It’s been a few days now that I’ve been hospitalized. My throat is still horribly sore and painful, but my bruises are slowly disappearing, and I feel less tired. I remember the terrible look I had when Tonia helped me to the bathroom. I never considered myself as pretty, but now I really looked horrible. I had a small cut on my lip and a large blue bruise covering my eye and cheek. Alec really beat me up really badly…
The siblings really don’t leave me all day. Tonia only goes out once in a while for a few minutes when she needs to discuss something with the medical team or to get me something. She watches my every move like a mother watching her pup, and actually, she won’t let anyone else near me. I haven’t seen any nurse or doctor since I’ve been here. She even brings in the meals herself.
I’ve realized the room is actually locked 24/7, which had me wonder why. It’s locked from the inside. Are they afraid I might run away? Tonia doesn’t seem too worried about that, but I’ve noticed that Bobo is a light sleeper. If I wake up in the middle of the night and get up to fetch water or go to the bathroom, he instantly wakes up and watches me.
I wonder if he’s guarding me. He has never shifted into his human form yet, which is a bit odd to me. I have never seen someone stay in wolf form so long! When I asked about it, Tonia said he’s just more comfortable in his wolf form, like this is nothing unusual for him.
I wonder what the Clan will think of me disappearing. Did Alec really get away? What did he tell them? And what about his debt?
The thing I’m most worried about is the part that I can’t remember. What happened in that apartment? Whenever I try, this disgusting feeling of Marcus' hands on me come over and makes me panic. I know for sure I tried to defend myself, but the blood… I can’t remember, and I’m not sure I actually want to.
“Nora? What do you think, baby girl?”
Tonia is showing me a dark blue sweater dress, brand new. Today, I can finally quit the hospital gown, and she got me new clothes for the occasion. I couldn’t bring myself to ask what happened to the white dress.
I nod. It’s definitely pretty and looks really comfy, too. Tonia seems happy with my approval and takes out some more clothes from the shopping bag. She got me black tights, a belt, and camel leather boots.
“Great! Now go change so you can show us how pretty you are!”
I blush and take the clothes to go change in the bathroom. Thankfully, the bruise on my face has faded. After the hot shower, I’m facing my reflection, and I don’t really like what I’m seeing. I am so thin, and I look pale, too. Annoyed with my frail body, I put on the new clothes Tonia got for me. I’m a bit embarrassed that she actually bought me underwear, and it’s a bit sexy, too. I have never worn such lingerie before! Well, I like the pastel blue color, and it’s exactly my size, but it really makes me look… Sexy? I just forget it and put on the rest of the outfit. I really like it.
I brush my curly hair and do a braid so that it will hide my scar, as usual. But as soon as I get out, Tonia clicks her tongue.
“No, no, Nora, what’s with the stupid braid? It hides half of your face!”
But that’s precisely the point! Didn’t she notice my scar? Anyone would find it ugly! But Tonia won’t have it. She actually does my hair all over again and gives me a messy low bun, with an elegant but simple look. I really love it, especially with my curls and the two strands of hair that escapes at the front, but what about my scar?
I point it with my finger to show it to her, but she just frowns.
“Oh, stop it, Nora. Yes, you got a scar, so what? You are a pretty girl! So just show your pretty, little face and stop trying to hide behind your hair.”
I’m not pretty… But I can’t argue anymore. Let’s forget this, Tonia won’t let me win this fight anyway. And at least I’m glad I get to wear this outfit. I haven’t dressed that pretty in... forever! I point out the door to Tonia, to ask if we can go out now that I’m better.
But she shakes her head.
“Not yet, pretty girl. You have to stay here for now…”
What? Why? I’m much better already, I can walk and everything now. Sure, my throat is still not healed, and my right flank hurts a bit sometimes, but I still thought I would be well enough to go out now.
I grab the notepad.
“Can’t I even take a walk? I’ve been locked up here for two weeks! Please?”
“No. I’m sorry Nora, but these are the orders.”
What, orders? Does she mean from Damian? He hasn’t come back here ever since… Why is that? I was kind of… waiting for him. My wolf misses him. Doesn’t he feel the same? And what’s with him having me stay here? I ask Tonia again.
“Yes, it’s the Boss’s orders. I’m not gonna go against it, Nora, sorry. Do you want me to get you a new book? Or we can order a movie!”
She’s trying to be enthusiastic, but I don’t buy it. Tonia did provide me anything to keep me from getting bored. I’ve read a few books, and we can watch as many movies as we want on the room’s TV. We have already watched the “Matrix” and “Bourne” movies, as Tonia loves action movies, and I watched some of the ones I’ve always wanted to watch, like “Harry Potter”, “Focus” ,or “Twilight”. I could never see those with my pack, as they never let me in the recreation rooms. Tonia was careful not to comment on my childish tastes. But I didn’t dare to ask for Disney movies or the “50 Shades of Grey” all the girls went crazy about at my pack. As for Bobo, it seems like any movie has him sleeping in ten minutes tops...
But even with this, I still want to go out once in a while. It’s like I’m a prisoner here!
