Rosalina's Hope by D.D. Dass (free novel 24 .txt) 📕

back to sleep, heal for me. I wanna see those hazel eyes open again,” I commanded, kissing his creased brow. He slumped, his left hand losing any pressure to my regret and relief.

Eventually I fell asleep but when I woke my hand still clenched his. He was asleep still but he looked better, color returned to his cheeks and I became more hopeful with the nurses.

I would wait for him however long it took. I would wait for him forever.
Awake at Last (Bastien):

I could not–desperate as I was–remain in the lifeless void that had swallowed me whole. In seconds, the beloved numbness disappeared and consciousness crashed into my lungs. I felt everything.

 

My head ached something sinful, my throat was uncomfortably dry and both my back and stomach were on fire! Or at least I thought so. My arms and legs…they were alright. Thank God.

 

My eyelids were heavy and I gave up, after seconds of failure, on trying to open them. Rosa? Where was Rosalina?

 

“I’m here,” that soft, low voice quelled the vicious panic momentarily. A small hand squeezed mine and impulsively, I squeezed back, using all the strength I possessed on that minute movement.  I had to see her…It was pure, feral need that forced my eyes open. For once, I was grateful for the darkness that kept my vision clear.

 

Naturally, Rosa’s pretty face was pale, but dark rings underlined her tire, anxious eyes–eyes that tears spilled over.

 

Why? I wondered in alarm. Why was she crying?

 

“D-on’t –,” her fingers traced my lips, silencing me as she smiled.

 

“No. Don’t speak, please.” I tried to nod, but my eyes shut and instead, I listened hard and found I could hear just fine. My senses were languid, but they worked…And that was…good. The healing process should begin soon, though it didn’t matter. All I wanted was my mate, safe and sound…

 

Someone entered the room then, and Rosa’s voice caressed my ears. “He needs more morphine.”

 

What? No! I struggled, my breathing coming harsh as the panic made a sudden return. No more sleep, I thought desperately. I didn’t want that darkness again…The nightmares…

 

Rosa! I just needed Rosa. Under my struggle, the burn blazed in my back and stomach, my chest panging dully. But all I really felt was Rosa’s hand, cupping my cheek and instantly, my body relaxed. The fight in me ceased.

 

“Hey…Hey, you need to sleep…”

 

“N-No,” I choked on my breath. “No…You….Just…ne…ed you.”

 

“I’m here,” she murmured gently. “And I’ll still be here when you wake up. I promise. But for now, you need to rest…Just a little while longer,” she cooed and I let out a heavy breath. My eyes began to sting weirdly. Alarmed, I opened my eyes…They were blurred with…tears?

 

I could not keep them from leaking…Fuck…She’s okay…Rosa’s…okay.

 

“Sebastien, relax. I can’t cry right now and you can’t afford too!” I didn’t care. The tears brimmed without any intention of stopping. I did not give two fucks.

 

All I knew was my lovely, dear Goddess of a mate was…

 

“I love you…” the words fell over me just as the darkness seemed too.

 

Two Days Later:

 

Pain. Jolted into consciousness, I could recognize the stinging pain running along my skin, leaving permanent scars. I was jostled. What the hell?

 

Cracking my eyes open, I winced at the bright rays of light, realizing, all at once, that I was in motion –being carried out of the hospital.

 

There was a grunt. “God. You’re heavier than I thought, boy.”

 

In confusion, I glanced up again, greeted by the sight of Rosa’s father. Hell, I thought. This was getting weird by the second.

 

Where was I going? Why? And where was Rosalina?

 

“She’s in the car,” the other male supplied just as a hot rush of pure acid went through my veins. I focused on keeping my breathing steady. What was going on?

 

“The healing process is just beginning so prepare for the worst. The silver bullet fragments are bound to hurt like hell…Plus, I will have to break your back into place once we’re home.” Holy…Christ.

 

Outside the brisk air was like heaven over my body and my roaming eyes finally landed on Rosa, seated in the driver’s side of a Jeep.

 

Rosa was…driving –my Rosa. How long had I been out?

 

Her father barked a laugh, as if hearing my thought…Oh, that’s right, he probably could. Damn, that meant he could hear how – The male growled and I recoiled from those thoughts. “Don’t push it, boy.”

 

I wished I could remember how to roll my eyes. He placed –dumped me into the backseat and my lips twitched to smile but I winced, my entire body jerking as I tried to keep the pain from consuming me.

 

Car doors slammed…then, we were on the road. My eyes rose to find Rosa in the passenger side. Thank God, I just saved us and I was not about to risk her life again. Never again.

