Chapter 52: The Arc to Recovery Begins

[ Autumn P.O.V]

It feels peacefully quiet for a morning. I realized that as I slowly move my legs that had my pants' legs slid up. The cold blankets against my legs sliding as I could feel the source of the cozy warmth in such a soft sheeted bed.

As I open my eyes sleepily and a little reluctantly to look at my big sleeping baby. I could feel him sleeping a little further down the bed from me. I could feel his right hand on my right side but a little ways near my stomach with his arm on my back wrapped around me.

But when I was looking down to see his face. My eyes widened and my heart nearly hopped into my throat as I tried to gulp it down, he was close to me with his left arm behind my legs. His face..was smack dab right in my chest. Quickly my face was a blushing mess as I was blabbering as my brain was burning out.

I felt him moving making me flinch when he let out a soft and tired groan as he started to nuzzle and rub his face against my breasts. I started to squirm as I started to let out a whine trying to move my hands to his shoulders.

I noticed him starting to wake up with his sleepy eyes lifting and his right hand started to along with his arm started to pull me closer. But then I said startled by him groaning and pressing his nose into my sternum groggily

" Still sleepy...mmm.." I didn't know how to respond since pushing his shoulders wasn't working I responded getting my heart to try and stop trying to get out of my chest

" Leo!!! " he looked more awake but after looking up at me I felt flabbergasted by what happened next. He smirked and I could feel his left hand lift up and grasped my right thigh tenderly and he started to sniff and inhale into my chest.

If he had his tail it'd be patting the bed from side-to-side fast, and he was starting to move his face left to right all over chest and rubbing himself on me. I couldn't take this anymore, my heart wouldn't stop hurting from how fast and hard it was pounding against my chest that I swore he could hear and feel it too.

I started to thrash around and trying to kick him away as my right hand grabbed his right wrist trying to get him off and my left on his head grasping at his hair trying to pull his head away from my chest.

" S-Stop that!!! " I started to find myself whimpering because I couldn't take the way the heat was starting to fill my body. The feeling of him softly caressing down my thigh with the tips of his fingers didn't help.

[ Leo P.O.V ]

When I was sleeping I could smell Autumn's sweet scent getting stronger where I was resting against. When I opened my eyes and noticed I was in a very sweet spot. My wolf and me were pleased as I began to feel her breasts against my face. I smirked gleefully revelling in the ecstasy of her perky breasts and the feeling of her thigh in my grasp.

*' Hmmm...🍑🍑...I might die today...but at least I will have lived. '* I found when my ear would be on her chest I could actually hear her heart beating like crazy. This was amusing so it made me continue enjoying her sweet scent and then she said as I groaned

" S-Stop that!!! " that was when I said after chuckling " But baby, but you smell sooo goood~ " then as I let my voice drop low in no time flat I said with my left hand pulling her shirt a little down pulling her neckline down a little.

" I just want to take a little taste- " with this I moved my face higher to lick up her revealed sternum all the way to flick at her chin in one long lick. With this, she released a whine that was so high pitched that she was like a tea kettle letting out steam.

I chuckled but got very surprised when she started to pull my face away by my hair making it kinda hurt and started to kick near my abdomen hard. Once I no longer held her she quickly moved to the side of the bed and started to vent angrily with her face red and flushed for two reasons

" Are first morning back and you d-do that!!! Keep that up and I swear that it'll be your last for at least a week!! " she was going to storm out of the door and I quickly got there first. I said with my arms out in front of me towards her

" Wow, wow, baby. Please, don't be too hasty. " she wasn't having my shit and said with a glare that my wolf felt a little threatened " Get the heck out of my way! I was fine when you were sleeping on me, but the second that you took messing with me too far. Was the moment that I have the fucking right to not want you to sleep anywhere near me! "

I felt startled by her cursing and noticed burning tears in the corners of her eyes but it was the fact that even my wolf was sympathetic and a little scared of her. But I found myself looking down from her and said carefully

" I'm sorry, I just.." I felt myself moving a little closer to her. She had her arms wrapped around her chest and her face I could tell she was still a little pink and I could tell that she was still upset. I slowly moved closer

"..missed all of you. I realize..that I definitely crossed a line, but.." I stopped when I moved in front of her and noticed that my nose caught hints of a scent. That's when I knew just how far and how much I crossed the line. I quickly joined all the things she was doing and did connecting it all. I clenched my fists when I realized I hit a major nerve. We come back from putting her crazy rapist chance mate away and try to get back to feeling comfortable again. Then what do I do, I go ahead and say such stupid things and provoke her after she tells me to stop.

