Maddy slumped carelessly backward onto the couch temporarily forgetting her wound. Her mother's constant need to control everything was exhausting and drained the last of her energy as well as brainpower. As her body hit the couch and white-hot pain took her vision and she felt harsh pulling at her wound site, she was more than aware of how stupid she had truly been at that moment. Not a single sound escaped her through her mouth as she became overwhelmed yet, somehow Rhydian knew. He always seemed to know and this time he came running by the sounds around her just before they began starting to fade. Not even the day of the full moon had enough power to stop the consciousness from leaving her mind as she felt Rhydian come to her side and his gentleness as he touched her forehead.
He stood over her unsure of what to do his first instinct was to grab the medicine but, he also knew her body would burn it off today before it had the chance to work. Helplessly he checked her wounds finding three of the stitches pulled. Moving quickly, he wrapped it tightly unsure of how-to stitch up someone despite wounds he had suffered in the system before turning. His experience had taught him however if you wrap someone tight enough it had a similar effect. The smell of her blood on the air again drove his stomach to flip, it was something he never wanted to smell again but would know anywhere after this escapade.
Once satisfied and complete he began carefully he adjusted her to lay down and lifting her head and slipping beneath so her head lay in his lap. He didn't like how heavy it felt because he knew that meant she was not aware of the world around her at all right now. Constantly, and nervously he ran his fingers through her hair over and over trying to contemplate how this had occurred. Obviously, she had ignored his warnings and done something careless but he was not sure. He could not leave her side for even a shower it seemed but, in truth, he didn't mind that being the case.
The two remained that way as minutes turned to hours before finally, she awoke again. First, the pressure in her head lightened on his lap, and then she began to shift in her sleep snuggling closer to his chest. Where she belonged. He thought to himself feeling relief creeping into his mind. When her chocolate eyes met his own, he let out a deep sigh of relief uncontained and uninhibited. With the sigh, he was able to release some of the worry and tension that had been consuming every corner of his soul. They were a much-needed confirmation that she was alright as they bore into his own taking in the scene around her.
She looked weak and tired much as he expected but, he couldn't form the words to get out. He had been fearful she would not wake again on some level though he had dispelled the thoughts immediately it had not stopped the havoc it wreaked on his emotions. Rhydian had so much raw emotion that it was hard to control and sort through, especially when she was so much more fragile than normal which was saying something considering the chaos she found herself in nearly constantly.
"I'm sorry, I was not careful when I sat down." She murmured hand going to her head. He needed an explanation she had wanted to give it before fading but, she hadn't been physically able. She hated everything about being fragile and hurt. The moon's energy hummed in the air she could feel it but, she could do nothing to tap into it. It made her feel powerless and useless. He had warned her just this morning she was not fully healed yet, she had been careless and the tole on his face showed the effect it had on him. Until the undeniable evidence looked at her through her favorite pair of icy eyes she hadn't fully comprehended the massive effect on him. He had lost so much, suffered so much it was the last thing she wanted to add to it. She wanted to see his smile and hear his laugh only and she hated that look he wore now more than the pain still coursing through her body. "My mind is full of the moon energy it wants to run, laugh, play, I wasn't thinking we didn't mean to scare you." She added timidly.
"I know it's hard and you will heal but, Mad's." He paused formulating his words from the harsh tone he was using, "Please be more careful until that happens. I can't take seeing you like that." He added much softer eyes darkening as the memory played across them of the night he'd found out and a few moments before as his hand ghosted across her warm cheek leaving a buzzing sensation in its wake.
"I'll do my best okay, I am sorry Rhydian." She said disappointment and remorse clear in her tone. After a moment he nodded to her and as he did, she realized he was only in sweatpants. She was pressed tightly to his bare and hard chest. She could feel his pulse against his skin and his warmth through her clothes. He must have run directly from the shower she decided. Again, guilt weighed down on her and she moved her gaze to the window. Soon it would be dark, and the full strength of the moon would be upon her in a healing way. Hopefully, after she would not be so injured and would never see such an expression again. A comfortable silence filled the air for a while and contentment fell upon them both causing her to relax into him and him to relax around her.
