A few months later

Cole’s pov

I woke up with a smile on my face like every other morning for the past few months because unknown to Tegan, I had heard her when she told me she loves me. She left before I could say it back and I acted as if I hadn’t heard her. I regret it, I wish I had told her the next day but I figured she would be embarrassed about the whole thing because she thought I was asleep. When she said those three special words to me, I didn’t say anything and haven’t had the chance to come clean as Tegan is always at the hospital because of her brother. I’ll admit it, I am jealous that she is spending more time with Liam than me. Liam is now awake but he can’t go home yet.

I still can’t believe Tegan loves me, I can’t wait to tell her I feel exactly the same about her, I always have and always will. I just need to find the right time. Maybe today will be the right time.

As always, I got out of bed to wake Tegan up early. I was too excited to spend time with her before she left for the hospital.

“Cole,” Tegan groaned when I knocked on her door. “It’s too early,”

“Sorry, I just want to spend some time together before you leave for the hospital,” I admitted.

“Ok, I’ll just get ready for the day,” Tegan relented with a sigh. Sometimes I think she isn’t into our marriage anymore and regrets falling in love with me which must be why she hasn’t said she loves me again.

“Great! I’ll see you downstairs,” I said before making my way to my bedroom’s adjoined bathroom to take a shower.

After my shower, I grabbed the first clothing I saw in my wardrobe and got dressed. I had picked dark jeans and a shirt. I placed my feet into some slippers to finish the look. I wouldn’t be needing any shoes as I had no plans of going out.

“I’m really sorry about all this Cole,” Tegan apologised when she joined me in the kitchen a few minutes later just as I’d finished making breakfast. Tegan was dressed in a black top and a short denim skirt that showed off her amazing long legs with black small heeled shoes. Her brown hair was flowing down her back with small curls. She always looks gorgeous.

“Sorry about all what?” I asked in confusion as I plated up our breakfast and headed towards the dining table.

“You know.... Going to the hospital everyday leaving little us time,” Tegan explained with a blush when we’d both taken a seat at the dining table beside each other. I got it wrong, she definitely still loves me and wants to spend as much time with me like I do with her but she is worried about her brother.

“It’s ok,” I replied. “You’re brother isn’t well. It’s normal for you to worry about him and want to be there for him,”

“You’re so sweet for being so understanding. “Tegan smiled and placed her free hand in my free hand. “I’m lucky to have you in my life,”

“No,” I disagreed. “I’m the lucky one,”

After breakfast, Tegan got ready to leave.

“I’ll be back soon, I won’t be long because the Doctor said Liam can come home on the weekend,” Tegan told me and kissed my cheek gently but that didn’t reassure me. I know she’ll be back late like every day these past few months. Don’t hospitals have visiting hours? Apparently that rule doesn’t apply to patients who have their own room like Liam. Tegan will be too tired to spend time with me when she gets back and will want an early night. If only we shared a room, things would be different. It’s been months, it’s about time we took the next step in our relationship. Hopefully Tegan will agree when I get a chance to bring it up with her.

“Oh Cole,” Tegan pulled me close for a hug when she saw my sad face. For a second there, I thought she wasn’t going to go but she did, she made her way towards the front door after giving me a kiss to the cheek. She knows the way to the hospital now and usually takes my car to get there. She won’t allow me to drive her there and back, she says it would be taking advantage of me but it wouldn’t be, I want to do it but I will respect her wishes.

Tegan walked out of the house but she forgot to close the front door. I ran as fast as I could towards it to follow Tegan but she was already gone. That’s when I lost it. I went into a complete rage. I grabbed a cup without touching it with my demonic abilities and threw it across the room. It shattered into pieces but I didn’t care. I feel much better for letting my anger out. When Tegan comes home tonight we are going to talk and sort this out. I don’t like where our relationship is heading. Her mind is too focused on her brother to have time for me. I understand Liam is in hospital and means a lot to Tegan but it isn’t fair on me. I am Tegan’s husband, I deserve most of her attention. I deserve more.

I was far from calming down. I stood up and my hands went around the first thing I saw. Diago’s neck to strangle him. I have no idea where he came from but he deserves to pay for what he did the last time I saw him. I never thought I’d let go of Diago’s neck but somehow I managed to loosen my hold but my hands were still on his neck.

“Cole what are you doing I’m your best friend?” Diago asked in a hurt voice.

“Some friend after what you did,” I raged.

“Don’t do this Cole,” Diago warned when my hands remained in position.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did it. I guess I was just jealous. You found your mate and are happy. I lost my mate and will never be happy,”

After hearing that, my eyes softened as I was reminded of Diago’s late mate. He has been punished enough from the loss of his mate, he doesn’t need me to hurt him more for a silly mistake he made.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” I apologised as I removed my hands from around my friend’s neck.

“Did you just apologise to me? You never apologise,” Diago asked with a gasp of surprise but at the same time his eyes were becoming teary at the mention of his late mate.

“Don’t get used to it,” I said before patting Diago on the shoulder. That caused him to pull me in for a hug and I knew he was crying from the way his body trembled. I hate seeing Diago upset. He is my best friend. I took great pleasure in hurting his mate’s murderer when I got my hands on him all those years ago but it didn’t help Diago, it didn’t bring his mate back.

“You should go,” I said when Diago had calmed down. “Tegan will be back soon,”

“Is it wise to be alone with her? What if you hurt her?” Diago asked in a concerned voice. “You’re pretty angry right now,”

“I’ll be calm before she returns,” I assured Diago.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, now go,” I said firmly.

“Ok ok, I’m going but if you need anything, call me,”

“I will,” I said before Diago disappeared.

I took many deep breaths to calm myself down and eventually I was. I sat on the living room sofa and waited for my beautiful wife to return home to me.