The darkness was overwhelming, everything seemed gloomy. It was surreal as it washed over me. The feelings of fear creeped onto my skin. All I could hear was the thumping of my heart in between a never-ending bleeping. I could feel my nostrils stir. The overwhelming smell of disinfectant filled the air.
I peeled my eyes open and all I could see was white. The ceilings were bland; the walls had no personality. Where the fuck was I? I turned to my right and there, at the side of the bed, was a machine that was hooked to my chest. The wires were crawling all over my body. My head was pounding, giving me the biggest headache I've ever head. I winced at the pain that lingered at the back of my head.
I looked to my left and there was a window that was covered by blinds. The thing that shocked me the most was the body that was hunched over my bed, his head tilted to the side as the bed which I slept on held my head. I looked down at Benji's contorted form, his hair muscled, his eyes had deep circles underneath. He looked like shit. I stretched my fingers out, trying to bring the sensation to my tips.
I gently run my fingers through his hair, hoping to wake him gently. He stirs slightly as his nose wiggles in response to my movement. His mouth hung open and I can see the drool slipping through his mouth onto the bed. Normally, this would bother me, but I will let it pass as Benji is one of the most hygienic people I have ever met..
"Benji," I croak out softly as I run my fingers through his hair.
"In a minute." He mumbles in his sleep.
"Benji, I need you to wake up and stop drooling." I give a small tug on the ends of his hair. His eyes snap open, his body bolts forwards. His eyes connect with mine and they widen. I can see the shock but the happiness that he has since I'm awake and alert.
"Lettie!" He exclaims. His shoulders release the tension. "Thank fuck your awake!" He sighed.
"Mind telling me why I'm in a hospital bed?" I replied. My voice was hoarse and dry. My tongue felt like sandpaper. I pointed to the cup of water that was on the bedside table. Benji quickly moved and pushed me upright with care as he passed me the drink. The water slipped down my throat with ease. "Thanks."
"No problem Letti, how you feeling?" He asked with concern.
"My head feels like shit. It's pounding." I responded, closing my eyes. The room was too bright, only adding to my pain.
"Do you have any idea how long I have been worried about you? You've been in the hospital for two days. You banged your head pretty hard. When you wouldn't wake up, I called an ambulance." He explained. "By the way, I had to say you were my sister. They wouldn't let me in or know what was going on if I wasn't a family member." He huffed in frustration.
I gave him a small smile. I was glad he told them I was a sister because to me; he was a brother in every sense. "What was the verdict? What did they say?"
"Well, you've banged your head. They did a CT scan and said that you had a minor concussion. They said you would wake when you wanted to." It's then that he slapped my arm.
"Hey!" I exclaimed.
"Don't hey me! What the hell happened? I've cried too many tears over you! I thought I lost you, Lettie." He sniffled.
"Hey, I'm still here! Just took a little nap." I said with a wink as I gently stroked his arm. I wanted to reassure him I was good and there was nothing to worry about. "What's with you calling me Lettie?" I chuckled lightly.
"It's a nickname." He raised his eyebrow. "My nickname for you." He quickly got up from his chair again and before I knew it, he pulled me into a gut wrenching hug. He squeezed me tightly, and it was then that I let the small tear escape my eye. I didn't want to hurt or worry him. I could feel his concern as he gripped me. "Don't scare me like that, please? You're the only family I have." He whispered in pain.
"I'm sorry. Honestly, other than the headache, I'm fine hun. I promise." I explained.
"Good, well, I'm going to get the doctor. So sit tight, okay?" He explained. I nodded in response and pushed my head back into the pillow.
As more time went by, I could feel my head getting better. I could feel my wolf healing me. My wolf was smart. She understood we were in a human hospital and ensured that internally my brain was good. She made sure that there was an artificial injury to avoid suspicion.
"Thanks." I whispered to my wolf.
"It's okay Loretta. I told you, I will always protect you." She replied.
I knew I wasn't ready for any deep conversations with my wolf. I couldn't get into our problems at the moment, especially after feeling her pain. It's then that I felt this overwhelming sense of dread fill my stomach as I twitched my fingers. It was then that I remembered my ring was missing. I tightly closed my eyes. I knew I was now in danger of being found. There was no way I could avoid my past. Now that I wasn't protected, I knew my past would soon catch up to me because my ring was one of a kind. It was one of the few artefacts that had a witch's protection on it.
I remember when my friend gave it to me. My friend informed me that the object came from an ancient witch bloodline. She also said that it protected a witch who was in a relationship with a psychotic wolf who wanted to harm her. The legends spoke of how the wolf had already mated another she-wolf, but wanted to keep the witch as a mistress to enhance his power. He refused to let her go. He thought it was an abomination that she was his mate, but he was too selfish for power to move on. It wasn't until her sister saved and enchanted a ring so he could never find her.
This psychotic wolf soon lost his chosen mate in childbirth, where both mother and child had died. The wolf became obsessed and blamed the witch, claiming she had cursed him because she was jealous. The wolf took on many mistresses, none of them able to carry his heir. Fortunately, the ring protected the young witch who was to fall in love and create a family. It wasn't until she was old and her husband had died that she removed the ring. She had lived a peaceful life and saw her children grow and prosper. Her daughter was entrusted with the ring, and they instructed her to protect the heirloom and gift it to whoever needed it.
The wolf had finally found her and when he saw her aged and with children; it enraged him at the life she had created. For he had lived his dream. She had a family, children and heirs that would carry her bloodline. It was then that he confronted her with all the anger he could muster and blame her for his misfortune. All she did was smile and say she lived her best life.
When he brutally killed her. He felt the rip in his soul. His wolf had abandoned him for killing his soul mate. It was then that the regret and shame filled his heart as he looked at bloodied and shattered remains on the floor. The belief was the Goddess ended his bloodline as punishment.
