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masterwords · 3 years ago

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running toward nothing (part seven)

Summary: Hotch is injured in an explosion while on overseas assignment, putting Derek in a difficult position both with the team and with Spencer who has spent the last few months inadvertently falling in love with him. (Set around 07x01 - It Takes a Village but canon divergent by a lot.)

Warnings: drug use/addiction, alcohol, infidelity (almost), panic, pain...

Words: 3k

Pairings: Hotch/Morgan established

Notes: This is for @tobias-hankel’ s Spencer Whump Challenge. My assigned prompts to do my evil with were Derek Morgan & Betrayal. I mean, okay I know I just posted a chapter but this one came together fast and I'm not sure about you guys but I don't like waiting.

CHAPTER LIST

Read on AO3: Running Toward Nothing

“You're not gonna say anything to Hotch, right?”

The hallway was pitch black, save for the tiny flicker of candle light that sat between Derek and Emily. Just enough to see what they were doing as they passed Emily's flask of emergency whiskey back and forth.

“How do I not tell him?”

It was a genuine question. Derek couldn't fathom going home, looking at Hotch, touching him and proclaiming love and saying nothing. Of course he knew what she meant, it was going to crush him. Even if it was innocent, he did the thing; the why and the how were less important than the simplicity of what happened beneath that mountain of blankets.

“You just don't, Derek. Not right now. Wait. He's sitting there at what he thinks is rock bottom and you're about to pull out the jackhammer and prove him wrong.” She paused, taking a burning gulp of the whiskey before passing it to him for a final time. It warmed her down to her fingertips and she smiled in spite of their conversation. The kind of bitter smile that she saved for moments alone with Derek who seemed to get her on a level no one else really did. “I'm gonna go snuggle up with the naughty boy genius now, you finish the whiskey.”

“Em...” He almost said something he would regret. Wouldn't be the first time tonight. He couldn't exactly take advice from previously-dead now suddenly-alive Emily Prentiss the Queen of Lies on the subject, though, and he thought she understood that even if he didn't say it out loud. How long had she been lying to all of them? Did he even really know her? He wanted to say he did, he loved her, but he knew better. And the advice she gave him was so easy, hard earned. It was what she knew...lie to protect the people you love from yourself. But in Derek's experience, lies really only protected monsters. They felt good at first, but in the end it was always the same. The good guys got hurt and the monsters got away. Emily was proof of that, wasn't she? Sitting there staring at him, a ghost in the hallway, still not sure she wanted to be alive again, considering another disappearing trick as things got too real. “You haven't seen him yet, have you?”

She regarded him sadly as she stood and tugged the blanket around her shoulders. “No. He's not ready for that yet.” There were tears in her eyes that she refused to allow, refused to admit. “Neither am I.” The sound of her throat clearing, emotion dying on the icy air between them, shuddered through him. “If you tell him, don't say I didn't warn you. You're just trying to make yourself feel better...take it from someone who has intimate knowledge on this topic. Don't fool yourself into thinking it's for him.”

He couldn't add to the lies. They'd all had their fill, he wouldn't be responsible for putting another log on that fire.

(x)

“You wanna talk about it?”

JJ was supposed to be asleep, at least Emily had assured him that she was but the minute he crawled into the bed with her she drew in a long, gentle breath and offered him a sad smile in the dark. The gray tendrils of dawn were creeping in slowly, casting the room in an eerie glow.

“Nah,” he said softly. He had no desire to hear another person tell him not to do what he'd already decided he had to. Just another person to say I told you so when it was all said and done. When Hotch said this is it, this is as far as I'm willing to walk this path with you. Hotch, who he had every intention of marrying...and he'd never even thought about that stupid big word before. “I'm just an asshole. That's all.”

“I doubt that.”

“No, don't try to make me feel better. I need to sit with this.”

“Nobody's perfect, Derek. We all make mistakes.”

