A/N: I know, I know, it's been so long. I'm so sorry >_< My life is just crazy right now. I'm so busy with work and college that I don't have time for anything. I've been trying to write this chapter for the past three weeks now and I'd only get two paragraphs done each time I tried.

Anyway, it's up now and I hope you all enjoy! Let me know what you all think, and thank you, as always for being so patient! xx

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(Alexis' POV)

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Alpha?" The doctor asks me.

Dad and Alpha Kent have left the room to give us some privacy to start Leo's change.

"Honestly, Doc, the only thing I'm sure of right now is that I don't want to lose him."

"I understand," he tells me, patting my shoulder.

I nod as I blink away the tears. "How are we going to do this?"

"As you know, a mating bond will help to heal an injured mate. However, it cannot do so while there is a foreign object in the body."

"You've to remove the knife, don't you?" I ask, horrified.

"Yes, I'm afraid I do." He pauses for a second. "Once the knife is removed you will have mere seconds to give Leo the changing bite. He will bleed profusely and if you wait too long, there will be nothing we can do to save him."

I shut my eyes tight as tears streak down my face. What did I ever do to deserve this? Why my Leo?

"Alpha, you understand that we only get one shot at this."

"Yes, Doc." I swallow the lump in my throat. "Where do you want me?"

"Where ever you feel most comfortable. I must tell you though that once the bite is given, Leo may visibly react and it will be hard to watch."

"What do you mean?" I ask, as I move closer to Leo, taking his hand in mine.

The Doctor sighs deeply. "Just be prepared for anything."

I bend down and kiss Leo's forehead. "Please forgive me, Leo."

"Ready?"

"R-ready."

I look away as the Doctor pulls the knife out of Leo's stomach. The second I smell the fresh blood flooding out of his body I move to his shoulder. I kiss him softly before plunging my teeth deep into his flesh.

I can hear the Doctor working on cleaning Leo's open wound as best he can but I pay no mind to him as I focus on the change I can feel slowly working through Leo. I know that, if it works, it won't be long before my DNA mixes with his. My DNA will work through his system to make the change and it will be repairing his body as it goes.

Suddenly Leo arches beneath me and I pull back in time to see his eyes widen in horror and pain. He lets out a strangled scream as his body begins to convulse before my eyes.

"Doc! What's wrong with him? What's happening?"

Every yell he makes is a like a knife through my heart. Leo thrashes on the bed and I grab his shoulders to keep him steady as best I can. His body is weak enough as it is and I don't need him getting worse.

I hear the door slamming open behind me and Dad and Alpha Kent shouting at the Doctor but I don't turn to them. As his body continues to shake, Leo looks up at me with pleading eyes and I can't help the guilt that enters into my body.

"Alexis," he cries. "Alexis, please. Help me! Make it stop. Please, make it stop."

I cry out and press a kiss to his forehead. "I'm sorry, Leo," I tell him, willing my tears to stay hidden.

He struggles in my grasp and continues to let his suffering be heard.

"Doc, please! Do something!"

Almost as quickly as it started, Leo's body stops shaking and he stops screaming. He falls completely limp in my arms.

"Leo?" I shake him softly, trying to get a response from him. His eyes are shut and he remains unmoving on the bed.

The Doctor brushes past me and puts his palm to Leo's forehead.

"His pulse has regulated and his temperature is slightly higher than usual."

"What does that mean?" Dad asks. "Why has he gone so still?"

"It means his body has started to accept the change."

"Oh, thank God!" I breathe out as Dad pulls me into his side.

"Yes, but we're not quite out of the woods just yet," the Doctor informs us. "Once he remains stable for the next twelve hours he should be nearly good to go."

"But he's okay for now?" Alpha Kent asks as I sit down beside Leo's bed and take his hand in mine once more.

"Yes, I'm happy with his condition for now. The mating bond has resealed his stomach where the knife was, but as you can see from the sever bruising, there's still some internal damage that hasn't been repaired just yet."

"Is there anything more we can do for him?" Alpha Kent asks.

