viii
958 Words
The next day, I woke up to the sterile scent of disinfectant and the soft beeping of medical equipment. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself in a hospital room, a drip attached to my arm. Panic surged through me as I tried to sit up, but my body felt weak and uncooperative.
"Easy there," a voice said from beside me. I turned my head to see a man sitting in a chair, casually leaning back with a smirk on his face. He had an easygoing air about him, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Who are you?" I croaked, my throat dry and sore.
"I'm Ethan the pack’s doctor," he said, crossing his arms. "And Your mate's best friend."
I tensed at the mention of Faruk, anger bubbling up inside me again. "Where is he?" I demanded, though my voice was weak.
Ethan chuckled. "Relax, he's not here right now. He's pacing the hallways, worried sick about you. You really gave him a scare, you know."
I glanced at the drip in my arm and then back at Ethan. "Why am I here?"
"You passed out from dehydration and hunger," he said, raising an eyebrow. "You were serious about that hunger strike, huh? You really don't do things halfway."
I glared at him, feeling a mix of embarrassment and defiance. "I don't want to be here. You people can't keep me here forever"
Ethan sighed, leaning forward. "Look, I get it. He's not exactly the easiest person to deal with. He's got a temper that could rival a hurricane. Honestly, I'm shocked he hasn't lost his cool with you yet."
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean?"
Ethan shrugged. "He usually has a short fuse, especially when things don't go his way. But with you, it's like he's trying to be different. Trying to be patient. It's kind of funny, and weird actually. I've never seen him like this before."
I frowned, confused and frustrated. "Why would he care? He's the one who took everything from me."
Ethan's expression softened slightly. "Look, I'm not saying what he did was right. I know it doesn't make up for anything. But he's trying. In his own messed up way, he cares about you."
I scoffed, turning my head away. "I don't care. I hate him."
Ethan sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, I figured you'd say that. But just so you know, he really is worried about you so is everyone. And Faruk hasn't slept since you started this whole hunger strike thing."
I felt a pang of guilt, but I quickly squashed it. "Good," I muttered. "He deserves it."
Ethan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You two are a real piece of work, you know that? I have a feeling this will be very entertaining to watch"
Before I could respond, the door opened, and Faruk walked in. His eyes were tired, and his face was etched with worry. When he saw me awake, a flicker of relief crossed his features.
"You're awake," he said softly, stepping closer to the bed.
I turned away, refusing to look at him. "I don't want to talk to you."
Ethan stood up, patting him on the shoulder. "I'll leave you two to it. Try not to kill each other, okay?" He gave me a wink before slipping out of the room.
Silence hung heavy in the air as he stood there, watching me. I could feel his gaze, but I refused to meet it.
"You scared me," he said quietly, breaking the silence.
I clenched my fists, my anger flaring up again. "Good. Maybe now you'll understand how I feel."
He sighed, moving to sit in the chair Ethan the pack doctor had vacated. "I know you're angry. I know you hate me. But you can't do this to yourself. You're only hurting yourself."
I turned to glare at him. "I don't care. I'd rather die than be with you." I said ripping out the IV line they stuck in my vein.
His expression tightened, pain flashing in his eyes. "I can't let that happen. No matter how much you hate me, I won't let you harm yourself."
I laughed bitterly. "You already destroyed my life. Why do you care now?"
"Because you're my mate," he said, his voice strained. "And I can't bear to see you suffer."
Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Then let me go. Let me be free. Don't you see this was a mistake?"
He reached out, gently taking my hand. "I can't do that. If your happiness lies in being away from me then you'll have to forgive me because I am not going to let you go little mate. The bond between us is too strong. You know that as well as I do, I know you can feel it so this is not a mistake."
I pulled my hand away, my tears spilling over. "I hate you," I whispered. "I will always hate you."
He looked down, his shoulders sagging. "I know," he said softly. "But I will keep trying to make things right. Even if it takes forever."
With that, he stood up and walked to the door, pausing for a moment before leaving. "Please, take care of yourself. If not for me, then for you."
As the door closed behind him, I lay back on the bed, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. I didn't know how to reconcile the hatred I felt with the bond that tied us together. Sky was too weak to say anything, I felt it. He was right I was just harming myself. He was determined to big let me go even if I starved myself.
- Writer
