Chapter twenty five

?Alpha Julian's Pov
For the first time in what seemed like forever, I felt alive. It was like I was in a cage, hearing the chirping noises of birds as they flew around but no matter how much I tried, I couldn't see, feel or touch beyond those noises. The fragrance of sweet flowers filled my nostrils but that was that for it. I tried lifting my hands to touch the prettiest bird and flower I'd ever seen but I was immobile. I tried to talk but I was mute and my throat felt dry. Then suddenly, after so many days of looming in the darkness, a hand reached out to pull me out but no matter how the person tried, I always slipped from its grip until a few moments after when I felt a soft foam-like material pressed water into my mouth. I felt alive instantly and the dryness in my throat lessened. And surprisingly too, the water tasted delicious and familiar. Yes, the taste of water should be familiar considering how often we consume it but what about delicious? Water was supposed to be tasteless right? At least that was what I thought until that very moment that water tasted familiar, like a beautiful fragrance of nature.? Meditating on the taste, I decided to sketch a name for it. Maggie!
'Wicked king" a screeching noise sounded in my subconsciousness.? It created a sharp and deep hollow in my heart like a portal that showed me all the hurtful things I said and did to Maggie. I ignored the owner of the voice totally to pick up Maggie's hand that was close to mine on the bed. But it suddenly didn't feel like hers. I was provoked in my spirit. I needed to touch the real Maggie. I needed to feel her and see her. I needed to know she was with me and would never leave me. I must confirm that she remained.
Maggie sounded like the name for it because not only did they taste the same way, that water was a gift from my liberator. Yes, Maggie.?
'Maggie" I called out faintly, taking my time to mix the feel of the moist in my throat and the taste of the name on my tongue and after a second cross-examination of the two items, I realized it wasn't water or any moist substance for that matter. That taste was too familiar to be forgotten.?
'Maggie" I called this time to be more aware of what I was referring to. I fluttered my eyes open to see the prettiest flower ever, not nature's own but mine. Yes, my eyes were slightly opened, I could see her wholly and the emotions she carried in them. She rushed to my side and engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug.? 'You stayed" I faintly uttered.
'I couldn't leave you" she mumbled against my skin.?
'Thank you," I said with all the emotions I could summon. Everything I felt at that instant I wrapped in that two-worded appreciative gesture and offered to her, hoping she saw the genuineness in them because, in truth, I lacked words to describe how thankful I was. I felt like I didn't say enough of it during the times she was here. I had not done enough of apologies too, and for all those times I apologized, I never lived up to expectations, most likely. I brought her here without her consent. Did things for her without her consent and chose how she lived and who she mingled with without her consent. I took away her freedom without noticing it and she didn't object.? Maggie was used to me saying sorry and my repetition of those things I apologized about, so maybe a little tweak in the usual would work a little magic. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for forgiving me after my numerous mistakes. Thank you for sticking with me through my most difficult moments. Thank you for not utilizing this opportunity as an avenue to leave me. Thank you for choosing me regardless. And thank you for giving me life. Perhaps those would do. I wanted so much to say those words but I couldn't. I was muted as I looked at her in awe. She wasn't just beautiful, she was kind too. I stretched my hands to heal her soft skin and her face broke into a tight grin and I realized that a bit more than bodily contact would do for starters. I was sitting up ready to do more when loud clamoring sounds broke me off.
'I can't fuck believe this!" that was Clara's voice. I hadn't seen her but I recognized her voice and I knew also that she would cup her mouth with both of her hands. That was her signature behavior for shocks.
Yes, my friends were here. I turned my eyes and saw my closest friends sitting, watching me. It brought a feeling of warmth to my heart to know that they also didn't leave me. But I ignored them at the moment, there was a bigger matter at hand that I needed to settle and that matter was Maggie.
'I'm sorry Maggie" I didn't even care that my subjects were watching. Why would I give two fucks when they have been advising me to do so for a long time now? I mean, you should see the look of pride on their faces when I finally man-ed up to own up to my faults and responsibilities. 'I'm sorry for all the hurt I caused you with my deeds and words. I'm sorry for making you feel and think less of what you were, what you are, and forever would be.? I just want you to know that nothing comes before you Maggie as long as my existence is concerned, not even my own life."? I slide my hands to the back of her waist. 'And more than anything else I'm grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for forgiving me after my numerous mistakes. Thank you for sticking with me through my most difficult moments. Thank you for not utilizing this opportunity as an avenue to get back at me. Thank you for caring for me regardless.? Thank you for putting every other thing aside just to be with me. You were scared of my brother and eager to leave but you didn't when you had the chance and for that, I'm most especially grateful. And thank you for giving me life. And if you'd let me, I'd like to show you how much I love you and what you really mean to me. This for me is a second chance and I'd like to utilize it to the fullest. I don't want to make any mistakes this time and I want that whatever your decision might be when you think back to now, you won't feel or have any regrets. 'I paused and held her hands into mine.?
