Chapter 315 Secrets and Reunions
Author
When Alpha Dominic saw the red-eyed woman crash through the ICU doors and practically launch herself at his bed, his heart twisted. He stroked her long hair gently.
"Don’t cry, love. I’m sorry. I scared the hell out of you, didn’t I?"
Elara lifted her gaze, tears streaming down her face. "Dominic, you asshole!"
"I know everything now. Everything."
Alpha Dominic froze, not quite understanding what his mate meant.
"Love, what are you talking about? Did someone tell you something? Because whatever Vincent said, he was probably drunk—"
His face was pale as the hospital sheets, but he still raised his right hand like he was swearing in court.
Elara laughed through her tears. "It’s not that."
But as she laughed, she started crying again.
Alpha Dominic didn’t know whether to laugh or cry himself. "Love, what’s wrong? You’re killing me here. Literally. Look at my heart monitor."
The machine was beeping faster.
He carefully wiped away the tears from her cheeks.
Elara’s fingers trembled as she pulled out his journal.
"I found this."
"Dominic, you’re such an idiot."
She’d always known he was intense. Protective. But she’d never realized how deep it went.
Alpha Dominic realized what she’d found. His face went three shades paler.
He looked uncomfortable. "Oh, shit. That. Love, you went through my private stuff while I was unconscious?"
"Look, I know how that looks, but I swear I’m not some creepy stalker. I was just... okay, maybe I was a little obsessive, but—"
Alpha Dominic was worried Elara might think he was completely unhinged.
Elara shut him up by grabbing his face and kissing him hard.
"You magnificent, stupid man," she said against his lips. "Why didn’t you just tell me?"
She understood now. He didn’t want to explain. He was used to giving silently, never asking for anything in return. But those days were over.
Alpha Dominic was caught off guard by the sudden kiss. And her calling him stupid. Which, coming from Elara, was practically a declaration of love.
He closed his eyes and pulled her closer, his hand cupping the back of her head.
"Because you were with him," he said quietly. "And you seemed... I don’t know. Content enough."
"Content?" She pulled back to stare at him. "I was miserable. I was drowning."
"I know that now."
Their lips met again, softer this time. The temperature in the hospital room climbed steadily.
Vincent peeked through the gap in the door, saw the two making out like teenagers, and quickly turned his back.
Christ. That was not something he needed to see.
--
An hour later, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
Alpha Hunter and the others heard Alpha Dominic was awake and came down the corridor quickly. "Vincent, why are you standing outside? Is there a problem?"
Vincent laughed awkwardly. "Nah, he’s fine. Just... having a reunion with his wife, if you know what I mean."
[Dominic , I just saved you from the most awkward family moment of your life.]
"Good. I want to see my son." Vincent threw himself in front of the door.
"Whoa, whoa! Maybe we should knock first? You know, give them a minute to... compose themselves?"
Alpha Hunter raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, compose themselves?"
Yardley caught on immediately. "Father, perhaps we should wait a moment. They haven’t had any privacy since the shooting."
"Why? What are they—" Alpha Hunter’s eyes widened. "Ah. I see."
Yardley nodded diplomatically. "Exactly. We should give them a few minutes."
"Fine. Two minutes. Then I’m seeing my son."
Vincent banged on the door like he was serving a warrant.
"Dominic ! Your dad’s here! Hope you’re decent!"
Only then did Elara realize she’d been making out with her husband in a hospital bed for God knows how long.
She scrambled off him, face red as a fire truck. "Oh shit, your family’s here."
"So?" Alpha Dominic looked completely unbothered, still grinning like he’d won the lottery.
"So I look like I’ve been mauling you in the ICU!"
"You have been mauling me in the ICU. And I loved every second of it."
Elara grabbed a Kleenex and wiped her lipstick off his mouth before opening the door.
"Hey everyone. Come on in. Sorry, we were just... talking."
Alpha Hunter’s mouth twitched slightly. "Of course you were."
Several people filed into the room. Alpha Hunter took one look at his son’s hair sticking up in twelve directions and shit-eating grin and knew exactly what had been happening.
Good. If Alpha Dominic had enough energy for that, he was definitely going to recover fully.
Orion immediately announced: "Uncle Dominic ! Mrs. Henderson at school said if you died, maybe Aunt Elara could marry Mr. Peterson instead because he’s got a good job at the post office and really nice teeth."
Everyone burst out laughing. Everyone except Alpha Dominic, whose expression went full psycho.
"Mr. Peterson, huh? Maybe I should send him a thank-you card. With my fist."
Yardley sighed. "Orion, we talked about repeating everything your teacher says."
Elara flicked Alpha Dominic’s ear. "Easy there, psychopath. He’s probably harmless."
"Nobody’s harmless when it comes to my wife."
Alpha Hunter’s expression grew serious. "Dominic, you need to understand what Elara went through. She collapsed from exhaustion in the waiting room. You better heal quickly and take proper care of your wife."
"Those are my grandchildren she’s carrying."
AlphaDominic’s face went white. "You collapsed? Are the babies okay? Did they run tests?"
"I’m fine, drama queen. Just needed some fluids and actual sleep instead of cafeteria coffee."
After an hour of Orion asking increasingly curious questions about hospital food and medical equipment, Elara gently suggested everyone head home.
"Okay, visiting hours are almost over. Let Dominic rest."
Alpha Dominic wanted Elara to go home too, but she planted herself in the chair like she was growing roots.
"I’m not leaving. Last time I left you alone, you got shot."
So they had the staff bring in a cot.
The journal sat on the bedside table, a reminder of secrets finally shared