Just got out of surgery.. I feel messed up :/

"Its been days!"

"I know, Alpha, but the silver weakened her. She should wake up in the next few days-"

"Isn't there anything you can do?"

I faintly heard movement but other than that nothing. Until the doctor- I presume, spoke again.

"She needs to do this on her own. There is nothing I can do that could help her. But as you are mates, I've heard that it helps to speak to your other half and stay nearby. "

I heard nothing afterwards because it was as if my ears had shut off. I couldn't hear anything. I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn't open. It felt like they were glued shut.

Hello? Anyone there?

Of course. No such luck. My wolf was probably never going to speak to me until I fully healed which would probably take a month or even more. I wish I somehow knew how many days I've been out for. A sudden thought hit me.

Am I dead? Am I dying?

Of course not honey. If I was awake I would probably be shaking from shock.

Are you actually speaking to me?

Shut up, I need to tell you that the silver hasn't done much damage, my wolf begins, all you need is rest. By the rate we're going, we should be healed very soon.

And?

In order to help the healing process, our mate needs to stay with us. He needs to speak to us and touch us.

How do we do that?

No reply. Figures, she does this all the time.

I don't know how long it was until I felt and heard something. My ears were suddenly opened and my sense of feeling came back.

This must mean something.

I could tell that whoever was holding my hand is not my mate. The sparks just weren't there. Soon enough I began hearing voices.

"What did the doctor say?" Mom?

"She should wake up in the next few days or so." Dad.

I felt something wet touch my hand. What was it? Tears?

"Honey," my mom began, "please wake up. Everyone wants to see you up and healthy. You've got the whole pack in a frenzy."

A chuckle escaped from someone. It was deep and manly so I instantly noticed it was my dad.

"You should wake up and see the flowers and letters they sent you," he says, "that whole corner is full of them."

Silence descended into the room after. My mom held one hand and my dad held the other hand. I wished nothing but to wake up and make them smile. After a while though, they left.

I tried to open my mouth to tell them to stay but my lips felt like they were sewed shut.

I don't know how long, but I was somehow alert when my mates scent attacked my nostrils. I might wake up soon.

That thought and my mates scent had me wanting to scream out in joy. I was finally going to see everyone and talk to them. Hopefully soon though.

Sparks shot up my hand as a sigh escaped from my mate. Shockingly, I realized this was the first time he's ever touched me first. How I wish to be able to open my eyes right now.

"I'm not sure if you can hear me," yes, I can, "but you need to wake up."

Gee, only he would say that. No 'I miss you', or 'please wake up'. Just straight to the point. Even while I was in this state he refused to show me his true feelings.

I sighed in-

Wait. I sighed? By the way Thaddeus' hold on my hand tightened, he noticed it too.

With a lot of painful work, my eyelids fluttered open and I was met with my mates dark intense eyes.

-

"How do you feel?" Asked the doctor whose name was Richard. He flashed the light thing in my eyes making me flinch back.

Beside me, my mate let out an annoyed growl making Richard flinch in fear. He sent me an apologetic look before asking me a different question.

"Any headaches?"

"No," my voice came out raw and scratchy. The doctor handed me water and I greedily gulped it down. When I was done, I held it out asking for more.

I drank the second cup in a good few seconds and eventually I was feeling hydrated. Richard asked me more questions and I tried to answer as much as I could.

"I'll be right back," said Richard before leaving the room.

Thaddeus stood like how he has been doing for the past ten minutes before taking a step forward. I ignored him and glanced around the room noticing the corner my dad was talking about earlier.

"The pack was worried," Thaddeus says noticing what I was staring at. I noticed he didn't say I. As in I was worried instead of the pack.

I didn't speak up but instead got off the bed. My mate quickly placed a gentle hand on me before stopping me.

"You need to rest," he said. I pulled away from him before getting up anyways.

I didn't hear anything from him but I guess he could say I was slightly pissed off. I had much more things to be pissed off about but what he said had me confirming what I had guessed earlier.

He doesn't care about me.

I snapped back to him eyes a blazed. "Do you even care? About me, I mean."

"This is not-"

Feeling my anger burst at that moment, I couldn't control the words coming from my mouth.

"You said the pack was worried," I began, "not you. Why is it that I feel like this is all one big act? You do not and will never care about me right? So instead of wasting my time and Mr. heartless Alphas time, you should have just left me to die in that room."

"With the mans hands all over you?" He asked his tone emotionless. Unconsciously, I pulled the top of the clothing I was wearing. I looked down at myself noticing the new clothing I had on.

