Page 28 of His Arranged Plus-Size Mate

“You are not fine!” I snapped at him. I had so many questions filling my head, but I didn’t have time to ask. He needed me to focus.

Chapter 9 - Asher

Her hand felt warm under mine, pressed against my shoulder. I felt my head was pounding, and my shoulder hurt even fucking more. I didn’t think it was that bad. I knew I would heal, so I didn’t see the point of going to the healing center. My plan was to get home and crawl into bed. I knew it would be a long night, but I’d be fine.

I had hardly made it through the front door before the pain was becoming too much. I felt my vision blur, and the pain was becoming scalding, like someone was trying to rip my arm off.

Hazel pulled her hand free as she moved out of the living room. She pulled a small box out of her purse, and I watched the needle sparkle under the light. My stomach dropped.

I could handle needles just fine, but with how weak I was feeling right now, I might pass out.

“Why didn’t you go to the healing center?” she asked as she moved closer. She opened the cabinet and started pulling out paper towels and hydrogen peroxide. She dumped the peroxide over the needle.

I closed my eyes, leaning onto the counter. I took a slow breath in. “Because it’s late and I’m fine. I figured I’d just sleep it off.”

“You’re not fine. You can hardly stand, Asher. You know better than to just brush something like this off.”

I took a deep breath in, pressing my forehead against the counter now as I leaned over. I felt my legs shaking. I knew I couldn’t argue with her because she was right.

“This might hurt. I don’t have anything to give you for the pain.” I felt her fingers press lightly against my shoulder, the poke of the needle following.

“I’m fine,” I said again, not sure who I was trying to convince.

I felt the needle pierce my skin, and I inhaled sharply. I tried to focus on my breathing rather than the pain. But as she stitched, I felt my world starting to tilt.

“Asher?” I felt her hand rest on my other shoulder. “Are you good? Are you going to pass out?”

I nodded slowly. I felt her hand reach for my forehead, pulling my head up. I looked into her eyes and watched the way she scanned me. She frowned. “Jesus, Christ. You’re fucking hot, Asher.”

I smirked. “You think so?” Was I really telling a joke?

Her frown deepened. “Now is not the time for a joke.”

“I wondered if you thought I was attractive. You’re very hard to read sometimes.”

She scuffed as she grabbed gauze, pressing it against my shoulder. “Of course, you’re attractive, Asher. Have you looked in a mirror?” I felt her starting to wrap my arm.

“Let’s move you to your bed. You look like you’re going to pass out on me. I don’t have the strength to move you all the way myself.”

I nodded in agreement, but I felt my vision starting to blur again. My legs wouldn’t move. I watched as black dots spotted my vision, and the room seemed to spin.

“Asher?” Her voice softened, sounding worried now. “Hey, look at me.”

I watched her move in front of me, her hands reaching up as she cupped my face. They felt cold against my skin. Maybe I was burning up.

I blinked, trying to stay there. I could see her worried expression, her voice gentle. But the more I tried, the harder it became.

“Deep breaths.”

“Stay with me, Asher.”

“Hold onto me.”

I knew I was moving, or at least I thought I was. I remembered the hallway. I remembered pressing my hand against the wall to steady myself. But that was it. Everything went black afterward.

I slept hard, or at least I think I was sleeping. I woke up feeling sore. My entire upper body ached. I pulled my hand up, rubbing at my forehead. My headache was minor now.

I blinked and turned to look at my shoulder. It was wrapped up, but what caught my attention more was Hazel lying asleep next to me. Her face looked peaceful as she rested on a pillow just a few inches from me. She was breathing slowly, her hair falling behind her. Her hand was still holding onto my shoulder.