"Honey they're sleeping."

"Just one more picture!"

"Mom I think you took a whole photo album's worth of pictures."

"Mhmm." I groggily rub the sleep out of my eyes with one of my hands. When I fully open my eyes I see my mom standing at the foot of the bed with her phone taking pictures? "What's going on?" I murmur.

"Sorry sis, we tried to stop her." Malcolm says sheepishly. Dad nods in agreement. Mom sulks at this, "My baby found her mate, can't I take a few pictures?" Dad shakes his head, "It's a few pictures when you take three of them. Honey, you have taken enough to last a lifetime." Ignoring their disagreement I look over at the person holding my hand as he continues to sleep. The tingles flow up my arm, warming my whole body. I smile unknowingly. My other hand goes to move the strands of hair that fell over his face. I tense up hearing his voice, "Morning beautiful." He opens his eyes giving me this grin that causes me to flush. He chuckles without a care in the world as he takes both of my hands in his.

"Aww!" The moment between us dissolves at the sound of mom's voice. I'm not sure if it's possible but my face continues to flush even further from her attention. "Mom!"I groan.
"What?" She acts innocently, "He doesn't mind, right? Landon?" Landon? The name echoes in my thoughts. Where have I heard that name before?

"I don't mind at all, Miss Anderson." He says without looking in her direction, "Do you need anything? The doctor should be stopping by soon."

"Um if you could let go of my hand, that would be a good start." His bright facial expression dies down and I'm hit in the gut with an overwhelming amount of guilt, "I don't mean it like that! I-I j-just need to use the restroom." I panically stutter out, something within me doesn't want him to ever lose the shine in his eyes. He gives me a small smile in return, leaning in he places a quick kiss to my temple leaving my heart racing. Which unfortunately is broadcasted for everyone in the room to hear with the heart monitor. I quickly remove it and rush to the bathroom to hide in embarrassment. I can hear his deep chuckle through the door. Stupid heart, can't you be still for just a moment?

When I finally exit the bathroom, I see that he isn't in the room. A frown makes itself apparent on my face. I miss him. Sulkily I make my way back into the hospital bed all grumpy. The only one left in the room is Malcolm but he's fast asleep. Looking at his face, I can tell he hardly slept last night. I lay back down to stare at the ceiling, wondering when he'll be back.

Not long after I heard someone knock on the door, "Come in." It's Doctor Williams and standing behind him is . . . Landon in a hospital gown? I tilt my head and look at him questionly.

"Good morning Miss Anderson, how are you feeling today?" Doctor William asks looking up from his clipboard. "Much better." He jots something down.

"That's good. Any symptoms? Like nausea, headaches, dizziness, fever, breaking out in cold sweats?" I just shake my head, and he writes something else down, "Wonderful. Now I know this is going to sound very odd, but do you know this fine young gentleman?" He gestures to Landon who waves his hand to say hi with a smile on his face. I giggle at this sight before I shake my head. His smile disappears. I can hear his wolf whimper ever so slightly. It makes me frown again, I don't like him feeling hurt.

"Ah I understand the underlying condition this time around. You have amnesia, the Moon Goddess has taken your memory of this young lad." The Moon Goddess? Why would she do that? I must have a confused expression on my face because Doctor Williams immediately goes to explain, "You see at first we thought—I thought—that you were alive because your 'mate' had saved you. It is not the case." Doctor Williams making air quotes with his hands, "The Moon Goddess had allowed you to live and changed your mate for another in light of the suffering caused by your true mate. But in exchange she has taken part of your memories, do you follow what I am saying?" I just sit there and stare on him.

"Miss Anderson?" Doctor Williams takes a step closer, he touches my hand. I don't move my gaze from Landon. But what about him? Sure I'm blessed, but is this what he wants? What happens to Xavier? Do you even know? God this is all messed up.

Landon steps closer, my gaze doesn't waiver. He leans in and caresses my cheek, the warmth and tingles come back from this morning. I couldn't help but lean in to his touch. He smiles at this and I can feel my face flush up again. "Lex?" He whispers, and I close my eyes finding comfort in his touch. Who are you to me?

