The Runaway Breeder

Chapter 30

Beep

"Are you sure, Laina?" The sound of the heart monitor's steady beeping follows Eeva’s question as I look at Tate’s still form.

Beep

The sound continues on as everyone looks at me with worry in their gaze.

"I'm sure. It’s better than letting my mate suffer." I whisper out. Eeva nods, knowing that the decision for her younger brother to be taken off life support lies in my hand.

Beep

Rex slowly walks over to the life support machine and lets out a long, sad sigh. I see the pain in his eyes as he stares at Tate with a sad smile, pain that we all feel as we watch the slow rise and fall of his chest. I couldn’t let him continue to suffer no matter how painful this all is.

"Goodbye, friend." Rex whispers sadly before flicking the machine off. Slowly everything comes to a stop as the machines shut down. The room grows quiet now, reminding me that the last memory I have of my ate is of him rushing off to fight and defend our pack from Pine Paw. The only thing working is the heart monitor for now but even that will slowly stop.

Eeva takes Julia from my arms and motions for me to go to Tate, she already said her good byes to her brother, promising me that she will take charge of the pack while I grieve. With tears in my eyes, I move towards his bedside, staring down at the man I fell head over heals in love with. The man that saved and protected me from Pine Paw. I swear that I will get my revenge and kill the bastard that injured my mate.

Beep

My heart breaks at his still form, and with one last try, I open the link just between us, bending down and kissing his lips gently.

[I love you.] I confess with tears flowing down my face and onto his as I stand straight. I wipe away the wetness on his cheeks as I try my best to give a wobbly smile. Just over a month with Tate and I know that my life will never be the same without him. The sound of the heart monitor slows down, with each beep taking longer to sound. My heart cracks just a bit. It takes everything in me not to break down now. I need to be strong with so many eyes watching, need to be the Luna Bloodsvain needs before Eeva can take the position of Alpha. But all I want is to break down, to fling myself across his body and cry.

Beep

The final beep sounds, and the room goes silent. With tears streaming down my face once more and sobs ready to wrack my body, I turn away from the bed, ready to walk away as my broken heart shatters even further. My mate, the one the Moon Goddess blessed me with, is gone.

BEEP

The machine starts up as I take a step away. I think nothing of it, Rex already prepping me that this might happen. Something to do with an electric current in our bodies.

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

My steps falter briefly. The machine is going off as the heart beats grow steadily, each one coming faster than the last. I turn with wide-eyed at the heart monitor that made a comeback stronger than I thought it ever would. That annoying sound from the machine I truly and utterly want to destroy is something I relish with joy as it can only mean one thing.

[La....] it was weak, but it was Tate’s voice reaching into the void that has been our link for the last few weeks.

[I'm here, baby, please wake up.] I link him, rushing to his side and clasping his hand. I can hear Eeva asking Rex what the hell is happening, but he shushes her and I thank him for that as I focus on Tate, focus on the sparks that brush against me where our skin touch.

[Laina....] His voice is louder, and my tears turn from ones of pain to ones of joy. He is there, I can feel his presence in my mind.

"Whatever you did, Luna, it worked. He is waking up." Mateo’s mate Ashlyn, a nurse assigned to help take care of Tate, says from the door. Rex shushes her, the room returning to silence once again as the heart monitor continues to beep louder. No one else dares to come near as I clutched his hand tighter fearing that they might end what ever miracle is happening.

[Laina, where...] I hear his question loud and clear even if he can’t finish it.

[I'm here. All you need to do is wake up.] I reply as I looked to the sky outside the big window, staring at the moon that shines down on us. Please Goddess, don’t take him from me too.

[Just open your eyes baby.] I plead, turning my head to find myself staring into forest green eyes that I haven’t seen in two weeks.

"I...did." His voice is hoarse from not being used in so long, and I can't help but laugh as he states the obvious. Letting go of his hand to fall into his chest and cry, I clutch his shirt as relief fills me. I feel a warm hand pet my head as fingers run through my hair gently, and I look to see that it is Tate doing this with what little strength he has, his face looking guilty.

"Sorry...you...waited," Tate whispers, and I laugh again.

"I'll always wait for you baby, I love you." I reply before moving to kiss all over his face, ending at his lips. His lips move with mine in a heated, passion-filled kiss, feeling his hand clutch my hair.

"Um, can you guys save that until after he gets better and you are in your own home?" Eeva says awkwardly, coming to stand with Julia in her arms. I pull away from Tate with a blushing face forgetting that others were standing with us when joy overcame me from Tate finally waking up.

"Can....I?" He looks at our daughter, and I smile, taking her from Eeva and putting her beside him with his arm around our little girl. His face is one of joy as he snuggles our baby close to him, relief filling me.

‘Thank you Goddess.’ I pray, closing my eyes. Everyone stays for a few more minutes before Rex, with tears in his eyes, orders them to leave before having a bassinet and other baby equipment rolled into the room for Julia. I refused to leave Tate’s side now that he is awake, refuse to step away for one second only to find him laying there motionlessly again. I need to be beside him to know that this is not a dream, that my mate is safe and sound. With everyone gone and Julia asleep, I let Tate snuggle into me, his head on the crook of my neck with arms wrapped tightly around me. My hands play with his hair gently, feeling his body relax as his eyes droop with exhaustion.

"I love you." He whispers, and I kiss his cheek.

"I love you too." I reply back, smiling when he falls asleep with a happy grin on his face. I stay awake a little longer watching the man I love. He did everything he could to protect Julia and I when Pine Paw attacked, and I had almost lost him. I am happy I have a second chance. Yawning, I snuggle closer to Tate, hugging his body to mine as tightly as I can without hurting him.

"Get better soon, my love," I whisper before falling asleep wrapped up in his warm embrace and addictive scent.