CHAPTER FIVE

LORI

Distorted voices echo as I slowly regain consciousness. The voices fade when a low moan escapes my lungs, and I rub my hand against my eyes gently.

“She’s awake.” A female voice whispers. “Call Vince, fast.”

The smell of penicillin hits my nostrils, and I squint. I slide to sit up, but a sharp pain pierces the back of my left hand, and I grimace, observing the IV line close to the bed. I glance at a strange woman as she moves close with a small smile.

“Sorry about that.” She whispers and pushes the IV stand closer to me.

“How are you feeling, Lori?” She adds.

I stay silent, replaying the last events I remember in my head, and I suck in a deep breath. The Strays. I scrunch my nose as harsh smells of penicillin rush into my nostrils. 

‘But why am I in a hospital?’ I ponder.

Last I heard, the Strays don’t have an official pack land. 

“I’m Lola.” The woman beams warmly, probably trying to help me relax. “Do you feel any internal pain?” 

I shake my head, scanning her cautiously; her lab coat covers her tall physique, but her dominant posture hints to me that she’s an alpha, especially with how she ordered the nurse to get Vince. 

So many rumors have spread over time about Vince, the only alpha in the South, who dares what other alphas shy away from. Well, now I can add him saving me from Barrett as payment for his debt, as to his tally.

But I haven’t heard of any female member of the Strays, which means I’m in the dark about something here. 

“How long have I been out?” I manage, slightly louder than a whisper.

“Um.” Lola checks her watch. “Fifteen hours since you got here.”

I gasp sharply. “What?” A sour taste fills my mouth.

“Hey,” Lola moves close and places a hand on my shoulder. “Relax. You’re safe in Ashmoon. That bastard can’t touch you anymore.” Lola assures.

My eyes widen. “Ashmoon? How?”

Last I heard of Vince, the revered Alpha of the Strays, he had just desecrated a pack that killed one of his men. The only member of that pack who lived to tell the tale died a week later. 

“Vince took over as alpha three months ago after our father passed.” She explains.

It adds up now; Lola is Vince’s younger sister. 

“I’m not mated yet,” Lola adds. “So I pleaded with Vince to come and fill in before the Supremes start poking.”

The Supremes are a council of century-old werewolves that govern the activities of every country. I nod my comprehension, then my gaze moves over Lola’s shoulder, and my brows furrow, wondering why Vince hasn’t arrived yet. 

“He has an enormous amount of catching up to do.” She signals back with her thumb. “He’s probably taking care of—”

Lola is interrupted as Vince enters the room, but his gaze doesn’t move from me while Lola briefs him. His one eye seems to hold me in place as his alpha aura pours out in waves. I observe the patch on his left eye and wonder what story lies behind it.

“Yo, are you even listening to me?” Lola taps Vince’s arm with the back of her hand.

He nods lightly, still not shifting his gaze from me. 

“How are you feeling?” Vince’s deep voice bounces off the walls.

“Better,” I reply hesitantly.

“You’ll have to forgive my sister; she tends to be a pest when she meets someone new.” His mouth stretches as he faces Lola with a mischievous grin.

Lola arches her brows, smirking as she nudges Vince with her shoulder. 

“Well, you seem to love me more every day.” Shemuses.

I heave a sigh, smiling as ease washes over me, grateful as the suffocating atmosphere fizzles out. I observe Vince, who’s a good way over six feet and built like a metal tank, with a grey, oversized, short-sleeved t-shirt. 

Vince juggles his head sideways. “Hmm, maybe.” 

Lola laughs, but Vince cuts her off.

“How are the babies doing?” He asks as his smiling face morphs into a stoic expression.

Lola’s brows furrow. “Yeah, that.” Lola glances at me, then at Vince. “Let’s talk at my office." She gestures at the door.

My heartbeat starts to race. “No.” My voice sounds loud, and they halt. 

“I should know how my babies are doing,” I say firmly.

Lola locks eyes with Vince, and he nods once. She turns to me and sighs.

“We lost one of them.“ She says as a man walks into the room, observing us.

I gasp deeply and face Vince as tears trail down my cheeks. Vince balls his fists, furious as he storms out of the room.

Lola calls for him once, but he ignores her. She t

urns to the man who has just entered.

“Please, stop him from doing anything stupid.”