Chapter 4

Astrid's pov

"You're a match."

The pack doctor's words were like music to my ears, my dad and stepmom hugged me bursting into tears and thanking me. I will startled because neither of them had hugged me in years, and I accepted it without breaking down.

Damian held my hand while the pack doctors were making preparations for the surgery, the warmth from his touch was more than welcome. This was the most attention that he had given me since our Union started for the past 7 years.

He followed me as far as he could, whispered encouraging words in my ears.

But then came a hiccup.

The anesthesia wasn't working for me.

"Luna Astrid, we're sorry...the surgery might be delayed..." The head surgeon told me with a look of dismay, "...we normally don't have to do surgery on high ranking wolves and what we have here won't be able to fully put you to sleep,"

I took a huge gulp of saliva down my throat.

"What are you trying to say, doc?" A grunt was muffled within her face mask. "We can't postpone the surgery,"

Damien finally looked at me like I was a person, my chosen mate finally kissed me like I wasn't the last chore on a list he had to check off, our life out happiness was waiting for me outside the pack hospital, I just had to prove myself one last time.

Just one last time.

"Go ahead with the surgery," the command left my lips.

The head surgeon gasped, so did the others who would be supporting her.

"It's not a simple surgery, Luna Astrid...we might be able to quell the pain a bit but it will take several hours..."

"Stop," I growled beneath my breath, "before I change my mind and lose everything, just do it...".

They had to get approval from my mate to do the surgery on me with the anesthesia that was available, when the head surgeon returned a foolish little part of me hoped that he would be carrying the news that Damian had instantly refused for me to be put through that kind of pain.

He hadn't.

The head surgeon said she had never seen someone sign a document any faster.

That should have been the last draw for me to pick up what I had left of myself respect and just to leave, but instead I remained.

The anesthesia they gave me was upped in dosage and all its managed to do was put me in this dream like state, Taylor would be fully under it because her body was always weaker than a beta's daughter was ever supposed to be.

But for me when the first cut came I wanted to scream, yet it felt like my lips were shot with an invisible plaster. My whole body seem to be encased in a mood that didn't even allow me to twitch my finger at all but I could feel everything... every ligament being sliced went straight to my brain sending pain signals that I didn't even know were possible.

It didn't feel like I was laying there for hours, no I'm sure that centuries passed each one longer than the other and the searing feeling never leaving me, it clung to my whole body until I wished I could scream for them to kill me instead.

But then ... finally... FINALLY...it was...over.

-----------------------

Most werewolf surgeries where carried out with a carefully measured amount of wolfsbane, this was done in order to amply slow down our bodies rapid healing process for the surgery to take place.

As such, traces of wolfsbane would remained in my system for a while causing horrible side effects.

I'd seen Taylor suffer through it after every surgery, I missed an exam once and had to retake a class because she 'needed someone by her side' My Dad and stepmom never explained why THEY couldn't be the one to stay by their daughter's bedside from dusk till dawn.

"We're busy!" Was the closest thing I ever got to an explanation.

I tried not to think about my parents(they were sure to disappoint) but instead, of the wonderful romantic surprise Damien must have for me. I was still afraid of going to sleep because of what I went through during the surgery but I tucked my worry to the back of my mind, only thinking of Damien.

Three days passed by and the only one that came to check on my healing wounds was the doctor that operated on me, on the third day I couldn't help my curiosity and asked if she had seen me mate around.

She stared at me with a perplexed expression before replying; "What do you mean, Luna Astrid? Alpha Damien practically lives at the hospital now...I believe he only leaves to get a change of clothes and then comes right back,"

I wore a smile on the surface while my heart was being split right in the middle.

"I'm just kidding, Doc, of course he comes to see me..."I said trying to hide my dirty linen as I pushed back tears.

"Oh, of course, Luna Astrid. I'll be back to check on you,"

"Is it okay if I moved around now?" I asked just before she could leave.

"Well, you might still be uncomfortable...so .."

I got a wheelchair.

I scooted it over to my step sister's ward, the door was slightly cracked open.

Inside were massive get well balloons, ribbons and even her bed had been customized with soft plush sheets. The scent of lavender snuck through the crack, a sharp contrast to the sterile smell that pervaded the entire pack hospital.

My mate, Dad and step mom were happily chatting while seated in the midst of all that was the center of the universe, my step sister, Taylor.

I had never felt like such a fool, of course nothing would change. Why did I even delude myself into believing his lies yet again just because he gave me a stupid kiss?

Part of me wanted to wheel away and pretend I saw nothing but the other petty side won hands down.

I pushed my way into the ward room with a plastic smile planted on my face.

"Hey, guys ...I hope I'm not too late to join the fun,"