Chapter 15

Rose

I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling a moment in confusion. I turn my head and see Ava in a seat near the bed I'm lying on. I blink again. "Where am I?"

Ava turns startled eyes to mine. "Rose!"

I see movement in the corner of my eye and look over to see Maverick standing in the doorway to the bedroom. "Where am I?" I ask again, confused.

Ava glances over her shoulder at Maverick before turning back to me. "You're in Maverick's room." I frown and look down at the bed and then over at the man.

"Why?" It's the only question I seem to be able to ask.

He steps into the room but stays far away from the bed. "Do you remember coming here?" I meet his gaze. His eyes are on my face, and his face is guarded.

I shake my head. "No. I don't." I'm confused as to why I'm in Maverick's room and more than that, in his bed. Before I can get up, he takes a step back.

"You need food." He disappears a moment later, and I hear the front door closing behind him. I stare after him, confused and then turn to Ava. "You look terrible."

She gives me a small smile. "I deserve that."

"No, I'm not...I didn't mean it that way. Just, you look exhausted. Are you okay?"

She gives me a look I'm not sure how to interpret. "You really don't remember anything at all?" I shake my head, trying to remember the last thing that happened to me. My mind just seems blank. "I healed you."

I stare at Ava in surprise, and then my eyes widen. "I got the sickness?" She nods, watching me carefully.

"How do you feel now?" she asks softly.

"Great. I feel really good."

There's something about her expression that sobers me. "I was really sick." Somehow, I just know it. She confirms with a nod.

"I thought you were going to die," she whispers.

I blow out a breath. "I'm sorry, Ava."

She laughs but it's humorless. "There's no reason for you to be sorry."

"Thank you...for healing me."

"I almost didn't." Her voice is so soft, but I stay quiet and wait for her to speak again. "I froze. You were...dying, and I froze."

I don't say anything for a moment. "Well, you must have figured it out because here I am." She doesn't smile at my words. "How did you figure it out?"

"Sage." She takes a breath and meets my eyes. "I'm pretty sure Maverick would have killed me if I didn't heal you."

I scoff. "Yeah right."

She doesn't smile. "I'm serious, Rose. He was so angry." She shakes her head, like she's clearing it. "Sage talked me through it."

I reach out and take her hand and squeeze, surprised when she lets me. "Thank you for saving my life."

The door opens, and Maverick comes around the corner a moment later carrying several Styrofoam boxes. "Wasn't sure what you wanted to eat." His voice is gruff, and I don't know what to do about him.

"Thank you," I manage to say. He opens several boxes and shows me what's inside. "I'll take the mashed potatoes," I say softly. He gives me the entire box and a fork. He hands Ava another box, but she just picks at it. I feel his gaze on me more than once, but I keep my eyes on my food. After a little bit, I decide I can't take the awkward silence anymore. I close the box and stand to my feet. "Thank you."

Maverick is in front of me a moment later. "What are you doing?" he practically growls.

I lift surprised eyes to his. "I'm going to get a shower," I say slowly.

"You need more sleep."

"I'm fine," I tell him, hoping he'll let me pass so I can go back to my room. "Ava, are you coming back with me?" I ask. She looks like she's coming out of a trance. "Come on, Friend. You need to get some sleep." She walks over to the door. Maverick, I notice, has no problem letting her walk past him. But when I try, he steps in front of me again, effectively cutting off my access to the door. "What, Maverick?" I finally ask.

He crosses his arms. "No more healing."

Ava looks over at me from the door, lifts an eyebrow, waves, and leaves. Coward, I mentally call out. I take a breath and meet Maverick's stormy gaze and mentally prepare for the battle. "I have to."

"No. You don't. It's too dangerous."

"This is what I was created to do."

"Not anymore." His voice is absolute.

I pull out the big guns. "Your pack members are dying."

"So?" He asks, but I see his jaw tighten.

I try again. "This is what I was created to do." I push harder. "What if it were Cade or Amber or Paige?" His jaw tightens more.

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does," I argue. Then I soften my voice. "I have to do this; I can't not."

He stares at me, his face unreadable. I think he's going to agree and back down; but then he doubles down. "No."

I take a breath, trying not to get frustrated. "Maverick, I'm going to do this with or without your approval. I have to. I can't not heal. It's in my body. My hands literally tingle with my power and hurt until I express that power when somebody is injured or sick. I meant it when I said I can't not heal." He doesn't say anything. "What if I call Sage and ask how I can do it without harming myself?" He's silent, and I will him to agree. He finally nods, but I can tell he's not happy. I pull out my phone and call Sage. It's hard to focus because he's quiet but right there. He has this brooding thing he does that makes him sexy. Wait, what? I feel my face blush and turn away from him.

