The Huntress

Nine

Payne:

    The bright fluorescent lights wouldn't allow me to open my eyes. There's only one person in here with me and they're near the entrance. The shuffling of paper and the scribbling sound of the pen writing on the paper. The sound of a drop of water dripping into a puddle. The beeping steady beep that came and went. Air pumping.

    These are all a bit foreign to me but I do recognize the sounds. The beeping noise, the sound of air pumping and air blowing. I have no idea what those sounds are.  I tried to move but everything hurt. It's better to stay still. 

    You're safe mate is here. My wolf said. Disappointment. She shouldn't be protecting us we should be protecting her. We will we have to work on getting better for her.

    "You're awake," I heard her beautiful voice say softly next to me. My eyes snapped open and met hers. Her Hazel blue eyes. "Does it hurt?"

    "A bit," I answered. She reached out and placed her hand on top of mine.

   "You'll be better in a few days," she promised. I nodded.

    "Zulu you're needed in the ER. Dr. Kneelson is out," she sighed.

   "I'll be right there," she looked at me. "Try and get some rest. I'll be back in a few hours. Payne, I know this is different for you. I know it's difficult but when I come back I'm going to want to know somethings. Why you were locked up and who participated in hurting you no matter the reason. Understand?"

    "I understand," she nodded and walked away.

What am I supposed to tell her?

Zulu:

   "How is he doing?" Jack asked. He started out of the window not wanting to meet my gaze. He hadn't even acknowledged the fact that I had walked into Payne's room half an hour ago.

   "He's healing fast. Faster than an average wolf. He has to be a high rank," he nodded.

   "Zuluna..."

   "Jack we had talked about this," he sighed heavily and turned to look at me.

   "I know. That's why I'm here to make sure this is what you want,"

   "I don't understand," I said confused.

   "Look at him, Zulu. He's beyond damaged. Physically he might recover but mentally. He's been tortured since he was a pup. By ranked wolves just like you," my wolf growled at him.

   "I would never hurt him. I will never leave him. I don't give a f**k if he ever recovers emotionally. You have some nerve asking me to leave him. You never left Fatima,"

    "Fatima was different,"

   "You're right there's a difference between the pack slut and a prisoner," he lowly growled but then just looked away.

   "She made mistakes,"

  "He didn't choose this Jack. She did," he made his way to the door.

  "We all make choices Zuluna. Yours lead you here and his put him there,"

  "Yeah well her's got her six feet under. Your choices have led you right there. Where you're standing. I won't choose you over him. I've always told you that," he smirked.

   "Yeah, I have always known that," he walked out leaving us alone. I sighed sitting in the chair I had been. I looked over at Payne knowing that everything I had said to Jack was true. I wouldn't leave Payne no matter how what it cost me.

    Zulu, I know you have your hands full but I need you to come to my office. the alpha's voice whispered in my head. I glanced Payne over one last time before I told him I was on my way,

    "Keep guard," I told my brother as he walked through the door.

    "What the f**k?" he said as I walked by him. I turned back to look at him.

    "Make sure no one goes near him without my okay. The Alpha needs me. Jack was just here and didn't leave too happy. Please," he nodded and went over and took the seat I had been sitting in. 

    The drive back to the packhouse had me on edge. I kept mind linking Richie but nothing had changed and he kept telling me I'm being paranoid. I had to remind myself that this is my family. They had never put me in a position where I questioned that before. But then again, I hadn't broken the alpha's kid brother's heart before either.

   "Come in Zuluna," Ray said when I lightly knocked on the door. I walked in the Luna no where in sight. "Have a seat. I'll be right with you,"

    "No offense sir but I am in a bit of a hurry," he put down the paperwork he had in his hands and glared at me. I never talk back. Not once.

    "Zulu, what's going on?"

    "You tell me," he sighed.

    "Jack, was in here earlier today. He didn't look so good,"

   "Alpha Ray I know this is highly inappropriate to say but what happened between Jack and me is our business,"

    "I know. I told him to stay away from you. That's not why I called you here. Jack is leaving the pack for a while,"

    "What?"

    "He's going for that big New York law firm. He decided a while ago actually. That's not the reason why I called you in either I just thought you should know," I nodded. It was good to know. Now I don't feel guilty at all. He knew I'd never leave the pack.

    "What am I doing here then?"

    "Alpha Varco called. He's looking for his prisoner,"

    "Did you tell him he was here?"

    "Of course not. He's your mate. You are part of my pack and I know he'll choose to stay here with us so that means he's part of my pack also. He faxed me his file,"

    "Payne's file?" He nodded and pushed the paperwork he had been going through towards me.

    "Read the file Zuluna. Take it with you and read it. It's important," I grabbed it.

    "You're excused, Zulu. You finding your mate changes nothing on where you stand sweetheart. I still consider you family. You're still my best huntress. Congratulations on finding him. If you ever need anything all you have to do is ask,"

    "Thank you alpha that means a lot coming from you," I said feeling relief. He smiled. 

    "Jack will get over it. He'll be fine," I nodded. "You're dismissed,"

    I made my way down to my car holding the file. I want to open it now. I want to read it so does my wolf.

    He's waking up. Richie sent. I started the car and began to drive back to the hospital as fast as I could. The file can wait until I have some alone time again. Won't take long.