'This probably doesn't make sense that I'm begging you for a second chance when we didn't have the first chance. I didn't give you the first chance…I know you are still probably mad at me but I want you to know that it might be hard to set things right between us if we don't feel me like I feel you...our mate bond is special to me, even without it, I was somehow led to you and that is how I know this isn't a form of blunder. The goddess in all of her wisdom took her time to match us for each other" I leaned up, bringing my mouth to her ears. 'And yes, I'm desperate to have you in my arms once again and this time, until forever," I whispered the last part into her ears but knowing the types of friends I kept, it wouldn't come as a surprise if they heard me regardless.
A moment passed and I patiently waited for Maggie to say something but she seemed to be taking her time. Just when I began to think I didn't secure a chance with her and that she would go back to my abusive brother instead of accepting me… instead of accepting our mate bond, she cleared her throat and smiled, 'this time until forever" she answered right before flashing her perfect-size teeth. It was like she just accepted my proposal; my friends were clapping and making all forms of cheering noise.
It felt like the perfect time to kiss her but I didn't want to come off too strong and yeah, baby steps meant I must have patience plus I finally had her to myself so why the rush? The human part of me thought but my big, bad wolf boy wasn't having any of the patience bullshit. He was pacing aggressively in my head, I was trying to communicate with him but he kept on wanting to jump from my head. I wasn't going to let him out because one language Cypher understood was victory through violence, I might add. I was the nicer one between the two of us and if I was being honest, Cypher makes a lot of rash decisions on his own.? I let him out on rare occasions and at wars. Cypher was always unstoppable; many feared him more than they feared me. So how was I going to let him out now that it involved a woman? Plus never had he acted like this with any woman and as such, I didn't know how he would act around Maggie. I didn't want her to scare her away and knowing cypher with a bulky amount of rashness inside of him, it wouldn't take him a second to scare the living shit out of Maggie.?
Because the whole universe was against me, Maggie suddenly pressed down, hugging me on the bed with her hair sprawled all over my face. When the smell of her hair hit me or was it just her,? I almost lost my bearings. The enchanting lavender smell was making Cypher growl in my head but I couldn't pick up on what he was trying to say. My whole body was on fire and my thoughts scattered all over the place. The guy was saying something but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what the heck possessed ? Greyson to say such dangerous things in the most delicate moment of my life. I mean, how he could have asked me to get a room when I was on the verge of bursting off from the mere touching of our groin and Cypher growling, asking that dry hump our mate at the very least and threatening that if I didn't do it, he would.
I was an adult and could appropriately deal with my libido and I hoped Cypher wouldn't strike like the thunder he was. I took short calming breaths in hopes that it would help lessen the tiger that was on the rise between my legs and thankfully, it did work. More so, when Maggie suddenly pulled away from my body, I felt almost totally relieved.
'Sorry, I shouldn't be resting on you when you just merely woke up. I'm sorry"
'That isn't the reason why my breath is sharp…" oh fuck! A light bulb exploded in the room. The look on the faces of my friends made me know they understood quite right what was wrong with me but Maggie appeared to be innocently oblivious. Her demeanor held no tease or foreplay; she really didn't know what was going on. I knew for a fact that she wasn't a virgin so she must understand how the body works but why wasn't she figuring this out?
'Uh, Lea, I'm curious… have you ever shifted?"
She nodded her head in negation and I understood why she could be so calm. Someone cleared their throat from behind us and it made Maggie scamper on her feet. 'I'm sorry, I should have made space for you to greet him," she said to Greyson.
'What nonsense. The idiot can take care of himself. He isn't a boy" Greyson teased, a smug smile playing on his lips.
'In fact, we were just about to leave…" Clara said but Ryder cut in.
'We have somewhere to be. Please stay and look after him for us. We'd see you at dinner, captain" Ryder said in what was a clear mock salute.
How unfortunate of me to have the worst friends ever. Immediately the door closed, and a growling sound thundered in my head. It was cypher taking cognizance of the fact that we were alone with our mate. He was standing 8ft tall with his tongue out ready to feast on her. Fuck!