2 - Harsh Reality

~Lola’s Point of View~

 “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea … Spongebob square … pants,” I mumbled, as I struggled to open my eyes.

“Sponge what,” a gruff voice said.

My eyes rolled around a bit, but I couldn’t focus. Who doesn’t know Spongebob? He’s the best.

I felt something at my lips, a straw. I sucked it and hummed, as cool water filled my mouth. I couldn’t get enough, it was like I’d never had a drink a day in my life. When I was satisfied I laid back, the pillow was perfectly soft and fluffy. Definitely a ten out of ten. I gaped at the weird ceiling, was this … a log cabin? Not a hospital?

“How do you feel,” the voice said. It was a husky, deep voice. Kind of scary for a doctor, where am I?

I focused and took in a guy, maybe five or so years older than me? Man, doctors are looking younger and younger. Hot, clearly buff, obviously busts it in the gym. Short trimmed black hair, not even enough for me to ruffle. Dark skin, maybe hispanic? Maybe just a good tan.

“You look more like the Brawny guy than a doctor,” I said, and chuckled to myself.

“I don’t know who that is but I’m not a doctor. You’re on some pain killers, probably making you a bit crazy. Unless you’re always crazy, talking nonsense. You don’t remember what happened? You were abducted. I’m Drake and you’re in Black Cove,” he said, matter of fact.

He had on a black muscle t-shirt that showed off his beefy arms, tribal looking tattoos. He’d probably fit in as a big wig in the army, intimidating people. He was clearly sharp but his bedside demeanor needed a lot of work. 

Suddenly my mood took a heavy turn for the worse. My eyes flew down to my bottom half and I tried to gauge any feeling but I only felt numb.

“Was I… Did someone…” I whispered.

“If I hadn’t gotten to you first that would have been your path. But we would never hurt you here. If, after an adequate amount of time you don’t happen to find your fated mate here, you can choose a mate,” he said, still with no real tone or inflection in his voice.

Choose … a what now?

“Oh I’m not … I’m not staying in your whatever. Cove. Cabin. Cult? My parents are probably losing their shit, I have to get home,” I said, moving to sit up but not getting too far and deciding the pillow was much nicer. There was a sharp pull of pain in my core and I had no idea what that was from. I winced and carefully lowered myself back down.

He stood, towering over me and for the first time a discernible look of emotion fixed on his face. 

Concern.

“You cannot leave, it’s not negotiable. There are guardians all around our perimeter, they won’t let you out. Your parents, if they are your biological parents, did a massive disservice to you. Not raising you with the expectation of what you’d be. Not preparing you. I’m guessing you were adopted, I hope so anyway. To think that your parents would intentionally try to suppress you, to keep you from your fate is unthinkable. But we see it from many females that we rescue,” he said.

Rescue? Am I a shelter puppy??

What the heck was he going on about? Okay dream, I’m done now. We can wake up!! 

“It will likely be a few days before you can easily walk again. Belle and myself will look after your needs until you’re functional. Then we’d like to show you around, have you meet as many as possible, in hopes that being around us might help draw out your better half … in more ways than one,” he said, as if he were dismissing me.

Better half?? He was going to fix me up? He’s a matchmaker? Makes no sense! Just spit it out man!

“Wait, wait. What in the actual hell are you saying? Just come out with it. Is this some sort of doomsday cult? Are you marrying me off to some religious nut,” I snapped, now feeling more awake and alert. Feeling stabbing and stinging pain all over my body. Some drugs he gave me if they were already wearing off.

He laughed, and I mean really laughed. 

“Now that I understand. No, we are very much about life I can assure you. We would never force you to mate anyone, as I said it is your choice. It’s one you’ll want to make in the next few weeks though. But you need more rest, let’s focus on that and when your memories return I’m confident you’ll see things differently,” he said, turning to walk away.

I hate riddles, I was always shit at them. But if he’s making me figure it out on my own then I will. My memories. What do I remember?

