I've been in the pack hospital for a couple of days now. I'm still processing what Xander said to me. Through the past couple of days I've been going on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Mostly being doubtful and hopeless. Figuring out whats real and what's not. 

I've been feeling better physically, however as I move around in my bed I noticed my legs are aching a lot and I didn't know why since I cut my wrists. I would've expected my arms to be more immobile. 

"How're you feeling?" Xander asks as he sat next to my bed.

I rub my head gently, "I'm feeling okay, just a little dizzy still."

immediately Xander stood up, "I'll get the doctor."

"Oh no really it's fine. I'm ok-" he's already gone out the door.

I didn't know how I feel about Xander. He hasn't said much to me, but he's been doing a lot.  He's gotten me food, clothes, and also my poem book. He told me how he read it and saw that it was completely full. So he went to the store and bought me a brand new one. This one had a black leather cover with a wolf engraved in it. 

I mean yeah it's cool, but I still didn't feel good about him. A part of me is expecting this to be all fake. If it was...I'll run away. Far away. I'll run and find my brother. 

Doctor Carmen comes in with a bright smile. Xander follows behind her glaring at the back of her head.

She approaches me with a gentle and encouraging smile, "Hello Luna. I've heard that you re feeling dizzy?"

I nod weakly.
"And my muscles are really sore still, I thought it would go away, but it hasn't..and please just call me Lizzy."

She nods understandingly as she looks at her clipboard, the usual doctorly thing to do, "Yes...well. Because you've experienced severe blood loss. Your arms healed faster because it's a smaller area of muscle ass compared to your legs. Especially for females, their hips and legs tend to be naturally stronger than a male's so when there is nutritional as well a substantial amount of blood loss, your legs will be a lot weaker."

I start to get scared. Am I going to be okay? "Will it leave any permanent damages to my body?" I asked a little worried for my health. Xander becomes tense as I asked the question. He takes a step forward toward my bed as if for comfort.

The doctor lifted her head from her board and says, "Luna-I mean, Lizzy, your legs are going to be very weak, so you will need someone to help you travel around the place a little bit. But don't worry, as long as you get plenty of rest, exercise and good nutrition you'll recover quickly," I sighed in relief, "Would you like a wheel chair to make it easier for you to get your way around, Lizzy?"

I scrunched my nose and shook my head, "No thank you. I think I would rather just try my best to walk. I will use it as my exercise."

The doctor smiles and nods her head, "Very well. One other option is a caregiver, I have a male who is an expert at these kinda of things. He knows stretches, massages and exercises that will help. And he can carry you around as well. He is very strong and very professional."

I opened my mouth to reply, however, a deep growl resonates from Xander's chest.

"No." He says firmly, "If she needs help, I'll do it, if she needs a massage, I'll do it, if she needs to exercise, I'll do it! If someone needs to  carry her...I'll do it! Not another male so don't ever suggest such a thing to my mate again."

The doctor had a glimpse of fear in her eyes. She bowed her head and said, "Of course Alpha...forgive me. I was only thinking of the Luna's health." She then silently walks out of the door.

***

I had to stay in the sick room for a little while longer for further observation. I felt around my legs. So I won't be able to walk...great. I wonder what it would feel like?...Surely I can't be that weak? Maybe I'm not as weak as they thought I'd be?

I look at my legs curiously. Maybe I can test them out. I look at Xander...he's sitting in a chair near the wall, too concentrated on a car magazine.

I move my feet over the bed and onto the floor. As soon as I land my legs start to shake. Shit! This is harder than I thought. I took a deep breath and I try to take a step, but I just end up collapsing. Two big arms circle my waist. I look up and see Xander looking worried as usual.

"Be careful Izzy." He growls,  "I don't want you to get hurt."

I must look so dumb right now. Imagine seeing a girl learning how to walk...again! My cheeks heat up. I look away from him, "I just wanted to see how limited I am from really walking."

He raises his brow, "And?"

I sighed, "I am really limited."

He grins slightly. I was a little taken off guard that he didn't look like angry. It's shocking how a small grin could transform his face. I shook my head. Get your head out of the clouds Lizzy!