He pulled the covers up over his head and groaned miserably. “Thanks JJ.” He hoped that was enough to make the talking stop...he didn't want to feel better, he wanted to feel as bad as he did now. He deserved to feel this bad, there was no way to assuage this guilt. The sick feeling, the knowledge that he'd destroyed some intricate team dynamic that would never go back to normal. Everything irrevocably blown to bits in the blink of an eye. And for what? Because he'd had a four month dry spell?

“It was a mistake. Tell Hotch about it when you get home, if that's what you think you need to do, and get over it. You're not special Derek, we've all done things we regret.” Regret didn't even begin to touch it. And it wasn't just about Hotch, it was about Spencer too...he clearly wanted it, was heartbroken that it didn't continue, that Derek just walked out. He felt the hot sting of tears again and tried to bite it back. She waited for a response, an argument, something but was met only with his shallow breaths as he bit back tears.

She sighed and closed her eyes, reaching out to pat him on the shoulder. “Goodnight, Derek.”

He tried to sleep for almost an hour, but just ended up hovering over the toilet throwing up half a flask of whiskey and everything he'd eaten the day before.

JJ pretended not to hear him. It was the least she could do.

(x)

Emily was fully awake before Spencer even opened his eyes and made for the bathroom. The power was still out so no coffee, no hot shower, no curling iron. It was a ponytail and fleece kind of day, she figured. She pushed Spencer's toiletry bag out of the way, at least she'd tried to but she swiped a little too hard and knocked the contents into the sink. With a groan, she began shoving things back inside, feeling too damn awkward about touching his personal items.

A small pill bottle gave her pause, even in the low light filtering through the one small window she could feel how wrong it was. Could be antibiotics, antidepressants, she had no reason to feel the way she did when she touched it but something was...off. Squinting, she turned the bottle over in her hand and saw Hotch's name printed clear as day. “Fuck,” she whispered, noting that the prescription was for Vicodin and there was only one pill left in the bottle. She didn't have anything to really go on, it could still be completely innocent and she wasn't going to jump to conclusions. The thought that Spencer would steal from Hotch was absurd, right? He'd been spending a lot of time with Hotch, it could be nothing..but it could also be something huge and she couldn't get past the implication. She hated where her mind went as she shoved it back into the bag and put the bag on the floor.

“Emily?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. He was standing now in the open doorway to the bathroom, eyes flicking from his bag on the floor to her startled expression. No way she didn't see it, her eyes were wide as saucers. “It isn't what it looks like.” A pointless offer, really. She hadn't formed a real opinion on the bottle until he said that and now she couldn't see anything but what it was: Spencer was using again, and he was doing it with Hotch's medicine cabinet. Maybe with Hotch's knowledge, probably not though.

Her stare went from startled to accusatory. “What does it look like?”

“Jack gave them to me when I had a headache,” he said, figuring the truth might be his best bet. The headache was creeping back in now, right at the base of his neck, thread thin tendrils dancing into his skull.“I forgot to put them back. I didn't take them, I swear.” Okay, a little lie. But she looked like she almost believed him, except he kept saying them and it was clearly only one pill. “I feel awful for forgetting I had them but I'm giving them back. Please don't tell, I don't want Jack to get into trouble, he was only trying to help.” Them them them. He kept saying them and Emily kept thinking one, only one.

Her stare was sad, accusing, but she nodded. “Okay. Make sure he gets them back and I'll keep Jack's secret.” Now he had to do it, had to give the bottle back. Emily felt the weight of another lie on her shoulders.

Only one pill left...that was going to be tricky, but he was a genius. He'd figure it out.

