CHAPTER 71: MY SAVIOUR!

"Is someone in there?" Rowan added, stepping forward.

Elias laughed nervously, his mind racing for an excuse.

"What? No way. Why would anyone be in my room? Probably just... the TV or something." He gestured vaguely, his heart pounding. "Rowan, can you get that dinner? I’m starving."

Rowan hesitated, his eyes narrowing, but he nodded.

"Yeah, sure. Be right back." He turned and headed down the hall, while Jace lingered, his expression unreadable.

"You sure you’re okay?" Jace asked, his voice low. "You’re acting... weird."

"I’m fine," Elias said, his tone sharper than he intended. He softened it, forcing another smile. "Just tired. Long day."

Jace didn’t look convinced, but he nodded.

"Alright. We’ll check on you later." He turned to follow Rowan, casting one last glance over his shoulder as Elias closed the door.

Elias leaned against the door, his breath shaky. He walked back to Nathan, who was stirring again, his eyes fluttering open.

"You okay?" Elias asked, his voice low as he checked the bandage. It was holding, but blood was still seeping through slowly.

Nathan managed a weak smile, his voice hoarse. "Yeah... thanks to you. You’re my saviour, you know that?" He paused, his brows furrowing. "Wait, I don’t even know your name."

"Elias," he said, sitting back in the chair. "And you need to sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning."

Nathan’s grin widened, despite the pain. "Elias, huh? Nice name." His nose twitched, and he tilted his head. "Something smells... sweet. Like vanilla."

Elias’s face flushed, and he crossed his arms. "There’s nothing sweet in here," he said quickly. "Go back to sleep."

Nathan chuckled, his eyes closing.

"Whatever you say, Elias." He drifted off again, his breathing steadying.

Elias sighed, rubbing his temples. He grabbed the dinner Rowan brought back... a sandwich and a bottle of water... and ate quickly, the food settling his stomach but doing little for his exhaustion. He showered, then took another dose of his suppressants and pain relievers. He crawled into the chair beside the bed, too wary to sleep next to Nathan, and drifted into a fitful sleep.

.

.

The next morning, Elias woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains. He blinked, his body sore but the heat mercifully subdued. He checked his watch... There were no beeps. The suppressants had worked, at least for now, but he knew another wave could hit anytime. He glanced at Nathan, who was still asleep, his face less pale than the night before. The bandage was stained but intact, and his breathing was steady.

Elias got ready quickly, pulling on a clean hoodie and jeans. He needed to join the group at the health centre... he couldn’t afford to miss another day and risk his grade. He nudged Nathan gently. "Hey, are you awake?"

Nathan stirred, groaning as he scratched his forehead.

"Yeah... barely." He sat up slowly, wincing as he touched the bandage. "You did a hell of a job, Elias. I owe you big."

"You owe the hotel a new bed and me... a hoodie," Elias said, his tone dry but not unkind. "Anyway, you have to stay here and rest. I’ve gotta go."

Nathan raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. "What, you’re leaving me? After all we’ve been through together?"

Elias rolled his eyes.

"Don’t push it you pervert. I’ll be back later." He grabbed his bag, hesitating at the door. "Don’t touch anything, and... don’t leave. You’re still in bad shape."

Nathan saluted weakly.

"Yes, sir. I’ll be a good boy."

Elias shook his head, stepping into the hall and locking the door behind him. The group was already gathering outside, and Dr Harris spotted him immediately, her face lighting up with relief. "Elias, you’re looking better," she said. "Feeling okay?"

"Yeah, I’m good," Elias said, forcing a smile. "Sorry about yesterday."

Dr Harris nodded, her expression kind but firm. "If your heat comes back, I’m sending you to the matching centre. No arguments. Understood?"

"Yes, ma’am," Elias said, his stomach twisting at the thought. He didn’t want to think about his heat, not with Nathan in his room and a full day at the health centre ahead.

He fell into step beside Jace and Rowan, who both looked surprised to see him.

"Hey, thanks for checking on me last night," Elias said, his voice sincere. "I’m feeling better today."

Jace’s eyes softened, though his worry lingered. "Good. You had us freaked out."

Rowan nodded, his tone lighter. "Yeah, man, you looked like death. Glad you’re back."

The thirty-minute walk to the health centre was brisk, the morning air cool against Elias’s skin. The centre was a small, overworked hospital, its waiting room packed with patients and its staff visibly stretched thin.

Jace and Rowan immediately split off to their assigned tasks... Jace was busy helping with patient intake, and Rowan was assisting in the supply room. Elias could finally tell the reason for the stress on their faces from the day before.

Dr Harris led Elias to the doctor in charge, a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a grin that made Elias’s skin crawl.

"This is Elias," Dr Harris said, her tone professional. "He missed yesterday due to personal reasons but will be joining us today. I hope you’ll be able to assign a task for him today,"

The doctor’s eyes lit up, his grin widening as he looked Elias up and down.

"Well, well, nice to have you, Elias," he said, his voice smooth in a way that felt wrong. "I’m Dr Carter. We’ll find plenty for you to do. I hope you’ll be able to work very... hard,"

Elias forced a nod, his stomach twisting. The doctor’s gaze reminded him of the leering doctor who’d overseen his sister’s care at the public hospital years ago... a memory that made his fists clench. He looked like the type of doctor who would always do anything and everything to flirt with him.

’This guy’s bad news,’ he thought, his jaw tightening. ’But I swear, if he tries anything, I’ll lose it and maybe... I’ll end up in jail,’