Even though this wasn't the best time, I blurted out the first thing that hit me.

"Who changed my clothes?"

"Your mother," he replied glancing me up and down. I flushed but kept my anger on display.

We stayed in complete silence before he suddenly took a few steps forward. I turned my head away as he advanced nearer. When he was about five feet away, he spoke up again.

"Just stand still," he says. At this, I stand rigid. What was he going to do?

He takes the final few steps and just as I turn around to speak up, arms wrap themselves around my waist smashing me into a warm hard chest.

I let out a strangled sound as I finally notice what was happening. He was embracing me. My cold hearted mate was hugging me.

And then just as I was about to wrap my arms around him, he pulled away abruptly. Stumbling back, I glanced at my mates face. He was closed off like always but for a second, I thought I saw some sort of emotion. Maybe … surprise?

Without another word, he turned and left.

-

"I can't assign any thing but to just stay hydrated," says Richard. I nod sightly still in a sort of trance from what happened.

Richard eyes me for a second before turning away. I know what he was thinking. My mates scent was all over me from that one hug and yet I still bare no mark that I am his.

Richard left the room just as I turned to examine the corner full of letters and flowers. I felt very emotional towards the act. The pack barely knew me yet they did this for me. I read every single letter and by the time I was done, I was bawling my eyes out.

Wiping away the tears, I went in search of my parents.

When I left the room, I felt bodies colliding into me. I winced and felt people moving away.

"Sorry Anna," spoke up an all too familiar voice. I immediately wrapped my arms around Rose. She squealed before hugging me back. "I'm so happy you're back."

"Hey!" I turned to Mason. "You two are forgetting someone."

Rose let go of me and let Mason attack me. I gripped onto him tightly. It felt nice but compared to my mates embrace, this felt like nothing. I shook the thought out of my head.

"You scared m-" a cough had him changing his words, "-us."

"Are you OK?" Asked a quiet young girl. I gathered Beth in a hug that must have hurt her. But instead of showing any signs of discomfort, all Beth did was smile and giggle.

"I'm very well," I state. I spoke with them for a while before my mates scent hit my nose.

Come with me.

That was all he said before I was leaving my friends and heading into his direction. I was quite nervous but I was able to conceal that until I reached him.

"It is time to head back to the house." I nodded and followed beside him. There was an uncomfortable gap between us as we walked which I hated.

I glanced at his hand nearest to me. I wanted to reach out and feel his hand back on mine but he was obviously going to react in some sort of way. Not wanting to see a negative reaction, I kept my hands to myself and continued to walk.

I spoke up, remembering something.

"Can I go retrieve the letters and flowers?"

"I will have someone bring it," he replied. "From now on I want you to stay well rested. You will have extra guards surrounding the house. If you need something from the pack house, get a guard to go get it."

I coughed making him tilt his head in my direction slightly. "What about friends?"

Just as I expected he stopped speaking for a very long period. As we reached the house, he turned and answered.

"No males," he said.

"What if they're already mated?"

"Like I said," he began, growling at the back of his throat, "no males."

He finished speaking and eyed me down as if sensing another argument will arise. He was right.

"What about my best friend, Mason?" I say stopping right where I am. Alpha Thaddeus sighed in annoyance and ran his hand through his hair- something I haven't seen him do- before turning around to argue.

"It doesn't matter-"

"Please Alpha Thaddeus!"

He stared at me before muttering something under his breath.

"You are my mate," he says, his deep voice full of something I can't exactly explain, "do not be formal with me."

He looked uncomfortable- which is rare- and then proceeded to the house. The guards that saw us bowed their heads in respect before we entered the house.

A very strong yet delicious aroma erupted into my nose. I turned to Thaddeus.

"Did you get the cook again?" He nodded.

"She will help you with your needs," he said.

"Where will you be?" I ask carefully.

"Pack business," he replied ignoring my eyes.

"Can I please come?"

He inhaled and exhaled slowly before shaking his head. "You need to rest."

I begrudgingly nodded before walking towards the kitchen. The last thing I heard from him was:

"Next time."

-

"This is great," I say for the tenth time, "thank you so much."

Mary- the cook- was acting like a grandma. She refused to leave my side unless it was to get the soup she made for me. She didn't want me to leave my position on the couch at all and even though I was feeling slightly better, she insisted on doing everything for me.

"Are you sure?" I nodded just as she spoke up again. "Is there anything you would like?"

"Is there any ice cream or chocolate?" I don't know why I said that, but all of a sudden I was craving both of those at the moment.

"What kind of ice cream? Chocolate?"