(x)

They got back to Virginia late. Everyone was silent, they'd all had just about enough of one another for the time being after being snowed in and snuggled up in the dark. The Bureau couldn't leave them there any longer, once they were cleared to fly they were pulled whether the unsub had been apprehended or not. It didn't make anyone feel good, but then given the extracurricular activities, no one was feeling very good anyway. Spencer couldn't get away fast enough after spending the entire flight sure that Emily was staring at him. Burning holes in his conscience. And then there was Derek who spoke only when he had to, looked at Spencer only when it would be rude not to...no he had to get home quickly. Figure out how to get out of this mess he was suddenly neck deep in. The Vicodin screamed at him from the bag. What's just one more? Put back the empty bottle, that seemed likely...put it back empty and it'll look like Sean was responsible and then hid the evidence. His head was pounding without mercy, it was easy to take the pill when he got home.

Derek's drive was peaceful, the roads clear of life. Blinking red and yellow lights guided him through the city and into the suburbs. He could make the trip with his eyes closed, but he was wide awake and alert. His heart was pounding to get out before he used it as a weapon of mass destruction.

“Aaron,” Derek said softly, sitting on the ground beside the hammock. The sky above was pitch black, not a star in sight. So different from where he'd just been, on that mountain you looked up and felt like you were falling endlessly into stars as deep as your mind could take them. Now there was nothing but black.

Not finding Hotch in bed should have been the first clear sign that he should keep his mouth shut. He heard Emily's voice in his head. This isn't for him, it's for you. Hotch was clearly having a bad pain night if he was in the hammock at this time. He was surprised not to find Sean out here, too, but he probably hadn't been gone long, the thing was still swaying and there wasn't a breeze. Probably needed a bathroom break. “Can we talk?”

Hotch hummed. It was soft, he didn't open his eyes even over the shock of Derek being home. He hadn't known. Definitely a bad pain night. Derek thought about the pills, the argument, the fact that they still had to finish that talk. He thought about Sean in the bathroom and the suspicions he and Spencer had talked about, but then he was back to Spencer and there was nothing else to do but dive head first into what happened there. Was alleviating his guilt worth crushing the person he loved? No, but then if he crawled into that hammock and kissed him with lips that had kissed another man just a few nights before, and Hotch didn't know...god no.. he had to say something.

“Something happened in Colorado.” Well that was an asshole way to start. Hotch didn't move, but his breathing got quieter. Too quiet. Crickets chirped around them and down the street at Clooney's favorite little pond the frogs sang loud. “We had this huge snowstorm, the power went out, remember I told you about that? Reid and I were sharing a room and it was so fucking cold, so we heaped all of the blankets on one bed and tried to conserve body heat.”

Hotch hummed again, like it was the most he could do. Words were simply unavailable, all of his energy was being spent just trying to hover beneath the pain. Derek felt like a piece of shit and heard Emily in his head again. How she'd taken on the voice of his conscience, he wasn't sure but he didn't like it much right now. “Anyway, I fell asleep fast and I started dreaming about you...remember that night in Alaska when you were shivering and you put your cold feet all the way up between my thighs...” Oh, he was in trouble now. The dream was forever ruined, that moment too. “...anyway, not important. The important thing is I guess my body didn't get the memo that this was a brain only party, and I woke up kissing Reid.”

“Reid?” First word, and now he was looking right at Derek. He hadn't even noticed Hotch move.“You kissed Reid?”

“I was sleepin', I didn't know...as soon as he started kissing me back it woke me up because I knew it wasn't you, man...I got outta there, went and bunked with JJ after that. I couldn't...god Aaron...” He had his hands down my pants, too, but maybe you don't need to know that right now yeah? His mind was racing. He knew this was a mistake and Emily was bouncing around in his head saying I told you so.

Hotch couldn't move. He wanted to sit up, hell he wanted to leave but the pain was deep. He was rooted to the spot, taken back to a phone ringing in Haley's purse, back further to hushed whispers about his father. This wasn't the same, not really...Derek was telling him, that had to count for something, but he couldn't see it in the moment. Right now, he was just struggling to breathe. His vision went gray and the hammock became a prison cell. When the words sank in, the magnitude of what Derek had said, he forgot the pain in his hip. It had been replaced with a deep ache in his chest.

