Chapter 5

Everything suddenly felt awkward. I couldn’t hold Lucian’s gaze for more than a second.

“Where did he come from? Had he been standing outside this whole time? And why did he say that to me? I didn’t understand any of it.”

My cheeks burned with heat, and I hated that I couldn’t even lift my hands to cover my face. So I just looked away, staring at anything else but him.

He didn’t say anything else either. Just turned around and walked out of the room like it was nothing.

“Well… that was weird,” I muttered under my breath as soon as he left.

I cleared my throat and turned back to Kellan, only to find him staring at me, again.

What was it with these men and their intense stares? It was seriously uncomfortable.

I glanced at him quickly and groaned inwardly. He really was a beautiful man. But Lucian? He was something else entirely. I wouldn’t call him “beautiful.” He was… more.

Kellan’s green eyes were softer though, and the buzz cut on his head suited his perfect round face. His lips were small and he had perfectly arranged teeth. Honestly, he was too beautiful. It was kind of annoying.

“When will I get to leave?” I asked, needing to shift my attention before I started drooling.

Truth be told, I was starved. And not just for food. My chest tightened painfully as a memory flashed through my mind. What I saw right before I ran away from the pack. I shoved it down.

“You should be more concerned about healing than leaving,” Kellan said as he stood up. His tone was calm but firm. “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to remain here until you’re fully healed. After that, we’ll decide what happens next.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Just tell me now. I hate suspense. What’s the plan? What do you plan to do with me?”

“You don’t get to make demands here,” he said, a bit loud this time. “This is a pack. We have rules. And right now, you follow them. First step? Get stronger. Then we’ll talk.”

“So yeah, before I leave, I’d like to know your name.” He said, tilting his head slightly. “You already know mine and the Alpha’s. It’d be nice to call you something other than ‘the runaway wolf.’”

“I don’t think I want to share my name with you.” I replied, my tone blunt. I was still angry that he didn’t give me any straight answers about what would happen to me now that I was stuck in their pack.

“Feisty. That’s cute.” He muttered with a small smile. “Anyways, that’s fine. I’ll find out your name another day. No biggie.”

I rolled my eyes. I was done talking. “Please, I need to sleep. Can you leave?”

“Sure. You definitely need to rest. I also have some things to handle,” he said, taking a step back. “The doctor will be back to check on you soon. If you need anything, just press the button beside your bed. It’s connected to my room, the Alpha’s, and the doctor’s. Someone out of the three of us will come.”

He paused, then added, “Do you want me to tell the nurse to bring you something? Maybe porridge?”

“No, I’m good. I’m not hungry. I just want to sleep,” I muttered, still looking away from him.

“Alright then. Rest well,” he said softly, then turned and walked out.

Minutes after Kellan left, I was still wide awake, restless and now terribly hungry. I should’ve just said yes to the porridge when he offered, but of course, my pride said no. And now here I was, stomach growling like a wild wolf.

I tried to shift a little, just to get more comfortable, but that was a bad idea. The sharp pain that shot through my ribs was unbearable. I gasped, grabbing the sheets and trying to breathe through it. It took a few minutes for the pain to settle. I knew better now, not to try that again.

After what felt like forever of just staring at the ceiling and regretting every decision I’d made, I finally drifted off to sleep but I woke up again in the middle of the night, my bladder screaming for release.

“I can hold it till morning,” I whispered to myself, trying to turn to one side. “I should be able to hold it.”

But the pressure only got worse. I shifted uncomfortably, trying to distract myself, but it wasn’t working. No matter what I did, the need only grew stronger.

“Should I press the button?” I asked myself, staring at the small device beside the bed. “But it’s late… What if they’re all asleep? I’d be disturbing them.”

I sighed, chewing on my bottom lip. But as the pain in my bladder grew stronger and the fear of wetting myself took over, I reached out and pressed the button without a second thought.

I waited impatiently, hoping someone would show up, anyone but Kellan or Lucian. The last thing I needed was one of them seeing me in this situation. It would be too awkward, too embarrassing to ask them for help just to get to the bathroom.

I pressed the button again, the urge getting worse by the second. My bladder was screaming, and I was starting to panic. What if no one came? What if I actually ended up wetting myself?

Just as I was about to cry from frustration, the door creaked open.

“Thank the moon goddess,” I muttered under my breath, ready to beg for help.

But the room was dark, the only light reflecting inside was from the hallway so I couldn’t make out who it was right away, not until the figure stepped closer… and my heart dropped.

It wasn’t a nurse. It wasn’t the doctor and It wasn’t Kellan.

It was Lucian.

“Shit. This was definitely not what I had planned.”

I froze, face burning.

“Of all people, why him?”