I remembered listening to my friend telling me of the story and how she promised she would give the enchanted ring to a person who deserved it. All I could feel was regret, for I had lost or disposed of an important heirloom. I felt like I let my friend down, losing something so important, but equally a sense of dread filled my stomach at the thought of being found by my old pack and mate. There was nothing hiding me anymore.
A nurse and doctor who entered my room interrupted my thoughts. Both of them were wearing their scrubs and had a smile plastered on their face. They both looked happy that I was awake and alert.
"Good afternoon Miss Romano, I'm glad to see you're awake. I'm Dr Stevens. Your brother Benji told me you are awake." He said with a big smile. "Do you mind if we check your vitals and do some observations while you're awake?" He asked.
"Of course." I said as I gestured my hand.
Dr Stevens was a handsome blonde man. He had these bright blue eyes and flawless tanned skin. His physic was fantastic, he was extremely muscular that I thought his muscles would burst through his scrubs. He was tall and absolutely delicious. I licked my lips, thinking about how much I was going to enjoy this examination. My thoughts jumped to playing a dirty version of doctors and nurses.
Unfortunately for me, he was extremely professional. He took my vitals, checking my temperature and blood pressure. He confirmed everything was fine and asked me the standard questions. No matter how much I flirted, he continued with his warm approach. When I mentioned the pain in my head, he responded he would prescribe some pain relief.
Just as Dr Stevens was finishing his observation, Benji came waltzing into the room wiggling his eyebrows at the handsome doctor, checking me over. I gave Benji a cheeky wink and smirk as I continued to get a rise out of the handsome doctor.
"So Dr Stevens, are you single?" I hummed in delight.
He chuckled. "Yes Miss Romano, I am."
"How can someone as handsome as you possibly be single? You are delicious. The single ladies of New York do not know what they are missing." I teased lightly.
"I'm glad to see you well, but unfortunately for you and all the single ladies of Manhattan, I swing the other way." He said with a wink.
My eyebrows shot up in response. God has done us women a disservice, but as I looked at the gorgeous doctor in front of me, all I could think about was my very single brother, who swung his way. He seemed like a genuine guy and I was happy to play matchmaker. My brother deserved the best, and the specimen in front of me exceeded my expectations.
"Ah, that is a shame. I'm heartbroken." I faked in sadness as I brought a hand to my chest. "Fortunately for you, I know a very handsome and successful friend who would match you in so many ways." I replied with a wink.
"Miss Romano, are you trying to be a matchmaker for me?" He gasped in a teasing manner.
"Have you met my brother, Benjamin?" I smirked and gestured to Benji who was standing behind him. I could see his mouth open hang open at the beauty that was in front of us. The tips of his ears went red, his face filled with embarrassment.
I could see the tips of Benji's ears go red. I could feel his embarrassment run through the air.
Dr Stevens turned around and faced my wonderful assistant. He looked him up and down, appraising him. The smirk on his face only enforced that he liked what he saw. With the ball firmly in Benji's court, all I could do was give myself a metaphorical pat on the back. The doctor was a good person, I could tell just by looking at him.
"I don't believe I have. Dr Stevens." He said as he stretched out his arm, offering his hand. Benji grabbed his hand firmly. His fingers clasping his hand with a gentle shake.
"Benji, pleasure to meet you." Benji said with a smile. I could see his eyes twinkle. He seemed to like the man in front of him, which only excited me. I needed to get them both out of here, so that they spoke. Both seen lost in each other's eyes.
"Well, now, that you two have met, I better get some rest." I said with a fake yawn. "Benji, why don't you get out of here and get yourself cleaned up? While I recover, I'm trusting you to be in charge. As my VP, I know you can manage this. If there're any problems, call me." I explained.
"Of course, Lettie, I'll check up on you tomorrow and fill you in on anything important that comes your way." He said with a nod.
"Excellent! Well shoo. I'm sure the doctor agrees I need my beauty rest." I said with a pout.
"That you do. I'll send someone round to check your observations this evening. You are in expert hands." Dr Stevenson smiled as he and Benji made their way out of my hospital room.
As soon as they left, I pushed myself back into the plump pillows and closed my eyes. I sighed in relief at the tranquil feeling of being on my own. I was relaxing and slowly I felt my eyes drift off into sleep. The tiredness was overwhelming, and I was being coxed into a deep slumber. Just as I drifted, I could hear loud shouts in the hallway. My eye peaked open and glanced around the room. It was empty and I could feel the drip mixed with pain medication ease the pain that was throbbing in my head.
"...Where is she?" A dark and familiar voice was shouting in the background.
"I'm sorry, sir, I don't know who you are talking about." A sweet feminine voice replied.
A growl erupted through the hall. It echoed through the walls. The growl demanded my attention, but the medication had left me too lethargic to respond.. "Louise! She's here! I know she is. You will tell me where she is before I go looking for her myself!" The manly voice growled.
"I'm sorry sir, there is no one by that name here." The feminine voice trembled. I could faintly hear the fear lingering in her voice.
"Move out of my way." He shouted. I could hear doors banging. I sensed they were being flung open. The clattering of medical equipment was echoing through the hall. My eyes kept fluttering at the voice.
It was then that my door flung open, and I tilted my head slightly and peered at the dark and tall figure in the doorway. My eyes squinted, trying to focus on who was trying to interrupt my peaceful slumber. The figure just stood there and seemed frozen on the spot. No matter how hard I tried, my eyes wouldn't stay open to focus on who was in my room.
I must be dreaming. The medication must have me hallucinating because the more I tried to focus, the more I imagined it was Jacob. I slowly drifted off to sleep, forgetting the weird figure that was standing in the doorway. The weird figure that looked like my mate.
08/08/2023