Chapter 63

**Luna**

There is a chance I could regain my hearing!

I had been told it was a possibility, but after so long of nothing happening I had given up hope. That ringing in my ears was painful and it makes me wonder how much more of that I will have to endure in the hopes that I will heal completely.

The guys looked so shocked and hopeful at the idea that maybe one day I'll be able to hear their music, but I am still wary. What if this is only a one-time thing and I don't get my hearing back after all? Will they be upset?

Sometimes hope is worse than reality with these kinds of things.

I decided to push those thoughts away and enjoy the wonderful gifts they gave me instead. The eReader is the coolest thing I have ever had, and I have already enjoyed reading an entire book. I fell asleep reading and when the doctor came back this morning I decided to focus on my book than him. I'm not sure what more news he brings, but I'm too nervous to find out. Milo said that he wanted to speak to my old doctor about my condition, and I'm not sure if what he has learned will be helpful or not.

My old doctor said there was no real way of knowing if or when my hearing would return, so what more can be learned?

At least I get to go home today!

"*Ready?*" Milo signs to me when I am finally discharged.

I smile at him and nod.

I hate hospitals. After the accident, I had hoped to stay as far away from a hospital as possible, but I guess that isn't practical. Once we are loaded in the car Declan doesn't sit in the far back like he usually does but instead takes one of the seats beside me. As soon as we are buckled in he takes my hand and holds it tight like he's afraid I will run away.

It doesn't matter to me though because his scent is warm and strong and completely puts me at ease. I can't help but rest my head on his shoulder and snuggle as close to him as possible. As soon as I'm tucked into his side I feel his chest vibrate and I recognize it as a happy sound coming from him.

The feel of the moving car lulls me to sleep and I only wake up when strong arms lift me from the car. I open my eyes to see Declan's strong jaw and handsome face. He is focused on walking so it allows me a moment to take him in and I feel a warmth wash over me at the feeling of him holding me.

When his eyes turn to meet mine I see a warmth in them that seems strange for a man as seriously looking like him. I am so lost in his scent and the feeling of his body against mine that I don't notice anything around me. All I can think about is cuddling up with him in my warm nest. Would he want to stay with me? Maybe he isn't much of a cuddler.

The thought that maybe he wouldn't want to cuddle me is like a bucket of cold water being dumped on me. I swallow down the sudden hurt I feel and turn my eyes away from him. We are already inside the house and heading toward my nest which means I will be left alone again. Rowan is walking ahead of us and is the one to open the door to my nest allowing Declan to carry me inside. As soon as we reach my comfy bed Declan sets me down and I feel the loss of his warmth right away.

He steps away and I don't bother looking up to watch him go. Instead, I keep my eyes focused on my hands and try to push away the odd emptiness I feel when I'm left alone in my nest. I never felt like this when I lived with my mom, so it's hard to understand why now I feel so needy. When we are taught about moving into our packs they tell us that we will want to spend a lot of time with our Alphas, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. We barely know each other but I feel this intense urge to be near them that it's almost scary in its intensity.

Then Milo is suddenly crouching in front of me and I feel this rush of relief.

"*How are you feeling?*" He signs and I muster up a weak smile.

"*I'm okay.*" I sign back but he must read my expression because he doesn't look convinced.

"*Would you like to rest more or are you hungry?*" He signs.

I don't want to sleep anymore. I want to be around the pack.

Maybe they want to be alone after having to stay with me at the hospital all night. I decide I can't be selfish with their time and decide to stay in my nest.

"*I'll rest.*" I sign back.

He watches me for a moment before he nods and stands. I take in a deep breath and slowly remove my shoes setting them off to the side so I can get comfortable. When I roll over the room is empty as I feel and I have to squeeze my eyes shut to hold back the sudden urge to cry.

My eyes fly open when I feel the bed dip and I see Declan climbing onto the bed with me. He shuffles around my blankets and I can't help but smile at the frustrated look on his face. I slowly sit up and rest my hand on his arm to make him stop. He watches me as I move some of the blankets and pillows around to make room for him to squeeze in. When there is a space for him to sit against the wall he shifts into position and I adjust the rest of the nest to fit around us.

Once I'm happy with the new adjustments I climb onto the bed and sit back against my heels to look at Declan. We watch each other for a minute, and I wonder why he's here. I also let myself look him over with a more studying eye, and I have to say I am very appreciative of his form. He's big. His shirt pulls tight against his muscular chest and tattooed arms in the best way. His dark brown hair is brushed back like he runs his hands through it often, but a small piece falls over his forehead. When I lift my eyes to meet his, the darkness of them makes me feel like I'm falling through space.

He is incredibly handsome, and I suddenly feel a little flushed. I also notice the edge of his mouth is lifted in a small smirk. Suddenly the flush I am feeling turns into one of embarrassment, and I quickly look away from him. I pull the corner of my bottom lip between my teeth and try to figure out how to make this less awkward. The bed shifts and I glance up only to have Declan sitting only a few inches from me. He lifts his hand up and gently pulls my lip away from my teeth. He doesn't pull away though. His finger brushes along the abused area and I get lost in his eyes as he stares back at me.

We're too close. I should move back. I need to put space between us...right?

It takes me a moment too long but I finally snap myself out of the strange trance I'm under and I start to move away. I'm stopped by Declan grabbing my chin and I suck in a quick breath. My eyes search his face for some clue as to why he isn't letting me go, but then his lips are on mine and my mind goes blank.

Declan is kissing me. Declan is...kissing me!

I am too shocked to breathe or move and my body is completely stiff. Then his hand slowly brushes along my jaw and down my neck and I can't help the shiver that runs through me. This seems to egg him on because his gentle kiss turns more intense and I soon feel his tongue brush against my bottom lip. The sensation is so new and unexpected that I gasp. This seems to be what he wanted all along because as soon as my lips part his tongue flicks against mine. My body nearly goes limp at the passion in this kiss and I start to lean further into him. His other hand wraps around my waist and he pulls me hard enough that I end up straddling him.

I am lost in his kiss. Completely and utterly lost.