"Can I have chocolate chip ice cream and a few random chocolate bars please?"

"Of course honey." She left to go ask one of the guards to get my cravings.

I was looking around the room when I noticed the DVD player. How have I not noticed that? I instantly opened a mind link with Rose.

Rose? Rosie? Come over!

Aren't you on some lockdown thing?

No, I can have friends over.

I'm at training grounds so after OK?

I nodded only realizing that she couldn't see me.

OK, see you later.

"Honey," says Mary waving her hand in front of my face, "is everything alright?"

I nodded. "I'm alright but are there any movies I can watch?"

"I will go send another guard," she says already moving forward, "is there any particular movie you want? Or specific genres?"

"Some comedy or action would be nice," I reply, "thank you."

She nodded before getting someone to rush to the pack house to get my request.

-

Beta Jay

"How long do you think they've been here for?" I ask the Alpha as he observes the bodies of the rogues.

"It could have been a few hours after my mate was brought back," he replies.

A few pack members were ordered to burn the bodies and leave their ashes far away from here. As they began loading up the bodies onto the wagons, someone came forth carrying another body.

The body was small and from where I was, I could see that the child's neck had been snapped. The head was at a very bad angle. Only when I finally saw the child's face, did I begin moving forward.

No, it can't be.

I rubbed at my eyes realizing that I can't and will never forget Blake. I sucked in a breath making Alpha Thaddeus turn and glance at me.

What is it?

That's the child who gave me the information to find your mate. His name was Blake.

"We can't burn him," I state. Alpha Thaddeus was now looking at Blake with a newfound interest.

"We need to bury him," I state. Alpha Thaddeus took a deep breath before releasing it.

You know we can't do that.

I promised the child he -and his brother- could join the pack after we got your mate back.

Alpha Thaddeus growled, because I hadn't spoken to him about letting Blake and his brother join the pack. Before he could argue, I spoke up quickly.

"He led us to Annabel," I state, diverting my eyes back to Blake's lifeless body, "the least we could do is give him a proper burial."

"He wasn't a pack member."

Thaddeus... without him, we wouldn't have gotten to Annabel in time.

Alpha Thaddeus sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "We'll bury him."

I nodded and blew through my mouth.

You really have a bad habit of arguing. I really don't understand how your mate can handle you.

He growled in annoyance before shutting me out.

-

"Which movie?"

I shrugged and randomly pointed at a movie. "That one?"

"Twenty-one jump street?" Rose asks. I nod as she puts the DVD inside. She hesitantly sits down beside me. Mary had gone to get some popcorn for the both of us so it was just us two.

"Are you sure I'm allowed to be here?" She asks nervously. I sigh and nod.

"He said I can have friends over," I say, "but no males are allowed."

Rose smirks at me. "He doesn't want males around huh?"

I raise an eyebrow at her. "So what?"

"He cares for you dummy," she retorts. I roll my eyes just as Mary returns with the popcorn.

"Thank you Mary," I said in return for everything she's been doing for me.

"Don't thank me honey," she retorts hastily and waves it off. "Is there anything you two need?"

"No we're fine," I reply glancing at Rose who opened her mouth to say something, "thank you."

Mary leaves the house promising to come back later on. I turn around to see Rose with her mouth wide open.

"Don't," I warn her while throwing popcorn at her face.

As the movie started, my mind began to wander off. Instead of focusing on the movie, I began to think of my past alpha. How could Brayton be so cruel now? I mean, I guess he didn't really have anyone since his mate.

His mate, Charon, had died way before they mated or were able to produce pups. I don't really remember much of her. I was about nine years old when she had died from a silver bullet in the heart. No one knows who pulled the trigger but all I remember was waking up sometime during the night and fighters rushing all over the pack. Afterwards, Brayton had a crazy melt down and killed many people in the nearest town. Beta George had to take over until Brayton was mentally stable again which took months.

"Rose," I ask hesitantly, "what happened when I was … gone?"

Rose turned her head to face me before biting down on her bottom lip. "I thought they had already told you."

"Rose," I repeat,"what happened?"

"The people that were with you at the club got chores as punishment," she begins scowling at what she says next, "Ari got lockdown but she should've gotten worse."

I thought of how Ari had wanted me to go to the club but I was having mixed feelings about her. Part of me was pissed off and the other half wanted to forgive her. She didn't know I was going to be kidnapped. No one did.

"A dead body was found inside the pack. It was the body of an innocent human girl. Alpha Brayton," I noted the way she shook her head in disgust, "he killed her and sent Alpha Thaddeus some sort of note. No one besides your mate and Beta Jay read it. It must have been pretty bad judging from their facial expressions."

