Mon Amour

Chapter 26: Needing You

Chapter 26: Needing You

Anna sat in the passenger seat uncomfortably.

She never could have imagined fighting with Nik. The two had become so close. At least now she knew where his loyalties lie.  They would always be with Maksim no matter how close she got.

Niklaus stepped over the line today. She wasn't angry with him. Her feelings had just been crushed. Couldn't he tell that she never meant to hurt Maksim? That being in that relationship was what she considered the biggest mistake of her life? Didn't he know she would hate herself everyday for giving that part of herself away before the person it truly belonged to could claim it?

Anna knew it wasn't her fault. She hadn't known of this world then. She hadn't known that she was promised a man who was supposed to love her for eternity. Given all of this still didn't stop her guilt. It was something she knew she would have to forgive herself for over time.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Val's reckless driving. After her dispute with Nik, she wanted to go see Maksim. The beta thought it best that Val accompany her instead.

Pulling up to the hospital, Anna couldn't help but stare at the brick walls. This would be the second time she was faced with this situation. The first didn't go so well. Was she ready to try again?

"Do you want me to go inside with you?" Val said beside her. She was very aware of his eyes glancing at the side of her face.

"I'd like the company. At least until we get to his room." 

With a nod, he had ushered them both out of the car and through the hospital doors. 

As Val led the way, a comfortable silence fell over the two. 

Anna couldn't shake the thought of Nik's last words. 

"It's been you hurting him."

She couldn't help but wonder if it was true. She has always seen their relationship as a give and take. She gave Maksim her all and Maksim gave her heartbreak. But what if in some sick and twisted way they were both just hurting each other.

Had she ever truly caused Maks pain purposefully?

Of course not.

But had he?

She couldn't answer that. 

He kept pushing her away because of his sickness. The way the doctors described it, what he went through mentally as well as physically must have been terrifying.

He was terrified. He didn't want her near him because he couldn't control himself. He was scared of himself and what he could do to her. 

How would it feel to be hopeless against your own actions?

But even now, after the sickness has stopped clouding his mind, he still chooses to hurt her. 

Nik told her that Maksim agreed to the marking that would save his life until the doctor explained the side effects it would have on her.

Pain and even possible death. 

That's where their problem lies.

He was willing to sacrifice himself for her but she wasn't willing to let him.

It was then Anna realized something significant.

All this time, they weren't trying to cause each other pain. They were trying to protect each other from it.

This realization couldn't have come at a better time. With one swift pull of her elbow, Val led them to Maksim's door.

"Thanks, Val."

But before Anna could go inside, the door cracked opened just enough for a woman to step out.

She looked as though she was only 23. With light blonde hair in a high ponytail and tall slender legs to match, she screamed elegance and authority.

Svetlana.

The two girls just stood and stared at each other.

"Svet." Came Val's acknowledgement of his Alpha's sister.

As he spoke, something around them broke and the air was drained of any tension.

"Valentin, what a pleasure." Anna couldn't tell if her comment was sincere or not.

Turning back to Anna, Svetlana spoke. 

"AnnaLee, I pressume. We talked on the phone some weeks ago?"

"Yes. I remember. It's nice to meet you."

"You, too. I want to talk some more, but he's been antsy about you coming. Go put him out of his misery? No pun intended."

Anna gave a weak smile as she turned the nob. Maksim was nervous about her visit?

She could faintly hear Svetlana in the background asking Val about Nik's where-abouts as they walked away.

This was it.

Pushing out all the insecurities she could, Anna walked into the room. 

Breathe in.

Anna glanced to the hospital bed.

This is where she was supposed to remind herself to breathe out, but something was lodged in her throat.

So this is what death looked like.

"Oh, God." Anna whispered as she blinked back tears. She couldn't cry now. It would make the situation worse.

Looking at Maksim, it was obvious to her that if something wasn't done soon, he would be lost.

Maksim growled at her response to his appearance. He knew it was bad, but hearing her reaction made him feel worse.

His thoughts stopped when she began to walk towards him. He watched the sway of her hips and in a moment of sadness realized he would never be able to hold her.

If someone were to ask his dying wish, he suddenly knew exactly what he wanted. 

He wanted to be able to hug his little mate against him with all of his might. Not for sexual reasons, but to gain something he had ever only gotten from  her. 

Comfort. He realized he wanted her to comfort him. It's something that he never thought he needed until she came along. But now, with her in front of him, he  was itching to reach out and take what he needed. 

He could barely sit still as she brought her hand to rest on his arm. 

His eyes glanced up at hers, hoping she wasn't disgusted by his appearance. He knew his body was decaying.

Instead of disgust they held sorrow, but most importantly guilt and it blew him away.

"Please, let me help you." 

His little mate's voice reached his ears as a whisper. She had no idea how badly he wanted to be her mate. How badly he wanted to live. But as luck would have it, he couldn't catch a break and wasn't about to let his mate trade her life for his.

"Please! I know i'm the cure you need. They explained everything to me. I know the risks involved and i'm willing to take it." Anna pleaded. 

"Well, I'm not."

Anna was about to try and talk some sense into him when his face started to turn green and he leaned over the bed. The sound of Maksim dry-heaving filled the room and Anna's heart broke. She could see the muscles in his stomach contorting, trying to find something for him to release, with no such luck. 

Anna rushed forward and stuck her hand under his shirt. She began rubbing circles into the once smooth skin of his back.

After what felt like hours, Maksim's nausea finally subsided. Sitting up, Anna noticed that some of his color had come back. Was this because she was here?

A plan started forming in her head and before she could decide against it, she spoke.

"If you won't mark me, at least let me be here with you."

Maksim couldn't deny the relief he felt when she touched him. Before he could think better of it, he gave his answer.

"Okay."