“He kissed you back?” The words came out before he really knew he was thinking them. Honestly he really didn't realize he'd heard any of it specifically, it was just an angry ringing in his ears but apparently he hadn't missed even the smallest detail.

“Yeah...”

“Was he sleeping too?” Easier to talk now that he'd forgotten his blasted hip. The hip that made this possible. This conversation brought to you by the letter H, he thought bitterly. If not for the explosion, Derek wouldn't need to just dream about being touched and wasn't that what this was all about? He figured it probably was. Four months was a long time for anyone, probably, but a lifetime for Derek. Maybe it would always have happened…he wasn't supposed to be home yet anyway, explosion or no.

“No. He thought I was kissing him because...”

“Because he's in love with you.” He'd been sitting quietly on that one for a while now. Years maybe, but certainly the last few weeks made it obvious. Tears burned hot in his eyes, streaked down into his hair. Derek watched them catch the moonlight and his instinct was to swipe them away with his thumb but he wondered if maybe he didn't have the right anymore. Maybe he should leave...his house or not, he created this storm, he could end it by walking away. Giving everyone space. “What now?”

“I don't know the answer to that. All I know is that I didn't mean to kiss him, Aaron. And Emily told me not to tell you right now, she was probably right but it's all I've been able to think about since it happened. How do I keep it from you? It's important to me that you know...I'm sorry.”

Hotch let out a shaky breath and nodded. “I know.” He didn't know what else to say. He believed him. Maybe there was more but that was for later. “I forgive you.” That was the easiest thing to say, and he really did mean it...or he would, anyway, when he had a chance to sort through his feelings. He couldn't go there right now, the pain was coming back and it was coming fast.

“Don't do that, please,” Derek groaned, rising to his knees and resting his elbows on the fabric of the hammock. He just wanted to see Hotch's face, to look into his eyes and search for the truth. He wished Hotch would yell at him, lose it a little, say something that he could count as hurt.

“Derek, I haven't had the best couple of days, it's really bad right now...I'd rather not add to it. If you say it was an accident, and that you're sorry, I believe you.”

The last part stung. He thought about their phone call, about the pills, about how easily he was willing to discredit Hotch over something he couldn't even prove. He couldn't accept the forgiveness, the belief, that level of faith. It was what he wanted...but he didn't deserve it. Not yet.

“Aaron...do you want me to leave? I can go stay at a motel, maybe crash on Penelope's couch...give you some space...”

Hotch let out another shaky breath and stared straight up into the starless sky. That the sky was his only recourse, the only way he could get away for even a moment seemed cruel. “If you need to give me space,” he whispered through barely parted lips. The pain was back and worse than it had been all night. “That's fine. Go. But I didn't ask for it.”

#aaron hotchner #derek morgan #spencer reid #emily prentiss #jennifer jareau #criminal minds #hotchgan #mortch #fanfiction

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pink-peony-princess · 4 years ago

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You're My Life Now

Dawn had always been Peter's favourite time of day, he couldn't tell why, but there was something so peaceful about it. A time when the world seemed less corrupt,a time when you could just be still, be one with nature.

Nothing about this day had particularly stood out to Peter, there was nothing to suggest as he got ready for his usual early morning perimeter run to suggest that anything out of the ordinary was about to take place.

He'd been doing this run, every morning for almost two years now and nothing had happened yet. As one of the famous Mendes Triplets and Beta alongside his brother Raul to their eldest brother Shawn (Alpha of the infamous Shadowmoon Pack) Peter took his responsibility extremely seriously. He'd always been the sensible one out of the three of them, or at least the most level-headed one.

