The Twin Alphas’ Fated Mate
Fate of the Forsaken Brother Chapter 28

2 Months Later...

~Kaden-

It's been two months since everything happened in Italy. We got Aubrey and she regained all her memories. She wanted to mate again right away. She didn't want to be unmarked and I agreed.

Mercury, Elliot, and Arthur got the closure they needed with Ivan. Although, they wish they could've made him suffer longer. They needed to make it quick.

We found who shot Max. It was a human in one of the house windows. Arthur killed him in a blind rage. I would have too. There were so many emotions when he was shot. We thought he died. He almost did. But Silas showed back up. He said he left to contain all of Ivan's men so they couldn't escape. He said he was transferring them into the cells of our packhouse. That's why he wasn't there right away.

Max survived, but he's not exactly...alive. He's been in a coma since that day. It's been hard on Ava. They only just got together and already, her mate is like this. We never expected this. Silas says he did everything he could to wake him up, but it must be Max's wolf keeping him asleep. We have no idea when he'll wake up, if he does at all.

Blake and Rhett are back to their usual selves. You'd never guess they went through something traumatic. They love Aubrey. They're always with her, telling everyone she's their big sister. I'm so glad they had each other back at Jerald's pack. I don't know how they would've been if they were alone.

Today is my 19th birthday. I'm heading to the hospital to check on Max, see how he's doing today. Aubrey is with Mercury. She's been helping her with the Luna duties since Mercury and Ava are still upset about Max being in the state he is. I greet the hospital staff as I pass by them. Everyone has been a lot nicer to Dev and I since I yelled at the guy, letting him know my rank. I don't know if it's because they have to or out of respect, but it feels nice to not be glared at like I don't belong.

I open Max's door and walk in. I find Silas sitting next to Max with a smile on his face. He's been here every day, trying to make contact with Max's consciousness. So far, nothing has happened. But maybe today.

"Did something happen today?" I ask, looking down at Max's sleeping face.

"I think we made progress today. I could feel something different." Silas tells me. I nod my head.

"Well, it's something." I sigh. I sit down at the foot of his bed. I was hoping for better news, but this is better than what we've been getting.

~Maxton-

I feel like I've been alone for so long. Surrounded by darkness. But today, my wolf finally showed up. My beautiful silver wolf, Rosco.

"Man, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." I say to him as he nuzzles my chest. "I missed you too, buddy."

"It's time, Max." Rosco says to me.

"Time for what?" I ask.

"You've been gone for too long. It's time to wake up." Rosco says.

"How long have I been asleep?" I ask him.

"Nine weeks."

My eyes go wide. I've been asleep for nine weeks?! How can that be? I know it's been awhile, but I thought it was only a day or two.

"It's time to go now, Max." Rosco says. I nod as he starts to walk away. I see something in the distance. It looks like a light. Finally, I'll be out of the darkness. I get excited and run to catch up to Rosco.

"Is Ava okay?" I ask him.

"Mate is very upset we are not with her." Rosco says. I look down.

"I miss her." I say. "What about everyone else?"

"Everyone is upset. They think you may not wake up. But we will show them." Rosco says. We get closer to the light and stop right in front of it. I can hear voices. It sounds like Kaden.

"You walk through it." Rosco says to me. I look at him. I nod and take a step towards to light. It gives me a fuzzy feeling. It's weird. Rosco nudges me and I walk through, blinded by how bright it is.

I open my eyes, but it's blurry. I can hear beeping. I raise my arms to rub my eyes. They feel so weak, though. I groan as my vision comes back to me. I look around the room. Kaden is asleep in the chair next to the bed. I manage to sit myself up. Geez, Kaden looks rough. He looks like he's barely slept. I'll leave him alone then. My throat is really dry. I see a glass of water on the table next to me and I reach for it. I'm hooked up to a bunch of wires and they pull when I reach, so I take a few of them off. After a few seconds, the beeping gets louder and it sets off the machine alarm. Kaden shoots up from where he was sleeping, looking around fanatically until his eyes land on me. His jaw drops and his eyes go wide as he just stares at me.