Maybe I should continue to block her from leaving, maybe she can get mad enough to hit me or knock me on my ass. At least, then I would have someone do it since I can't myself.

" No, no but. Hey, " I moved back near the door and held my arms out and put on a serious look and exclaimed " To get past, you should knock me on my ass! " Just saying that along made my wolf angry at the words I managed to get out. She was confused but then I said

" Look, I messed up big time, so I need to be taught a lesson and put back in my place. " she seemed very confused but also kinda intrigued. I mean, an Alpha let alone a man would put himself in a position to be embarrassed.

I felt startled when I opened my eyes after bracing myself to get slapped across the face or flipped and slammed on my back on the ground; which I taught her how to do for self-defense.

I felt Autumn's lips on mine. It reminded me that I hadn't even kissed her yet today. I started to slowly put my arms down as I closed my eyes and started to lean on my toes forward as I was about to kiss her back, but then I felt her lips were pulled away making me slowly open my eyes taking a step forward. Then I felt something hit the backs of my knees as I was still leaning and just as I opened my eyes wide and tried to react noticing that she wasn't in front of me anymore. I felt a poke on the back of my neck that caused me to not be able to recover in time.

I landed on the ground on my hands and knees which I caught myself but I quickly looked back. I saw Autumn standing there from right next to the door and she had a small smile of satisfaction on her face. I was still a little in shock. I guess, I did mess with her on an affectionate level and made her feel humiliated. I suppose it's only right that she'd make me off guard and then made fun of me for it. She seemed to look better and when she left the room I sat on the floor and laid on my back on the floor again.

Honestly, my wolf wasn't happy in the slightly at giving an open invitation for a free shot that was a direct way to challenge our authority as an Alpha. It had been a long time since we've fought someone and getting on the receiving end of an attack. My wolf knew that despite being impressed and a bit pleased at our mates skill. It still wasn't something he'd allow on purpose to let someone challenge our authority as an Alpha.

I was glad that she seemed better, but it didn't help that she was able to trick me so easily. At the same time, I think my bruised ego is adequate payment for now.

[ Autumn P.O.V ]

I did find myself beaming a little boasting about our strength but also felt happy that Leo knew what he did and made such a gesture that showed me how much he wanted to make it up to me. The dumb look on his face was so good that it made my wolf laugh.

I tried to start my day off with breakfast but was surprised when I realized nothing was on in the kitchen and the sink was empty. I looked at the dinning table with the sound of everyone up already. That's when I found out by listening to Nick and Liz, that to " shake things up " he went out and bought about two boxes of Culver's donuts.

But the guys acted like they shouldn't eat a lot of them to quote on quote while flexing " needing to keep their battle ready toned bodies and muscles in shape. " But really they were eating donuts greedily being able to take a more less healthy breakfast.

But as I approached the table I felt myself freeze. I felt this cold and sickly kiss on my mark that left me breathing becoming a little slow as it dragged and could feel goosebumps and the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. I could feel the heavy breathing near my left ear and it turning into a sleek grin that I can imagine going ear-to-ear.

I quickly turned my head left and felt a slight cold sweat building as I realized the presence was gone and nothing was there in that kitchen. I felt very uneasy and didn't know what to think. I turned back to look at the others at the table trying to shake off whatever I just felt.

I walked over to the table where it was open for me to sit down and started to drag one of the boxes for me to see what was still left. Liz was eating a cronut which I haven't seen one before but looked great and buttery. I looked at what everyone got and it was a long range of kinds like bear claws, glazed, old fashioned, spudnut, long John.

There were only a couple left in the two boxes I quickly snatched some I recognize that I love: the raspberry filled powdered sugar donut that's white with red sticking out, a classic glazed since you can't go wrong, and then I saw what looked like a maple bar and I just wanted to try it.

But then as I decided to try a bit of the maple bar rectangular donut I felt after a second bite I looked at it pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be also an apple filling inside. It was like the stuff inside apple pie. The maple frosting and it being slightly warm made it hard to hold back a small moan at how amazing it tasted, but then we all herd Leo say coming into the dinning room from the living room rubbing his neck probably from earlier.

