Chapter 1
Gyyx knew it was time to test out Eliana’s theory. Hell, everyone told him it was a good idea. Eden, Pyra, and Ciyrs watched him in torment as he held back from touching her in any way other than loving. He wanted her to wake up. What if the only way to wake her was to violate her? Then she would never forgive him or trust him. That was his fear. But the worst of it all: what if his touch wasn’t enough? What if she never woke up?
He thought about all those things each day sitting by her side. He had taken her home—to his home three days before, and instead of touching her he spent the majority of his time sitting by her side or down in his basement training room. He didn’t answer the door when anyone knocked either. He needed to be alone, and after the first day everyone seemed to get that.
Gyyx stepped out of the shower and took a deep breath. He shaved off his scruff and sighed. He couldn’t take it anymore. It was time to listen to everyone else. Dropping his towel he slipped on some very light shorts and made his way to his room where his mate lay. She hadn’t moved at all since he laid her there, yet she looked so peaceful, like she was only sleeping.
She was so tiny. Every part of her was small, and he worried about that when she woke up, because she would fucking wake up. He couldn’t give up hope on that. Her hair was long and black with some sort of funky cut. He didn’t know her eye color or anything else about her. He just knew he would have to be very gentle with her.
He lay on the bed next to her and kissed her cheek. Her small nose twitched, and he watched hoping her eyes would open on their own, but nothing happened. He slid his arm over her waist and held her. “I really hope you won’t be pissed at me sweetheart. I’ve waited hoping you’d come back to me on your own.” As he spoke he slid the tip of his finger down her thin arm. She was pale and nearly skin and bone.
Gyyx was stubborn. For hours he lay holding her willing her to wake up, but it was no use. He knew she needed more help.
The next time he heard the knock he knew it was his father and he couldn’t ignore him anymore. He kissed her on the mouth and sighed. “I’ll be back, sweetheart.”
He went to his door and let his dad in.
“She isn’t awake yet?”
“No, I can’t bring myself to touch her. Not without her consent. It’s wrong.”
His dad nodded. “Now son, normally I would agree with you, but she has been out for what a week now?”
“Yes.”
“Ciyrs and Eden have tried everything they can think of?”
Again he nodded. “Yes.”
“Maybe it’s time to be unconventional. I know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, and if Ciyrs is right and she is aware and unable to wake up, she can hear your hesitance. If you can get her to wake up and if she is angry you can explain it to her.”
“If she doesn’t run the opposite way. Dad, could you have done that?” He didn’t like thinking about his parents, but he needed to know.
“I would have probably been stubborn like you, but in the end yes, if it saved her and brought her back to me. I know it’s hard, but look at your mate. What if she cannot wake up without you? Could you forgive yourself if she never wakes up because you can’t let go of your morals for something important?”
Gyyx shook his head. “I guess not. I know I need to at least try. It’s just hard to… you know?”
“Maybe come to dinner and get—”
“No I won’t leave her.”
“Very well, but soon you’re going to have to. Your mother is worried and wants to make sure you’re okay.”
“Of course, I’m not okay.”
“Son, don’t be so stubborn. Either go now and see your mom or you’re coming over tomorrow. I won’t take her being upset anymore.”
Gyyx sighed. “I don’t mean to upset her. I’ll go tomorrow, but I need someone here with my mate.”
“I’ll stay while you have a lunch with your mom.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you tomorrow.” He rushed to get his dad out of his house. He didn’t like talking to anyone. He didn’t want to be told what to do, and he felt horrible he had upset his mother, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave the beautiful and vulnerable woman in his bed.
His dad got the hint and smiled pulling him into a hug. “Just do it son, you don’t have to have sex with her, use your damn fingers.”
He choked and pulled back. “Damn dad, that doesn’t make me want to do anything now. I don’t need you to tell me the same thing everyone has, and I mean everyone. I get it. I need to freaking give my woman, who is unconscious, an orgasm. Yay for me I get to be a fuckin’ pervert.”
“Oh Gyyx you’re so far from that, but I get it. I know it’s difficult, but hell we want her awake nearly as much as you. She’s family after all. We all want to know what happened. How those slimy bastards got her, and of course we want to figure out what she knows.”
Gyyx glared. “You won’t be questioning her as soon as she wakes up. She’s going to need time. I won’t allow it, and I don’t care what you do to me.” His eyes flared orange and his body shook with rage. No one would bombard his mate.
His dad held up his hands. “I didn’t mean right away, son. I’ll let your tone go only because you’re my son and you’re under a lot of pressure right now, but don’t think for a minute you tell me what to do. I’m not only your father, I am the king and you will do as I say, when I say.”
Gyyx paled. It wasn’t often he was on the other end of his dad’s power and he found he didn’t like it. “Yes, sir,” he said through clenched teeth.
His dad nodded and he didn’t miss his smirk before he spun and left Gyyx alone.