That sparked my interest. "Did they throw the note away?"

Rose shrugged her shoulders watching me with curious eyes.

An idea came to mind even though I was scared out my wits. I was about to do it but I was interrupted. Not this time.

"I'll be right back," I state, getting up just as a wave of nausea attacks me. I stumble slightly making Rose jump to her feet.

"Are you OK?" I nod but the movement hurts my head. "Sit down."

"No," I reply, "I'm alright."

"Annabel Marie Hastings," I knew she was mad, "if you don't sit down-"

"Alright!" I snap at her. She flinches back as if I had actually hit her. "I'm sorry."

She nods and heads to the kitchen returning with some water. I gulp it down and thank her. Rose sits beside me and places a hand around me.

"Tell me what happened when you were gone," she softly demands. I take a deep breath in and tell her.

"I'm going to kill him," Rose growls by the time I'm done.

"Not unless Thaddeus gets to him first," I jokingly add. Rose smiles sadly at me before hugging me softly.

"Did the doctor talk to you about the silver? I mean is it all gone?" I shrug making her eyes widen in annoyance.

"Why didn't you talk to him about it?" She demands. Before I have time to answer she is already mind linking someone.

A few moments later someone is rapidly knocking on the door. Rose goes to answer it and Richard returns as if he had just ran from wherever he was. He was out of breath big time. Clearly he wasn't fit. Even if he was a werewolf.

"Are you alright Luna?"

Just as I am about to answer with a yes Rose says no.

"What is the problem?" Before I can answer, the front door is slammed open and my mates scent attacks my nose. He arrives into the living room and rushes to were I am seated.

"What is going on?" His deep baritone voice blares throughout the room.

"That is my question too," Richard murmurs watching me carefully. Rose moves away to let Richard place a hand on my forehead. "You're heating up. Tell me how you are feeling."

"I'm just really tired and dizzy but I can sleep it off," I quickly say, hoping that they could just leave already. I am fine, Rose is just way too worried.

"You need to eat healthy food," Richard says glancing at my choice of snacks, "you also need to stay hydrated. When was the last time you drank water?"

"Less than ten minutes ago," I reply.

"You will need to drink eight water bottles everyday, even more," he says pulling out some papers from the folder he was carrying.

"From the tests I took," Richard says observing his paper, "the silver inside of you is slowly leaving your body as you drink more fluids. Eating junk would only make things worse."

He turns to Thaddeus and gestures to the front door. They both leave the room, making me turn to glare at Rose.

"That really wasn't necessary," I scowl.

"Don't blame me for being worried," she says putting her arms up in that 'I surrender' motion. I roll my eyes and take a big gulp of water.

He cares...

I blocked Rose and thought of that. He cares.

When they both came back, Richard picked up his things and left, nodding a goodbye to everyone.

"I'm going to leave now," Rose speaks up looking uncomfortable. "I'll go get Mary."

She nods a goodbye at me and bows her head to the Alpha. Thaddeus just nods back while having his eyes trained onto me. When she leaves, I'm feeling nervous.

"Where did you get all of this?" He questions nodding to all the chocolate bars, chips and ice cream lying on the table.

"I asked Mary to get them for me," I say hesitantly. I didn't want to get her in trouble. He nods his head slowly and turns away.

Before he leaves, I stand up abruptly only causing me to stumble and trip over my feet. Before I hit the ground though, my mate wrapped his arms around me holding me to him. My face was pressed to his chest and all I can think of was his steady heartbeat. I loved the sound of it.

He pulled away but kept his hands on my waist. I was feeling very lightheaded but it wasn't from the silver.

"Stay," I plead hoping he could see how bad I needed him.

"I can't-"

"Ten minutes?" At this, he nodded.

"Ten minutes," he confirmed.

-

"Thaddeus?"

"Yes?"

"What was in the note Brayton sent?" I coughed awkwardly. He sucked in a breath obviously not expecting me to know.

"He wrote of what I need to do in order to get you back," he replied, "and what he would do if I didn't comply."

"What was it? How did you guys find me?"

"Jay found someone who gave him information of Braytons whereabouts," he had an emotionless expression on.

"Who was it?"

He glanced at me before looking away. "A child named Blake."

"Wait-"

"Blake, the youngest son of your past Beta." Thaddeus focused his attention on me. "Do you know him?"

I nod quickly. "He's like a younger brother I've never had. Where is he?"

Thaddeus keeps his eyes locked on me before sighing.

"He's dead."

Comment. Vote. Fan.

~MissieA out!

♥