Forbidden Mate: Awakening

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Jaxon looked so battered and tired, so hurt and conflicted. I bent to his side, carrying him and helping him sit on a fallen log to rest.

“Jaxon, what happened?” I asked. I was obviously concerned and confused as I assessed his wounds.

He winced, the pain evident in his eyes. “I… I couldn’t go through with it, Lily,” he whispered.

“Go through with what?”

“He wanted me to…I couldn’t kill…I couldn’t…” He coughed out violently and I didn’t know what to do.

It had been so long since I saw Jaxon and to see him in that state, after so long, this was very disheartening. I wondered if what he wanted to tell me was how he got there or who put him in that condition. What happened to him? Where had he been all this while?

I knew I couldn’t bombard him with so many questions at that moment but I needed to know. I needed to know a lot, Jaxon. I wanted to tell him to explain everything to me.

“Lily…water…wa.. I need water…” He gasped and I looked around. Shit. My bag pack was with Adrian and the water bottle was in there.

“I don’t have water on me, Jaxon. Just sit. Let me see if I can use a herb to treat your wound.” I said agitatedly.

My attention was drawn to Tyler’s wounded arm. The gash looked deep and painful, and I knew I needed to treat it immediately to prevent infection and help him heal. I quickly scanned my surroundings and spotted a few plants I knew could be helpful.

I didn’t realise I had no idea about healing with natural herbs but something in my brain was just telling me exactly what to do.

I saw yarrow nearby, a plant known for its healing powers. I picked a few leaves, crushed them in my hands to release the beneficial oils. Yarrow can help stop bleeding and reduce swelling, making it just what Tyler needed.

Close to the yarrow, I saw some comfrey, a plant also known for its incredible healing powers. I gathered some of its leaves and crushed them into a paste with a rock nearby. Comfrey can help cells grow back, making it perfect to help Jaxon heal faster.

Then thankfully, I noticed a small aloe vera plant growing nearby. I carefully cut off a piece of the succulent’s leaf and took the gel-like substance. This I already knew – Aloe vera has cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, which will help ease Tyler’s pain.

I returned to Tyler’s side with the plants I gathered.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

I didn’t even know what I was doing but I prayed to the goddess I wouldn’t mistakenly make his condition worsen.

I started treating his wound. First, I cleaned it gently with my tear since I didn’t have water, to remove any dirt. Then, I put the yarrow leaves on the wound to stop the bleeding.

After that, I put comfrey paste on the wound, covering it carefully. Tyler groaned then sighed in relief, feeling the cool and soothing effect.

Lastly, I applied aloe vera gel to the skin around the wound to reduce swelling and help it heal. Tyler already started feeling better as the aloe vera started to work its magic.

I had no idea what I did but he looked much better than when I saw him.

“There you go,” I said softly, offering a reassuring smile to him. “You’re gonna be okay.”

Tyler nodded, grateful for my expertise and care. “Thank you…Where did you learn that from?” He said in between grunts.

I didn’t know.

“Can you stand? I have to take you home.”

“Home? I don’t have any.”

I looked at him, confused by his reply.

“What do you mean?”

“You heard me.”

“Jaxon, this isn’t the time to be stubborn. The treatment on your wounds won’t last. They might get more infected if you don’t get proper treatment. We have to go to the grove.”

I couldn’t allow him to suffer alone, wounded and vulnerable in the woods. I needed to take him home so he could heal properly, both physically and emotionally. I knew he had been through a lot.

“No…I can’t go back. After everything..” he said with teary eyes.

I then understood his hesitation.

With a soft glint in my eyes, I looked at Jaxon and placed a hand on his arm. “We can’t stay here. Let me help you, Jaxon. I know you’re afraid we won’t take you back in but everyone’s been worried about you. You need to recover and be safe. What if whatever or whoever did this to you, comes back again to finish what it started?” I couldn’t even say that properly.

He nodded weakly, grateful for my support but he was still hesitant, “But I can’t, Lily. I really can’t go back.”

“But wh-”

A loud explosion broke through the air. The atmosphere charged with tension as Audrey stepped out from the bushes, her eyes filled with malice, with dark energy surrounding her. My heart pounded in my chest as I faced my greatest adversary yet again. I knew this confrontation was inevitable, and at that point, there was no turning back.

Jaxon held my hand, scared and angry he couldn’t do anything to help fight Audrey off, “Lily…go! Leave!”

I removed his hand, “No. You’re the one meant to leave. You need to get on your feet and run!”

Just in time, I heard rustling and footsteps approaching.. Adrian sprang out from behind the bushes, looking exhausted and tired.

“Lily, I’ve been-” His sentence cut short when he saw Audrey malevolently standing a distance from me. He sharply turned to face me, “Lily. Get back!”

“Adrian! Come take Tyler home! I have to finish this!”

He rushed to my side, concern evident on his face. “Lily, I can’t just leave you to face her alone.”

I looked at him. “I have to do this, Adrian,” I said firmly. “She’s after me, and if I don’t face her now, she’ll keep coming for us. You need to take Tyler to safety, to the grove.” He noticed Tyler now but turned back to me.

He hesitated, torn between wanting to protect me and trusting in my strength. “But what if something happens to you?” he whispered.

I reached out and touched his cheek gently. “I can handle her,” she said softly. “I have to try. Just trust me, okay?”

“I can’t leave your side again, Lily. I won’t!” He retorted.

“Trust me, Adrian. Please.”

Reluctantly, he nodded. He knew he had to trust in my abilities. He leaned in and kissed me, fear and love in his eyes. “Be careful,” he said solemnly.

“I will,” I promised. “Now go, take Tyler and stay safe.”

He reluctantly turned away, leading Tyler farther from us. He kept glancing back, unable to tear his eyes away from me, even as I faced my greatest enemy.

He perched at a great distance still, monitoring our battle from afar.

Meanwhile, Audrey and I circled each other, trying to gauge the other’s strength and weaknesses. Audrey’s dark laughter filled the air, sending shivers down my spine.

“You’ve reunited with your love after all this time? Awwnnn, isn’t that sweet? How about I end both of your pathetic lives now so you can be together in Purgatory?” She laughed menacingly.

“You’ve come for me, haven’t you? Then come have me.” I said and stood my ground.