"No, Alpha. I'm afraid all we can do is wait now."

"I see. Well, would I be right in saying that we'd best leave the patient in the company of his mate?"

"Yes, Alpha. You certainly would." The Doctor turns to me before continuing. "Alpha, don't hesitate to contact me should the need arise. I'll be back in an hour's time otherwise."

"Thank you, Doctor. I mean it. Thank you for all you've done for him, I'll be forever grateful."

"Not at all, Alpha. I look forward to meeting him when he wakes up."

I smile at Alpha Kent and the Doctor as they both leave the room. Dad turns to me once they've left.

"How are you feeling?" He asks.

"I'm not quite sure to be honest. I just want Leo to be okay."

"I know you do, sweetie," he says, sitting in the seat on the opposite side of the room. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

"I hope so." We sit in silence for several minutes, before I finally ask the question that has been in my mind ever since we brought Leo here. "Dad?"

"Mmm?"

"Did...did you catch him?"

Dad looks down at his hands before replying. "No, I'm afraid we didn't. He had a team of rogues waiting just three miles west of where we found Leo and when they ambushed us, he escaped. He ran, leaving the rest to fight."

"I'm going to find him, Dad. I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him for what he did to Mom and to Leo."

Dad doesn't reply. Instead, he stands, kisses my forehead before leaving the room. I hear the door shut behind him and I know I've been left alone with my mate.

I look up at his face. He looks so peaceful. I hope he'll forgive me when he wakes up. I place a kiss on his hand that I'm holding and sit patiently for him to come back to me.

"How are you holding up, Alpha?" The Doctor asks as he walks by me in the corridor.

He's been checking up on Leo every hour since Dad left, which at this stage must be about eleven hours ago. He's being giving Leo his utmost care and attention and I couldn't be more grateful to the man.

"Not too bad, Doc. Do we know how much longer till he wakes?"

"It shouldn't be long now. I've just checked on him there now and he shows signs of coming to so it shouldn't be much longer."

"Thank you. You've no idea how much it means to me to hear those words."

"I can't guarantee what his reaction will be when he wakes, though."

I take a sip of the coffee I had just gotten from the kitchen. "I know that, but, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Right now I just want him to open his eyes."

"I understand." He smiles at me softly before looking down at his watch. "I'm afraid I have to run Alpha. I've to deliver a pup and I'm running late already. If there are any changes with your mate, link me immediately. Otherwise I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Thanks, Doc!" I call after him as he rushes down the corridor. That man is too good for this pack.

I finish the rest of my coffee before rinsing the cup in the hospital's canteen. I make my way back to Leo's room feeling more optimistic than I have all day. He's finally showing signs of waking so hopefully we're that much closer to finally being mates.

I push open the door to Leo's room and my heart drops at the sight in front of me. Leo's bed is empty and his sheet is strewn across the room. I step into the room, my heart racing in my chest as fear courses through my veins. Please don't let me lose him again.

"Leo?" I call, hoping he's just woken up and gone into the bathroom by himself

I hear a sharp intake of breath behind me and I spin on my feet. There, standing in only his skin tight, black boxers is my mate. He looks slightly confused as he stands before me but right now I don't care. My mate is alive and well, and by the looks of things, his transformation has gone brilliantly.

"Alexis?" He whispers unsure. "W-what am I doing here? What hap-"

He cuts himself off as he takes a step towards me. Leo closes his eyes and inhales deeply. When he reopens his eyes I'm shocked to find his blue eyes have been replaced with black orbs.

"Leo?" I say, tentatively.

He takes another step towards me before growling. "Mine!"

Before I know what's happening Leo pounces on me. I fall to the ground, winded. My mate straddles me, a look of pure love and lust filling his eyes.

"Mine!" He growls once more before plunging his teeth into my neck, marking me as his.

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Eek, so Leo has changed and he's marked Alexis! What?!

Anyone see that coming? Thoughts? Love it/Hate it? Let me know in the comments!

Lots of Love,

Di xx