Shawn was an amazing Alpha,Peter had always admired his ability to lead,his empathy his compassion, but he could also let his emotions rule him, which could cause problems sometimes. Especially if there was a disagreement between the three brothers. Raul on the other hand, was, well, Raul. Fiery, and passionate and a bit of a trouble maker, he liked to stir the pot whenever possible and unfortunately for Peter he always seemed to be the piece keeper,to stop arguments (usually caused by some snide comment that Raul would make in the heat of the moment which he always regretted later).

Whenever anyone spoke of Peter the first things they'd say was that he was extremely loyal,always ready to help and would protect his loved ones with his life. He'd been like this as long as he could remember.

As Peter stood up from tying his shoe laces,putting his glasses on, he noticed the sheeting rain outside his window. It was so heavy that it was actually hitting the window,leaving large water droplets on the once clear glass. He sighed, it wasn't that he minded the rain, it didn't make a difference to him as to whether he got wet or not,he never felt the cold as a wolf anyway. But it would make it harder, more tedious to complete the run, he'd have to pay extra attention to his surroundings,to the sights, smells and sounds.

"I'm headed on my run," Peter called to Shawn and Raul as he past the kitchen where the two of them were making coffee and talking about day ahead.

"Thanks Pete," came Shawn's reply."I'll be in the surgery with Connor later if ya need me," Pete nodded as he made his way out the front door and into the rain.

The first part of the run was pretty easy, flat ground,open, easy to see the fields that sprawled unchecked for miles ahead. He made it in good time, easily nativagsting the familiar territory with no issues.

He was halfway home when he saw object up ahead. At first he couldn't make it out, even with his wolf-enhanced eyesight the sheeting rain was obscuring his view.As he made his way slowly closer,mindful that it might be some sort of a trap from the rogue wolves that were constantly trying to ambush their lands,he spotted the fabric.It was slightly covered by the truck of a tree, only half visible, but Pete was sure, it was definitely fabric from a tee-shirt.

It wasn't uncommon to find old clothes in random places around the lands, wolves would hide them in convenient spots so when they phased back to their human form they were able to dress themselves without hassle. Even Peter did it. But something about the way the shirt was sitting, haphazardly, carelessly, on the ground caught and held Peter's attention. Something told him it wasn't right.

As he made his way slowly closer the wind changed and he was hit with scent, overpowering his senses,causing him to falter momentarily.

It was the sweetest most intoxicating scent he'd ever smelt, like Rosewater and Ivy perfectly blended together. He took his glasses off pocketing them in the hope that not having the rain-covered glass in front of his eyes might allow him to see better.

As he stepped closer still, the clothing moved Peter stilled,watching waiting,a few seconds later it moved again,rolling over. It was then that Peter realised with horror, that this was not just an old disguarded set of clothing,this was a person, and a hybrid wolf at that, half human, half wolf he realised when another gust of wind sent a stronger wave of scent towards him.

He rushed forward no longer fearing an attack, only concerned for the welfare of this person. As he rounded the tree he got his first proper look at the person. It was a young girl. She looked to be about Peter's age. The first thing that struck Peter was not her bedraggled appearance- the way her dirty blonde hair hung around her face, sticking to her forehead and cheeks,not the mud that was caked into almost every part of her, not even the slashed in her faded green sweater that had obviously been made by wolves claws or the blood that was seeping out from the large wound beneath it and the several other cuts and bruises that peppered her small fragile body. No. The first thing that Peter registered was the look of fear, of terror as the girl made eye contact with him.

"D-dont come near me," the girl stuttered, a mixture of cold and fear Peter was sure.

He held his hands up in surrender, "Please don't be scared," he spoke softly, voice almost drowned out by the rain as he made his way closer still, now less than a foot away from the girl- young woman really.

Up close Peter could see the way her mascara was running from her eyelashes,leaving small black smudges under her red bloodshot eyes. "I'm not going to hurt you, I only want to help,I promise. My name is Peter."

She looked at him for a moment, seeming to weigh up what he was saying. "But you're a wolf," she pointed out. She was perceptive, Peter thought.

