SEVEN My last visit to the doctor had led to nothing but another dead end. Even worse, the doctor thought I was imagining things. It took a great deal of my self-control not to beat the shit out of him after that comment he made. "You know, sometimes, pain can just be a figment of our imagination."Upon leaving the hospital, I returned to the motel. And that was where I have been ever since. I spent the next few days exercising like never before. I also massaged my legs how best I could. But no matter how I tried, I didn't feel that pain again. The words of the doctor also kept echoing in my head. At one point, I wondered if he was right. Maybe I was so focused on getting better that my mind started to mess with me. Maybe I was never going to recover like I had been told before. Maybe I would one day be known as the crippled Alpha after taking my rightful place.As much as this fear tried to break my soul, I woke up every morning to exercise and also make more plans to usurp that i
SEVENNothing beat the shocked expression that leaped onto the doctor's face as soon as my mask dropped. The pen he had just picked up dropped on the desk and then rolled off to the floor.His right hand trembled as he pointed at me. "You...you...you are...""Yes, I am," I said patting my chest. "It's really me, Seven Greywolf."The doctor suddenly broke out in cold sweat. His cold face instantly turned to that of a scaredy cat. I could see his chest heaving at this moment. "How... Why did you come here?""To receive treatment, of course," I responded with a shrug.He shook his head vigorously. "I mean, why did you come to this hospital? There's an excellent hospital in Luster Falls, and you have the best doctors there. Why didn't you go there?"I waved indifferently. "It's a long story. One that you don't need to know. Just know that you can't tell anyone that I was here.""W-why?"The corner of my lips curved upwards. "Isn't it obvious? I don't want anyone to know. Besides, are you
SEVENBecky's voice came through a second later. It was extra chippy and filled with worry at the same time. "Hey, Seven! You finally remember me! I have been trying to reach you. What's up with you? Where are you? How are you?""Answer the damn question, Becky! What the hell did you do to me?" I roared on the phone. The doctor took a step back, the metal clips rattling in the tray he was holding.On the other end of the line, Becky drew a breath and stuttered, "What...what are you talking about, Seven? I haven't heard from you for days. Why did you call me to yell at me? Are you still mad at me because I stalked you?""Don't be ridiculous!" I snapped. "I'm sure you can tell what I am talking about!""I can't! I really don't know why you are yelling at me, Seven. If you are going to yell, you should tell me exactly what I did wrong to deserve this. What is it, Seven?"A ball of fury brimmed from the deepest parts of my stomach up to my throat. I ran my fingers through my hair and took
SEVENThe nurse's eyebrows drew together in an instant. She sized me up and then leaned to the side to whisper something to her colleague.With a corner of her lips upturned, she looked back at me and asked, "And you are?"I glanced at the other nurse, only to find that she was glaring at me too. Finally, I replied, "One of his old patients. I need his help with something.""One of his old patients?" the first nurse repeated, turning to her colleague. I saw them communicate with their eyes. However, I couldn't make out what they were saying.Neither of them said a thing to me for a long time. Impatiently, I said, "Could you please direct me to his office?""You are an old patient of his, yet you don't know where his office is?" the second nurse uttered, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.I kissed my teeth. "Like I said, I am an old patient. That alone should tell you that it has been ages since I came here. Now, will you give me directions or not?"Both nurses glared at me. They whisper
SEVENA warden at the gate of the hospital tried to slow me down. I stepped on the gas, instead. Fortunately for him, he jumped out of the way before I crushed him."Sorry..." I mumbled as if he could hear me. I drove at a high speed for a long time. Every turn I made was blurry. I didn't realize where I was going until I read a sign that said, "Welcome to Luster Falls.""Oh, no!" I muttered, looking around. I should have known better than to have lost myself while speeding.My father's death anniversary was today. I know I said it was risky to be in Luster Falls today. However, I realized that I couldn't stay away. Something kept pulling me towards home. Also, my wolf was restless. I couldn't help feeling that I'd get to see Winter again today. Maybe I'd see her when she's on her way to visit my father's grave. Dawn had told me that the impostor never allowed them to go out.But on such a memorable day, wouldn't he go out with them just to keep up appearances? It might seem I was w
WINTER"Come back to me, Dawn. Wake up so we can play together. I miss you so much."Teardrops from my eyes fell on Dawn's face as I looked down at her face. I sucked my lower lip as I tried to hold back my wail.My fingers wiped my daughter's pale cheeks gently. Her skin was moist even though it felt cold to the touch.Days had passed, but Dawn had yet to wake up. We were still locked up in this room. There was no escape for us. The guards were outside the windows and balcony 24/7.I had run out of all the modes of escape that came to my mind. Even the door was as hard as a rock. I suffered a broken arm from slamming my body against the door.Countless times, my heart broke. I fell asleep crying and woke up still crying. Dawn didn't move no matter what I did. I tried to keep her warm as much as I could. I also wiped her body with a warm towel several times a day. Nothing worked."Wake up, my love. Mommy is so worried about you," I said taking her hand in mine.Her eyelids remained s
WINTERA bubbly, fizzy sensation coursed through my veins. The hairs at the back of my neck stood tall at the same time. I spun on my heels slowly.I knew that rich and earthy scent anywhere. Even if I was deep in slumber and was woken up, I'd be able to tell who owned that scent. It was Seven's. I swear!It was just like I last remembered. The scent came to my nose as the breeze continued to blow. I walked back to the handrail and held it. My eyes wandered in all directions.What was happening? Why could I smell Seven? Was I hallucinating?The bubbly sensation suddenly found its way to my chest. My hand slipped off the handrail. However, I held it with the other. I looked down and then to the side.It was already dark out. The crescent moon was out and the lights in the compound were already turned on.When I looked down, the only people I could see were the security guards. One of them looked at me. He scowled like they had been doing anytime I came out to the balcony.There was n
WINTER"Please, tell me that it's really you! Tell me that I am not hallucinating, Seven. Tell me that you are really alive and well!"Conflicting emotions suffused my chest as I looked into the woods. I couldn't see anything even though I kept straining my eyes. My ears were also pricked up. I listened hard to hear a response. Sadly, all I heard was fucking crickets!"Say something. Please! I'm losing it. Just say something if you can hear me!"I have never hated the almost deafening sound of silence like I do now. Everything was just strange, yet so real. I didn't think I was hallucinating anymore.Just when my last hope was fizzling out, I heard that voice saying, "Keep your head up, Winter. I know you are a strong woman. Be strong for our child. Be strong for our pack. Be strong for me. This isn't over yet. Everything is going to be okay very soon.Both of my hands clutched my chest tightly. I divided my gaze with both ends of the woods that I could see now. I didn't get any respo