Chapter 5 Sharing Names

I watch the Rogue sitting on my bed with a plate in his hands as he quietly eats. I guess making extra food for Harry was a good idea. Noticing my gaze on him, the male lets out an approving hum to let me know that the meal is to his liking. I feel a smile creep on my face and I lower my head. It has been a long time since someone appreciated my cooking. Harry had stopped liking my culinary skills. Biting my lower lip, I hum, "My name...is Claire.."

He doesn't look at me as he hums again. I wait for him to tell me his name but he doesn't. "Y-You...", I fidget with the fork in my hands, "..won't tell me yours?"

He shrugs and makes me blink for a moment. I keep staring at him with a blank face and he finally groans, "You know, princess", he lifts his leaden orbs to meet mine, "They say, don't name a dog or you'll get attached to it. I never asked you for yours." I frown at his reply. I lower my head back down and continue to push the contents of my plate around with my fork. The silence between us makes the air thick and suffocating. "Alex", he suddenly speaks, surprising me. I look at him with furrowed brows and he groans in annoyance as he repeats, "My name, Alex."

A huge smile shines on my face and I resist the urge to jump, "Alex what?" I ask for his last name and he just narrows his eyes at me. "Oh..right...", I murmur, realizing I had used all of my luck for the day by making him stay and tell me his first name. No point in pushing him more. Once he was done, I take his plate for him and carry it down, letting him give rest to his leg although he wanted to do it himself, not wanting to show himself weak.

By the time I return back to the room, Alex was laying on the bed with his wounded leg lightly hanging off the mattress. He was wearing the shirt and trousers I gave him. His eyes were closed and his breathing was even. Quietly walking over to him, I sense his muscles lightly twitching. His hand rested on his chest and would occasionally clench into a loose fist before opening again. I frown at this before slowly leaning over him and grabbing the blanket, pulling it over his body. I then carefully grab his ankle but shudder at the sparks. I hear him groan and my head snaps to his face. He barely mumbles in his sleep before turning his head away. Focusing back on his ankle, I lift his leg and carefully place it back on the bed, on top of the blanket. I inspect his wound and lightly wince as I notice some fresh blood staining his skin. The bleeding hasn't stopped but he said that the cream would help.

I let out a sigh before going up to fix the blanket, tucking him in. Once done, my eyes stay on his peaceful face that would occasionally contort in pain. His hair had dried into a little messy form and watching them only makes me feel the urge to run my hand through them, fixing them. I resist the urge before smiling softly. At least he's here. I had waited for this day for last nine years. The day where I find my fated one. I had thought of millions of scenarios, maybe in a park, maybe in a club. Maybe I would go to the cafe and find him. But none of those scenarios were remotely close to what had actually happened.

I continued to stay with a pack warrior even when the love between us died so he could protect me and my family from rogues but my own mate turned out to be one. Even with the weird way we met, I still love him. He's the other half of my soul, chosen by the Moon Goddess. She can't be wrong.

His brows furrow again and a small sigh escapes his lips and I quickly cup his cheek, brushing his warm skin with my thumb. His muscles relax under my touch and I notice him leaning into my palm. My heart skips a beat at the sight. Suddenly his hand shoots up and grabs mine, making me yelp. His hold keeps my palm against his cheeks as his leaden orbs slowly open and focus on my face. I feel the heat rise up to my face, making it glow red. "You...", he speaks up in a hoarse voice and I gulp.

He suddenly pulls me over and I land on his chest with another yelp. With our faces inches away, I stare at him with wide eyes. "Sleep with me...", he murmurs and my face turns to a beetroot instead. Before I could say anything, his free arm wraps around my waist and he turns around, lightly groaning in pain, pulling me along and I land on the mattress beside him. I continue to watch him with wide eyes as my heart beats loud in my ear. He holds me close and places his face in my neck.

I let out a squeak as his lips come in contact with the sweet spot in the crook of my neck where his mark is supposed to be. "Shhh, little rodent", he murmurs as his lips tease my flesh.

I suck in a shaky breath as his teeth graze against my neck. Leaving myself to his mercy, I let him play with me as he pleased. His little play thing. His hand slipped into my shirt from behind and I feel his warm palm on my bare back. He sucks on my shoulder, leaving a hickey for sure.

My body was heating up as I try to breath properly but every single breath hitches in my throat. Slowly he stops moving, surprisingly falling asleep again, his lips laying still against my red skin. I feel my heartbeat calm down and my arms wrap around his neck, hugging his head. Enjoying his warmth, I close my eyes. For a moment I thought he'd make love to me but he did nothing more than leaving a hickey.

It's something close to a real mark. My heart flutters at the thought. Time, time is all we need. Time to strengthen the bond. With that, I relax in his arms. Before long, the sleep takes over.

A sharp pain in my arms jolts me awake and I let out a tiny cry. My eyes open wide and I try to wrap my mind around what's going on. The lights were still turned on. I hear Alex's ragged breathing and feel it hit on my collarbone. His grip on my arms tighten more and I feel his claws dig deeper, making me let out another cry. "A-Alex!", I cry out and his head instantly snaps up to look at me. I notice the thick layer of sweat on his forehead as he continues to pant. His face was contorted in pain and the sight was enough to take my mind off the claws piercing my skin.

I grab his face and realize he was burning up. His eyes were lightly glazed as if he is out of it. I push his hair back, off his dampened forehead. He looks at me for a moment before letting out a long groan in pain. "Alex...", I whisper to him as I slowly push him to lie on his back. His hands let go and I sit up, looking down at his lightly writhing form. My eyes instinctively move down to his leg and a gasp leaves my lips. There was a huge blood stain and his wound looked worse than before. I quickly shoot up from the bed. "I'll get the help kit!"

"..no!", he hisses out as he grabs my arm, stopping me. I turn to look at him with panic shining in my brown orbs. "Knife!", he shouts in pain, "Bring me knife!" I couldn't understand why he wanted a blade instead and just stare at him. He growls as he sees me delaying, "Now!"

I quickly pull my arm out of his grip as I rush out of the room and down the stairs, straight to the kitchen. I grab the kitchen knife before glancing at the cupboard. Biting my lower lip, I quickly open it and pull out the help kit. I run back upstairs to my room and find Alex sitting with his back on the headboard. The male was drenched with sweat and his skin was redder in shade. He looks at me while holding his leg. "Knife?", he breathes out and I nod before handing it to him.

He wraps his fingers around the handle before looking down at the wound with his jaws clenched. My heart instantly squeeze in pain and fear and I grab his arm, "What are you going to do with it??"

He doesn't look at me as he spat the answer, "I'll cut the damn leg off."