EP.192|A Lover’s Heat

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CJ rubbed her eyes, sitting up to feel the coldness of the room. Her head whipped towards the door to see Ranee smiling face.
 
“I see someone’s awake,” Ranee noticed, “you’re cold, aren't you?”
 
CJ nodded, her teeth chattering. She climbed into Carlos’s bed, wrapping around him. “Wh-Why is he cold?”
 
Ranee touched her brother’s arm, “he’s warm darling. His regular temperature.”
 
CJ shook her head, “no, he’s co-cold!”
 
Ranee took CJ’s temperature, she looked at the thermometer, “87 degrees...that’s hypothermia levels…”
 
“Shit,” Ranee cursed, “get me 4 nurses and CJ parents,” she ordered, the nurses nodded, rushing to follow her orders.
 
Carlos watched through lidded eyes as the nurses scrambled to help CJ, Carlos whimpered, “no...princesa...mine…”
 

He tried to move to get closer to his mate but his body was frozen. What the hell? All he could do was move his fingers. “Temporary paralysis is a side effect of the Feral Spray,” Alvarez informed him.

“Feral Spray? Shouldn’t it have worn off by now?” Carlos questioned. “It wore off already, but some of the side effects still remain.” Alvarez continued, “like the fact that you're freezing.”
 
“Freezing? That’s impossible, CJ always says I'm hot.” Carlos scoffed slightly. “Side effects, Carlos, it’s one of the side effects.” Alvarez sighed in annoyance.
 
“Right now your body temperature is just a normal human’s body temperature. Something in the Feral Spray must have prevented your body heat from being its normal temperature.” Alvarez pondered.
 
Carlos turned his head to see the nurses still crowding CJ. Her parents were here as well, just as worried as he was.
 
He desperately wished he could help CJ but the one thing she needed he didn't have.
 
Heat.
 
He quickly locked eyes with Hook, he noticed the anger in the pirate’s eyes. Choosing flight over fight, Carlos closed his eyes, trying to pretend he was asleep.
 
Hook knew he would have to deal with him later, right now, his daughter was the top priority. He held onto her hand, feeling just how cold she really was. “Has she had hypothermia attacks in the past?” Ranee questioned.
 
Hook nodded, “one when she was 12 and another at 17.” he replied, not looking away from CJ. “When did she meet Carlos?” Ranee bit the tip of her pen. “I think 2 or 3 years ago, why?” Hook asked.
 
“No, when was the first time they met?” Ranee asked again, Hook and Nikita made an ‘o’ expression with their face. “She was 12.” Hook then pieced the puzzle together, “and the day she had one Carlos got lost on a different island.”

“And when she was 17, her old memories were erased, and so was the memory of Carlos’ heat, causing her to have the 2nd attack!” Nikita added on, Hook nodded in agreement.
 
“Now since Carlos’s body heat dropped to that of a normal human, it’s not enough to warm up CJ,” Ranee concluded, watching as her brother’s mate groaned, her body couldn't handle going cold turkey.
 
Cruella passed by the infirmary to witness the scene, her interest peaking, she walking into, standing at her daughter’s side “what’s going on?”
 
“CJ’s mate withdrawal turned into hypothermia.” Ranee summarized. “Just have her next to Carlos, problem solved.” Cruella shrugged, moving Carlos to make room for CJ, the moment her fingers touched his arms, Cruella jerked her hand back.
 
“Why is he cold? Ever since birth, he’s had a high body temperature.” Cruella began to worry, even in their final moments, animalistic have high body temperature.
 
“It’s the Feral Spray, something in it must have reduced his body to normal human body temperature,” Nikita replied she was restless as well.
 
“That damn demon! When I get my hands on him, oooh I swear I’ll kill him,” Cruella’s eyes changed from black to neon pink, “I’ll rip him limb from limb!”
 
Hook scoffed, “if we’re blaming people, maybe we should talk about your son.”
 
Cruella’s head whipped towards him, “excuse me?”
 
“Think about it Cruella,” Hook stood up, “your son is the reason why CJ is having these hypothermia attacks, if Carlos never marked her, her body would’ve never gotten used to the heat and wouldn't go cold turkey when it’s gone.”
 
“Are you seriously blaming my son for loving your daughter enough to mark her? If your an animalistic, marking your mate is the ultimate act of love, I’m sorry if that’s a problem for you.” Cruella glared at him.
 
“Well, it is! Because of this whole mate shit, my daughter is about to die of hypothermia!” Hook exclaimed, marching over to Cruella.
 
