Enemies and Allies

“So, are you going to tell me how this happened, or should I guess?” Dr. Patrick asked.  Amari refused to answer and continued to blankly stare at the wall as she replayed her last 24 hours in her mind. 

“Okay…let’s see…slammed in a door?”

She shook her head.

“Not a door.  Okay…ran over by an 18-wheeler?”

She shook her head again and bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling.

“No 18-wheeler.  I know what happened.”

She curiously tilted her head to the side and patiently waited for Dr. Patrick’s more than likely wrong guess. 

“You dropped your ring down the garbage disposal, reached in, and the rest was history.”

That made Amari laugh despite being in so much pain.  She hoped no one had suffered such misery, but had a feeling this had happened to someone before.  “No,” she finally spoke.  “I was tortured for a crime I didn’t commit.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Amari.  I know what they say about assuming, but your wounds appear to be fresh.  Were you injected with silver?”

“Y-yes.”

“That’s okay.  I have a serum that can reverse the effects; however, it will take quite some time to heal.  In the meantime, we’re going to set your fingers and hand, and stabilize it.  Let’s get some X-rays done.  Shall we?”

“That’s fine.”

**********

Amari relaxed under Dr. Patrick’s care.  Despite his complaint about being unexpectedly woken from his sleep, he was very energetic and talkative. 

“Can I ask a question?” Amari asked suddenly.

“Sure.”

“Is everyone here…nice?”

Dr. Patrick snorted as he bandaged her hand.

“I wish that were the case, but you know how temperamental wolves can get.  Sometimes we’re a big, happy family, and other times we’re trying to tear each other’s throats out.  Just a warning, our pack doesn’t take too kindly to outsiders.  It’s gonna be tough for you, not gonna lie, but I think you’ll eventually fit in.  Especially when your hand is healed.  Just keep your head down, don’t give anyone any lip, and do your job.  I don’t want you to become a regular down here.  Any other questions before I cut you loose?”

“Alpha Steele—”

“Don’t even think about it.  You’re not the first girl to catch googly eyes for him, and you won’t be the last.  You’re guaranteed to get hurt if you go down that path.  I want to see you back in two weeks for a check-up.”

“Thank you, Dr. Patrick.”

“You’re welcome.  Susan is waiting for you upstairs.”

Amari nodded her head and hopped off the medical table.  Dr. Patrick injected her hand with a serum that was at least helping with the pain.  He explained the serum might take several months to heal her hand and to not give up hope. 

“How are you feeling, dear?” Susan greeted her once she made it to the main floor.

“Better.  I’d be doing a lot better if I could have a helping of the chili and cornbread you mentioned.”

“Right this way.”

Amari was grateful it was late.  The only wolves they encountered were the burly pack warriors on their nightly duties, guarding the castle from the things that went bump in the night.  Amari passed by one of them who took the liberty to sniff her once she passed by, resulting in Amari jumping away from him.

“Don’t be nervous,” Susan giggled.  “This is Kez.  He’s the best tracker in the nation.  He wanted to familiarize himself with your scent…just in case.”

“Just in case what?” Amari curiously asked, tiptoeing around the man. 

“Just in case any of us are kidnapped.”

Amari snorted.  “Trust me.  No one wants to kidnap me.”

“It’s a cruel world out there, Amari.  You never know what could happen.”

The pair arrived at the kitchen where a steaming bowl of chili and a plate of cornbread rested at the kitchen island.  Amari jumped on the stool and was soon huffing and puffing at the hot chili that burned her tongue.

“Careful…it’s hot,” Susan teased.

Amari pouted and decided to devour the honey butter cornbread instead while she waited for the chili to cool. 

“Let’s discuss your duties,” Susan piped up.  “You are to get up at 5:00 every morning.”

Amari was not fazed by the early rise.  Beta Marco had her up every morning at 4:00 for training. 

“Make yourself presentable and be in the kitchen by 5:30 to assist with making breakfast for the pack.  Do you know how to cook?”

Amari shook her head.

“Well, get ready to have a crash course in the morning.  After everyone is served breakfast, then you may have some downtime to eat.  You’ll assist with cleaning up the kitchen before helping with laundry.  You’ll be tasked with stripping all the beds of linens and grabbing the towels to be washed.  You’ll wash the items, dry them, and return them to the rooms.  I may have someone else make the beds.  Then there’s sweeping, mopping, dusting, amongst other things.  I know it sounds like a lot, but on your first day I want to gauge what you’re capable of considering your limited mobility.  Do you have any questions for me?”

“Um…yeah.  I know I was basically handed over to serve the Black Crescent Pack, but do I receive a wage?”

“That’s a good question.  I will get with Alpha Steele and see what he says.  It might be best for me to ask a couple of weeks after you’re here.  He certainly won’t agree if you can’t keep up.  Any other questions?”

“My quarters…will I have my own room, or will I be sharing with someone?”

“Due to some recent unfortunate events, you’ll have your own room.”

Amari sighed with relief at the thought of having privacy.  She did not want to wake anyone up with her crying in the middle of the night. 

Susan went through more duties and details about the castle while Amari finished her meal.  Thirty minutes later, she was submerged in the bathtub in her new bedroom.  She lazily washed herself with the creamy body wash that felt like silk against her skin.  She never wanted to leave, but once her fingers began to prune, she knew it was her cue to get out. 

Amari dressed in a nightgown provided to her by Susan, and climbed into the softest bed she had the pleasure of lying in.  Maybe her stay with the Black Crescent Pack wouldn’t be so bad after all?