Awakening at the Hospital

Beep... Beep... Beep...

I woke to the sound of beeping. My body felt so sore and heavy. I struggled just opening my eyes, and as they adjusted to the lighting, I found myself in what seemed to be a hospital room.

“W-What…?” I weakly breathed out.

“You’re awake!”

My eyes widened when I heard that voice. Familiar, but in a good way. I turned to the source, and saw a face I never thought I would see again, looking down at me in relief in her blue eyes.

“Caitlyn? Is that you?” I asked.

Caitlyn looked at me in sheer joy and caught me in a hug. “Of course, it’s me, Suzie! I was just passing by when they brought you to the hospital, but what happened?! Where have you been these past four years?!”

Feeling her warmth envelope my body, hearing my name called from a tone that is in no way hostile or crude, sensing a concern different from that provided by Justin- from someone who saw me as a friend… Tears formed in my eyes as all those sink in, and I weakly returned the hug. “Trust me. It’s not like I wanted to disappear these four years,” I told her, my voice breaking a bit.

Breaking away from the hug, Caitlyn helped me up in a sitting position. “You need to tell me what happened, Suzie. Where have you been all this time?”

My mood fell when she asked that, as memories of the past four years came rushing back to me. “If you really want to know, Cait, I was imprisoned.”

Caitlyn’s eyes widened by my words, at a loss for words. “I-I’m sorry, what? What do you mean you were imprisoned?”

At her question, I have relayed everything that happened four years ago, on the day of my birthday. How I was framed for Ashley’s poisoning, labeled as a murderer by my own son, was one-sidedly sent to prison- without a trial, no less- and even about Justin and my parents. As I spoke, Caitlyn remained silent, listening to every word. While it was a small act, to me, it meant everything. Having someone listen to me, to what occurred that day. The only other person who did that… is no longer amongst the living.

“I warned you about that guy,” Caitlyn sighed, after I finished retelling everything. “I warned you about him, but you were so happy and in love with him that… I couldn’t-”

“I know,” I interrupted, my eyes in tears as I recalled the events again. “After everything that happened, I had long since decided to live out my life, away from this pack, with Justin. Obviously I can’t do that, when he’s been abducted by that… That maniac.” I clenched my hand in a fist as I recalled how Justin was taken. How helpless I was to do anything to stop Duncan’s men.

A hand rested on my shoulder, and I looked up to see Caitlyn staring at me with a soft look in her eyes. “Hey, it’ll be okay. We can get him away. Somehow.”

That ‘somehow’ didn’t assure me one bit, but I knew Caitlyn meant well, and could only respond to the reassurance with a small smile. As I shifted myself on the bed for a better position, a stab of pain shot up on my side, prompting me to rub it and ease the pain.

“You okay there, Suzie?” Caitlyn asked, helping me ease the pain.

“Somewhat. My healing ability hasn’t been as it should’ve,” I answered.

Caitlyn looked at my- the state I was in- with a sad expression. “Would explain why the doctors needed to give you those bandages,” she said.

I nodded lightly at the statement, as a thought came to my head. “You said you were passing by as I was getting sent here. Who helped me exactly?”

Before she could give an answer, we both heard the door open and turned to it. Entering the room was a gentleman in a long, auburn leather jacket. His hair sleek, and he had a small beard that gave him much of a mature look. As he approached me with his piercing hazel eyes, I shuddered at his gaze. At the powerful aura that radiated from him.

“Someone’s awake,” he said, smiling warmly at me. “How are you feeling?”

“I-… I’m fine, thank you,” I answered, captivated by his presence.

There was something about this man I couldn’t place my tongue on. Something similar to Duncan, yet all the more powerful. As Duncan’s wife, for the better two years of my married life with him, I had met various Alphas, who all radiate strong, confident, leadership aura of various kinds. The one coming from this man, however, felt more powerful than any other.

"Suzie, this is the guy who saved your life, Alpha Pularis,” Caitlyn introduced. My eyes widened at the name, for there was only one Alpha I was most especially made aware of amongst all others.