“Stand down Hook, don't start something you can't finish,” Cruella growled, baring her fangs. 
 
“Your son needs to learn what happens when you mess with a Hook,” the pirate extended his hand, Firefly coming to his side, “you know what to do Firefly.”
 
Firefly darted towards Carlos, it hovered directly over his heart. Hook snapped his fingers, sending FireFly down on the animalistic.
 
Before it could pierce the skin, Cruella transformed into her panther form, holding FireFly in her mouth as Carlos back away from the spear.
 
“What...the fuck?!” Carlos and Cruella yelled. Hook growled, grabbing Carlos by the back of the neck, pinning him to the wall, “you have some fucking nerve, DeVille!”
 
“Wha-What?!” Carlos stuttered, trying to play dumb in hope of getting out of this sticky situation.
 
“You’ve been awake this entire time, haven’t you?” Hook squeezed his neck. Cruella spit out FireFly and darted towards Cruella, “not now, Cruella!” Hook extended his hand towards her, FireFly pinning her to the wall.
 
“I don't give a shit if your abnormal body heart is working, I want my daughter out of this Hypothermia state and I want her out of it now, am I clear?” Hook threatened, his clutch becoming tighter.
 
“I’m pretty sure he got it,” Hex held a fireball to the back off the pirate’s neck, “now back off my son.”

Hook shivered a little, backing off of Carlos, “Hex,” Hook chuckled nervously at him, “I was just talking respectfully your son and respectfully asking him to help his mate,” Hook quickly lifted Carlos off the ground, “right, dog boy?”
 
Carlos coughed, “yeah, totally!”
 
Hex raised his eyebrow, “and what Cruella?”
 
Hook called FireFly to his side, dropping Cruella to the floor, “you okay, hun?”
 
Cruella nodded, morphing back into her human form, “I’m fine, damn I’m out of shape.” she sighed, “it’s been a while since I used my Animalia.”
 
“Wait that’s Animalia?” Carlos asked. “Not really, but it’s one of the many forms of Animalia.” Cruella simply explained. Carlos looked at his mate, whimpering, morphing into his wolf form as he curled up next to CJ.
 
He whimpered, nuzzling his nose against her face. “Princesa…” he licked her cheek. “What does Princesa mean?” Nikita asked. “Princess in Spanish.” Cruella translated.
 
“I thought you didn't know Spanish.” Hex raised her eyebrow. “How long have we been together?” Cruella asked. “15+ years.” Hex replied, kissing her lips, “and I love every day of it.”
 
“I picked up Spanish from your family. Especially all the things we’ve been through.” Cruella winked.
 
“Why does he call her Princesa?” Hook asked, glaring at Carlos. Carlos hissed at him, “watch it, dog boy, just because your family’s here and my daughter loves you, doesn't mean I won’t stab you!”
 
Carlos barked at him when he tried to separate CJ from him, “mine…” he snarled deeply, his eyes flashing red “back off...mine...mine, mine!”
 
“Carlos, calm down, he wasn’t trying to hurt CJ,” Ranee told him, Carlos snapped at his sister. Ranee backed up a little, “Carlos?”
 
Carlos wasn’t taking any chances, he didn't want anyone around CJ, except himself, while she was still knocked out. Cruella knew animalistic were very protective of their mates while they were injured, but she’s never seen Carlos like this.
 
“Don't try to act all high and might Carlos,” Hook bravely walked towards the snarling wolf, “you couldn't protect her in the box and you can't protect her now.”
 
He was face to face with the wolf, “you don't deserve to be with her.”
 
Carlos had enough, he tackled the pirate to the ground, pinning him with all four paws, “I don't give a shit if you’re her father, but I love your daughter with all my heart, the day I marked her she said she was so happy.”
 
The pirate was about to say something but Carlos continued, “and sure, maybe I couldn't protect her in the box, and maybe I attacked her because of the Feral Spray, and yes, I do have to feel a mountain worth of guilt for what I did.”
 
“But your daughter forgave me for all of it, any of it, she didn't care! So I don't care if you don't approve of me loving your daughter, but I still am going to love her more and more every day!”
 
Hook could feel the determination in Carlos's eyes, the fire that burned in them was strong. “I've made it my mission to protect CJ with every fiber in my being, and the moment I don't you can strike me dead.”
 
Hook chuckled, “you can't be serious,” Carlos’s glared on him proved otherwise, “alright, I’ll take you up on that offer.” Hook decided, nodding slightly.
 
