The silence between them was broken only by the steady beep of the heart monitor—soft, rhythmic, reassuring. Felix's breathing had evened out a little, pain still present but dulled now by medication and something deeper: *safety.*
He turned his head slightly on the pillow, just enough to look at Jake—really look at him.
"You stayed," he whispered.
"Of course I stayed." Jake's thumb stroked over Felix's knuckles. "I'm not letting go. Not ever."
Felix swallowed hard—eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "People will know… about us…"
Jake leaned in close until their foreheads touched—a quiet vow in the space between breaths.
"Let them know," he murmured. "Let every damn person in this city whisper my name with yours on their lips." His voice dropped lower—"You're mine, Felix… and from now on? I'm proud of it."
Outside
Snow began to fall
Gently covering streets where a bike had raced
A boy had run
And an Alpha refused to lose what was finally found
Inside?
Two hearts beat as one
Bruised bodies healing slowly
Lips nearly touching as whispers wove promises no storm could break
**Forever Mine** —not because fate decided it
But because two souls chose each other anyway
Hours passed like that: quiet breaths in the stillness, fingers laced together, a connection so deep it was almost tangible.
Felix dozed on and off, but Jake never wavered. He just sat—watching and waiting and protecting.
As the outside world fell to shadow, he only pulled the thin hospital blankets up more over Felix's slender frame, brushing hair back from his eyes with a gentle touch of knuckles against his skin.
"Rest, sweetheart," he murmured. "I'm right here."
7:03 AM.
Sunlight filtered through the hospital blinds, painting warm stripes across the floor—and Felix's sleeping face. His breaths were slow, steady now. The worst of the swelling had gone down overnight.
Jake leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead—then another to his lips, careful not to disturb him.
"I have to go," he whispered against Felix's skin. "But I'll be back before you wake up fully."
He tucked the blanket under Felix's chin one last time—lingered just a second longer—and then stood.
At the door, he turned back once more… eyes drinking in every detail like it might be his only chance.
Then—
He left.
---
On set by 8:15 AM—rumpled jacket fixed and mask of calm perfectly in place—the crew stared as Jake walked straight into wardrobe without saying a word. No apology for yesterday's disappearance. No excuses.
Daniel lingered at a distance but didn't speak—not after yesterday's threat still hung heavy in the air between them like stormclouds waiting for lightning to strike again
By 9:00
Jake was on camera
Golden light glowing around him as directors yelled "ACTION!"
And for twelve hours straight?
He performed flawlessly—with fire behind every line and precision beneath every motion
Because now he wasn't acting out passion anymore
No scripts needed when your soul burns with real love written into bone marrow truth carved through blood sweat tears fights won alone until someone walks in quiet changes everything
---
4:30 PM – Outside studio gates
A small crowd waited—fans clutching posters and phones eager for autographs or selfies with their favorite star—but when Jake finally stepped out from filming at last?
They didn't see *him* first…
They saw what dangled from one hand—a delicate silver chain bearing two interlocking rings etched with ancient runes no human eye could read unless bonded by magic themselves
His other hand reached into pocket—and pulled out something small wrapped carefully inside velvet cloth
Unfolding it revealed an identical ring—
Still warm from being close against skin all day long while world watched unaware that greatest performance ever filmed happened off-screen inside heart changed forever simply because love found its way despite walls built so high no one thought anything could climb over
Without stopping—he dropped both pieces gently back into pocket—and walked directly toward nearest bike waiting parked beside curb where fan traffic parted automatically even if none knew why except instinct screaming danger beauty power walking past them unbothered focused single destination racing mind already ahead miles beyond this moment this city this life fading behind horizon because only thing matters is boy lying bed waiting waking up wondering if real or dream until door opens room number seven twenty-three Eastwell Memorial Hospital nurse sighs gives knowing nod sees man enter room collapse beside bed curl protectively around injured lover whisper three sacred words never spoken publicly yet always true since night purple met green entwined destiny sealed stars above echoed universe agreed silently:
Jake stepped out of the hospital elevator, eyes searching through the crowded hallway. He spotted Felix's room almost instantly—only to freeze as someone called softly out to him from behind.
"Jake? *Jake!* Hey!"
Jake glanced over his shoulder and immediately felt his guard go up. It was Mika, a young Omega who'd made his attraction quite clear before, now strolling closer with a sly smile and a sway to his hips.
"So I *finally* catch you outside movie sets," Mika drawled, leaning up against the wall next to where Jake stood, arms crossed.
