My Step-Dad Is My Mate novel Chapter 14

I fought against the feeling to just sleep some more and forced my eyes open, only to close them again due to the amount of light that flooded the room.

Slowly, I opened them again, giving my eyes time to adjust to the room then looked around. It looked like a hospital room and damn, it smelled like it too. God, I hate hospitals.

"Dani! You're awake." A soft voice said to me and I identified it as my mother's.

"Mom." I croaked out due to the fact my throat was dryer than the Sahara desert.

"Here." She said and handed me a glass of water which was near my bed on a stand. I greedily grabbed the glass and gulped down the water. My throat felt immediately better and I handed mom back the glass.

"What happened?" I asked her as I slowly sat up, noticing the 3 needles in my arm causing me to cringe. I hate needles too.

"You blacked out because of the mark." Mom said, still looking kind of upset about the entire situation she had just learned about.

I touched my neck subconsciously and the place I touched, hurt like hell. He really did it. He marked me. Asshole.

"God, that hurts." I mumbled and put my hand down.

"He marked you against your will" Mom said, "That's why it hurts so much. You didn't accept it."

I nodded in understanding and didn't say anything as my mind wandered to Aiden. I knew he saw Richard and I kissing, I just hoped he'd believe me if I told him it didn't mean anything, that he kissed me. But that 'he kissed me' line is pretty cliché right? Well, it's all I have for now.

"I'm sorry.." My mom said softly and I opened my mouth to speak but she continued.

"I'm a horrible mother. How did I not see it? I've had a...mate. I should of known you and Richard were mated. And I married him and...Oh my God. I can't imagine how much that must of hurt you Dani. How much I must have hurt you this time. I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry." By the end, my mother was in a full on bawling mode and I felt like crying too.

"Hey" I said and she looked at me. "It's okay mom. It really is. We can't change the past, only work to make a better future. And I'm sorry for not telling you the truth."

My mom rose from her seat near my bed and gave me a gentle hug.

Aiden's scent filled my nostrils and I peeked over my mom's shoulder to see him standing by the door. I'm so going to talk to him before he gets the wrong idea about Richard and me.

"Mom, can I talk to Aiden alone?" I whispered in her ear and she nodded a bit then pulled away.

Mom sent me a small smile then exited the room, also sending Aiden a little smile.

Aiden stood still by the door with his arms folded and staring at me. Oh my God I feel so self-conscious. I mean I am in the hospital and probably look like something God spit up but damn.

"H-hey." I stuttered and mentally slapped myself.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me.

I shrugged."Been better."

Aiden shook his head. "Fuck it." He mumbled and rushed to my side, embracing me in a right hug.

"I was so worried about you Dani. I thought he had killed you or something." Aiden whispered into my hair as he held onto me tight and I felt myself melt into his warmth.

"I'm okay. I thought you were mad at me." I whispered and Aiden abruptly let me go, looking at me confused.

"Why would I?"

I looked away.

"I know you saw Richard and I kissing..."

Aiden sighed. "Yeah I saw but I saw he kissed you so I'm not going to stress about it. I can only imagine how good it must feel to kiss your mate and I'm glad you got to experience that, despite the fact he was a grade A asshole."

I giggled at his little insult.

"I regret it...I wanted you to be my first kiss." I mumbled as heat rose to my cheeks.

Aiden released my from his hold and sat neat my feet with a smile on his face.