CHAPTER EIGHT: ARIA

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The sterile white walls and soft beeping of medical equipment greeted me. A warm, gentle light streamed through the window, casting a comforting glow over the room.

The scent of antiseptic and fresh linens filled my nostrils, familiar yet foreign. This pack's infirmary felt unusual, bigger, different, sophisticated. I was in a private room?

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me to lie back down. My head was pounding, my ears ringing, my throat parched. My whole body felt like I'd been dragged down the stairs of a 17 story building. A soft murmur of voices caught my attention. Ryder was speaking to a man in a white coat, probably in his mid fifties, his face etched with concern.

"Aria, thank goodness you're awake," Ryder half yelled, half whispered, his voice filled with relief as he sat by my bed.

The doctor's eyes locked onto mine, a neutral expression on his face. "Aria, how do you feel?" he asked coming closer.

I tried to process his words, but my mind was foggy. Memories of the rogue attack flooded back, and I remembered Ryder saving me. I reached out and he took my hand, his touch warm and reassuring.

"I..I" I croaked and Ryder handed me a cup of water with a straw.

I sipped three cups before my throat felt less scratchy. "I feel like I've been run over by a truck"

"Mmm..." The doctor hummed looking at a clipboard as a nurse probably a year or two older than me checked my vitals.

"Better than I thought for someone who'd been out as long as you were, so.."

"Wait, how long ha..have I been unconscious?" I asked staring at Ryder.

"Four days, seven hours. We'll keep you for observation and you should be discharged by tomorrow" He said calmly leaving me speechless.

The hospital room was quiet, except for the soft beeping and the gentle hum of the medical equipment.

The nurse did some final checks, her movements gentle and confident, she smiled reassuringly at me before leaving.

"Welcome back, Aria," Ryder said softly.

"Ry..." I breathed "What happened? Where are we? Mum? Dad? Reena? Chloe? Everyone? What's going on? What's this place?" I fired.

"Slow down Aria" he chuckled and squeezed my hand in his before continuing with a sigh. "This is our new packs infirmary, we're in Crescent Pack Portland. They're hosting and helping us till we can get back on our feet and Mum, Dad, Reena, Chloe and everyone else are settling in"

"What? Crescent Pack, Crescent Pack? In Portland? The Crescent Pack?" I whisper yelled with wide eyes.

"Aria, we're going to be fine. It's just going to be for a while" he said whispering the last part.

"How long are we going to be here?" I asked.

He looked away and sighed. "I don't know"

Wow. The Crescent Pack was formerly the royal pack which controlled the other packs, it's alpha was known as the alpha king but due to civilization and some changes that came with it, it is now the Crescent Pack although still overseeing the other packs across the country. Last I heard, the current Alpha, Alpha Kael who is not just the youngest but the most cold hearted Alpha since the history of this pack and we were now being hosted here.

After munching on food Ryder went to get me, he told me everything from when I passed out after the rogue attack to when Dad had reached out to Alpha Kael, Luna Sable's condition, Spencer, everyone in our pack, how we traveled down here from Slateville, how the Crescent Pack have been considerate and accommodating and how tomorrow night we'd all be having a meeting with the crescent pack to formally discuss our integration into the pack.

I looked around the room and felt a sense of gratitude and wonder. These people, this pack, had taken us in, cared for us, and were willing to help us rebuild. After all the devastation there was hope, I smiled.

We were in Portland. From the way Ryder spoke, I could feel the city's vibrant energy and how it was a stark contrast to the quiet, rural life we were used to. The towering buildings, bustling streets, and eclectic mix of people and cultures seemed overwhelming but in a good way.

I dozed off for a couple of hours waking up to the prodding of the nurse I saw earlier, her name, Molly. Everytime she smiled, her light blue eyes sparkled. After her shift was over, she sat with me for a bit while we chatted and laughed about random things.

She's actually a student nurse, she's still in college but gets to work at the pack hospital because of how super smart she is but she says it's because after school she's always stayed at the pack hospital since her parents died. She's an orphan, lost her parents at age ten during a rogue attack but has been taken care of. We talked about high school, college and what I'd like to major in.

She left after helping me read all of Chloe's get well soon letters and then another nurse came to check on me. It was really nice talking to Molly. It felt like a good sign, the first friend I made in this new pack was actually friendly.

I dozed off again and woke up past midnight. The meds I was given were really knocking me out but that was fine because my ribs are completely healed and there's no bruise mark.

My leg injury has also healed up leaving a few light pink marks. I'm not sure they'll fade away because Ryder explained that aside my unhealed rib my fever was also a result of the wounds being infected, so the marks were not certified to disappear completely. That didn't really matter to me as long as I could use my leg properly.

I got up, walked to the balcony of my  room, opened the sliding doors and stepped outside. The crisp night air whipped my hair around and I sighed leaning on the hand rail. It felt so good to feel fresh air. Even in the dark, I could make out that some of the pack's homes were a blend of modern and natural architecture, seamlessly integrating into the natural surrounding landscape.

I was on the second floor just like Ryder said and seeing the soft pack lights from this height and distance felt so relaxing well, not until I heard a growl that snapped my neck to the side, sending shivers down my spine and hitching my breath.

A massive black wolf with striking blue eyes and flecks of gold stared straight at me and even from his position down on the ground I felt like it was towering over me. Wait blue eyes with flecks of gold? Pitch black wolf? This was an alpha, Alpha Kael.

I gasped and cowered my back hitting the sliding doors, he whimpered. Holy goodness did he just whimper and did that just sound like the best sound I've ever heard? My heart was thumping so hard I clutched my chest when I felt his breathing close to me. That was really fast.

I looked up and blue eyes with golden flecks that looked like they were dancing around stared back at me, hot breath fanning my face. I stepped forward. His fur looked so dark and soft. I don't know what's happening to me but I feel like running my hands through his fur. No wait I am running my hands through his fur and damn are they soft. I sighed at his soft whimper as he nuzzled the side of his head into my palm, crouching a little, still staring at me.

I broke out of my trance when I heard Ryder call my name from inside the hospital room as I snatched my hand from Kael's fur. His blue eyes hardened like ice and it felt like my heart was poked.

Ryder slid the sliding door and chuckled when I turned to face him. "Of course you're out here"

I turned back to look at Alpha Kael and he was gone. I leaned over the hand rail but he was gone like he was never here.

"What's wrong Aria?" Ryder asked and stepped close to me looking down the balcony too.

"No.. nothing" I whispered. I'm glad it's dark out here or else Ryder would have really seen my flushed tomato face and neck and goodness I don't know what I'd have said.

"You sure?" He asked staring at me and I nodded as we walked back inside.

What was that? What just happened to me? Am I hallucinating? But no that felt too real. Why did I feel drawn to Alpha Kael? Goodness me, I just got here, I don't need any trouble...please I'd rather I was hallucinating than get in trouble with the new pack's alpha.