Chapter 3: Safety Portal

Zyra’s POV…

They encircled me barring their wide teeth as their eyes shone red. 

“Don't kill me, please! I belong to the Riverrun Pack.”I pleaded as I moved backwards until I was backed up against a tree.

The large rogue wolves surrounded me, and I held and stroked my belly instinctively. 

“I am sorry I couldn't protect you”. I said to my belly as tears rolled down my cheeks.

The moon goddess really does have favorites.

I thought to myself as I wondered why she decided to deal so harshly with me.

I stared at the rogue wolves who stared at me with ferocious eyes, ready to shift into their wolf forms. 

A twig snapped behind alerting the wolves of another presence aside us, for a brief moment their attention shifted from me to the source of the sound.

I took the opportunity and started running, behind me I heard the crackle of bones and I knew they had shifted.

I would never outrun them on two legs when they were on four.

But I decided to continue.

Run Zyra! Run! Run from the ruthless alpha! Run from the ruthless pack! Run from the Rogue wolves! Run!

My mind trailed back to Roland, replaying my memories of him from my childhood down to his rejection.

My knees grew tired, and my leg threatened to give way; my body was cold from the sweat and water on my skin and the howling breeze as I ran.

I could still hear the rustle of trees from behind me as I ran, and my legs gained speed.

I had never run this fast in my life.

But they were gaining on me, their loud howls sounded closer.

I turned back to check the distance between us, but ended up tripping and falling to the ground.

My skin dashed against the hard floor causing me to wince.

I broke the fall with my hand attempting to protect my belly, and a slight crack reached my ears.

Before I could register the pain a wolf had jumped on me barring its wide fangs to attack. 

I shrieked backwards as the others encircled me as well.

That was when I realized I was at the edge of the cliff, one more step backwards and I would fall over the cliff. 

One of the wolves bit hard into my shoulder and was about to aim for my neck, but in one swift motion, I dodged his attack.

But ended up slipping, and fell off the cliff edge all the way down over the waterfall. 

In what I thought were my last moments, my most cherished memories played before me, including my last night with Roland. 

——

“Doctor! Doctor! She’s awake.” 

I opened my eyes slowly. The light was very bright, brighter than any I had encountered.

My head throbbed causing me to wince at the old lady yelling beside me. 

She had moved closer to me wrapping her hands around me muttering what sounded like prayers beneath her breath.

A man in a white ward coat and scrubs strolled in taking my vitals, he had a wide smile across his face as well, more like the old lady’s.

Doctor? Werewolf packs didn’t have doctors, only healers.

“Her vitals are stable.” The doctor spoke after a thorough examination.

“Thank God.” The lady released a deep breath. 

“Too stable.” The doctor added.

“What does that mean?” Another person, an older man asked, he was beside the old lady holding her hand. 

“They don't look like she’s fresh out of a coma.”

“Coma?” I finally spoke, but they didn’t hear me as my voice came out as barely a whisper. 

My mouth was too dry to speak any louder.

“What about the baby?” 

“Yes, when will she be able to meet him?” 

Baby? My hand instinctively groped my belly, no bump.

It was still as flat as when I fell over the cliff.

“She might be in shock since she’s fresh out of a coma, it’s best we let her rest first.” 

I cleared my throat determined for them to hear me this time.

“Have I had my baby?”

They all stopped speaking and stared at me with wide eyes.

The doctor cleared his throat before speaking, “You have been in a coma for a little bit over 8 months.” 

“8 months?” 

“Yes.” 

“We had to perform a c-section last month… we thought you wouldn’t make it past that.” 

“Where’s my baby? Is my baby okay?” Bile rose in my throat filling my mouth with an acidic taste. 

“He’s in the nursery.” 

“I can send the nurses to bring him over.”

“I want to see my baby.” I rose to my feet quickly, but my knees gave way causing me to fall back. 

“You need to rest, you can’t strain your body.” 

I felt my throat tighten before a sob broke out, “I want to see my baby, where’s my baby?” 

“The nurses would bring him up now, you need to calm down.” 

The old lady wrapped me in her arms stroking my hair, for some odd reason I felt comforted.

After a few minutes, the door opened up to reveal a nurse strolling in with a baby colt.

I could see my baby through it.

For a moment I forgot to breathe. 

He looked perfect and strong. 

They brought him closer to me, and he stared at me with bright blue eyes exactly like mine. 

His hair was as dark as Roland's; he looked like his carbon copy too.

I had missed out on my pregnancy journey.

Fresh tears coated my eyes as I reached for him, “I want to hold him.” 

“Sure.” 

The nurse placed him in my arms gently. That was when I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

I held him tightly at the same time, careful not to hurt him.

This was real. I was holding my baby and for some reason, I felt safe. 

He didn't cry, he just stared at me with his bright blue eyes, as I cooed him up in my arms.

“Do you remember where you live?”

“I am from the….” I paused remembering Marcelline’s last words to me.

“From where darling?” The lady urged.

“I don’t remember.” I lied before I thought things through.

“Oh, dear.” 

“The police couldn’t identify you as well, it was almost as if you had dropped from the sky.” 

“The sky?” 

“We found you in the woods during our camping trip.” 

“Where am I?”

“You are in Pennsylvania dear.” 

“Temporary amnesia is common in patients like her, she just needs time, her memories will be back.”

Was I in a city and not a pack? 

That explains the unusual brightness.

The last thing I remembered was falling off a cliff edge.

I had only heard of the human realm in stories and books.

Though humans and werewolves now lived in peace, each species still kept to itself.

"We would keep you for a few days to observe you closely, after the time frame, if your vitals remain the same you will be discharged.” The doctor nodded and left us.

“Darling if it's okay with you in the meantime you could live with us at least until your memories are back.”

“There would be no need for that, I would manage.” I placed my baby gently in the crib. 

“Nonsense, it's no trouble for us, after all we are old with no kids and a large house, we don't mind.”

“... you will need all the help you can get.” The old man added as he nodded in agreement. 

I nodded as well, returning my focus to my baby in my arms.

He was perfect.

I let out a long breath, you are safe now, you are right where you are meant to be.

There's no need to run or hide anymore.

“I will protect you," I whispered to my baby, placing a soft kiss on his head.