 

“When do you think he will be completely healed?” Rosa asked her father. I anticipated the response.

 

“At the latest, tomorrow afternoon. It’s going to be one hell of a night for him, which is why we’re going home. He’s going to be screaming at the top of his lungs…He’ll need you.” My body emphasized the words –surely I should me in flames by now?

 

Rosa looked to me, eyes scared. I willed my arm to move but it weighted about a fucking ton. Even so, I managed, running my trembling fingers down her cheek. So soft.

 

From then on, everything came in tidal waves, coming and going as I remained on that fine line between consciousness and unconsciousness. We were in motion soon and every step my body retaliated cruelly, seeping with acid.

 

“Go…”a voice whispered. “He’ll be fine.” Yeah fucking right.

 

“I’m not leaving him,” her voice was far away…Don’t leave…Leave…No…Yes!

 

Something heavy and horribly warm landed on what I thought to be my shoulder. “This is going to hurt…but, not as bad as it would…” the words didn’t matter because that something slammed into me. Pain had my eyes snapping open as a sharp shout pierced the silence…

 

I shouted and shouted and shouted, but it made no difference. More pain–so much pain…Unbearable.

 

“Sorry…” a voice muttered.

 

The wolf came alive, but he could do nothing in defense. It made me furious…and happy…

Another agonized scream.

 

I could no longer keep track as the cracking sounds ate away my sanity. 

Recovery (Rosa):

Sebastien lay passed out in my bed and I bit my lip to keep from weeping.

“It was the best way Rosalina. If I hadn’t gone it, his body would have done it slower,” my father whispered as I hid my face in his chest, feeling like a little girl again. My father had to break his spine...otherwise he would not have made it. The doctors had said if he made it through they would pop it back into place but his body had other ideas.

Of course I understood why my father did it earlier, but I didn’t like it. I despised it…but refused to leave him… No matter how much stuff I put over my ears I still heard his screams. So here I was curled up in daddy’s arms, crying as my mother continually checked in and my sister slept obviously. Unaware of anything…that our parents were werewolves and our father an Alpha. For me it hadn’t been much of a surprise…I was so used to the unexpected.

“I’m so tired, “I mumbled feebly. And I was. I was tired of being hurt, of my mates’ pain; I was simply tired of all the fear, heartache, and confusion, tired of it all. I wanted to be held in Sebastien’s arms but I knew he wasn’t ready for that…

Soon I reminded myself, the only thing keeping me up. My dad’s arms tightened around me as I fell into sleep.


________________________________________________________________________________________________

Soon I heard rustling and jerked awake, all alone in the same hard chair in front of my bed. He was awake again I saw…automatically standing.

“Bastien?” He tried to speak but it came out as soft chokes. “Stop trying,” I said. He was sweating I saw, his eyes on the ice water on my bedside table. I grabbed it and a wet rag. Maneuvering so that he could drink I tipped the glass and he closed his eyes until the glass was empty.

I refilled it three times before he slumped; making a sound that was a purr or a groan…maybe a mixture.
“When you recover, we’re leaving,” I said with a smile, “Far away where nobody will ever find us.” His lips tipped a little. I yearned to leave, away from Colorado. I wanted to go somewhere no one even knew out names. Where we were just a couple of strangers.

“Love…you,” he choked.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

In a mad rush I woke up, all alone in my bed.

“Sebastien?” He came into view as I sat up, his back was too me. I crawled behind him, my hand on his back. His face was in his hands, his shoulders slouched. “It hurts?” He shrugged and I sighed, resting my hand on his hot shoulder. He was alive. Alive. I began to cry uncontrollably.

“I-I thought you were going to leave me…alone. I couldn’t breath…I couldn’t live without you,” I babbled, my control in shreds as he pulled me into his arms, laying me on top of him. Worried I lifted my head.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. I’m…healed up,” he whispered unsurely. I nodded, lying back.

After awhile I sniffed. “You should probably get my sleep.”

“I’ve been asleep for a long rime haven’t I?” I nodded with a shaky laugh.

“Two weeks and three days,” I muttered grudgingly. The longest time of my life.

“I missed you.” One arm tightened around my waist. He winced and I glanced up.

“They cut off all my hair?” I laughed.

“Three times…It grew way too quickly. But it doesn’t look bad, “I offered. He rolled his eyes with a pouty lip.

“Well…I guess I won’t have to do it now.” Closing my eyes I snuggled closer to him, listening to his every breath and pounding heartbeat. My wolf….

My hope.