“It’s fine.” I tell him with a small laugh. “I don’t love spinach but I don’t absolutely hate it either. It looks like he cooked the steak well at least.” I tell him with a shrug as he sits down next to me. “He made the same for you?” I ask, seeing we have the same thing and it’s not what had been planned.
“Solidarity.” he tells me, picking up his fork and knife to dig in and takes a bite. “You’re right. The steak is cooked well.” he says, going in for another bite.
“Of course it is. I taught them how to cook.” I tell him with a giggle, going to take a bite of my own, but realizing I’m struggling to cut the steak with my finger bandaged. Seth sees me pause, realizing my dilemma, and he reaches across, taking the plate and utensils from me and cutting it for me. He pushes it back towards me and squeezes my knee, no words needing to be exchanged.
“Thanks”, I tell him quietly and he squeezes my leg again. I try my food and realize that Oliver did really well. “It’s really good, but it would be better with some wine.”
“Absolutely not.” he growls out at me, an incredulous look on his face.
“I was joking.” I tell him with a smile. “No alcohol, only spinach. I know.” and as I look at him he smiles.
“How’s your finger feeling now? Still numb?” Seth asks me. “I can’t feel anything through the bond now,” he adds.
“It’s starting to hurt now. It’s like… half numb? I don’t know how to explain it, it just feels weird, honestly.” I tell him and he nods, furrowing his brow.
“I’m still not sure why I could feel it when you got hurt. That’s not normal, even with Royals and Alphas.”
“Who knows? It’s probably something to do with my broken wolf.” I tell him.
“Different wolf. Not broken” he says, looking at me and the way he’s looking at me tells me he’s not looking to discuss it. I make a mental note to not say broken in front of him again.
I finish what I can of my salad and the entire glass of water Seth had poured for me. I sit waiting for Seth to finish his food but I’m tired and I let out a big yawn. Seth smiles at me and, with the last bite of his food now gone, he stands up and picks me back up. “Back to bed with you,” he says, and turns back towards the bedroom.
“I can walk, you know.” I mildly protest, but he just holds me tighter until we’re at the bed and he places me back down on it, covering me with the blankets and kissing me on the forehead. He walks back to the kitchen and reappears, this time holding the medicine and vitamins. He hands me my water bottle and then the vitamins, but when he goes to hand me the medicine, I stop him. “It always makes me really sick. I’d rather not unless it gets really bad.” I tell him and he looks at me, torn.
“I don’t want you to be in pain,” he says to me, looking from me to the medicine. I take the vitamins willingly so he can see. Maybe he’ll realize I’m being very serious, but he still hasn’t put them down.
“If I take those you’ll be holding my hair back while I puke all night. I’d rather deal with the pain than the sickness unless it gets too bad.” and he looks up to meet my eyes.
“So you want me to stay with you all night?” he asks, his eyes burning into me.
“Umm…” I start, but I feel nervous with the way he’s looking at me and I nod slowly. “Only if you want to.” I manage to whisper.
“Of course I want to. I never want to be away from you again.” he tells me and places the medicine on the bedside table. “Don’t take it unless it gets too bad. But if it does, tell me. We’ll figure something out.” he says and walks out of the room, this time returning with an ice pack and a black suit case. He sits back down beside me again and takes my hand, gently removing the wrapping around it and places it on my lap with the ice pack on top. “Does that feel OK?” he asks.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” I tell him and he stands, taking the suitcase across the room to place it in a chair. He loosens and then unties his tie and slowly unbuttons his shirt, turning to me. “Is there anything else that you need right now?” he asks me and I shake my head no. “I’m going to shower now. Try to drink some more water, ok?” he tells me, taking his shirt off.
“I will.” I tell him, and as he turns to head to the bathroom, I decide to go get the book I’ve been reading from the living room. As I’m getting up he rushes over to me. “What are you doing?” he asks, clearly irritated. “You just said you don’t need anything.”
“I just realized I want my book. I can get it.” I tell him, waving him off.
“Why won’t you just let me take care of you?” he asks, becoming annoyed. “You’re offending my wolf.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to. It’s just hard for me.” I apologize. “I’m not sure exactly where it is either. But I think maybe on the coffee table.” I say, trying to cooperate. Seth walks out and comes back with the book in hand.
“It’s fine.” I tell him with a small laugh. “I don’t love spinach but I don’t absolutely hate it either. It looks like he cooked the steak well at least.” I tell him with a shrug as he sits down next to me. “He made the same for you?” I ask, seeing we have the same thing and it’s not what had been planned.
“Is this the right one?” He asks and I nod and take it from him.
“Thank you.” I respond and he walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He re-emerges from the bathroom a few minutes later wearing just sweatpants, his hair still quite damp, water dripping from it and down his muscular chest, and I’m reminded yet again that I’ve somehow been given the gift of the most beautiful mate possible. He crosses over and climbs onto the other side of the bed under the covers and sits up next to me while we remain silent for a while.
“I have difficulty accepting help when it’s something that I’m capable of doing myself. There’s so much that I’m NOT able to do, and I don’t want to be an inconvenience any more than I already am.” I say, breaking the silence between us.
“You’re not an inconvenience to me,” he begins, placing his hand on top of my thigh. “I want to take care of you, Altair wants to take care of you. You’re my mate, that’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“I know. I’ll try harder,” I tell him and he gently squeezes my leg.
“Is the ice helping it feel any better?” He asks me and lifts the ice pack to look at my injured finger.
“It’s feeling a little better. Not amazing, but better than it was.” I tell him honestly. “I’m not sure it’s really taking away the pain, just numbing it, really.”
“But you’ll tell me if it’s hurting more, right?”
“Yes. I will.” I tell him and begin to get up.
“Where are you going?” He asks, also getting up now and rushing to my side of the bed.
“I’m just going to change clothes and get ready for bed. I’m OK.” I try to reassure him.
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