" Hey, did you guys save me my donut? " that was when Nick said before moving to look in the box " Yeah, oh..wait. " then everyone looked at me and then I started to feel panic filling me as I asked it literally still in my hand. I looked at them then Leo and felt myself gulp when I realized that they might have saved him the donut he likes and I just took it. I put it down on the plate and stared to lean on my chair as I slowly started to slide down looking down getting ready for all the stares and getting scolded. But just as I was practically hiding under the table he had moved to the table. He simply grabbed the rest of the donut and crouched down held the donut to his mouth and had his hand out to me saying looking composed.

" It's not that big a deal, come on. " I felt even more uneasy than before and didn't know if I wanted to face everyone's looks after taking the special ordered donut that was the only one out of both boxes. But when I looked back at him he honestly didn't seemed too fazed or bothered so I slowly took his hand as I groaned once I sat back down in my chair.

I felt a knott in my stomach now and looking at my plate I didn't know if I wanted to eat anymore. Things went back to normal and after a little while I slowly glanced at Leo who was sitting next to me. I then moved back to my plate but nearly felt myself hovering lifting up slightly from my seat when Leo whispered into my right ear

" What's wrong? Are you not hungry anymore? " I could feel his breath and kept my eyes looking down as I tried to search for a response trying to understand why my nerves are so threw the roof. I blinked rapidly when I felt his cold at first but warm lips brushing my neck softly that was starting to make my eyes move back up to him.

I flinched and started to move away feeling slightly nervous and then he pecked my cheek and said " It's alright, go on and eat or I'll eat it or feed you myself. " I felt the atmosphere and mood I was feeling changed to be a bit more light hearted and made me nod and started to dig into my powdered sugar raspberry filled donut. The sour but sweet jelly was so great with the fluffy donut and I could feel the powdered sugar on my fingers and on my lips. Leo looked through the other remaining donuts and grabbed himself a bear claw that was really big.

I offered Leo some of mine to try and make it up to him but he said he was fine. After we were done eating I was heading with Leo to our room to go and get dressed in normal clothes for the day. Leo and me were talking and I apologized for before and he smiled happily and said

" There's no problem, you didn't know. If you did you wouldn't have reacted like you did and would try and be more smug about it. " I guess that would be true. I then smiled and said

" Yeah, probably. " then he said with a smile " You looked cute though, " I looked at him feeling a blush spread on my face and I turned away and said trying to keep the shy smile that was spreading on my face contained. I then said quietly as I turned to our door

" You're the one who's cute.." but as my hand touched the cold handle. I felt a hand rub down my back tenderly but then I felt these cold fingers brushing up my lower back moving up to my middle back under my shirt. At first I felt myself flinch slightly but I started to feel this heat rolling through me. It spread to where my face was heating up bright red.

I could only imagine my face being equally as bad as Lily from the show " How I Met Your Mother ". But I felt startled by when I felt his breath close behind me " That's because you're just so.. irresistible. " I felt taken aback by how he sounded much different than before. It was low but I recognized when his wolf was talking and when he was and every shade of grey in-between.

But this felt a little strange and I felt like almost leaning on the door or keeping myself from leaning. When I felt his hand stop moving I felt myself feeling really nervous and started to say slowly turning the handle

" Um..." I felt very on edge despite how flattering and sweet he was being. But when I finally opened the door a little he stepped back and removed his hand. I was trying to compose myself to get my face under control and look at him. When I looked at him his eyes did seem to show slight worry and a little..disappointment but he seemed to try and hide it with starting to put on a wry smile showing a little of his teeth.

" Hey, hey, it-it's alright. " I kept averting my eyes and trying to meet his but feeling nervous. I felt surprised when I felt him touch my hand that was still on the door nob. He seemed more understanding in his expression and didn't seem very upset but I felt him leaning a little close.

" Baby, are you feeling alright? " My mind drew a blank until I felt giving my hand a gentle squeeze and wasn't keeping his eyes off of my face. Not for a second, but when I looked at him I honestly just wanted to relax again. I moved and pecked his lips and said whispering

" I'm okay, I just need to try and relax some more is all. I've been on edge for what feels like all day. " I felt him lean to peck my lips again and smirked asking " Oh, why is that? " I could feel his hand taking mine in his from the handle.

" Want me to help relax you for a while? I have time before getting straight to work. " I felt him leaning a little closer to me and after a while I backed into our room, him following and closing the door behind him. I then noticed as I was saying thinking it over

" Okay, how about after a little while we stop. I just want to kiss for a while. " In a second I recognized a glint of hunger as I felt him pull me into his arms slamming his lips down on mine pulling our bodies against each other. Startled I squirm trying to pull my lips away, but then he pulled away his lips still hovering over mine and saying moving to my neck.

