Chapter 4

Farah POV

My mind started to wake from the aching in my legs and side. I felt as though I could sleep for days but the pain in my body and the overwhelming urge to pee was too much. I was also much too hot and instinctively started kicking the heavy blanket off of me.

My eyelids felt heavy as I strained to open them. Bright light flooded in through a window across the room causing my eyes to need a moment to adjust. I winced at the intrusive light.

What the…? Where the hell am I? I wondered, taking in the room around me when my vision cleared. Confusion quickly turned to fear.

The room was a light tan color with dark wood bookshelves from floor to ceiling along one wall. A green velvet chase sat in front of the wall of books. There was a large dark wood desk across from the door in front of a large window with a green velvet chair, and gold floor lamp. gold curtains hung from the window billowing at the floor, and a large green and brown tassel rug covers most of the room.

looking down i noticed the nightgown on my body. It was scratchy, and stiff. White with blue dots.

A hospital gown?

I quickly surveyed the room again. I was definitely in an office. Someone’s office. I was sure of it from the hundreds of books and large desk that sat in front of me. But I was lying on a hospital bed in a hospital gown. It was a rather comfortable looking room. It was well decorated, clean, and smelled of cedar, not like a hospital at all.

I tried to sit up for a better look but my body was still working against me. A hiss left me at the sharp pain that went through my side.

What is this? How did I get here?

I was pulled from my thoughts when I noticed the beeping coming from the monitor on the nightstand to my right, and then my head turned to the other side of the bed when I heard the slow dripping sound coming from my left. I panicked when I saw the tube in my wrist, following it with my eyes up the metal poll, and then up to the bag of liquid. I rolled over to get a better look at the bag, using most of the energy I had. I instantly felt much cooler as a breeze brushed against my back.

SALINE.

Fluids?

I started to turn to lie back down when my body jumped at the sound of someone entering.

“Oh my god! I’m so sorry!” THUD.

I turned my head to see a large man slamming into the doorframe as he tried to rush from the room. He steadied himself and hurried into the hall. And that was when I realized that the cool breeze I felt was due to my gown being completely open in the back and my bare ass on show.

Oh dear god.

I was frozen. I clenched my eyes hoping if I couldn’t see him, he couldn’t see me. Maybe he’ll just go away.

“Um, I was just dropping off a few things for you.” His deep voice called out from the hallway. It was strong and sent a shiver through my body. Definitely not a voice I've heard before.

I should answer.

“Oh, ok.” I coughed out. My voice didn’t sound like my own.

Dear god, don’t come back in.

He came through the door carrying a small pile of folded clothes. At first I thought he was much older when his back was to me. The man was huge, maybe 6’4, but his face was young, not a blemish in sight. Maybe 20 years old. His bright honey brown eyes sparkled, one hidden behind his blonde hair that fell in front of his face. He was very handsome. And his bright smile would make most women's knees buckle.

Nervousness began to build in my stomach when I realized this was not my pack.

My eyes continued to follow the large man as he crossed the room. He was wearing a pair of gray sweat shorts, his white tee was straining against his chest muscles, and I could sense the authority rolling off him. He must be a high ranked pack member. I felt a blush forming on my face when I realized this gorgeous man had just seen my naked ass on display.

Kill me now.

“I didn’t realize you were awake. I’m going to go get the doctor.” He said quickly, placing the clothes on the foot of the bed and jogging out of the room.

Shit. Who are these people? The doctor?

Nervousness turned to complete Panic. I hadn’t met anyone new in years. I suddenly felt vulnerable. The heat from my blush started to spread through my body and I soon realized it wasn't embarrassment I was feeling when my hands began to glow again.

Goddess Selene, why now!?

I pulled the feeling back in, not letting it spread. Waiting for it to dissipate.

I breathed deep, sitting there still confused about where I was, now wondering if I could somehow escape. I lifted my arm to grab the side of the bed and I felt my iv pull. I was stuck here.

The handsome man returned only a minute later with a much older gentleman, whom I could only assume was the doctor he spoke of. He was nowhere near as tall, with short salt and pepper hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a light blue button down shirt and a pair of khaki pants.

They both entered the room rather excited and smiling, stopping just at the foot of the bed.

“How’s our patient today? You’ve been asleep for around 16 hours now.” The doctor spoke, glancing down at his clipboard.

My eyes went wide.

16 hours? What the hell is going on?

I guess he could read the confusion on my face. And his smile softened turning to a frown.

He placed his notes down on the bed. “Can I ask your name, to start?” His voice was gentle and fatherly.

I hesitated but the man seemed kind and professional.

“F-Farah.” Was all I managed to get out before I had to clear my throat. My hand instinctively shot up to rub my neck.

The handsome younger man grabbed a pitcher from the bedside table, poured some water into a plastic cup, and handed it to me after helping me up to a sitting position. I watched him from the corner of my eyes the entire time.

“I’m doctor William and this is Beta Luca.”

I tried to remain calm but my breathing hitched when I realized I was in the presence of a Beta.

“You are in the Black Moon pack territory. We found you unconscious on the pack house stairs last night. You were pretty injured, but healing. And you were extremely dehydrated, so we moved you here to patch you up, get some fluids into you, and monitor you through the night.”

I nodded and sipped on my water gripping the cup with both hands. My eyes darting back and forth between the two men.

Looking down I could see my arms were littered with slices and small cuts. Gently pulling my gown up above my knees with my free hand, I looked down seeing the scars from healed cuts on my thighs. The dried blood made it harder to see the ones down my legs. The skin on my feet felt tight from the layers of solidified mud as I wiggled my toes.

“Do you know what happened to you? Or, how you got here?” The doctor asked.

Realization suddenly hit me. The cup I was holding dropped from my hand, bouncing off the bed and splashing the floor.

I remembered running from my pack; my old pack. Being chased. Jumping off the cliff, and being saved by the river. Floating away and running the entire day trying to get as far away as possible.

Tears started running down my cheeks and I suddenly couldn’t breathe. Pain erupted in my chest. I started gasping for air; pulling on the neck of my gown to allow me room to breathe, but it didn’t seem to be working. The machine next to me was beeping faster and an alarm started to sound. Complete panic washed through me. I feel suffocated and the need to run took over.

I ripped the monitor off my finger and tore the iv from my arm. Blood shot from the site and I screamed at my self-inflicted pain. But I just wanted to continue running. Get away from everyone.

Both the doctor and Beta rushed in closer to the sides of the bed.

“Please don't do that. You're still healing.” I could hear the doctor’s panicked voice as he grabbed my arm putting pressure on the iv site.

I tried to wrench my arm free from his grip. Kicking my legs at the same time.

Please I just want to go! Let me go!

For the first time I actually wanted to be alone.

“Shh shhhh.” I felt warm hands on my shoulders. “Breathe. You need to take deep breaths.”

I clenched my eyes closed praying that they would leave me alone.

“I promise you are safe. We will not hurt you. I give you my word as Beta of the black moon pack.” Came the Beta’s deeper soothing voice. I don't know why his words calmed me or why I believed him. I opened my eyes and looked up into those golden brown colored eyes.

His eyes now swirling like molten honey. Filled with emotion and worry. I don't know why, but I believed him.

Taking deep breaths to calm down, he breathed with me until I was calm.

“Are you ok?” The Beta asked in a soft voice.

“He killed my parents” It came out in a whisper. It was all I could say still sobbing