Page 22 of Awakened By Her Guardian

“Thank you for helping to save my daughter. And all of us. Welcome to the family, Gabriel,” Meadow said.

Gabriel grumbled happily and watched her parents leave after they promised to check on them again before returning home. Then he tucked into the steak, suddenly ravenous, and kept an eye on his sleeping sweetheart.

Well done, Ana. Rest. I’ll be here when you wake.

Ana woke slowly, feeling as if she’d been napping in sunlight. Every inch of her body felt warm and sun-kissed. For a long moment, she didn’t move, letting her body slowly come back to wakefulness.

She knew she was still in Northernmost and that Gabriel was nearby. But she wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep. Everything after the street was a blur.

Her magic no longer felt depleted, so the sunshine warmth she was feeling must have come from the Well.

Opening her eyes finally, she found a plain white ceiling and soft lighting.

Movement to the side caught her gaze, and she turned her head slowly to find Gabriel on his phone. His gaze snapped to hers, and his lips split into a wide grin.

“You’re awake!” He shoved his phone into his pocket, rose to his feet, and crowded onto the bed beside her, the metal frame creaking with his added weight.

She laughed and put her arms around him, welcoming the familiar warmth of him against her. “Where exactly am I?”

“Medical center.” He nuzzled her throat, then sat up and swung his legs around to dangle off the bed. “I was still in my wolf form, so your dad carried you in here after your magic was replenished at the Well. How are you feeling?”

“Like I took a long nap.”

“Four hours, give or take. I shifted back an hour ago.” His expression turned serious. “I was scared as hell when I felt you losing power and couldn’t see you. I knew you and the others were there, but it was awful not being able to help.”

“I wish I could cloak you in slumber magic,” she said. She rose onto her elbows. “I was pretty damn scared too. But then you came to me and saved me. By biting me. Again.” She lifted her wrist and saw the puncture wounds from his bite. “I thought they’d go away with my healing.”

“Trouble, one of the elf healers, said they may fade in time, but they might have scarred over because of the magic between us.”

“I like it,” she said, twisting her wrist slightly in the overhead light to look more closely. “It’s like another marking.”

He wiggled his brows. “I’ll mark you anytime, but let’s not have it be because you’re in danger.”

“Got it. I’ll try not to get myself into any life-threatening situations.”

They talked for a little while longer, and she asked about the sigils.

“They both shattered,” Gabriel said. “Santa said they did what they were supposed to do. And I’m damn thankful we had them.”

She brushed her lips over his. “Me too.”

Trouble walked in and told her she was free to go as long as she felt like herself again.

“Sometimes we just need a good rest after stress like you endured,” Trouble said. “If you need anything, call us.”

“Thank you,” Ana said.

She and Gabriel left the medical center and found her family in the cafeteria with Sandman. Platters of food and baskets of rolls filled the long table, and her family cheered when they saw her.

Ana rushed forward and hugged her parents.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Ana said. “We didn’t lose anyone in the fight, did we?”

She looked at Sandman, who shook his head. “Things were getting dark there at the end, but no, we all made it. The rest of the guild is home resting, but I wanted to stay with your parents until you woke. Plus, the food is incredible here.”

“Thank you!” an elf called out behind the buffet line as they prepped for dinner.

Her mom hugged her a second time. “All’s well?”