A knock on the door echoed through the silence in the room, it was loud and caused Maddy to wince as she jumped. It broke the moment and comfortability. She went to move and found herself unable to find the strength which frustrated her to no end. She scented the air, and her blood ran cold. A second more impatient knock sounded, and Rhydian's face grew angry and surprised. Carefully he went from beneath her head to the door opening it to reveal Jana with Ceri a few feet behind.
"Mum, what are you doing here?" He asked roughly without looking at Jana not wanting to encourage these interruption visits. He didn't like this situation at all as he took in clear excitement upon both women and could only guess the effect on Maddy in the living room. She had stiffened the moment she caught the scents horrified and fearful of what was to come. One look told him she thought he would leave again, and he couldn't really blame her he had threatened too many times and went through with it once before. How could she not think he would? Upon reflection, he realized every time his mum came around his leaving was the topic of choice.
"To see my boy of course, and I bring news." She said smiling brightly but, Rhydian did not return it. When Alric had come for him she stood aside putting loyalty to the pack before him. She and he had grown close in his time there and that's why her actions hurt more this time around. His abandonment issues boiled beneath his calm exterior inciting anger and frustration at being left in the dust constantly by his mum and he balled his fists at his side in response. It was then he felt Maddy's calming hand on his from behind.
"You shouldn't be up Mads." He said softly turning into her body slightly.
"I am not going anywhere, and you can't make us." She said stubbornly. She watched his mouth move to argue breaking the hard set of his jaw and knew she made the right decision despite his clear disagreement. It hadn't been easy to get to him and she raised her eye in a challenge. "Your still me slave remember don't talk back." She said a smirk deeming her lips. His own turned up as well and he shook his head.
"Well, this is a surprise Jana said you were injured shot protecting a human," Ceri said staring oddly at her son as he moved to face her again. This affection for a tame she would never understand. She just couldn't comprehend how someone so much weaker had snaked away his attention and the wild blood alpha at her right could barely get a glance. The comment earned a glare from Maddy and sharpened Rhydian's disdain for the situation and his mother. He didn't think she meant it so rudely but, at the same time delivery was everything.
"Mum why are you here?" he repeated again taking a more protective stance in front of Maddy blocking her from view the act didn't escape either Jana or Ceri.
"I told you I bring news." She replied sourly. This had not been the reunion she had expected from Rhydian. Especially, with his affections for Jana waning heavily it disrupted her plan entirely.
"What is it then?" He asked in frustration.
"How about a run then we can talk," Jana suggested smiling and trying to defuse the situation. "I think Maddy and her parents can handle the moon without you. I know you would rather be running free in the mores with your pack than in their den tonight anyway." Before Rhydian wouldn't have seen the carefully aimed digs at Maddy. Behind Jana's smile and sweet nature it was lost but for some reason tonight his mind had seized upon them. A low growl escaped Maddy and he knew she had not missed them either. She didn't need this right now and truthfully neither did he. He didn't want to be on the mores with anyone else he wanted to be at her side wherever she might be.
"No," he said simply wrapping an arm around Maddy gently tucking her against his side. "I will be here with my pack and my alpha. I am not in the wild pack; I never really was. Besides I happen to be her favorite nurse so no thank you. Whatever you have to say you can say now quickly." Rhydian said earning shocked expressions from the wild wolves and a smile from Maddy.
"Who said you were me, favorite nurse?" She questioned cheekily in a much more relaxed mood.
"Rhydian, I have important news, not meant for the ears of tamed wolves. Run with us and listen to me." Ceri said motherly direction clear in her tone but, it had no effect on him this time.