He lifts me into his arms and carries me back to the hospital bed. His hands brushes under my thighs. A tingle sensation waves through my legs. I gulped as I tried to control my reactions, "Thank you." I mumbled.

"What's your favourite colour," he asks as he sits on the chair next to my bed. 

I tilt my head, "Ummm why?"

He sighs, "I just think as mates we need to get to know each other on a deeper level."

"A deeper level? And you asked me what my favourite colour is?"

He raises his brows, "Well...what is it?"

I roll my eyes, "Green."

He nods his head, "Okay...Why?"

I shrugged, "Because it's the colour of the forest?"

He kinda just stopped for a moment. He seemed so lost in thought. Then he looks back up to me, "Why do you love the forest so much?"

Why did I love the forest so much? I guess I never thought of it. I just always remember being in the forest with my mother, but the memory was too painful to remember, "Because we're wolves" I scoffed, "We'd obviously love the forest."  I look away from him, hoping that he wouldn't notice me become uncomfortable.

He reaches out his hand and rests it on top of mine. Ugh! I hate how he can easily make me push out my emotions! I don't want to appear weak to him.

"Hey, it's okay if you don't want to tell me."

I yank my hand back and cross my arms over my chest as if a weird sense of protection, "Whatever."

"I think it's time for bed, Sweetheart."

I nod in agreement. I did feel pretty tired.

He stands from his chair and looks down at me. I noticed his hands opened up from their fist form as if he wanted to reach out. But he didn't.  He clenches his jaw, "Good night, Izzy."

"Good Night Xander." I whisper. My eyes follow him as he leaves the room, closing the door behind him. I close my eyes and let myself sink into a deep sleep. But before I felt myself slip, I just realised...did he just call me sweetheart?

XANDER'S POV

As I was in my bed, I knew I wasn't gonna get any sleep tonight. My mind was on Izzy. Wondering how she is and what she thinks of me. I sighed. I looked at the time. It was 2:27 AM. I growled and ripped the blankets off my naked form. I rubbed my face and groaned in annoyance. I looked out my window and in the distance saw the lights of the hospital.

I climbed out of my bed and put some clothes on. I went to the hospital and quietly walked into Izzy's room. I sat down beside her bed and looked at her sleeping form. She looks so beautiful and peaceful. The image of her pale and limp form on the bank flashes through my head, making me flinch. I did that. The guilt ate at me. I' a fucking idiot.

"Hello Son." I look at the door and see my father. 

"Hey dad." He makes his way over to me and sits next to me. He releases a tired sigh.

"How is she?" He asks.

I look back to my mate, "She's okay. She's still hesitant about me. Can't blame her for being cautious."

My father nods, "Yes, you have to be patient with her. My only advice is to not give up. Don't waste anymore time son. You'll regret it in the future. I know I have." He mumbles the last bit. 

My eyes brows pull together in confusion."What do you mean?"

"You don't know this son," My father said as he looks down at his hands with a deep frown, "But I actually rejected your mother as my mate as soon as I saw her."

I stopped breathing. I didn't know this. I never would have guessed. How could my father do such a thing?

"I know what you're thinking. Your mother was an omega. And as an Alpha I looked down at her rank. I didn't look at her as a person. She kept trying to get me to change my mind, but she didn't sway my decision. Then when she rejected me...it changed everything. I've never been in so much pain son. Your mother ran away. I tried to find her. But she was clever. She covered her scent and her tracks. It took me 2 years son...2 YEARS WASTED!" 

My father's eyes were red and glistening. "Once I found her, it took me a whole year to earn your mother's love and trust. If I had never rejected her and just accepted her for who she was...we may have already had, had you Xander. But it took us 3 years. I still beat myself up about it a bit, even though your mother has forgiven me. So don't waste time son. You treat that girl like she's your queen. You won't be able to function without her Xander. Mates are a precious thing. I wish I knew that earlier."

My father was right. I can't waste time. Time can either be your friend or your enemy. It all depends on what you make it. I'm going to make sure Elizabeth knows how loved and how beautiful she is everyday until my dying breathe. Time is too short not to.