Chapter 3

Miranda Pov

     I woke up with a start, feeling invigorated. Stretching on the bed, I groaned as I slipped out of it, running a finger through my hair. I had a good sleep nice last, a first of it's kind. Usually my sleep time gets interrupted with cough. I smiled to myself, I night enjoy staying here after all. It's quietness is soothing. I trudged to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and took my bath. Once I thorough with that, I stepped out, a towel wrapped around my body. I want to go hiking today and explore the wounds while at it. I've always loved nature but there wasn't enough trees back in Las Vegas to live out that dream.

       Rummaging my closet, I brought out a track suit and fixed running shoes on my legs. Packing my hair into a tight, I looked ready. I left my room, straight to the kitchen to have a cup of green tea before taking my water bottle. My phone and earphones with me, I took a face mask and procceded out of the house, into the street.

      I found an hiking trail not too far away from home and began walking. Willing myself not to overdo it and walk too far away from home, I continued in the trail. But the forest had it's charm and ever so slowly, I found myself getting lost in it. The it was beautiful, with all the green everywhere. And the air was so clean and fresh, I sniffed appreciatively and I listened closely, I could hear the sounds of rushing water. A smile worked it's way to my face and stayed there.

     I continued with the trail and was about to take a break when my eyes caught something. Stopping a little, I peered closer. There was indeed something in the woods that shouldn't be there. Something stirred in my stomach and I found myself going closer. As the object became nearer, I realized it wasn't an object but an animal and from the stale blood I was smelling, it was a badly injured animal. Now, normally I should've turned back and run from my dear life when you think, whatever attacked this animal could still be lurking around but instead, I found myself running towards it.

     It came into full view and I realized it a wolf. But this wolf looked bigger than any wolves I've seen, not that I've seen a lot. And stronger too.  The crunching of leaves underneath my leg alerted the poor thing and it twitched,  emitting a low growl. I froze, holding my breath. My heart pounding in my chest, I crouched lower, my fingers brushing it's sticky fur. Raising it up, I realized it was covered in blood. Lots of it. Was it dead yet? It couldn't be dead, it just moved.

     There were chains on his legs, chains he seemed to have broken free of and several scratch marks on it's otherwise beautiful fur. I ran my hands through it, cooing at it. It whimpered and moved around, but could barely stand.

      " It's okay big guy…" I called softly, still running my hands through it. " It's okay. You're safe now." I mumbled. The animal seemed to relax under my voice. That confused me, is it not supposed to be hostile? I was even more worried when I saw it was bleeding. I brought out my phone and gently stood up, walking away from the wolf.  I wanted to call the Animal service for help when I stopped, staring at my phone. I just moved here, I don't possibly know anyone or anything that could be of help. How will I contact them? There was so little I could do but I didn't want this animal to die. It's been through so much already.

       I turned around and met with the greatest shock of my life. In the place of the wolf, was a heavily built but naked man. I looked around, confused. What happened to the wolf?! Where did it go? This has got to be a prank. A wolf did not just turn into a human…. Or did it? My heart beating loudly than before, I approached the unconscious man and touched him. He was still warm. That means he was still alive. But what do I do now? I removed the sweater of my track suit, wrapping it around it's body then went on to call the paramedics.

       It took a long while before they arrived, taking the unconscious man with them. I followed in their ambulance, watching as they treated his wounds and he had a lot. Most of them seemed like bullet wounds and few looked like his skin had been cut by sharp objects. My heart reached out to him and I held his hands in an attempt to comfort it. He lightly squeezed, his eyes twitching. We soon arrived at the hospital and they rushed him to the emergency ward, the doctors getting to work immediately. 

       I paced around in the hospital's reception, Occasionally glancing at the ward. I was so worried. Will he be okay? It looked like they were performing an emergency surgery on him but I couldn't be too sure. Coupled with what I saw earlier today, my nerves were on end. After what looked like forever, one of the doctors came out. He had an unreadable expression on his face as I walked up to him.

     " How's he?" I asked, glancing at the ward.

    " He's stable and doing just fine. Which is a surprise." The doctor revealed. I looked at him, raising a brow.

     " Why's that?"

     " He was badly injured when he was brought here and he looked like he'd lost a lot of blood. There were also multiple bullet wounds and scratches. But for some reason, none of these affected him. Frankly, I haven't seen anything like this before."

 

     " Bullet wounds?" I muttered.

     " Yes. He had multiple bullet wounds. It's why we had to do a emergency surgery to remove the bullets and stitch him up. Now he's unconscious and from the looks of it, he just might survive." 

      I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. " That's good then. If he's going to survive it. When he wakes up we can ask him where he got them."

     " You say you found him in the woods bleeding badly?" The doctor asked.

     " Yes, Why do you ask?" 

     " I know this may sound a bit forward but... This is a small town and I've never seen a man like that. Everyone knows everyone here. I think you should call the police here, judging by the nature of his wounds and they way he's built, he could be serial killer for all we know. We don't want to put people's lives at risk."

      I mulled over it for a while. The doctor had a point.

     " Okay… I'll consider it. Thanks anyway. I can come see him tomorrow, right?"

     " Yes, you can. He should have woken up by then." 

     " Great. Thanks a lot doctor."

    

    " No, problem ma'am." He said before walking away. I watched him leave, letting out a sigh. Staring at the ward, I watched as the man lay there, unconscious. My legs moved till they by his side. I ran a hand across his face gently. He had bandages covering his body but he still looked formidable lying there. My gaze stayed longer at his face. He sure did have beautiful lashes. And such firm lips too.

      I blocked out the image my brain was forming at that thought. This man is lying here fighting for his life and all I can think of kissing him. I must be a pervert. 

    " The doctors said you'll be fine. " I began as if he could hear me. " So her better okay? I'll be here." I whispered. Running a finger through his hair, I pulled my hand away and straightened up. I almost didn't want to leave. I shrugged and turned around, leaving his ward and walking out of the hospital.

      I'll see him tomorrow.