Aoife reached down for her bag and emptied a sandwich, a few snacks, and a couple of drinks that she had picked up for Lexi, knowing full well that she hadn’t eaten properly since this had happened to Ann.
“Here,” she said, gesturing to the food as Lexi frowned at her, “I want to see all of these gone by the time I get back here in the morning.”
“Ugh. You’re starting to sound like Allen.” Lexi protested, rolling her eyes.
Aoife chuckled as she slung her bag over her shoulder and approached Lexi, giving her a quick hug before she moved towards the door
“You love our concern really. Don’t fight it, or we’ll just increase our mothering and nagging even more.”
Lexi snorted and a small smile curled at the edges of her mouth.
“I’m not going back to the Enclave tonight,” Aoife continued, “I’m just going to grab the room next door. The nurses said it was fine before you ask. That way, if you need anything I’m right next door.”
“I guess they aren’t expecting many high profile admissions then.” Lexi commented dryly.
“I guess not. Don’t be too surprised if I drop in on you through the night. I’m not sleeping too well at the moment for obvious reasons.”
Lexi sighed as understanding flashed in her eyes.
“None of us could have known Aoife, or done anything differently. Whatever it was they gave her was pretty f*****g potent. If it wasn’t for Maeve and her royal blood, she’d have been dead instantly.”
“I know I just… I’m supposed to be able to fix things, or at least protect against things like this. I’m just mad that we couldn’t get a hit on the type of poison used. If I knew then I could have at least tried to treat this…”
“Well, I guess its a lesson learned for both of us.” Lexi snorted, “I need to be quicker at grabbing hold of disappearing waiting staff, and you need to start carrying around a full testing kit and every antidote known to man, just in case.”
Aoife smiled weakly at Lexi, knowing full well that she was being sarcastic.
“Goodnight Lexi.”
“G’night tiny.” Lexi grinned with a twinkle in her eye as Aoife stuck her middle f*inger up at her over her shoulder as she left.
Aoife was still smiling to herself as she walked the few steps in the deserted corridor to the room next door that she had managed to get permission to use. There was only a bathroom between her and Ann’s room and it made her feel a little better about leaving her side.
It still surprised her how quickly she had seemed to bond with both Lexi and Ann, but she was happy about it. Their moral compass aligned with her own, and it was rare in this world to find people so genuine and as far from judgmental as a shifter could get.
She showered quickly and changed into her nightwear before sliding into the bed, tossing and turning a little as she tried to get comfortable on the unfamiliar mattress.
As far as hospital beds went, it wasn’t the worst, but it certainly wasn’t her own. She sighed as she stared at the ceiling in the tranquil darkness, awaiting the wings of sleep that promised a moment of tranquility however short it might be.
She wished that Felix would return soon. She missed his t*ouch, his lips, and his calm disposition. With him at her side, she could face anything that life threw at her.
She reached for her phone and typed out a message to him, knowing that she would struggle to sleep if she didn’t get it off her chest.
“I love you, my Felix. Come home soon, I miss you terribly, xxx”
With a satisfied smile and her heart a little more at ease, she placed her phone on the side and lay back in her bed.
It wouldn’t be long now, and they would be together again, working together to find the assassin that had dared to move against Ann.
Who knew, perhaps this terrible incident would hail the start of a blossoming alliance between the two Kingdoms.