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All was quiet. The only sounds in the room were the heart monitor and Dereck's shallow breaths. Although doctors said Dereck will make a full recovery, his body needed to rest and gain strength. The others have been around, I have been here for twenty-four hours, waiting for Dereck to wake up. As much as I knew it wasn't my fault, I feel like if I would have said something or done more to prevent this from happening to my sweet fox. It was then, that the door opened to Dereck's room, and my pack came in.

"Hey Alec," said Jack, "any improvement?" I looked up at him with sleepless eyes. I gave a seldom shake of my head and went back to staring at Dereck's silent form. Jack and Jason went to go sit on a sofa to the left of the room while David stood leaning against a wall, staring off into space. David has been very quiet lately, almost completely distant. My train of thought ended when someone else had entered. I looked over and saw Dereck's doctor, a badger who was also a pet owner, walk into the room.

"Ah! Mr. Taylor, you're here, good. We got more test results back and I know you wanted to be the first to hear them," said the badger. I instantly jumped out of my seat and starred at him intently. A deep desire within me craved to know what had put Dereck in such a wrecked state.

"It appears that consumed a very large amount of soy products within the last forty eight hours, and Dereck has an allergic reaction to soy. The large consumption was rejected by his body. In which case lead to induced vomiting. A stomach pumping has solved the problem. However the condition turned worse since Dereck also had early stages of a stomach flu. This on top of the food allergic reaction caused an extreme food poisoning. Now, do you know what Dereck has eaten recently that had soy in it?"

Just then there was a gasp from behind me. I turned and saw David's wide eyes looking back, filled with shock. David was visibly shaking but then said "I...I used soy milk in some Alfredo a couple nights ago. I used about a carton full. Dereck had four plates of the stuff. Alec, you know I'm not fond of foxes, but I would never harm your pet. I swear I didn't know!"

I couldn't believe what I just heard. I slowly walked up to David and tried to be as calm I could. I got right in front of David and he looked straight at the floor.

"David, I'm not mad. You didn't mean to at all." David looked up at me with a shocked look on his face.

"But, but I almost killed your pet Alec. How can you forgive me for that? I hurt him. I'm no better than Mason," David was clearly scared he would get banished and preparing for that to happen. I had to tell them, there was no other option. My pack needed to know the truth.

I turned to face the doctor and asked, "Hey Doc, do you think you could give us a few minutes, alone?" He nodded and walked out and slowly closed the door, leaving us in an awkward silence. I walked over next to Dereck's hospital bed and took his hand in mine, wishing to myself that he could give me the strength to tell them. I looked over to the pack and started to explain.

"Guys, you have been such loyal members of my pack for a few years. You are my brothers. I know I can trust you completely, and you would tell me if something is wrong. Am I right or wrong?" I turned to face them and waited for their answers.

Jack got up and said, "Alec, of course your right, I know what you do is to help anyone you can. If it weren't for you, me and Jason wouldn't be here at all."

Jason then got up and chipped in, "You were there when we needed you and you took us in. We trust you in doing what's right."

We all now looked towards David, waiting for his answer. He stayed leaning against the wall but said, "I joined this pack because Mason convinced me to join. He took me under his wing and I learned from him. He was so nice to me. Making me feel special, showing me his logic on how the world should run, but after that night at the club. I saw a different side of him. He was not the same Mason I was falling for, he was someone else. After that day, I realized that he was completely wrong, and you were right to do what you did, but now I did the same to Dereck and am no better than he was."

Their words felt heavy on my heart. I didn't realize how big of a part I played in their lives, it made telling them much easier, "Well what if I were to say that Dereck isn't my pet." I glanced at their questioning looks and continued. "Dereck is actually my boyfriend. He has been since the first day I brought him home. I only told you he was my pet because I knew you wouldn't approve of us." I gripped Dereck's hand tighter, needing him closer. "I love him, and want him part of the pack, as my mate." A silence hung in the air, and it stayed like that for some time.

Then David, of all people, came to me and placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "Alec, after everything I did. All of the hurtful comments, false treatment to Dereck, all of it! I don't know if this makes up for it, but I say he joins."

I couldn't believe what I had heard. David, the most stubborn wolf I know, just admitted he was wrong. If David agreed to it, then there was no doubt in my mind Jack, and Jason would to.

They both came closer and began by saying, "Finally he tells us! Me and Jack had a bet to see how long it took ya to spill the beans. I betted another month before you told." said Jason. "Now it looks like I win Jason for a whole week as my sub. We have both been on edge wondering when you would want Dereck as a mate," said Jack.

I was confused and asked them both, "How on earth did you find out?"

The both of them started to chuckle then Jason said, "Oh please! You would have to be dumb, deaf, or blind not to notice!"

Then Jack threw his arm around David and asked in a sarcastic manner "So which one are you then?"

I could hardly believe that my pack had unanimously agreed to take Dereck in. I was overloaded with Joy that I almost picked up Dereck's resting form and spin around the room, hugging him in my arms. This meant that Dereck was to be my mate. It is sacred to give someone a mating bite, and when a wolf gives one, whomever they gave it to would be their mate for life. Which is why I have yet to give one to anyone, but now I could. To the one fox I love the most.

"Thank you guys," I said "you have no idea what this means to me. Now, could you give me and my soon to be mate some time alone?" They all nodded and told me goodbye before leaving me alone with Dereck. I had spent the rest of the day in the hospital room with him thinking of when I finally give him the sacred mark of my mate.

Later that night, I was getting ready to lie in Dereck's hospital bed with him, with the doctor's approval of course. I had crawled in and lied next to him and took hold of his paw. It didn't take mine back, but I knew it wouldn't. I leaned in and whispered into his ear, "Good night Dereck, I love you, with all of my heart." I kissed his forehead and pulled my hand away when something shocking happened. I couldn't pull my hand away from his. Dereck's hand was holding onto mine. I then heard quiet groans coming from him.

I turned to look to him I saw his sapphire eyes start to open, slowly but still opening, "I love you to Alec."