Chapter 4

"You are so stiff and curled up like a baby. It's a sign of insecurity. Doc said that. The hot water, and my embrace --” Archer chuckled as he explained the treatment to Elena, “-- can mimic the fluid in a womb. You’ll be warm and safe in my watery arms."

She loves

his monologue. Sounds gentle.

Elena listened with blurred consciousness, not opening her eyes.

She felt herself being placed into a large hard container, and her naked back pressed against the cold tiles, making her shiver. But the next second, she was lifted a little and a thick, warm body served as her cushion. 

"Sorry, I should have asked Lydia to pour the water in first."

Creak. The sound of a faucet being turned open.

The hot flow came through it, slowly flooding over her. But her skin was too soft and thin with so many cuts and scratches, the touching of the water caused pain.

Noticing her shiver again, Archer patted her arm soothingly with one hand, while picking up the water with the other hand, and gently splashing it all over her body. So that the water would not touch her wounds, and also she could get used to it as soon as possible.

After a moment, she squirmed in his arms and sighed in comfort.

He smiled, "Get a good sleep, honey. You must have gone too long without rest."

Sleep?

The word cut in Elena’s desultory consciousness.

She couldn’t sleep.

It was in the sleep that the girls were dragged away to the island. Her parents didn't even bother to give them a dose of anesthetic, because the panic and struggle of a sober virgin would excite the humans more.

With this thought, she frowned with her back tense up like a steel plate.

Archer sighed. He hugged her tighter and whispered in her ears, "I know you must have suffered a lot, but you're with me now. There’s nothing to worry about."

He picked up a soap on the rack beside the tub and wet it, “Relax, baby. I'll clean your body so you can sleep better.”

Keeping away carefully from the places where she had gauze on as well as the superficial wounds that had begun to scab over, he gently rubbed circles all over her body with the soap.

Her hair was short, uncovering everything. She had a small face with delicate features actually, only the bruises on her cheeks spoiled her beauty a little.

She was not tall, but well proportioned, with a thin waist and long legs. The soap slid from her slender neck, flat shoulders to slim arms. Out of courtesy, he skipped over her perky breasts, only lightly brushing their edges, trying to restrain himself from glancing at the alluring pink nipples. Then he took her small hands covering across her belly and cleaned her fingers one by one.

Her broken ribs had been reattached, but the shape of her stomach was still a little odd. He cleaned the part that was protruding, but had her kick her legs wide in pain, and her pussy was revealed. He averted his gaze right away and took a deep breath.

It would be a lie to say he didn’t want to fuck her. She was his mate. Having sex with her was naturally allowed and blessed by the Moon Goddess. Moreover, she was so to his liking: tough-minded and good looking.

It was just not the time. His harassment would be the last thing she needed now. He couldn’t be those erotics who’d easily come on to women in coma; he had seen a lot of jerks like that when he was a rogue, but he’d never been one of them. Never.

However, her faint daisy fragrance haunted him so sweetly. Archer permitted himself a bitter smile. It was a good thing Leo wasn't here, or he wouldn't have been able to control his dick.

Dropping the soap, he cleared his throat to make his voice less husky, starting another monologue.

“Can you hear me? I suppose you can. ‘Cause you moved when I was talking. So I’m gonna show you something.”

Archer helped Elena adjust her position so that she could lean more comfortably on his chest.

“Issac told me that mates can see pictures through each others’ mind. Guess what I’m thinking? A sea. Most of werewolves live in forests, but I've ever traveled around and seen a sea before. It was vast and beautiful."

He closed his eyes and imagined a surge of waves. The sound of clattering water flew into Elena’s mind. She followed him unknowingly and saw a shimmering ocean without opening her eyes. Crystal waves lapped against the rocks in the brilliant sunlight. A few seagulls hovered in the sky.

Yes, it’s vast and beautiful.

She exclaimed in her mind.

Archer dived into the deep blue sea in his mind, taking her to watch the colorful fish swimming. He felt her breath held for a while, knowing she would be stunned by the fine view just like he was when he first saw it.

He smiled, "I can take you to see the real one in the future."

Elena wanted to tell him that she had seen a real one. A different one.

There was a sea beyond the border of the Dark River Pack, in the middle of which was the Full Moon Island, the place she must head to. And when her consciousness wandered here, the next picture jumped into her mind was how she ran into the sea, chasing the fish boat carrying Bella.

It was dark that night, and the water was so cold. She swam forward desperately. The sea water kept pouring into her mouth as if she was forced to drink bitter tears.

“Be--Bella!” She never stopped calling, but the boat was getting further, and further.

Holding her breath, she planned to dive into the water, hoping to catch up with it. However, a big wave came head-on. She was swallowed into the whirl.

At the same time, outside of her nightmare, Elena choked and coughed so suddenly and badly. "Honey?" Archer was startled and the next second, she jerked up in his arms.

He was terrified. In spite of politeness, he covered her left breast and find her heart beating so heavily and fast! He shook her body hard, “Wake up, honey! Wake up!”

Elena still didn’t open her eyes. Archer tried to mind-link to her, but he sensed nothing. He could not see her nightmare; there was a wall in her heart, which no one could break through.

The only way was to mark her.

Archer thought as he stared at the place between her stiff shoulder and neck, where a male wolf marks his mate to strengthen their bond.

No. He couldn't do this when she was not sober.

Archer clenched his teeth and held her tighter, leaving butterfly kisses on her sweaty forehead, "It's okay if you don't want to see it. You are with me, honey. You're safe."

Just right at the time, Leo emerged in his mind, "I linked to her wolf Laurel. Just tell her, you will save Bella!"

"Who is Bella?"

"Her best and only friend!"

Holly shit! Archer told her right away, "I will save Bella, honey. Don't worry!"

He repeated several more times and more firmly. But Elena didn't stop struggling as if she was not hearing. She was drowning in the sea of despair, suffocating.

"Breathe, breathe after me, please!" Archer kept calling her, nearly growling.

Not knowing how long it took, his anxious voice finally penetrated her consciousness. She coughed up the air for the last time, as if she spat out her last mouthful of water after being rescued to the shore. Her eyes were still closed, but her brow was loosened. She let out a breath, and slowly leaned back to his chest, resting her head on his shoulder.

Archer also let out a long, heavy sigh of relief. She scared him so much. He had even thought she would die in his arms.

Then another thing occurred to him,"Why couldn't Laurel link to her anyway?"

"Because she won't let it. Our mate only summons her wolf when she is in danger; at other times, Laurel is sealed inside of her."

Archer's heart sank. Only those who had been greatly traumatized would resist their wolves. Just like himself.

Her injuries were much more serious than he thought, not just the ones the doc had diagnosed. Was he capable of healing her?