CHAPTER TWO - AWAKENING

James

I was sitting on a chair next to the bed. The heat was starting to take over my body since I had even forgotten to take off my jacket. I ripped it off and realized my hands were still dirty with dried blood.

I had lost track of how much time I'd spent staring at that face across the bed. Quiet, inert. Trying to capture any micro movement on her pale face. Watching her chest rise and fall normally under the coverlet, and if by chance the color would return to the fingers of her hands. It would be great...

I heard footsteps in the hallway and then three knocks on the door. Sarah's scent soon reached my nose.

"Come in." I said and the door opened slowly. I saw her come in with a plate in her hand.

"I thought you'd be hungry." She smiled, but the smile soon faded as she glanced toward the bed.

"Thanks." He left his plate on the nightstand and walked over to where I was standing.

"Want to talk?" I sighed and looked back at Sarah. She looked pained as she looked back at me. Do I look that bad?

"When I think about it now, it doesn't seem like it, but when I think back to moments before, my wolf shivers." I stared at Amelia and her bruised arms. I furrowed my brows as I moved up to her shoulders, neck and face. He'd already analyzed those wounds, each cut, one by one, a million times in these last few minutes. Imagining the movements, the scenes of each blow in my mind. It got worse every time I looked at them. "Shouldn't have left her there yesterday. I ignored my instincts and turned away even though I smelled her fear. That bastard's screams were directed at her. And look what happened today ." I clenched my fists and felt the dried blood sticking between my fingers.

"You respected her choice James.

"She only chose to stay there because she was used to her brother's manipulation. She thought it was right.

"Anyway, it's already happened. There's no going back.

"I don't even know if she's going to live!" I said aloud. "Look at her! Bad if you can hear her breathing!

"I'm not blind." My eyes widened when I heard her.

"Sorry." I put my hands over my face and smoothed my hair. "At the end of the day I think you were right about her. I'm an unlucky motherfucker..."

I needed to run for a while before my wolf completely freaked out and completely lost his temper. So I got up and left. I was startled when I saw Stanley leaning against the hallway wall with his arms crossed and his posture firm. His eyes narrowed and fixed on me as I passed him. I waved a sincere apology. He must have heard our conversation...

The race wasn't all bad. At least my wolf lightened his mood more and I realized that all was not lost. She was still breathing. Her heart, though weak, was still beating.

When I got back, the lights in the house were off. I entered through the balcony and went straight to take a shower to get rid of the anguishing smell of that blood that remained on me. When I got back to the room, I saw Sarah sitting where I was. Arms crossed and eyes slightly open as she stared at Amelia.

"Sarah?" She looked up at me.

"You arrived... I kept watch in your place." I gave a brief smile when I heard that.

"Thanks. Sorry about earlier. Truthfully, I was a little out of my mind.

"It's okay. I understand how it is." She smiled getting up. She came around the bed to me and stopped in front of me before giving me a tight hug.“The food got cold.” She spoke softly. That gesture was more than I needed. I hugged her back and looked over her shoulder. Amelia was still there, just the same. "Good night James.

"Good night." She broke free and walked past me with a smile on her face.

"Oh, and one more thing... Even us wolves need some time to recover." I nodded and she closed the door.

I took a deep breath. I felt partially refreshed, but the worry was still there. I sat back down and massaged my tense shoulders. I probably won't be able to glue my eyes together tonight.

Sarah

Right after I left James's room, I took a deep breath and walked over to Stanley. I needed that.

I walked in and sat in the armchair by the window. Your cell phone in your hand and some papers on your lap. He had his shirt open, his luscious chest and abs on full display. He looked at me and a graceful smile appeared on his lips. He was the most attractive wolf I've ever seen in my life.

"Is he calmer?" He asked and I nodded approaching.

"Well, it seems so.

"Good, because I wanted to punch him in the face for talking to you like that.

"So you heard…" I smiled and leaned over, placing a kiss on her jaw. I breathed in his delicious musk and mint scent and heard a guttural purr. I saw him take those papers off his lap and place them on the dresser.

"It wasn't like I was peeking..." He smoothed my bottom and pulled me onto his lap. I smoothed down his stubble and pressed my lips to his feeling the heat from his body radiate into mine.

Amelia

I was feeling so heavy and sore that it must have taken me thirty minutes just to open my eyes. The lack of light made it difficult for me to see anything at first. I moved my head slightly to try to see where I was, but I stopped when I felt a twinge in my neck. I groaned in pain and carefully moved the fingers of my hand. It felt like I hadn't been wearing them for months, but what caught my attention the most was the warmth I felt over her. I looked very slowly to my right and was surprised to see that lonely one. Sitting on the side of the bed. Head down, eyes closed, but his hand resting on mine.

James

I felt something poke my palm and I opened my eyes.

Was it already morning?

Shit, I ended up sleeping after all... I faced that bed again and raised my eyes to her face. My heart almost stopped when I saw two blue orbs staring back at me. Her fingers brushed my palm again and it felt like my body was alive again. Her blond hair, although a little bloodstained, looked beautiful on her pillow now that she was awake.

"Amelia..." I squeezed her hand and couldn't contain the smile of relief and happiness. "My God, finally...

"So I'm still alive..." She whispered very softly, grimacing in pain.

"It is. It is." I repeated, saying as much to her as to myself. I couldn't even believe it. Maybe this is one of the best mornings of my life.

"Where I am?