"I was thirsty and I couldn't reach the water, so I took the wires off." I say. Just then, the door flies open and some nurses and Silas come in. They all look at me shocked. Silas has a big smile on his face.

"I knew it was a good day today. What a birthday present, huh Beta Kaden?" Silas says. "You're awake." Kaden says quietly as the nurses starts checking on me. "How are you feeling?" "Honestly, I feel thirsty." I say, still needing a drink. Kaden starts laughing in disbelief.

"Can you please get him some water?" Kaden asks one of the younger nurses and she rushes out of the room. She comes back a few seconds later with a cup of ice water. She hands it to me and I drink the whole thing. Kaden takes the cup and places it down on the table.

"Silas, would you mind getting our family and letting them know Max is awake?" Kaden says when the nurses clear out, telling us I'm perfectly fine.

"Of course, Beta Kaden." Silas says, bowing slightly before turning to me. "It's good to see you awake, Alpha Maxton. We've all been rooting for you." Silas makes a portal and leaves the

room.

"He's really formal." I say.

"Yeah, only in public. I think he's the reason the pack has sort of warmed up to Dev and I. He refuses to address us without our titles when other pack members are around." Kaden tells me.

"Has he been here the entire time I've been asleep?" I ask.

"Yeah, he's been trying to help you wake up. He told me this morning was the first time he felt a change. I don't think he'll stay now, though. I think he was just here to help with your

recovery." Kaden says.

"Rosco told me I've been asleep for nine weeks. Is that true?" I ask.

"Rosco told me I've been asleep for nine weeks. Is that true?" I ask.

"Yep. Nine weeks and three days."

"Wow. What happened? Like, I know I was shot, but Silas couldn't wake me up?" I ask.

"Silas said your wolf was keeping you asleep. He can't work his magic around it, apparently. But he said there was a reason for it, so it's best not to rush it." Kaden tell me.

"It felt like I was asleep for only a few days. But the whole time, Rosco was gone. I was just in darkness. Rosco just showed up today, telling me it was time to wake up." I say.

"He knew today was my birthday. He had to wake you up, or you'd miss it." Kaden laughs.

"Today's your birthday?" I ask.

"Yep. 19. Don't worry about not getting me anything. I know you were busy sleeping." Kaden shrugs and I throw my pillow at him.

"A*s." I say, laughing. Just then, a portal opens and everyone comes through it. Ava runs through first, jumping on top of me. I catch her, a little winded.

"Ava, careful." Elliot says.

"It's okay, dad. I feel fine." I say before turning to Ava. "I missed you so much baby."

"I felt you die! Don't ever do that to me again, Maxton Anderson!" Ava yells at me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't get shot on purpose, I swear." I say, chuckling at how tightly she's holding me. She pulls away from me, glaring at me.

"I know you didn't get shot on purpose. I meant don't almost die and fall into a coma ever again." Ava says. I smile and kiss her.

"I promise I'll try not to die." I say and she relaxes. My mom comes up next to me, tears in her

eyes.

"Oh, Maxy. I thought we lost you." She cries, hugging me. I hug her back with my free arm, my other one still holding Ava. I'm not ready to let her go. The sparks from the bond feel too good

right now.

When my mom lets go, both of my dads come up and hug me, telling me they're glad I finally woke up. Devin and Kai stand at the end of my bed. Devin is smiling at me with tears in his eyes. Aubrey is standing next to Kaden, but comes over and kisses me on the cheek, thanking me for helping save her. Ava doesn't even react. Rhett and Blake climb up on the bed with me, talking about all the stuff they've been doing. I see they've gone on like nothing happened. Typical for them. Rhett was basically dead and they just brush it off like it was nothing now. I shake my head at them.

After a few hours of everyone catching me up on what's been happening, the nurse comes in to say visiting hours are over and I can only have one overnight guest. Ava asks to stay with me and everyone agrees. I thank Silas for helping with my recovery and he shakes it off like it was

nothing for him.

Kaden and Devin tell me they'll be back in the morning with some actual clothes for me. The nurses say I can go home tomorrow, as long as I take it easy.

I fall asleep that night with Ava in my arms. I finally feel at peace for the first time in a long

time.