"Yes, I am," he admitted, watching as her eyebrows knitted together with fear again.

"And the other wolves hurt me," she chocked on a sob, looking away from him.

Peter reached out, placing a finger on her jaw, gently turning her head to look at him again. As soon as he made contact his whole hand began to tingle,and he felt the butterflies that so many other wolves had spoken of so fondly."Mate," he heard his wolf Timbre purr protectively from inside his head. He felt dizzy, slightly intoxicated now and had to shake his head a few times to clear his mind, to keep himself on the task at hand. If he didn't do something soon, he would have no mate to protect.

"But these are my lands- my pack's lands,my older brother Shawn is the Alpha, when he hears about what happend he'll send out a group to go out and deal with them. I promise you you're safe with me, with us," he was almost pleading with her by the end, but he didn't know what else to do.

"Just, please let me get you some help," he added,feeling the sting of tears in his eyes as the thought of what would happen if she didn't go with him ran through his head over and over again.

"How?" she asked. Looking up at Peter with wide eyes. Her eyes were so blue,it was like getting lost in the ocean.

"My brother,Shawn, when he's not working as the Alpha, he's a doctor, he'll be able to help you. I'll take you to him.I promise you'll be safe.

She nodded, water flying off her face, still not seeming entirely convinced, but she relaxed a little, her shoulders loosening just a little,as she reached for Peter's hand, surprising him. He took it feeling the tingles again, more than happy to have any contact with her that she'd allow. He wasn't sure if she was ignoring the feeling or simply in too much pain to notice, either way she said nothing.

"What's your name?" he asked, not breaking eye contact.

"J-Josie," she answered clearly still apprehensive. She watched his every move.

"Okay, it's nice to meet you Josie. Can you show me where you're injuried? I don't want to cause you anymore pain when I lift you," he asked, "apart from the gash on your stomach?"

"My back hurts," she told him, and my head. I feel kinda dizzy," she added, almost as an after thought. Peter didn't know much about medicine, bit what he did know was that it usually wasn't good when someone said their head hurt and they were dizzy. He knew he needed to get her home,out of the rain, to Shawn. They'd only been talking 5 minutes, but already she looked more pale, and slightly drowsy. He had trouble hiding his panic as he spoke again.

"Can I see?" she nodded, so he let go of her hand reluctantly and made his way around so he was behind her, slowly peeling back the layers of fabric to reveal a large oozing gash that ran from her left shoulder to the small of her back. She let out a whimper as the air and rain but it, making Peter's heart squeeze. The last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt his mate, when one mate hurt the other hurt."I'm so sorry," he apologised when she sniffled.

"Alright,let's get you inside," he murmured, coming back around and squatting so he was in front of her, automatically holding his hand out for her to take again. He could see how tired and scared she was and his heart literally ached."I know you hardly know me, but I think the quickest way to do this will be if I carry you, will you allow me to do that?" he asked softly, patiently waiting for a response.

She nodded again, and he wasted no time in carefully picking her up, trying his best to avoid her injuries.

That didn't stop her from letting out a scream.

"I know, I'm so so sorry," he whispered trying to console her.

She didn't say anything, instead curling into his body further, head resting softly on his shoulder. Peter couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips as he thought about the fact that she was already seeming to seek his comfort, his warmth. This was what he'd dreamt of since the day he turned 18 and was old enough to have a mate.

He ran as fast as he could, trying to be careful not to move her too much, and to shelter her from the pouring rain. He knew that if he'd shifted he would have been quicker making it back to the house, but she was terrified, and clearly in no way to be holding onto his back as he ran, somewhere along the way she past out, head rolling unsupported as he ran, making Pete panic more.

After what felt like an age, the house came into site, spurring him on to run harder. He sprinted the last 20 metres,and up the front porch stairs, banging on the door to get someone, anyone's attention. Finally, Connor came to the door.