"At Stanley's." She looked at me for a while and then looked away.

"Did you find me?" She asked in a whisper. Her sweet voice is still weak.

"Yes, I did." I wanted so many answers right now... But she needed time.

"You really were yesterday..." I saw a slight smile appear at the corner of her mouth. The mouth that was now looking more alive and a pinker color. She's out of danger now, isn't she?

"I thought you were going to die…" I peeled my back off the chair still holding his hand and saw his eyes watching me.

"Me too..." I saw her move her feet and a pained moan came out of her throat.

"What happened?" I frowned and looked down his body.

"I think I twisted my foot when I fell down the stairs. It's sore. That's all.

"From the stairs?" I pulled the blanket off her foot and saw the bruise on the side of her ankle. Oh, that must be hurting...

"Heavens, I'm all dirty..." I saw her lift the coverlet slightly off her chest and looked at me again as she covered herself again. She propped an elbow on the bed to pull herself up, but I saw her arm shake under her own weight.

"You're going to have to lie down for a while." I put a hand on her shoulder and kept her on the bed.

"It's okay now. I've probably healed enough already.

"Stay in bed." I ended up sounding a little more authoritative than I'd intended... I sighed as I saw her giving me an unreadable look. "Please?" I raised an eyebrow trying to sound more polite. with you." She grumbled a little as she laid back down. I reached over to the bandage on her neck and pulled it down slightly to get a look. It wasn't as bad as it was yesterday, but it still hadn't completely healed. Even with the suture Liane did. "Still in pain?

"Nothing unbearable." She stared out the window. The voice gradually grew stronger. "Could you open the curtain?" I nodded. I got up, walked around the bed and felt his gaze on me as I walked over to the window. I pulled the curtain and the light from outside entered the room. Even though the morning was gray and overcast, the yellowness of the trees was something to behold. My body was heavier than usual from sleep, but my wolf was lighter than usual, thanks to her. I need to let those two know she's awake.

When I turned around, I heard the sound of her stomach rumbling. I looked at her face and laughed when I saw her cheeks turn red. Ah... much better...

"Wait here. And without getting up." I pointed. She kept looking at me with those deep blue eyes until I left the room.

Amelia

I looked at the coverlet and the sheet soiled with my blood. I sighed heavily and closed my eyes. My God... I have to clean this up later...

I looked up at the ceiling and felt my stomach rumble. That strangely made me smile.

"I'm alive..." I whispered to myself. Maybe this is my birthday present...

If it wasn't for James, I would still be on that asphalt. Exhausted, dead. Or some lost loner would find my body when they went to talk to Abell. And if that happened, it wouldn't be long before the blame landed on their backs or before the rumor got around enough for someone to release the legal hunt.

I took a deep breath of relief.

I didn't appear in the city paper at least. Those shadows I saw must have been James and someone else. No human has seen me, it's okay. This could have turned into chaos if it happened...

I remembered Abell running away. That bastard must have escaped. And now I woke up here.

I looked around. Some messy clothes on the dresser in the bedroom, some shoes on the floor. And the smell of camellias was evident. For a male, such a sweet smell should attract a lot of females... I felt my cheeks heat up and I turned away from that thought.

I propped my elbows on the bed again and sat up slowly feeling my ankle throb. I pulled the coverlet up to my chest and arranged the pillow on the headboard before leaning against it.

Ah, my body is heavy...

I ran my fingers lightly over a few scratches and surveyed the damage.

I need to talk to Alpha. Apologize for the mess and warn about Abell's schemes. Probably James didn't warn about him. She said she would only let me know if I accepted help from him.

I heard the door slam and turned my head. James came in with a plate and a glass of juice in his hand. When she looked at me, she sighed in resignation.

"Okay... Sitting down then." He said and I felt like laughing at him. He soon turned to look at me as he sat down.

"Thanks." I clutched the blanket to my chest and grabbed a sandwich. On second thought, it's probably taking me longer to heal not only because of the blood loss, but because I haven't been eating properly for a few days now.

I bit into the sandwich.

With so many problems, my body lost focus on the most basic needs. I looked into James's very light brown eyes. The slight dark circles that marred her wary, glittering eyes. Thick, well-drawn eyebrows matched her face.

"What is it?" He asked leaning back in the chair.

"Nothing. I guess I still haven't thanked you for saving me.

"Not yet." The corner of his lips lifted in a smile, showing his slightly pointed fang. "But no need. At least I brought you here." I looked away.

"Did Abell get away?

"Stanley sent some wolves to sniff around for him, but so far he hasn't heard back." I took another bite of my sandwich. It was delicious.

"I see. You won't be able to find him. He knows how to hide." I saw the loner cross his arms and look at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"I imagine you do. And I hope you know it very well." I heard a guttural growl and an uncomfortable shiver went through my body as I felt the air get short of me. Ah, I hate that heavy feeling under my shoulders...

"Please control yourself." I said, trying to sound as calm as possible and took a sip of juice. I don't want him to realize that I'm that sensitive to dominance.

"Forgive me." James looked away and his posture relaxed a little. It was a quick response and I certainly wasn't expecting it. Abell's reaction would be totally different.

I need to get used to the ones on this one.

"What time is it?" I kept looking at the features forming on his face. They were new to me and strangely attractive.

"Six and a half.

"It's early. Is Stanley asleep?

"I am not sure.

"What about the other loner? Is she here too?" He sighed, probably with so many questions.

"Yes.