Jake kept his expression neutral, resisting the urge to step back out of reach. "What do you want?" he replied curtly.
Mika smirked, pushing off the wall with one hand. "Just wanted to talk, is all."
Jake clenched his jaw—couldn't help it. The kid was practically *oozing* flirtation now, eyes roaming up and down Jake's body with no subtlety whatsoever. The urge to roll his eyes was strong, but Jake held it back.
"You must get tired of shooting all day," Mika continued, stepping slightly closer now until his voice lowered to a near-whisper. "All those hours on set—you must be *exhausted* by the end."
Jake's shoulders tensed, hands clenching into fists at his sides. Damn, this kid was really laying it on thick.
"I bet you have a lot of *stress*, too," Mika murmured, taking another half-step forward. His scent was *everywhere* now, sickly-sweet and clinging to the air around them in invisible tendrils.
Jake felt a surge of irritation—and something more primal too, deep in his chest. "Your point?" he grunted gruffly.
Mika's smile widened, eyes sparkling with knowing mischief. "My point is... I could help you *relax*."
Jake felt a low growl build in his throat at that. His instincts were going haywire now—and the part that always kept a grip on control and composure was losing its grip inch by inch.
Mika reached out, fingers brushing lightly over Jake's shoulder. "You're stiff as a board, y'know," the Omega hummed teasingly. "All tension and pent-up frustration."
Jake *wanted* to pull away, to put some space between them before his instincts took over completely. But he stood frozen... staring at the hand resting on his sleeve... *feeling* the heat radiating off the kid's skin so close to his.
"I could fix that," Mika murmured, voice low and sultry. "Let me take care of you."
Jake's breathing had deepened now—chest rising and falling faster than before. Damnit, this kid was using his damn pheromones shamelessly, pouring every bit of seductive allure into the air between them. And he knew it was *working*.
"I could make you feel so good, Jake," Mika whispered, hand roaming lightly over Jake's chest. "So *damn* good."
Jake couldn't deny the shiver that rippled through him at those words—couldn't deny the rush of heat pooling in his core or the throb of his pulse in his throat. He shouldn't let himself give in—this was wrong. This was *stupid*. But gods, his instincts were practically purring now.
"You *want* it," Mika murmured, fingers toying with the collar of Jake's shirt. "I can *smell* it on you."
Jake couldn't suppress the shudder that time—couldn't deny the fire rising beneath his skin. Everything in him was screaming to give in, to reach out and take what was being offered so tantalizingly close. This kid was playing with *fire*... and so was he.
Jake swallowed hard, forcing himself to speak clearly and evenly.
"You have no idea," he gritted out, "what I want *right now*."
"Oh, but I think I do." Mika chuckled softly, fingers teasing the first button of Jake's shirt. "You're holding back... fighting so hard."
Jake's eyes darkened at those words—at the raw hunger in them. Gods, *how* was this kid *so damn good* at this? He was just a kid, barely 18, and yet he had Jake's instincts wrapped around his slender little finger like a leash.
"You want to be *taken care of*," Mika whispered, deft fingers sliding slowly down one button, then another. "You need someone to help you unwind... to let go of all those worries."
Jake's jaw clenched—and he had to force down a low rumble building. The kid was pushing all the right buttons and he knew it, *damn it*. Every word was like gasoline on a bonfire.
"You're tired of holding everything together on your own," Mika murmured, popping a third button open. "Tired of being the strong, tough Alpha all on your own."
Jake's breathing was ragged now—short, shallow pants that burned all the way down. It was getting harder and *harder* to resist. This *stupid* kid was breaking all his resistance down into ash, piece by goddamn piece.
"You want to let someone else *take charge* for once," Mika continued, reaching the fourth button. "Give up control... just for a while."
Another button. Jake's shirt was half-undone by now, and he felt *exposed* in every sense of the word. His instincts were roaring, every muscle taut as a bowstring about to snap. He could barely remember why he was resisting in the first place anymore.
"Mika."
The voice was soft—barely above a whisper.
But it cracked through the hallway like thunder.
Jake froze. Every muscle locked. Not from desire. From *dread*.
Slowly, he turned his head toward Room 723—the door slightly ajar.
There, in the dim light of the hospital room, stood Felix—pale, trembling in his thin gown, one hand gripping the IV pole for support as he stared at them with shattered eyes.
His lips moved again, barely audible this time:
"...Don't."
**Forever Mine**