Waking To A Stranger’s World

Chapter 3: Waking to a Stranger's World

Nora's POV

My eyes fluttered open slowly.

A sharp ache spread through my body, yet something soft was cradling me.

Where am I?

I blinked, trying to focus.

White walls. A small room, pale light coming in through a window.

I tried to sit up.

Pain flared in my ankle.

I bit my lip and leaned back.

Suddenly, a soft knock came at the door.

The door opened quietly, and a female entered.

She smiled softly.

“Ah, you're awake. Good.

I looked at her, and my mind clouded over in confusion.

"Where… where am I?" I whispered, my voice weak.

The woman stepped closer.

“You're safe here,” she said. “I'm the healer.”

I frowned.

“Who… who brought me here?”

She paused, then answered, "The Alpha."

"Alpha?" I repeated slowly.

She nodded.

“Yes. His name is Axel. He found you in the forest.”

My heart jumped.

Axel? The man I had never met… a stranger who saved me.

I tried remembering what happened after I ran away.

The forest.

The villains.

That strong man who came from nowhere.

I looked at the healer again.

“What… what kind of man is he?”

She smiled weakly but with sadness in her eyes.

“Axel is the Alpha of this pack. The strongest, most feared.”

I swallowed hard.

“Feared?”

“Yes.” She nodded.

"He is cold. Hard. Since the loss of his mate, he hardly speaks with anyone anymore.

I blinked, surprised.

“Lost his mate?”

The eyes of the healer took on a slightly darker tone.

“Yes. Her name was Lilian. He loved her deeply. But she is gone.”

I felt this odd ache in my chest.

The woman continued, "I could remember him calling Lillian, so?"

"The Alpha seldom helps anybody. He has much on his mind regarding the pack and its protection. He doesn't show mercy so easily."

I bit my lip as my thoughts flashed back to yesterday.

He was not cold when he saved me. Not one bit.

But now, I was here - in his world.

The most weird place where one didn’t feel safe at all.

I looked to the healer, my voice shaking,

"Will he come back?"

She shook her head gently.

You are in the pack house, though not near the Alpha's quarters or his room. It's safer here for now.

I looked at the healer, my voice shaking,

"Will he come back?

Slowly, the healer shook her head.

You are in the pack house, though not close at the quarter or room.

I felt a shiver slither down the back of my neck.

"Should I… stay here?" I whispered.

Sighing, she nodded.

"For now, yes. Safer than being out there by yourself." I nodded slowly.

The healer produced a small bowl and some cloth.

"Let me disinfect your wounds and change your bandages."

I did not budge, the chill of the cloth against my skin sending shivers down my spine.

She finished and stepped closer, her voice low.

"Listen, Nora, Axel is not somebody with whom one can triflе.

I stared up at her.

"How did you know my name?"

She smiled softly.

"The Alpha told me to watch you. And you're lucky he saved you at all."

I had swallowed a hard swallow.

"Why am I lucky?

"Because Axel never helps anyone. Not even women. Since his mate died, he's been alone."

I remembered the man who had saved me.

Hard, taciturn.

Unlike that sadistic Alpha who had already rejected me.

But here, I was not safe.

The healer made one last warning.

"Keep your back covered, Nora. Make no mistakes. You don't want to be a thorn in the Alpha's side."

I nodded slowly, fear tucking into my heart.

The healer stood up and moved towards the door.

"If you need something, call for me."

I was left alone, staring at the white walls.

My savior who saved me was the most feared Alpha in the land. And I was stuck in his icy world.