I stand frozen to the spot as everything around me melts into a blur. I sway as another wave of pain hits me. I feel something bump against me and suddenly, I'm back in the room.

Chaos and panic consume everyone.

I watch in shock as Bella and Beckett try to hold Grayson still while the other doctor still tries to get the I.V. in his arm. Teresa has moved to his side to try and take out the bullets.

Beckett flashes me a panicked glance and I find myself shakily walking towards Grayson. The closer I get, the less pain I'm in. I notice that Grayson has stopped seizing now that I'm close to him.

The twins back slowly away, shock written all over their faces. I touch Grayson's face and he grimaces in pain. The other doctor finally manages to connect him to the IV and his expression softens.

Both doctors begin to properly care for the wounds that are still oozing loads of blood while I stand next to him and hold his hand, staring at it while rubbing circles on the back of it with my thumb.

Everything begins to turn into a blur again as someone pulls up a chair and sits me down. I stare at his face, not wanting to look anywhere else in fear that something might happen.

Grayson lays still on the bed, emotionless and from this, I know we're going to be here a while.

I stir and open my eyes, adjusting to the sunlight hitting my face. I must have fallen asleep.

I sit up and suddenly notice that Grayson is no longer on the bed in front of me. The blood-stained sheets have been replaced with fresh ones and the blanket is folded neatly on top.

Where the hell is he?

Panicking, I get up and check the bathroom before walking out of the room as fast as I can, trying to find someone.

I make my way down the hall and suddenly walk into Teresa as she walks out of another hospital room, causing her to drop everything. Embarrassed, I help her pick up her things and take them to her office.

"What's wrong, Acacia?" Teresa signs after putting everything away.

"Where's Grayson?" I sign back, worried.

"Ummm, I'm not sure. You've been asleep for most of the day hun."

"Oh god. Really? So he's not here then?"

"No, I don't believe so. We cleared him and said he could leave this morning. His wolf healing meant that he was basically fully healed by this morning."

"I see. Do you know where he might be then?"

"I'm not sure sorry. Alpha duties maybe? He didn't say anything, he just walked out after we discharged him."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I thought he would have waited for you to wake up but obviously, he didn't" she replies, frowning.

Suddenly, anger starts to rise within me and I storm out of the room, signing a quick goodbye as I go.

That asshole.

He didn't even wake me.

He just left.

I get that he heals quickly as a wolf but he should have woken me and told me he was leaving instead of avoiding me.

Hot tears start to run down my face but I quickly brush them away as I walk into his house. I stomp up the stairs to his office and walk in, not even bothering to knock first.

Clearly shocked, Grayson looks up from his work and I watch as his expression changes to one of guilt before instantly regaining his composure.

"Acacia" he signs, his face becoming emotionless.

"You left me" I sign, angrily.

"I-" he starts but I cut him off.

"No. You fucking left me. You were dying and I was there watching you have a fucking seizure, blood gushing out of your bullet wounds and I stayed with you and you left and didn't even bother to wake me!"

"Acacia-"

"No, Grayson! Stop it! Okay, I know I'm the worse mate ever because I'm still fucking scared of you but I'm trying okay!"

Anger and hurt rip through me as I continue, glaring at him, trying to fight back more tears.

"I'm trying and all you're doing is avoiding me. You went away on Alpha duties and that's fine but for two days with no word other than you telling your sister to come and stay with me is bullshit and then you get yourself fucking shot!"

I can't hold them any longer and hot tears begin to roll down my face again.

"I-" he goes to sign but I interject once more, too angry to stop myself.

"I stayed with you and then you left! I was trying, I am trying! Why don't you understand that? I struggle with trusting people because of what happened to me but I'm trying because you're my mate and I want to trust you and-"

Suddenly, Grayson is in front of me and his lips are on mine as he cups my face gently. I begin to kiss him back but then remember I'm still mad at him. I push away and glare at him.

"No."

I take a step back from him and I watch as his expression darkens.

"No?"

"No. You don't get to do that Grayson. You can't think that kissing me is going to just fix this and make it all go away. That's not fair."

He goes to take a step towards me and I instantly take another step back, quickly wiping away the last of my tears.

He stares at me, hurt swimming in his eyes.

Good. Now he knows how I'm feeling.

"Acacia"

"Yes?"

"I'm sorry" he signs, a sad expression creeping onto his face.

"I know you're trying and I'm sorry that I left. I didn't want to wake you up and I thought you would be more comfortable by yourself."

I shift uncomfortably on my spot, fidgeting with my fingers.

"Look, I know I got shot but it was an accident, okay? I was caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't see the hunter."

I continue to glare at him as I think about what he is saying.

"Please know you're not the worst mate ever. You're better than anyone I could ever ask for."

"Don't fucking lie, Grayson" I sign angrily as I cut him off again.

"I'm deaf. I'm weak. I'm used. I'm scared of you. So scared I can't trust you yet even though I know I should because we are mates."

His mouth drops open at my words.

"I don't understand why you want me as your mate, Grayson. I can't make you happy or give you anything you want or even talk to you properly. I'm sorry you got stuck with the worst mate ever, Grayson."

"Acacia" Grayson signs with a sad smile, taking a step closer to me.

"I don't want anyone else but you. You make me happy and I don't care that you're deaf or weak or anything. You're perfect to me and that's all that should matter."

I frown at him, trying to stop myself from bawling my eyes out again.

"Why? Why do you want me as your mate? I don't understand. Why haven't you rejected me yet?"

He steps closer to me once again, closing the gap between us.

Instantly his lips are on mine again, kissing me softly, causing goosebumps to form on my body.

Eventually, he steps back and flashes me his signature grin.

"I know I can be a bit of a jerk but I'm trying my best not to be. This whole mate thing is new to me and it's got me all out of sorts. All I know is that I want to worship the ground you walk on, treat you like a queen, but I'm really scared that I'm going to push you too far and make you hate me. I'm truly sorry and I will do anything to make it up to you, I promise."

"You didn't answer my question. Why haven't you rejected me?"

"Acacia, I haven't rejected you because you are my mate and I'm falling in love with you Acacia."

My mouth falls open in shock.

He what?

__________________

Hey Guys,

So I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Thanks for sticking by me through all this and feel free to leave me a comment below letting me know whether you liked this chapter!!

If you feel so inclined, go follow me on my Instagram account @allamy_duffell for a look into my life outside of writing!

Thanks,

- Allamy xx