"Rose!" Sage calls out. "How are you? I was so worried."

I smile at the sound of my friend's voice. "I'm okay. Ava healed me."

"I know. I was there for all of it, including the overbearing, protective mate. Things have progressed on that end, huh?"

"Uh, no. It's not like that. He just...I don't know..." I chance a glance at him. He's facing me with his arms crossed over his chest, doing the shoulder lean against the wall, the one he always does. It makes me feel like he should be wearing flannel and jeans and chopping wood. I shake my head at that random thought. Where in the world did that come from? I feel my face heat and am glad he can't read my mind or hear my thoughts. "Anyway, the reason I called is that Maverick and I are having a small argument. He doesn't want me to heal, but I keep telling him I have to." She, of all people, will understand.

"Does he understand that you physically can't not heal?"

"I, uh, I told him." I don't look over at him. "Anyway, the only way he caved was if I called you and asked you how I could do it safely without hurting myself and burning out or anything else."

"You can do something to help from burning out."

Her words surprise me. "Yeah? What can I do?"

"Is he there now?"

I nod before I remember she can't see me. "Yes. Please tell me."

"Rose, the only way is for him to mate you," she finally says. "Then he can send his strength through the bond and stabilizes you. It keeps you from burning out, except in extreme cases."

"Oh." I don't look over at Maverick.

"I feel like I should warn you that he can hear every word of this conversation," she says after a moment. My eyes jump to his, but as always, his eyes betray nothing.

"Oh, yeah. Thanks," I mumble.

"I'm sorry, Rose I wish I could do more." She hesitates. "Do you want me to come?"

"No. Please don't. It's too dangerous here. You stay with your little girl. Ava and I have this." I hang up after thanking her again. I feel unsettled as I pocket my phone and look over at Maverick.

He cocks his head to the side and scowls. "I've gotta go; Cade's calling me."

"Okay."

He gives me one of his intense looks. "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm good. Thank you." My voice is soft; I'm so unsure of myself. "Thank you for taking care of me and for the food," I call out behind him. He nods and stops at the door and turns back.

"She's right—the healer. I could hear everything." His eyes search mine, and I feel my face heat up again.

"We don't need to do that; its fine," I say quickly, feeling embarrassed.

He stares a moment longer, nods and leaves. I sigh and sit back for a moment before I gather myself enough to head back to my apartment where I shower and then get in bed for the night. My nights and days are definitely mixed up, but I feel like getting a good night's sleep is the best way to make it get back on track.

The next morning, I meet with Cade. After reassuring him that I'm fine to heal, I get back to my work. Surprisingly, or maybe unsurprisingly, I don't see Maverick for the next few days. On Friday, when I'm making my way back to my room for the day, I see Sam and Wyatt walk into the lobby. "Sam!" I shout and run to her. She laughs and hugs me fiercely. I'm embarrassed to say that tears drip from my eyes. After I'm done hugging her, Wyatt grins at me and wraps me up in a fierce hug.

"How's the famous healer of the Orlando Pack?" he asks loudly, embarrassing me.

"I'm not famous," I say, shaking my head.

His grin widens. "That's not what we've heard."

"How is it being an alpha?" I ask, redirecting the conversation.

"Great," he says easily.

Ava comes over next. "Sam? What are you doing here?" Sam wraps her in a big hug and Wyatt does next, even though she stays stiff. Wyatt and Sam both look so happy, it makes me smile. I'm so happy for them.

"You pregnant yet?" Ava mutters.

Sam blushes and exchanges a glance with Wyatt, who can't keep the grin off his face. "Oh my word! You totally are!" I hug her tight.

Sam laughs. "It's early still."

Ava smirks at me. "Told you. I knew he'd put a baby in you before too long."

Wyatt's grin is smug. "Of course. I love my girl." He gazes at Sam with so much affection it makes me smile.

"Are you sick yet?" I ask her.

She grimaces. "Not yet, but everybody's been sharing their horror stories of morning sickness with me." That doesn't surprise me one bit. "That's why we came now, before I start getting sick."

"I'm so happy you're here," I say, hugging her again. I didn't realize until right in this moment how much I've missed my friend.

"Want to come up to my apartment?" I offer.

"Sure."

"I'll grab our bags, my Sam," Wyatt says, kissing Sam on the cheek.

"We're on the second floor, apartment ninety-five." Wyatt nods and disappears, and I lead Sam and Ava upstairs. The three of us settle in my living room, and Wyatt joins us minutes later. "How long are you guys staying?"

"Just a day or two," Sam says.

"Do you have an apartment to stay in?"

"Cade said to check in with him when we got here. I'll do that in a little bit," Wyatt says easily.

"So," Sam says, leaning back in her chair. "Tell us. How are things with Maverick?"