“And another thing,” Carlos placed his paw on Hook’s chest, pressing him even deeper into the ground “if you ever try to break up me and my Princesa, I will personally rip out your heat and shove it down your throat.”
 
Hook shivered slightly, the feral look in Carlos’s eyes was enough to make any man shake, “ye-yep,” Hook regain his composure, “heard ya loud and clear.”
 
“Good, now that that’s cleared up, CJ’s still cold and my heat is still off.” Carlos reminded the small group. “If Jasper was awake we have an easy solution, but he’s not.” Nikita helped Hook off the ground.
 
“We may not have Jasper, but we have Hex.” Cruella, Ranee, Carlos, and Hex’s face brightened. Hook and Nikita were just confused. “How is that supposed to help us?” Nikita asked.
 
“Hex knows Fire Magi just like Jasper does, minus the dragon part,” Ranee explained. “Dad! You gotta help CJ!” Carlos shook him back and forth, “you just gotta dad!”
 
“Car...Carlos! Calm down!” Hex gripped his son’s shoulder’s halting his movements, “I’ll help CJ.”
 
He walked over to CJ, standing on the side of her hospital bed, “alright, Carlos, you need to leave.”
 
“Excuse me?” Carlos stood up from his chair, “I’m not leaving her.”
 
“Carlos Emmanuel Monte DeVille,” Hex stood up, glaring at his son, “do you really think I, of all people, would hurt CJ?”
 
“No, but-”
 
“Exactly,” Hex cut him off, “I’m not going to hurt CJ, but I’m gonna have some other nurses in her for a while and I know you don't like new people around her, especially when she’s like this.”
 
“Am not!” Carlos scoffed, “I’m total...chill.” Carlos leaned back for the chair, almost falling. Hex raised his eyebrow in suspicion, “oh really? Care to test that son?”
 
“Sure.” Carlos shrugged. “Ranee,” Hex turned towards his daughter, “get all the fire user nurses you can find and bring them here.”
 
Ranee nodded, leaving the room to follow her father’s orders. Carlos whipped his head towards CJ at the sound of the tiniest whimper coming from her.
 
“I know, Princesa, don't worry, just a little longer and all this will be over,” he kissed her forehead, crouching down beside the bed.
 
Hex’s never seen so much worry in his son’s face, “you really love CJ, don't cha?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
 
“With all my heart, Papa.” Carlos kissed my hand, “she’s my everything. She’s my sun, my stars, my moon, she’s my universe.”
 
“I-If I lost her now I-I don't know what I’d do,” Carlos whimpered, feeling the touch of her cold hands “dad,” he looked at up him, tears brimming his eyes “I love her too much to lose her.”
 
Hex felt his heartbreaking, he smiled, he was finally all grown up. “Congrats, Carlos,” Hex patted his shoulder, “you finally know what it’s like to be in love.”
 
“Yeah, I do.” Carlos softly clutched his mate’s hand. He didn't know if he was imagining it or not but, to this day, Carlos swore he felt CJ squeeze back.
 
“So,” Cruella slung her arm over her son’s shoulder, “when will we see some kids? Hmm?”
 
“Mama!” Carlos blushed, “it’s not like I haven’t thought about it…”
 
He spent many nights dreaming of what his family with CJ would be like. There’d be two kids, hopefully, a boy and a girl, or just two girls. The girl would have CJ’s beautiful golden hair, her pretty toothy smile that framed her pink lips.
 
Crystal blue eyes, just like her mother. CJ would obviously pass down her hat to her, maybe her sword as well. If she did get the sword, CJ would teach her the ways of the sword and its history.
 
Carlos liked to imagine that the boy would be just like him. He would either get his own animalistic or Carlos would pass down Alvarez. He’d be just as rambunctious as Carlos was, but still caring and strong.
 
Whatever the future held, Carlos knew his family with CJ would be their own version of perfect.
 
Cruella laughed, “that’s cute, have you two talked about it yet?”
 
“No,” Carlos shook his head, “I barely marked CJ back on Mimosa Island, that was what; 4 months ago? Talking about family this soon after the marking is just rushing in.”
 
“You’ve been dating for almost two years, I get it you just marked her, but I think you two are mature enough to talk about the future.” Hex assured him, Carlos sighed.
 
“What if she doesn't want a family?” Carlos bit his lip. “Then get a dog! A cat! Hell, start a school! I don't know, but “family” doesn't have one simple definition, it’s not just who you give birth to, it’s the people you love and care for.” Cruella explained.
 
Carlos smiled up at his mother, “thanks, mama, I think that helped.”
 