"Maddy is not tame." He growled his eyes brightening to a golden yellow and his voice going dark. "If you want to tell me then do it now otherwise enjoy the run." Again, he felt Maddy's touch this time on his bare chest and it was like ice-cold water there shocking him into calming.
"Don't wolf out on me or you won't be there to nurse me Rhydian. Remember green fields and the sun." She said lowering her voice though Jana was near enough to hear.
"That never worked Maddy it was sheer ridiculousness and shocked me." He replied laughing at her and the memory and bringing light to his bright blue eyes that she loved so much.
"Do not order me around Rhydian I am still your mother. " Ceri shot back harshly. As Rhydian and Maddy stepped back in unison Rhydian placed his hand on the door to shut it and she let out a defeated sigh. "Alright, Alaric was exiled Jana is the new Alpha in the pack. I came here to bring you both home to the wild and so we can be together again." She answered. Again, Rhydian felt Maddy falter though she kept it clear from her face.
"Trust me." He whispered kissing the temple of her head and stepped towards the door. It was an odd show of public affection and a first for her that left her stunned and slightly pink. He could see Ceri's look of satisfaction no doubt thinking it was goodbye but, she was wrong. It seemed she didn't know Rhydian after all. He would never have done that and left again. Love and affection before abandonment added another level to abandonment one, he was never cruel enough to inflict. He would have placed distance and tried to make her angry with him instead just as he had when considering leaving before the game.
"I am sure she will be a good Alpha, to the wild pack. It's where she belongs." He said finding the words flowing with ease. When he envisioned saying goodbye to Jana it didn't hurt as it had with Maddy. It did not bring his world crumbling down leaving him lost. Saying goodbye was similar to that of his mum. He would miss her in a family way but that's where it ended. She needed this and needed to move on he would never be what either of them wanted. "My place is always with my pack mum, and Maddy is my pack I can't go with you."
"Rhydian you could be Alpha beside her lead us and reach who I know you can be," Ceri argued blindly at the thought of losing her son again.
"She's right you would be the best Alpha." Jana conceded though internally she knew it was to no end. She would never light up his eyes as Maddy did.
"I don't need to be an Alpha I have one who I would follow anywhere." He replied sadness that neither seemed to understand clear in his tone. Behind him, Maddy's heart skipped a beat barely believing the words leaving his mouth. Tears of joy pooling in her eyes she smiled brightly. Part of her hurt for Ceri she truly loved her son but, she, on the other hand, was happier than she had ever been and didn't dwell on it.
Turning on her heels Jana ran off into the woods to hide her tears. Rhydian had seen them shining but steeled himself to them. In this, he could not be waivered. It was him and Maddy forever. Ceri remained watching a moment her own eyes shedding tears.
"I can't leave you again." She said with the broken heart of a mother.
"Your pack needs you, mum. I will be fine I have one here and we are going to protect each other just as we always have done." He replied softer-toned.
"You can always visit, especially with Jana being the Alpha." Maddy piped in the scene becoming hard to bear. "It doesn't have to be leaving each other again forever." Rhydian's heart swelled at her words. Even among all the mess, his mother had thrown her way she found her way to comfort the woman losing her son. Her kind heart was one of the many reasons he loved her. Ceri nodded, standing silently a moment.
"She's your mate," Ceri said switching to the Wolfblood language only he would understand. She could see it in the way they acted and once realizing it had known deep down, he wouldn't be returning with her. Rhydian nodded a small smile gracing his lips. Acceptance crossed her features despite her mixed feelings. She stepped forward and so did he embracing her.
"I have to find the Alpha but I will return soon, my beautiful boy." She said emotion filling her voice he nodded again watching her run off into the woods as the sun began to set. He felt the tears burn behind his eyes and choked them back to look at Maddy who sagged slightly in the door frame. She still looked tired and exhausted not a look he normally associated with a full moon and Maddy.