I shake my head and keep pointing at the door. Tonia looks sorry, but when she was about to answer, Bobo suddenly gets up from the couch and comes to my side. She frowns and stares at him for a few seconds, meaning they’re telepathically talking. It lasts a while, but then she suddenly sighs.
“It’s on you if anything happens! And yes, I am texting him about YOUR idea.”
She takes out her phone and types for a while. I exchange a look with Bobo. What is this idea of his? A ring announces a reply text, and Tonia reads it.
“Lucky for you, brother, he says it’s okay, as look as we’re with her. Nora, Bobo just got you a tour of the hospital. It’s not much, but there is an indoor garden, so you will actually get some fresh air!”
It’s not much, but I actually can’t help myself but smile. Fresh air at last! I thank Bobo with a big smile, then tuck my notepad and pen under my arm to take with me, but Tonia just laughs and takes them away from me.
“Don’t bother with those, baby girl, I’ll let you type on my phone if you need it, okay? Come on, let’s go.”
Getting out of my VIP room really seemed like a big thing to do. It was silly, but I just felt so happy to get to walk a bit, finally. Bobo was literally stuck to me, keeping so close I could actually feel his fur against my leg with every step I took.
I did have doubts for a moment that I was not in a hospital, but really a hotel with some medical equipment, but this is a hospital indeed. We walk by lots of rooms, patients, nurses, and doctors. And no one seems surprised to see the enormous wolf walking by my side. Shouldn’t it be... not okay somehow?
Tonia just keeps texting and silently walks behind us. Turns out she doesn’t look so worried about my little outing after all.
I might be just walking around in a hospital, but… It’s really nice. I feel like I’m in a dream. I’ve been having this feeling since I woke up, actually. All of this is so different compared to the last ten years of my life. Now I’m just having a walk, and I don’t fear that someone might hit me or get angry at me for not doing my chores. I don’t have any chores anymore! I just get excellent meals every day without having to prepare it myself and sneak it out. I laze all day, sleeping, reading, and watching movies.
Bobo takes me to some ample outdoor space, which is really lovely. This really looks like a garden! There is even a fountain and a few benches where patients are sitting to enjoy the sunshine. Bobo guides me to an empty one.
“Thank you,” I mimic on my lips.
He just lays down and starts dozing off. Tonia finally puts her phone away and comes to sit next to me, putting her feet on him like he’s some stool.
“So, how do you feel now?”
I smile and nod happily. This feels great. I am a bit disappointed we are really outside, but this is still really enjoyable. Feeling the warm sunshine on my skin, smelling the fresh air.
“Good, you could use some more tan, baby girl. You’re white as a sheet.”
I agree. I’ve always hated my pale skin, but I guess that’s what you get from living in a dark basement.
Tonia sighs and turns out to me. She hands me her smartphone, with the keypad activated.
“Okay, I understand there are some things you don’t want to talk about. But, I have to say, Nora, we know nothing about you. We couldn’t find where you come from, what happened to you… I get that you’ve had a hard time, but...”
Bobo suddenly raises his head and starts growling. Tonia pushes him with her foot.
“You, shut up. I’ll say it if I want to. Listen Nora, the Boss is really… mad about what happened to you. Nathaniel’s got him focused on other things for now, but he won’t let it go. Someone attacked you, and I can tell you know who it is. So, won’t you tell us?”
I shake my head slowly. No, no, I can’t. All the more if Damian is going after my brother next. Tonia scratches her head and just nods.
“Okay, so you really don’t want to. So, how about you tell me what you can, huh? Even stupid things, okay? Tell me about… I don’t know, your family? Your friends?”
I hesitate a little. I’m not sure how much I can really say without endangering anyone. I take her phone, and slowly starts typing. She reads out loud next to me.
“Your parents are dead, okay. I’m sorry, baby girl. Oh, you have a brother? Is he older? Okay, okay. And no friends… Well, you got us now!”
I smile and nod shyly. That’s right, but… She looks at my question, surprised.
“Oh, you wanna know about us?” She laughs a bit. “Okay, I guess you have a right to ask since I’m, well, kind of questioning you right now. Hm, so what do you wanna know? Let me think… So, Bobo and I have an older brother, Neal, who is the Beta to the Moon Clan, actually.”
Is their brother Damian’s Beta?
“We have our mom, but basically, we don’t have many friends, either. To be honest, the Boss kind of… picked us up when we were in big trouble, let’s say. The pack is everything to us now.”
I nod. I guess a pack is everything for werewolves. We need it like a family, for… protection, for ourselves and others. I suddenly think of something I heard.
“Why you don’t smell like a werewolf? Yeah, we were kind of curious about that, but the Boss was so sure, and your reaction we met you, I… What? You have never shapeshifted? Are you kidding?”
I shake my head and bit my lip. No, I haven’t. Tonia frowns.
“That’s really unusual. Most werewolves turn for the first time when they’re around ten. Of course, some earlier, some later but… You’re seventeen. You… Can you feel your wolf? When did you start feeling her?”
I nod and show her my fingers to answer.
“Seven? Nora, that doesn’t sound like a late bloomer. More like… some barrier or something.”
I nod.
I know. I know I should have let my wolf out long ago by now.
But… I just can’t.