Ranee knocked on the door, the group looked in her direction to see the nurses all standing behind her.
 
“You ready dad?” Ranee asked Hex nodded, looking at his son. “Carlos?” He questioned. “I know, I know.” Carlos brushed strands of CJ’s blonde hair back, “I’m just right outside, alright Princesa?”
 
A part of him knew CJ couldn't reply, but deep down he knew she could hear him. He smiled and kissed her lips softly, before leaving with Nikita, Hook, and Cruella.
 
 •๑♡๑•୨୧┈┈┈୨୧•๑♡๑•
 
It’s been 3 hours since CJ’s procedure began and as each minute passed, Carlos worried more and more.
 
He, Cruella, Nikita, and Hook sat in NPA study. Hook casually sipped his gin and whiskey as his eyes followed Carlos’ every movement.
 
“If you keep pacing you’re going to make a hole in the floor.” Hook warned him. “What do you expect me to do, Mr. Hook?” Carlos continued to pace, “for all I know, CJ could be getting burned like BBQ down there!”
 
“She’s not Carlos,” Nikita groaned, “don't you trust your father and the other nurses?”
 
“My father; yes. Other nurses; no!”
 
“Carlos is just anxious because ever since he woke up his animalistic went into protective mode. Any new people are seen as a potential risk for CJ.” Cruella explained, scanning the books in the study.
 
“What if she’s getting burned? What if the heat is too high? What if it’s too low? What if she dies?!” Carlos began to hyperventilate.
 
“My gods,” Hook walked over to him, slapping him across the face “GET A GRIP!”
 
Carlos rubbed his cheek, “ow!”
 
“Look, Carlos,” Hook sighed, “I don't like you, but CJ’s in love with you, so I have to put up with you. If you had any faith in you “mate” you would know she’s stronger than any other human you may have met.”
 
Carlos nodded, “I know.”
 
“Exactly, so calm down, your dad said if she wakes up you’ll be the first to know.” Hook reminded him. “Okay,” Carlos sat down on the couch, “she’s fine, she’s fine, she’s fine.”
 
Carlos yawned, “when was the last time you slept since you got up?”
 
“Uh, I don't know…”
 
“When was the last time you ate?”
 
“I don't know…”
 
“Oh gods,” Nikita went into the mini-fridge, pulling out mangos “I heard animalistic like mangos.”
 
Carlos drooled, darting for the bowl of cut mangos, digging in like a wild animal. “Gods, they smell just like Sabrina…” Hook, Nikita, and Cruella looked towards him.
 
“Carlos, what did you just say?” Cruella asked carefully. “I-I-I thinks it was something...about a girl named...Sabrina?” Carlos guessed.
 
“I don't know who Sabrina is! At times it’s like this other person takes control, it isn't Alvarez, but somebody new entirely.” Carlos tried to explain, “every night I see Sabrina and this other guy named Axel, I’m guessing the two of them were together.”
 
“They honestly remind me of CJ and myself,” Carlos took another bite out of the mango slices, “honestly Carlos, how dense can you really be!”
 
Carlos dropped the mango when the same voice came out of him from before. Carlos was star struck, “what’s happening?!”
 
“Nevermind, I’ll explain later,” the voice replied in an annoyed tone before disappearing. Before Carlos could question what just happened, the door to the study opened.
 
Carlos perked up when she saw Ranee’s smiling face, “you can see her now.”
 
Without any further need, Carlos rushed out the study and down into the infirmary, passing by what he could have sworn were Kuno and Serenity. He shrugged it off and continued running.
 
“CJ!” Carlos called out, CJ eyes shot open at the sound of her lover’s voice calling her name. “Carlos?” She groaned, sitting up slowly, watching as the nurses left.
 
“Where is he?” CJ looked around to see the VKs were knocked out. “Princesa!” Carlos cheered, tackling his mate in a big hug “don't scare me like that! I thought I’d lose you!”
 
Carlos planted butterfly kisses along her face, listening to her giggles made him feel at peace. “Carlos! Haha! Stop! You know that tickles!” Carlos laughed, Carlos purred when she said his name.
 
She laid down back on the hospital bed, Carlos rested on her chest, hearing her heartbeat. “You’re heartbeat is beautiful…” Carlos muttered tenderly. CJ ran her fingers through his hair.
 
“Keep doing that…” Carlos sighed in delight, the feeling of her fingers was the best feeling in the world. CJ watched as Carlos turned to putty at her touch, she smirked and leaned in, “hey Carlos~”
 
“Hmm?”
 
“I want a family too.”