Charlotte POV
"I am your husband and mate, taking care of you is my responsibility."
If I could, that his mouth would be pleading right now, honestly this man is super annoying, I can't just take it any longer. His confidence, his smug attitude, it grates on every nerve in my body. If only I had enough strength left, I would have stuffed a pillow down his throat just to silence that cocky voice of his.
"He's our mate, you should let him close," I felt my wolf riling up its head from deep inside me, her voice suddenly crystal clear. She must have been asleep all along; otherwise, I know I would have gone completely crazy the moment he lifted me like a helpless child.
"I thought you would be dormant for a while at least," I mind-linked to her, rolling my eyes with pure frustration. If only I could control even my wolf's actions, I would've erased this stupid mate bond from existence altogether. This bond—this ridiculous, overpowering connection that made my body betray my mind—was nothing but trouble.
"You want me gone?" she asked softly, her voice dipping into a low tone that held both hurt and disappointment, but I didn't respond. I wasn't ready for this argument, not now. I watched as Jasper walked to the couch casually, his steps confident and sure, like he owned the entire place—and somehow, part of me.
"Isn't he so adorable? Look at his jawlines…then those rough, masculine fingers… haven't you ever imagined his fingers on you? Like trailing down your spine, then—"
She would need a hard slap across her cheeks, if only I could see her right now. If I could pull her out of me for a single second, I'd teach her not to speak such nonsense.
"Shut the fuck up!" I yelled at the top of my voice, unable to contain the frustration bubbling violently within me. Her words were beginning to stir some nasty, reckless thoughts in my head—and I didn't appreciate that in any way.
Jasper's head snapped up immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly with concern as he stood to his feet and started walking towards me. His movements smooth, his expression unreadable, but those stormy eyes of his locked on me like a hawk.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with calmness as though he wasn't the reason behind my current chaotic state.
"Oh, that's our mate coming… I want to feel his touch," my wolf whispered in excitement, her tone dreamy and longing. This is the height of it. I furrowed my eyebrows, pressing my lips together as I struggled to keep her feelings from overwhelming me.
"It's nothing. I was talking to myself," I muttered, my voice small and shaky as I tried to avoid looking at him. But then his scent—the maddeningly intoxicating scent of him—drifted into my senses like a warm invitation, wrapping around me, teasing me, pulling me closer without mercy.
I couldn't resist it. My eyes shifted to his, and instantly our gazes locked, his deep, molten stare crashing into me like waves. Goosebumps erupted all over my body, racing down my spine and spreading across my skin like wildfire.
"You can go back to your seat," I managed to say, though it came out more like a pleading whisper in a tone I didn't recognize—soft, vulnerable. The damn mate bond at work again, pulling strings I had no control over. Nothing more than that.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice low, eyes still holding mine hostage. I nodded quickly, desperate to escape his gaze before I melted right there. He walked back to the couch and sat down, and only then did I release my balled fists, feeling my nails dig marks into my palms. I can't let her—the annoying voice inside my head—control my feelings.
"You should have let him touch you… you're just so unbelievable. He's our mate after all; we deserve more than just that," she lamented with disappointment heavy in her voice. I smiled in satisfaction, ignoring her, feeling like I had won a tiny battle today.
After a few minutes, my eyes grew heavy, my body slowly surrendering to the exhaustion weighing me down. The soft lull of the room's silence wrapped around me, and within minutes, I dozed off, embracing the comfort of darkness and complete relaxation in the dream world.
The quiet murmur of voices tugged me back from sleep, floating around me like echoes.
"She will be discharged tomorrow. She's a lot better today," I overheard a man's voice saying faintly, and I furrowed my brows, trying to place the sound. That must be the doctor talking to Jasper.
"The nurses will come in two hours' time. I will send nurses to help with her bath and also feed her…" the man continued, his voice steady, clinical. I was about to smile with relief, grateful someone sensible was finally taking care of things when Jasper's voice cut him short, sharp and certain.
"Don't worry about that. I'll help her with that. They should be here with the drip bags and injections in two hours, as you said," Jasper let out firmly, his words hitting me like a slap, and my eyes snapped open in disbelief.
"Okay, my Alpha. I will be on my way right now," the doctor responded obediently, bowing slightly before turning to leave the room.
"You can't be serious, are you?" I asked in shock, propping myself up slightly as the doctor paused and turned in reflex, blinking at me as though unsure if I was addressing him.
Jasper didn't say a word. His eyes locked onto mine, determined, unreadable, as he began to walk towards me, each step calculated, sure.
"Hey, you! Send in the nurses. You can't let him give me a bath simply because he's your Alpha. You should learn to protect the image of your patients!" I squeaked, my voice rising with frustration and a hint of desperation. But the doctor just smiled like the big fat cow he is and walked out, leaving me alone with Jasper—the most frustrating, impossible man alive.
"Good morning. How was your night, my lovely wife?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed, his eyes softening slightly as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. The spark that shot through my skin was instant, radiating heat and shivers all at once, making my heart stutter in my chest.
"Jasper…" I started, my voice shaky, but before I could say another word, his lips captured mine, cutting my sentence short, locking my eyes in his effortlessly.
"We don't have the whole day to do this. The nurses will be here at any time. Let's give you a bath," his voice came out more like a whisper, dripping with teasing warmth, sending fresh waves of shivers and goosebumps all over my body, the sparks still radiating on my skin. My eyes left his and shifted to his lips.