"The door was open, why didn't you just-" he stopped taking in the unconscious young woman in his arms. "Holy crap," he whistled. "Where'd you find her?" he asked as Peter pushed through the doorway forcing Connor to step sideway to avoid being hit.

"Down by the south border," he answered moving further into the house. "She needs medical attention is Shawn still in the surgery?" he asked as he went to go up the first flight of stairs.

"Here, let me take her, you can get changed and meet us up there," he offered, holding his arms out for him to hand Josie over.

Peter immediately recoiled, baring his teeth,a soft growl eminating from his throat.

Connor stepped back a look of deep shock and confusion on his face. "Peter what the?" he started before he connected the dots, a large smile wiping the look of confusion from his features."Pete, did you, is she?" he asked tripping over his words.

Peter nodded,"But she's a hybrid Con, so we need to get her upstairs," he spoke, wasting no time waiting for his reply. Connor rushed past him so he could open the door to the surgery. The familiar smell of disinfectant hit Peter's nose as they walked in.

"Shawn, we need you right now," Connor called out, as they rushed through the front area and into one of the many consultation rooms.

Peter could hear Shawn making his way through the surgery as he placed Josie down carefully on the table, immediately missing the contact.

"What have we got?" Shawn asked, walking through the door, before stopped short as Connor had minutes before. "Pete, where'd you find her?" he asked grabbing a pair of gloves from the dispenser on the wall and making his way over to the bed. "She's got some nasty injuries," Shawn muttered as he surveyed Josie's body. He went to move her shirt away from her stomach, an automatic response,to make a better judgement, but Peter felt an immense feeling of protectiveness wash over him again at another male, even his brother,who was trying to help, touching his mate.

He couldn't help the growl that slipped out as Shawn pulled back the fabric exposing her stomach and the nasty gash which Josie had shown Peter in the field.

"What's your problem Peter," Shawn laughed, turning to him, "I'm doing my job little bro,"

"You're touching her, you'll hurt her," he snarled very unlike himself. He knew logically that what he was saying wasn't true, but he couldn't help it.

"Peter, as if I'm going to hurt her, I'm literally trying to do the opposite," he stopped watching the way Peter's gaze never left Josie and something clicked. "Peter is she your mate?" he asked beaming.

"Yeah," Pete chocked on the word.

"Congratulations man," Shawn smiled again. "It's a big step finding your mate, what's her name?" he spoke knowingly. He'd found his mate Ava two years earlier,and Raul a year ago with Mia. They were both always so happy, so settled and finally Peter could have that too.

"Thanks Shawn,Josie, how, how bad is she?" he asked, almost wishing Shawn wouldn't answer.

"Well, from what I've seen so far, not great if I'm being honest, she's lost a lot of blood and the gashes on her stomach and shoulder look like they're getting infected, and if I'm being truthful I don't like the fact that she's not conscious. But I need to have a closer look. Will you trust me?" he asked.

Peter sat for a minute taking in what his brother had said," Can I hold her hand?" he asked embarrassed, cheeks heating up.

Shawn looked at him knowingly," Of course mate, here, sit on this. It'll actually be good. Having contact with you will help to keep her calm," he agreed, pushing a rolling chair with his foot for Pete to sit on."Where'd you find her, what happened?" he asked as he went to a cupboard and pulled a thick blanket out. Normally the wolves didn't need them, but they were kept on hand for the youngsters as a comfort tactic."She's freezing, borderline hyperthermic," he added as he took her temperature gently, Peter watching his every move as he then carefully lay the blanket over her.

"By the south border, I didn't realise it was her at first, I thought someone had left a pile of clothes," Peter admitted feeling guilty,"but when I got closer I saw that it was her and then her scent hit me and I knew. She was pretty reluctant to trust me at first," he added,"Shawn, she said wolves did it."