" Oh, I'm sorry. Was I supposed to wait till I herd someone say go? " he was being sarcastic and I felt him pecking down then up my neck. I then said feeling more comfortable

" No, but I wasn't expecting it to come so quick. " I could tell in his eyes that he was really happy and when I wrapped my arms around his neck he looked like he could hardly contain his happiness with how he was smiling almost beaming. I asked unsure what it is he seems so excited about

" What? " he didn't respond until his wry smile was gone and replaced with his eyes looking down shyly with a slight blush that was slowly turning to a small grin

" I was just thinking about our little conversation in court. " I wasn't sure what specifically he was talking about but when he continued after giving me a moment to figure it out

" When my wolf was listing all the places we'd like to have you, " that was when it crashed into my mind like a fray train. I had completely forgotten about that! But I found myself fumbling struggling to make a coherent thought

" Well..I-I d-didn't think you'd..still remember after, well that.. happened. " he smirked and pecked my cheek sweetly and whispered near my ear " Why not? How about we try and go through our lists? I know you must have one. " I thought about what he said and said looking down " Well..I don't know if I have one, and do we...have to.." I felt heat filling my face despite me trying to remain composed

" ..have sex? " I was expecting a long wait of suspension but felt a little surprised when he answered right away " No, we don't. We can just make out, so? " I looked at him feeling much more relieved, but I was feeling more open to it now and nodded.

Then he smiled and pulled me closer and said quietly before starting to kiss my neck and making us move towards a wall " How about we start over here and then we can move somewhere else later, " I said okay but when he started to peck at my face playfully and I started to giggle and could feel my back on the wall now slightly. I felt him peck my lips warmly making me lock my lips with his back. After a while I felt a little strange. My head was feeling a little dizzy and I started to pull away.

But Leo still had his chest on me and didn't like it and started to say quietly into my neck holding my sides around my waist.

" Noooo..." then I herd him groan but then I said nervous and a little uneasy " L-Leo..I don't feel very good right now. " he simply smirked for a second and said lowly

" Oh? I can fix that, " next thing I know I feel him kiss my mark, but when he locked his lips he started to suckle my entire mark tenderly with his lips. This sent waves of pleasure to wash through me making me whimpering as he sucked and flicked at my mark with the tip of his tongue. My knees were getting ready to buckle under me as my wolf had given in and made me start to whine and whimper loudly. I kept arching my back each time.

But I started to feel with each pull and bit of pressure I could feel on my body from him against me the more I started to feel more light-headed and started to stop and say feeling my eyes squinting as I felt a slight migraine building.

" Baby..it is helping a little, but I..I think I might be coming down with something. " He stopped and started to take me seriously and pulled away and started to lift his face to meet my gaze

" Are you sure? Are you feeling okay? " I told him that earlier today I was feeling on edge and I couldn't shake this strange feeling, and told him what I describe as symptoms. I said getting annoyed

" I cannot deal with being sick right now. We just got back, and great, I get sick for the first time in literally years. " I grumbled under my breath looking to the right as I tilted my head down.

" I was starting to feel like I was finally going to have fun again.." I could feel Leo's gaze on me stiffen and becoming a little intense as I could feel his hands slowly moving to the sides of my arms giving me a little squeeze as he leaned to more of eye level. I noticed he looked like he was going to say something but all I herd was silence. I started to lift my eyes but then I felt startled when I felt warm lips from bellow smashing upwards into mine making my head hit against the wall by the force of it.

I could feel my arms being pushed against the wall by his hands as I felt his body staying off of mine by a few inches. Our heads were tilted slightly in opposite directions so our noses didn't collide. My eyes were wide as my hands were on his chest trying to push him away enough to let out even a single word. I felt even more surprised when I felt his tongue on my lips and the kiss wasn't entirely opened mouthed.

I tried to move my body and face trying to move to get my lips free, but to no avail as I struggled to understand, what the hell was going on?! I couldn't stop the whining sounds in my struggle. I flinched and nearly gulped when I felt him force his tongue through my lips and started to flick at my tongue. I tried to move my head side to side and pushing his shoulders feeling more panicked.

His eyes were closed tightly and I couldn't stop whining and grunting trying to get him to see that he has to stop, but it was like he was reading me and listening. This was upsetting me and was making me feel sad not just upset anymore. I could feel his tongue tracing along my mouth, literally everywhere. I wasn't giving up my struggling because my comfortability flew right out the window and I wanted to vent my anger and frustration at him.