Moving forward he embraced her before picking her up and shutting the door. Surprised her eyes widening she wrapped her arms around his neck. A breathtaking smile on her face.
"What are you doing? We can walk you know." She said smiling and joyful.
"Being a good nurse and taking you to the den the moon will be out soon." He answered as if nothing was out of the ordinary, though normally she rode piggyback into the den on the full moon, and this time he carried her in a bridal manner that was much more intimate.
She said nothing more enjoying the moment as he took them to the safety of the den to hide her from all the dangers in the world. He left briefly to lock up the home before returning with snacks and locking them inside while they waited for the moon. They joked quite a bit and laughed though Rhydian stopped trying to make her laugh as it led to more pain. He just wanted the moon to fix her already and return his Maddy to him.
After a while, black veins crossed their skin and they changed into wolf form. Maddy felt stronger and better but even now the pain was still there. Her body was healing and definitely would not be as fragile after the moon but, she didn't think she would be fully healed after. Seeing her discomfort Rhydian whined licking her face before laying down beside her. They stayed that way until sleep claimed them both much later in the evening and Rhydian was happy to be at her side instead of the mores.
They woke up in the morning still snuggled together only now in human form. Maddy sat up removing the bandages and revealing healed skin though her body still felt tired and weak and the pain remained at least she no longer had stitches to bust.
"How do you feel?" Rhydian asked in rough sleep-filled voices.
"Still in pain, and I don't think it healed all the way, but the outsides mended completely. She revealed turning so he could see.
"The doctor said that might happen. Something about the poison or bullet. He said by the second moon you won't feel a thing and will be all healed up. For now, you can eat and take some medicine to help a little." He said mentally recalling the instructions he had committed to memory.
Normally, she would fight him but after yesterday's lack of medicine and her blackout, her opinion had altered quite a bit.
"Alright. You cook I will shower and change." She agreed, moving to the door with more ease than before. He nodded in agreement as she escaped to the hot shower. After scrubbing her body clean and changing into fresh clothes she grabbed her phone from her room scrolling to Tom's number. Seeing Jana and Ceri had reminded her of her pack bonds to him and to Shannon despite the current development.
Quickly she typed a text:
Feeling Better. But I am still healing and mad. We can talk tomorrow when I come to school. – Maddy
His reply was another apology and agreement to meet before class. Tossing her phone away again to the bed she made her way to the kitchen fully taking in the sight of Rhydian before her. He stood plating the food still only in the sweatpants leaving his abs and arms on full display. It was a very enjoyable sight, with his hair messy and the look of concentration gracing his face. He glanced up a knowing smile gracing his lips causing her to blush head to toe. She ignored it setting the table with a focus on her own. It took more than usual not to give in and ogle him some more but aside from one or two peaks.
They sat and lost themselves as they ate seemingly both starving greatly. After finished he handed her two pills, and she took them with only a look of disgust before moving to do the dishes.
"I am going to shower, be careful, and don't do anything to blackout again." He said as she took his plate earning him a look of furry drawing a laugh from him as he left. She washed the dishes setting them to dry before dragging her body to her bed as the dopiness began to take hold numbing the pain. Tomorrow at school she couldn't take the medicine so she accepted the aide today while she could. Her mind was giddy but, her body was weak and tired she wanted to rest but found herself fighting it.
Every time her lids closed, she pried them open again. Adding to her fight the last time Rhydian appeared fully dressed in her room smiling at her.
"Sleep Mads. I'll call your mom and dad and give them an update alright." He suggested. She nodded sleepily but grabbed his arm.
"Wait till we are sleeping I like looking at you." She said honesty pouring from her in an unbashful manner. Rhydian smiled agreeing and sitting on the floor beside her bed taking her hand which hung limply. After a few moments sleep took her, and he sat smiling watching her a moment. She looked so at ease and peaceful when she slept it reminded him of an angel or something though with her temper that was not a possibility.
Standing and exiting, he left to complete his tasks while she slept.