Shawn shook his head, as he went about hooking her up to different monitors,getting an I.V. with antibiotics in, listening to her chest and checking her pupils with a penlight. "We've had a problem with rogues recently, I'm so sorry Peter, I'll get a party together to deal with them," he added as Peter expected. "Connor," he called out, and it was only then that Peter realised that he'd left the room.

"Yeah?"

"Get Raul up here, I need to talk to him about the rogue problem," he was angry, Shawn was passionately against rogues and what they stood for and everyone knew it.

"I'm going to have to try and wake her up buddy, I need to know what sort of head injury we're dealing with."

Peter nodded, watching as Shawn placed a hand on her sternum and rubbed. He couldn't help the growl that once again slipped his lips. "I'm sorry mate, I wouldn't be doing it unless I had to," he looked genuinely apologetic.

A small whine left Josie's lips, and Peter was on his feet in a matter of seconds looking down at his mate anxiously.

"Josie, can you hear me, if you can hear me, give Peter's hand a squeeze."

Peter nodded, feeling his heart swell with relief as he felt her do as asked.

She opened her eyes, slowly taking everything in, before a panic set in and she tried to sit up."Hey, hey, take it easy," Pete, comforted, gently stopping her from sitting up and hurting herself further.

"You're safe here,do you remember me, I'm Peter?" he asked. She looked up at him with wide frantic eyes before recognition crossed her face and she relaxed into his grip.

"This is Shawn, my brother, he's the one I was telling you about," he added when she looked over warily at Shawn. "He's going to fix you up okay."

"It's nice to meet you Josie," Shawn smiled kindly at the young woman."How are you feeling?"

"Tired, sore,can I have some water?" she asked, voice strained.

"Of course," Shawn grabbed a disposable cup and filled it with water from the tap,holding it out to her.

Shawn went about checking her over,happily reporting that she only had a minor concussion, before numbing her up and carefully sewing her wounds closed. The whole time she clung to Peter like her life depended on it, but he didn't mind. He was happy to be able to provide the comfort.

There was a knock at the door and Raul walked in, not waiting for a response, only stopping as Shawn had at the sight of Josie.

"Who,what?" he looked between the three of them confused.

"This is Josie, she's Peter's mate," Shawn put emphasis on the word. "She was attacked by rogues and I need you to go out and find them, deal with them, do what you have to," Shawn spoke, not saying what both Peter and Raul knew he meant. End them.

Raul nodded, turning for the door, "Congrats little bro, best thing that'll ever happen to you," he smiled before leaving the room.

"Congratulations?" Josie asked looking up at him. Peter sighed, he hadn't wanted to tell her like this, he'd wanted to wait but he also didn't want to lie to her. He looked at Shawn who nodded."Josie,when we were in the field, did you feel anything when I touched your hand, a tingling?" he prompted.

Her eyebrows knit together, before she spoke,"Y-yeah?"

He took her hand again, "You're my mate Josie," he spoke carefully, waiting with baited breath for her response.

She was quiet for a moment, before a soft smile graced her features. Peter thought it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

"I am?" she asked, teary,surprising both the men.

"Please don't cry," Peter spoke quicky. "I promise you, I'll look after you with my life."

She shook her head,"It's not like that,my dad was a wolf, that's how I knew you were a wolf when we met in the clearing. I'm happy," she laughed, leaning into Peter's chest a little more.

Shawn beamed as he took in the cute sight before him,"You're okay for now, I'll leave you two alone," he spoke before excusing himself.

They sat in silence for a while, just happy to be in each other's company, still getting used to the feel of one another, the smell, the presence.

"Thank you," she whispered, eyes half open as she lay abck on Peter's chest.

"For what?" Peter murmured.

"For saving me."

"No Josie, thank you, you saved me," he countered, gently running his hands through her now only damp hair, causing her to shiver. "You are my life now."

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pinkpeonyprincessblog · 4 years ago

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You're My Life Now