Went to work, my last day of work. Yup, I remember that. Stupid pizza place I hate so much. Asshole boss, long hours, shitty tips.

I’m about to leave for college, that’s right. Starting college next week. Wanted to get laid before going, like a fucking idiot. Getting dressed up to go to the party….

The woods.

The wolves.

The … wolves. 

I must have blacked out because when I came to there was a woman hovering over me. She was absolutely beautiful, like classically beautiful. Her hair was actually up in kind of a retro pin-up girl style and I found that quite at odds with the cabin vibe here.

I watched her for a minute as she looked at my wounds and changed my bandages. She didn’t seem to notice yet that I was awake. 

“Feeling any better? You’ve been out over a day,” she asked, without even looking at me.

Making a face, she then finally blinked up at me. She had the prettiest gray eyes, and a bit of pink in her cheeks. But it was natural, she didn’t seem to have a bit of make-up on. Weirdly, I did actually feel a bit better, and some of my minor cuts were healing pretty fast.

“Not sure yet,” I croaked.

“I’m Belle, what’s your name,” she asked, laying my arm back down.

“I’m Lola … Perkins. Can I call my mom,” I asked, hoping she was a bit more agreeable than what’s his face. 

“Afraid we only have a couple of cell phones in the entire pack. They’re only for certain situations. They don’t really work here though anyhow. About a two hour drive to get service,” she said, fixing my sheets. 

The flood of my memories hit me all at once and I gasped loudly, my hand covering my mouth. It was quiet for a long minute as some warm tears fell down my cheeks. 

“You remember? The combat? You can tell me, I never had to go through it. But I’ve heard the tales, enough to give me nightmares,” she said, nodding.

My fingers moved to my lips as if they expected to find blood there. 

“Drake and I pretty much hosed you down, cleaned out your mouth and everything for you. I brushed your teeth. You were a mess. One of the worst I’ve seen. Drake said you fought though, headbutted the guy real hard trying to get him away, he was so impressed. No female has ever really tried to fight back. Once you were as clean as we could get you, our wolves licked your wounds. Makes the healing process faster and reduces the chance of infection. You’ll be able to do all that someday,” she said, smiling.

I gave a wry laugh, surely I didn't hear her right. 

I eyed the woman as she took the lid off a bowl, the scent of chicken broth immediately filled the air and my stomach growled. I tried to picture this Disney princess looking woman turning into a hairy beast with teeth and claws. Nope, couldn’t imagine it.

Drake’s words about my parents rolled around in my head as I accepted a mug from her.

“I sure as hell won’t,” I snapped, trying to sit up. I’ll be damned if she’s going to call me a bloodthirsty monster. Fuck that. She just hummed and didn’t really answer me, I didn’t like it.

She lifted the pillow and propped it behind my back. My head flicked up as I heard a door open, and Drake walked in. He was now wearing a light blue muscle shirt that I hated to admit looked damn good on him. Anything would though, he was hot as hell. 

I stared at Drake’s dark hair. He said he got to me first. I gripped the mug tightly as my mind flashed back to the fight. 

The black ... wolf. My heart nearly stopped and my breath caught in my throat.

“You’re the huge black wolf that was ripping everyone to shreds,” I said, staring off into space, it wasn’t a question. I was finally figuring it out.

“Yes I am. Allow me to formally introduce myself. I’m Alpha Drake, and my wolf is Gage. Welcome to your new pack Lola,” he said, with a straight, serious face. I looked off into space as he moved toward the window.

No … no it can't be true. Be real.

Was I just a pawn? Saved from one beast but snatched by another? How could this coexist in the same world I knew?

This was now my world since I was trapped here. Drake cleared his throat as he turned back to look at me. My eyes moved on their own to stare at him. He had an intense and commanding presence. Belle suddenly turned and walked out. Was he signaling her somehow?

"Has anyone ever told you that you smell impossibly good? Like fresh roses kissed by the morning sun," he asked.