His tongue went everywhere and I was trying my hardest to keep myself from feeling excited or to let out a moan. His tongue was far too intrusive and almost relentless and purposeful. The tip of his tongue touched everything and I could feel him sucking a little in the kiss. But at first he was sucking so much that it was straining how it was hurting. I wanted so badly to understand I didn't like how the longer he took along the walls of my mouth and started circle my tongue the less I could fight him. The less I wanted to think.

When he wrapped his tongue around mine and my face was already heated enough but the more he'd push me further against the wall. He moves even towards the back of my mouth and the less I could control when I'd let out a moan and feel so confused. It was only when he finally pulled all the way back and stopped kissing me and still had more of a less stern grasp on me was when I practically felt suffocated. I was trying to breathe normally but felt a rush of anger, frustration, embarrassment all flooding back to me.

" What the hell?!- " I was interrupted from there with him saying a little out of breath

" I think I have a rough idea of what you're getting sick now for.." I spaced out for a second and he explained calmly after he apologized brushed his hands off of me shooting him one of my finest glares I could muster. What he did warranted my cold shoulder

" I don't think you've herd this before, but a werewolf's wolf can lick inside someone's mouth to learn more about the individual. " I was willing to listen to his explanation and then determine my choice of reaction.

" By doing so a wolf can learn everything about the individual such as body chemistry, if someone is sick or well, what you have eaten, and even whether someone is hostile towards them. " I haven't herd that before but I still was on edge and wanted more than that

" And? " I asked expectantly. He took a moment and I could tell from how serious he was acting and the concern that melted into his expression as he continued to explain

" I used the tip of my tongue that has the most sensors to feel around. " he smirked for a second " And I figured I've kissed you enough times that I'll be able to sense the change. Before I thought what was off was noticing that you were uneasy. " After a while to think and he said that he could tell that my body temperature had shifted to being colder. The more he told me the more I was starting to believe him and that that wasn't just a cheap shot to kiss me.

" Okay, so that wasn't just some excuse to kiss me without me wanting to smack you? " his smirk was softer as he said " Well..I would love to take credit for that but I would rather tell if my mate was alright. Although I'd gladly take the hit to tell though. " I couldn't stop myself from rolling my eyes that time. My face still felt red and I was trying to get my breathing back under control but I closed my eyes to try and focus to get my migraine under control.

I opened my eyes slowly feeling tired as I felt Leo's right hand caressing my left cheek with a sweet small smile on his face making me lean my face into his touch. Any luck he might have had at being able to clear his desk and throw me on it to kiss me or anywhere else was long gone now. I felt a little disappointed by this but he insisted that I'd try and rest and maybe take a nap.

I rested for a while, but felt almost weirder just laying in a big bed like this one doing nothing. But I felt like as the hours went on by that I could feel my whole body aching and my head pounding. I told Leo late into the day but it was too late to call in a doctor at this time of night now. We decided to call in the morning to figure out what to do.

I didn't like being fussed about and having to inconvenience anyone, but at least it's one time in a couple years than multiple times or constantly. I was weary of sleeping in the bed with Leo.

It's bad enough for the Luna to get sick but I don't think I could risk getting Leo as this packs Alpha sick. I don't think Alpha's can technically call in a sick day, at least, not without his Beta and soldiers take on his tasks while he recovers. That's why when I started to get up on the side of the bed and he asked where I was going just as he was getting in bed. I just said

" I'm just going to the bathroom. " I did end up using it and trying to blow my nose that was getting runny. After I was done washing my hands and herd the click of the light switch. I took a moment before deciding to walk to the couch and start to try and get some sleep without risking Leo getting sick. But after a little while he noticed my absence and sat up out of bed and asked grunting annoyed that I didn't come join him like I said.

I just said quietly so that I could try and get some sleep still " I just don't want to risk you, the Alpha, catching what I might have to go through. Our pack doesn't need their Alpha to take a sick day. " Once I finished he clenched his jaw as he seemed to be mulling over what I'm saying and decided not to comment. I kept my eyes closed as I was laying down on my left side and resting my head on the side of the arm of the couch. I didn't open my eyes but after a while I suddenly felt a bit of a little warm blanket draped over me and when I opened my right eye to peak. I felt Leo giving me a peck on the cheek that felt warm which paired nice to how cozy I was feeling. He only said quietly before walking back to our bed without another word for the night.

" I understand your concern, sweetie. Goodnight. " I loved his small sweet smile but when he went to bed I felt a little better but just hoped that this sickness isn't going to cause anyone too much trouble or last long.