004.

Stella's POV.

I felt like crap.

My skull hammered in my head and it felt like my intestines were twisting itself, making me feel nauseous. My limbs are heavy, not moving. In short, everything hurts and I just wanted to go back to sleep.

And that was what I did, slept.

The next time I woke up, it didn't smell like bleach. I slowly peeled my eyes open and managed to sit up. I removed the oxygen mask from my face and scanned the room. However, the heart monitor beeped loudly, making me groan.

I stretched towards it and turned it off. Just in time for the front door to ram open. The man who strangled me before I passed out, also known as my mate, walked in.

I could be mistaken. I mean, how hadn't I known he was my mate until I looked into his eyes? I wished I was, but he standing before me proved otherwise.

He was actually my mate. And he strangled me.

Like hell I'd stay with an abuser. 

His eyes remained on me as I stood up from the bed. I hated the way I felt warmth because of his penetrating gaze. My legs quivered and I staggered forward, he stretched out his arm, holding up.

“You should sit down.” He said, eyes raking me.

I pushed his hands away. I must have been asleep for so long for my legs to turn jelly. I swallowed and sat down. But not because he told me to.

“How long have I been out for?” I asked, taking in the room. The IV was still connected to my hand and I tore it out. I didn't even notice that. Neither did I feel any pain. Both on my abdomen and ankle. I pressed my tummy, where the ogre had slashed me, but I felt nothing. Not even a bandage was in place. I peered up at my mate whose eyes hadn't left me. “What happened?”

“I fed you my blood.” 

I gaped. Had he lost his mind?! That was like a blood covenant. Another way werewolves mate intimately.

“You coded.” He answered my unasked question. “Some of the poison from the ogre was still left in your system. You were dying…I had to.” 

I didn't think he was capable of emotions until I saw fear in his eyes. Raw fear. And I hated it. The anger in me dwindled.

I looked at my nails, “I'm sorry you had to go through that.”

Mate loss was something that ruined werewolves. They became mentally deranged and dangerous. Most of them did; lost their humanity to their primal side and they often died.

So, no. I might not want an abuser, but I didn't want that for him. Speaking of which—

“That boy I operated on, how is he? Is he healed? I need to check up on him.” I stood up again and my mate stood upright and took a step closer, in case I fell. “Has he met his family yet?”

“You should sit.”

I hated someone telling me what to do. “I asked questions. You're the Alpha, right? You must be.”

“Sit, Stella.” He ordered, a stern look forming in his eyes.

I frowned. “Don't tell me what to do.”

“Maybe if you listen, I won't.”

I rolled my eyes. It was still the same thing, idiot. But I sat anyway. Then, just like on replay, his words came back. I snapped my head to him. “Wait, how do you know my name??”

He raised an eyebrow, like was I supposed to be asking him that? I guess he was right, he was an alpha after all. He must have done a background check on me while I was asleep.

Kormak did too. Oh, my God! Kormak! My phone, where was my phone? I looked around, tapped the bed, but couldn't find it. I was about to raise the pillow when a hand presented it to my face.

I took it from him and turned it on. My eyes widened in alarm when I saw the date. I was unconscious for a week?!

“A Cooper guy kept calling.” Mate spoke, titling his head with a questioning face.

“Cooper is the beta,” I didn't know why I answered that, but I guess a part of me wanted him to know that I have no man by my side.

Yet.

“Hm,” he sat beside me on the bed. “I'm sorry for touching you wrongly. You were a stranger and I thought…” he trailed off.

I was surprised he apologized but I hid it and nodded. “I understand.” I paused, before asking. “You don't abuse women, do you?”

“What? No!” He looked hurt that I'd even think that and I tried to justify, but he beat me to it. “I don't touch women, ever. Quite frankly, you were the first…aside rogues. But what I'm trying to say is I don't force myself on women and I'm sorry if I made it that way.” 

I blinked. That was the most I've heard him speak. I gave him a short smile. “Thank you.”

He sighed in relief and nodded. “Logan is fine, he has been wanting to speak to you.” His lips quirked up at the mention of Logan and I dropped my phone on the bed, taking his rare smile into memory.

“Logan?”

“The boy you saved. He's my younger brother.” He answered.

Thinking back to the boy's face, I did see some resemblance. I guess that explained the hostility.

“I'm glad he's okay.” I picked up my phone and dialed Cooper's number. He picked up on the first ring. “Hey.”

“Don't hey me young lady,” I could sense the glare and wanding finger behind those words. “What the hell happened? Alpha Kyle said he hasn't heard from you for over a week. I couldn't tell Kormak because of what's going on here, but Jesus, Stella, can you make me worry less?”

Although he couldn't see me, I smiled sheepishly. “It's a long story,” I glanced at my mate who looked displeased. And I'm guessing at Cooper's tone. “How's everything going over there?”

He sighed. “Kormak is losing his mind here, Aria is missing. Sara kidnapped her. But we managed to track them down to the human realm. We'll get there soon.” 

My heart clenched at the fact that I couldn't be there with my brother. “Take care of him, Cooper. Make sure he doesn't murder anyone.”

“I'll try. Updates on the mate search?”

I glanced at my mate again who looked curious at the mention of him. “Uh, yeah. I'll tell you later.”

“Okay. And for God's sake, don't make me worry.”

I chuckled. “Yes, boss. Keep me updated.” 

“Okay. Bye.” 

Then, he hung up.

“Mate search, huh?” My mate voiced out, seeking for more information.

“Yeah,” I laughed awkwardly. “I wanted to find my mate.”

“You found him.” 

“And I don't know his name.”

“Owen.” He said. “Owen Hunter Wolcott, Eve.” 

My name rolled off his lips perfectly and no one ever made it sound so sexy. Eve. Sometimes, I forget that I bore that. I smiled. “I'm Stella, but you already know that. And she'd like to clean up because she feels like crap.”

Amusement shone in his eyes and he nodded. “Come downstairs when you're ready.”

I'd probably go back to bed after I cleaned up, but I nodded anyway. I was well spent and I could use the whole day to sleep. 

I think that was what I was going to do. After he left, I locked the door and walked into the closet and searched for anything I could wear after showering.

They were all men's clothes. Owen's clothes. I was in his room. And I couldn't tell. I couldn't even scent him. I felt no mate pull.

Why?