"Ahem." We break apart, the moment ruined. "Back to the topic at hand, Miss Anderson have you understood a word I have said?" I nod moving my gaze from Landon to Doctor Williams. "Wonderful. Now as you know your wolf is currently dormant, she is not currently aware of this change unlike your human side. We need to essentially jumpstart her—like you would a car if you will. In order to do that, you will be given a blood transfusion. Specifically with Landon's blood, this should enhance the mate bond enough to awaken your wolf. Do you have any questions?"

"Uhhh." I'm just running a giant blank right now. "So I'll take that as a no?"

"No! No, I do have a question." Doctor Williams nods and gestures for me to continue, "Isn't this similar to marking? Why not just do that instead?" I say shyly, looking away from Landon who I know is probably grinning.

"Ah. Well you see, because your wolf is dormant you would not be able to grow canines to mark Landon. Essentially your body is very much like a regular human being, so although it is possible for Landon's mark to be enough to call out to your wolf, the healing process would be extensive. This is the safest way possible." I make that 'oh' facial expression in understanding. "Any other questions?" I shake my head, "I'm ready when you are."

"Perfect. Landon please take a seat over here, thank you. Now I will hook you both up to the same drip and after a few minutes we should be done." Doctor Williams says with a smile. "You'll only feel a slight pinch." He says as he pushes the needle into my arm. The process is simple and clean. "And we're all set!" Doctor Williams says ecstatically, though I still feel the same. "Now all we have to do is wait a day at most—nightfall at the very least and your body should register Alpha Ronan's blood into your system, which will then trigger your dormant wolf to awaken." He moves to take the drip out of my arm and swiftly wraps it in a bandage whereas Landon simply takes it out without any assistance. "Any questions for me?" He looks at me and then glances over at Landon. "When can she be released?" Landon asks.

"Well we could have her released by tonight if it's urgent, Alpha." Doctor Williams responds quickly while flipping papers on his chart. Landon looks away from me and looks intently at Doctor Williams, "It would be ideal, if it is possible. I want her to be as comfortable as possible, my wolf and I are edge here. I simply want what's best for her and her family, clearly you can see Doctor that they will remain here at all costs as long as she is here. They are tired and worn out, they can't rest comfortably or properly here."

Doctor Williams had a thoughtful expression but it didn't seem like it was enough to convince him. Or rather there was more to it. Doctor Williams put a hand on Landon's shoulder and leaned in close to his ear, obviously whispering something. I couldn't catch a single word the Doctor said. Landon, however, spoke out, "I understand the concern and have taken care of it. Her room has been cleaned but if she feels something at all. Or if it triggers something, I guarantee you that she will stay with me. Where she will not be associated with those memories, I want her safe and I will do everything I can Doctor Williams to ensure that." Landon pauses and looks away from Doctor Williams but doesn't look at me either, "Of course, you and your parents are more than welcome in my home. I would never deny her family, I understand how important she is to you as she is to me. We will discuss this further when your parents come back." Confused, I glance around the room, Malcolm is wide awake. A small smile graces my face as he grins back at me. Malcolm gives me a thumbs up and mouths the words, "He's a keeper." I couldn't contain the giggle surfacing.

"Alright. Well I will be on my way if you need me, please ring the buzzer beside the bed. Good seeing Alpha Ronan." Doctor Williams offers his hand to Landon, "I cannot thank you enough Doctor. Much appreciated. Should you ever need anything, I will be in touch." Landon leads him to the door and shuts it after he leaves.

He then moves over to the small closet in the room and takes out clothes, my eyes following his every move. The way his back muscles flex with every action, from what I can see Landon is almost bare. If not for his black boxers underneath the hospital gown. He turns around after shutting the wardrobe, he has this knowing grin on his face. "Having fun? I was going to change in the bathroom but if you would like a show, I'm more than happy to oblige." Of course my face flushes again but before I can respond, someone roughly clears their throat. "Ahem. Big brother still present in the room, thank you."

Landon lets out the loudest and brightest laugh, "Sorry man, I forgot you were still here." Malcolm rolls his eyes in return, "Yeah sure you did, Alpha." Alpha? There's that word again, but Landon? An alpha? I must have a confused expression on my face. At that moment the two of them share a look and Malcolm exits the room. "I'll check in the cafeteria for Mom and Dad. Update them on what's been going on."

The door closes with a click. "We need to talk." Landon says, his voice soft but his eyes are heavy. I can't read what his expression, the meaning behind his mask.