Page 70 of Quadruplets for the Vipers

“Miss what?” Knox asks gently.

“When he wakes up.”

We sit in silence for a while. The guys talk softly about club matters—who’s watching the compound, updates on rebuilding the clubhouse. I half-listen. My hand never leaves Axel’s.

Despite my promise to myself that I’d keep watch, I felt my eyelids getting heavier and I must have dozed off. However, a moment later, Axel’s fingers twitch underneath mine.

I freeze. I stare at his hand, afraid to breathe.

“Did you guys see that?” I whisper, heart pounding.

Knox steps forward, eyes narrowing. “Do it again, brother,” he mutters under his breath. “Come on, you’ve got more fight in you.”

There it is again—a definite twitch, this time his eyelids fluttering slightly.

I stand, my fingers trembling as I press the call button for the nurse. “He’s moving. I swear to god, he’s moving.”

Jace is already at the foot of the bed, eyes wide. “Jesus, Axel, if you’re about to wake up just to tell me I owe you fifty bucks, I swear…”

The nurse rushes in a minute later, checks his vitals, then leans close to his face, calling his name, “Mr. Martin?”

“Axel? Can you hear me?” I ask.

A low groan rumbles from his throat. His lips part, and his head shifts slightly towards my voice.

“Axel?” I breathe. “It’s me. Leah. I’m right here.”

His brows furrow. Another soft sound escapes him. His eyes struggle to open, but they don’t quite manage it.

“Take your time,” I whisper, stroking his forehead. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”

His chest rises more sharply now, the rhythm of his breathing changing as if he’s trying to speak.

“Can he hear us?” Rider asks the nurse quietly.

“He might. Keep talking. Keep him grounded.”

Knox moves closer, his voice low and steady. “Axel, we’re all here. You’re at the hospital. You made it, brother. We’ve got you.”

Jace leans in next. “Come on man, you can do it.”

That gets a faint breath of air from Axel—just enough to be called a laugh.

His eyelids flicker again. This time, one eye opens a sliver.

“Axel?” I say again, my heart in my throat.

His lips barely move, but the sound is unmistakable—a broken whisper, rough from disuse.

“Leah…”

Tears flood my eyes. “I’m here. I’m right here, Axel.”

His fingers close weakly around mine. His gaze is cloudy, but he finds me, just for a second.

“You… okay?” he rasps, barely audible.

I nod, tears spilling down my cheeks.

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