Page 163 of Second Chance Mates

Jaxon kisses my forehead and holds me impossibly tighter. “Your body is most likely adjusting to my mark. I’ll run you a bath.”

I smile as best as I can with my eyes still shut.

“I love you,” I say quietly.

He rests his forehead against mine. “I love you, too, baby.”

55

JAXON

After running Ava a luke-warm bath, I perch on the edge of the tub and study her drained face. Her skin is still on fire, despite the fact she’s shuddering as if we’re in the Antarctic. Guilt rides my chest like a wave. I’m not sure if her body is rejecting my mark because her human body isn’t strong enough to accept it. I don’t want to think about that fate.

“Ava,” I whisper and caress her face.

Her hand splashes into the water, and she retracts as if it’s toxic. I calm her by stroking back her hair and sending as much comfort through our bond as possible. Although, I can sense a barricade.

“How are you feeling?”

Ava’s eyes open, and they’re lazy, her lids almost shutting again. “C-cold.”

I examine her lips and move closer. The corners of her mouth are starting to fade into a light blue. Something is definitely wrong. Her body continues to shake, rippling the water aggressively. She wraps her arms around her legs in an attempt to keep warm.

My hands reach into the bath, and I pull her out. The bath isn’t working. Her wet hair rests against my bare chest as I wrap her in a towel and rub up and down her arms.

Gemma, can you come up to my bedroom? Something is wrong with Ava. I need her to be checked over.

Of course, Alpha. I’ll be up right away.

I carry my mate back to our room and dry the rest of her body before sliding an oversized T-shirt over her head and loose pants on her bottoms. “Ava.” I cup her face, but her head rolls. “Baby, I need you to tell me what’s wrong.”

Ava’s pain doesn’t flicker in my body. I’m numb to it, and I don’t understand why. She’s burning up, but I feel nothing. I release a frustrated sigh.

“Nothing’s wrong,” she says breathlessly. “Just tired. So tired. And cold.”

I frown at the same time there’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I shout.

Gemma steps inside and glances over at Ava. “Alpha. What’s the matter with Ava?”

“I marked her,” I admit. “She’s not accepting it. Her body is hot, but she keeps telling me she’s cold. I did my research. It said humans should heal like wolves do, but it’ll take longer. I never expected for this to happen. If I knew, I would never of–”

Gemma offers me a smile. “Let me take a look at her.”

I stand back while she does everything she can. Fuck. I shouldn’t have done it. I shouldn’t have let my possessiveness get the better of me. No matter how pretty her mark looks on her neck, it’s not worth her wellbeing.

“She’s weak,” she states slowly. “She needs rest and water. Don’t cuddle her up in blankets, even if she says she’s cold. It’s like she’s got a fever, and we need to make sure she doesn’t overheat.”

My eyes flick between the doctor’s. “What if her body is rejecting it?”

“I’m not sure, Jaxon. I haven’t dealt with something like this before. But from what I’ve heard, a rejection isn’t always the end result. With time, you can try again, and her body might accept.”

I almost scoff. There is no way I’m chancing this again. What if it kills her next time? My heart strains at the morbid thought. I blink it away in an instant.

“But that might not be the case. Keep a close eye on her. I’m sure it’s her human body getting used to the mark. The saliva from your canines is flooding her bloodstream. Her body may be reacting in a way to protect herself, but eventually, her body may end up accepting the mark,” she states, and I listen to her words carefully. “If you’re concerned, please don’t hesitate to mindlink.”

I nod despite being on edge. “Alright. Thank you, Gemma. I appreciate it.”

When she leaves, I lay down next to Ava and delicately brush my fingers across her arm. I listen to her hoarse breathing and pray when she wakes up, her body has accepted my mark.

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