It's Only The Heat [TharnType 18+]

-33- 🌔 Keeping You Safe

[A/N - Quadruple update cuz I bet there are some weenies that skipped chapter 32 🤧]

"If I could turn back the clock, I'd make sure the light defeated the dark. I'd spend every hour, of every day keeping you safe."
~Calum Scott, 'You Are The Reason'

~~~

*Type's POV*

I get the strongest sense of deja-vu sitting next to Tharn in a room full of medical equipment.

It reminds me of when Thorn was attacked, and Tharn sat by his bedside for weeks.

Only now, it's Lhong on Thorn's bed, fighting for his life.

Although, I'm not sure how much he's really fighting. It's been three weeks, and he hasn't shown any signs of waking up. We had thought he might a little over a week ago when Thorn unfortunately hit his heat. Lhong began to stir, but he eventually settled back down as if it never happened.

We had to lock Thorn in his room during his heat, despite how much he screamed at us to let him out, to let him go to Lhong. But we couldn't risk his enhanced scent attracting an unmated wolf. Those three days were the hardest for all of us as Thorn sobbed behind his door.

After Tharn had told me to get his father when we were outside the bowling alley, I ran as fast as I possibly could. I frantically relayed what was happening to Thanayong, who immediately shifted and barked orders for a group of warrior wolves to follow us.

Our wolves were able to overpower the Silver Sun wolves, as most of them had already turned their backs on Zen. Thanayong saw the damage Zen had done to his own son and took matters into his own hands, bringing Zen to a swift end.

I can't say I'm sorry, mainly because Zen creeped me out long before we found out how evil he was. The only thing I'm worried about is how Lhong will react when he wakes up.

....If he wakes up.

"Thorn," Ampha lightly shakes Thorn's shoulders as he stays slumped over on the bed, his hand tightly clasping Lhong's. "You need to eat something."

"I can't," Thorn rasps. "I need to be here. What if he wakes up and he's all alone? He'd be so scared and confused... I can't leave him."

"Honey, you really need to eat," Ampha pushes. "It's not good if you're weak too. You need to stay strong for Lhong. He wouldn't want you to neglect yourself."

"No!" Thorn shouts, tears springing to his eyes. "I'm not leaving him alone!"

Ampha looks over at me and Tharn with pleading eyes.

"We'll stay with him," I tell Thorn. "He won't be alone. We'll be here. We were friends for years. He'll be safe with us. I promise. Go eat and get some rest. I'll let you know the second anything changes."

Thorn glances at his mate on the bed, his expression torn. I understand. If I were in his place, I wouldn't want to leave either.

Ampha squeezes his hand, making Thorn release a shaky breath and he nods his head. He stands up, wobbling a moment before regaining his balance and following his mom downstairs to the kitchen.

Tharn has been silent, sitting back in the chair with his eyes locked on Lhong. Though his face remains blank, his pain is clearly communicated through our bond. Tharn and Lhong may have a rocky history, but that doesn't change the fact that they're friends. Tharn cares about Lhong, as his friend and as his brother's mate.

"Are you okay?" I ask softly. Tharn breaks his stare and turns his attention towards me.

"Huh?" He says dumbly before blinking and shaking his head. "Oh yeah, I'm okay. I think. This is just... a lot."