Chapter 16

POV Unknown

A faint rhythmic beeping soothes my ears the soft sound almost in harmony with Sel snoring. If she’s sleeping, we must be safe. I try to stretch my arms only to find I can’t move. Opening my eyes, I see something soft across my chest looking down further they are on my wrists, waist, hips and legs as well.

A woman with wild hair and peach-colored scrubs walks through the door. She doesn’t look up; she’s reading something in her hands. Ear buds in she’s bobbing her head like she’s listening to music.

I lay perfectly still and try to wake Sel who just grumbles and goes back to snoring.

Finally, the woman looks up, quickly dropping the papers in her hand at the foot of the bed and snatching the ear buds out. “You’re awake?” The tone of her voice calm and nurturing and a little surprised.

“Please don’t hurt me.” I pleaded. Pushing as hard as I could to crawl up the bed and away from her, but the restraints are too tight. Squirming and wiggling, I can’t get loose.

She raised her hands palms towards me. “Oh sweetheart, I’m not going to hurt you. Please calm down.” Moving her hands slowly down until her palms faced the floor, she took a big step backwards away from the bed.

I stop squirming and just stare at her. Breathing heavily, I can smell lavender soap. In hailing deeply, I can smell her shampoo and the soap she uses to wash her clothes. I smell wolf on her but she’s human.

“Then why am I tied up.” I ask. My voice cracking and tears start running down my cheeks.

She continued backing up until she reached a chair sitting next to the door and sat down. I felt a little better because she wasn’t so close to me but still really confused on where I am and why I am tied up.

Folding her hands in her lap she smiled but you could tell it was forced. “When Braxton found you, you were running a very high fever and were delirious. Do you know what delirious means?” She asked.

“I’m not stupid.” I say trying to wipe my face off on the blanket closest to my face.

Her expression changed; the fake smile still remained but her eyes looked sad. “Okay, if you promise not to tear out the IV’s I’ll take the restraints off. Alright? That means I have to come over there.” She didn’t move, just waited for me to answer.

I can feel Sel stirring I can make a break for the door if she unties me. Then Sel can shift, and we are gone. “Alright.” I say.

Getting up from the chair she walked to the foot of the bed and started carefully removing the blanket from over my feet, revealing a large leather restraint wrapped in something soft wrapping around each ankle. As she was unbuckling the one around my left ankle, she let out a big sigh.

“I’m sorry we had to do this; I know with everything you’ve been through this might not seem like we were helping. You had a massive infection and were severely dehydrated, every time we got an IV in you would try to shift and rip it out. We had to get fluids and antibiotics in your system, or you weren’t going to make it. Elijah brought a sedative but I’m guessing because of your fever all it did was knock your wolf out. Leaving you even more frightened and combative. That first day I was so afraid you were going to die.” Her smile gone; her whole face was filled with sadness. She looked like she genuinely cared. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that. We tried everything before this I swear….”

I cut her off mid-sentence. “Wait you…you know what I am?”

“Ah yes, I bet that is confusing. My husband Brent is also a werewolf. It’s a long story for another day but the Luna found us and offered us a place in their pack. You’re in the pack clinic now, luckily you guys don’t get hurt or sick often, so we’ve had the place to ourselves while you recover.” She said as she moved to the restraint going across my waistline.

“I’m on a packs land?” I asked, getting more confused. “But how?”

“You were very lucky. Eric and Braxton found you. Eric is next in line to be Alpha, he called for the Alpha as soon as they found you. Luna knew right away you needed medical attention she called my husband and I meet them here when you arrived.” She had taken all but the hand restraints off by this time.

Searching back to the last thing I could remember, everything after my family’s death was hazy. I mostly hid in the back of Sel’s mind, but I remember a wolf he smelled of eucalyptus and mint, he was silver or maybe grey. I thought it was a dream. “The silver wolf?” I asked.

“Braxton is a light grey, could look silver in the right light.” She says as she took off the last restraint. “I could ask him to come by later if you would like. They are all in a meeting for now but I’m sure Eric and the Luna would be happy to know you’re awake.”

“I don’t understand, our Alpha couldn’t get us off his land fast enough. Why would they want me here? I’m cursed.” I closed my eyes and hung my head. With my family gone no one would want me.