Chapter 7 Morning After
Jolie POV
I woke up in paradise.
The bed is enormous, with sheets softer than anything I've ever felt. Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a room that's bigger than the entire apartment I shared with three other pack members back home.
For a moment, I forget where I am. Then reality crashes back the crash, the rescue, Ryder's possessive words claiming me as his.
My ribs ache when I sit up, and the bandage on my forehead pulls tight. But I'm alive and free, which is more than I expected few hours ago.
Someone has left clothes on the dresser. Jeans that look like they might fit, a soft gray sweater, and underwear still in packages. The thoughtfulness of it makes my throat tight.
I dress carefully, wincing when the sweater brushes against my bruised ribs. In the attached bathroom, I splash water on my face and try to make sense of my reflection. The girl looking back at me seems different. Maybe it's just the absence of constant fear.
A soft knock on the door makes me jump. "Come in?" I call out, my voice still hoarse from sleep.
Doc Renard enters carrying a breakfast tray that smells like heaven. eggs, bacon, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee that actually smells so good.
"Thought you might be hungry," he says with a gentle smile, setting the tray on the nightstand. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got hit by a truck." I perch on the edge of the bed, trying not to drool over the tray. "But better, I think."
"Good." He settles the food within easy reach, adjusting the napkin. "Eat." His tone becomes almost parental. "You're too skinny."
I don't argue. The eggs taste so great, and the bacon is crispy perfection. I try to eat slowly, but it's hard when every bite is better than the last.
"Ryder's never brought a female here before," Doc says carefully, settling into the chair by the window. "You're special to him," he continues, watching me with those kind eyes.
Heat creeps up my neck as I set down my fork. "I don't understand why."
"Sometimes these things don't make sense right away." He leans forward slightly, his expression thoughtful. "But that makes you special to us too." His voice grows more serious. "It also makes you a target."
"What do you mean?"
"Leading a pack like this isn't easy." Doc's hands clasp together in his lap. "Ryder's made enemies over the years people who'd love to hurt him by hurting what he cares about." His expression grows serious as he meets my eyes. "If they figure out how he feels about you."
"Maybe I should leave." The words hurt to say, but they're probably true. I push the tray away slightly. "I don't want to cause problems."
"Too late for that." Doc shakes his head slowly. "The moment he claimed you, you became part of this pack." He leans back in his chair. "Running away won't change that."
"Then what am I supposed to do?" My hands twist in my lap.
"Get stronger." Doc leans forward, his eyes intense and focused on mine. "Learn to protect yourself." He pauses, studying my face. "Learn to be worthy of his protection."
The old familiar shame rises in my chest. "I'm not strong." I look down at my hands. "I'm the weakest wolf anyone's ever seen."
"Physical strength isn't everything." Doc's voice is gentle but firm. "I've seen wolves who could bench press a car but couldn't handle real pressure." He stands up and moves to the window. "And I've seen quiet ones who surprised everyone when push came to shove."
"You don't understand." I struggle to find the words, my throat tight. "My wolf is..." I pause, swallowing hard. "She's broken." I force myself to continue. "Shifting hurts so much I pass out. I can barely maintain a partial transformation."
"Have you ever wondered why?" Doc turns from the window to face me.
The question stops me cold. "What do you mean?"
"Pain like that usually means something's being suppressed or blocked." Doc tilts his head thoughtfully, crossing his arms. "Has anyone ever actually examined your wolf?" He moves closer, his expression curious. "Really looked at what might be causing the problems?"
"The pack healer said I was just weak." The memory stings as much now as it did then. "Defective genetics."
"Pack healers aren't always right." He moves toward the door, pausing with his hand on the handle. "When you're feeling better, maybe we should take a closer look."
Before I can ask what he means, heavy footsteps echo in the hallway. My heart does something complicated as Ryder's scent reaches me it makes my wolf stir with interest.
He appears in the doorway, and I forget how to breathe.
In daylight, he's even more imposing than I remembered. The leather jacket is gone, replaced by a black t-shirt that shows off arms covered in intricate tattoos. His dark hair is slightly messy, like he's been running his hands through it, and his amber eyes are focused entirely on me.
"How are you feeling?" His voice is rough.
"Better." I set down my fork with shaking hands. "Thank you for... everything."
He nods, but those intense eyes don't leave my face. "We need to talk."
Doc clears his throat, moving toward the doorway. "I'll leave you two alone." He pauses next to Ryder, looking back at me. "Remember what I said, Jolie." His expression is encouraging. "Sometimes the quiet ones are the strongest of all."
When he's gone, Ryder moves into the room but keeps his distance. Like he's afraid I might run if he gets too close.
"Your brother's looking for you," he says without preamble, crossing his arms over his chest.
My stomach drops. "Gio?"
"He's got search teams combing the highways." Ryder's jaw tightens as he continues. "Posted a reward for information leading to your recovery." His expression grows darker. "Fifty thousand dollars."
"That's more than I'm worth." The bitter words slip out before I can stop them.
Something dangerous flickers in Ryder's eyes as he takes a step toward me. "Don't say that."
"It's true." I can't meet his gaze.
"No." He takes another step closer, his voice firm and commanding. "It's not."
"You don't know me." I finally look up at him.
"I know enough." Another step closer, his amber eyes never leaving mine. "I know you tried to shift to protect that human woman even though it would hurt you." His voice grows intense. "I know you fought three trained enforcers with claws when you couldn't even complete the transformation."
"That wasn't brave." I shake my head, self-loathing thick in my voice. "That was stupid."
"That was courage." He's close enough now that I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes. "Real courage isn't about not being afraid." His hand reaches out as if to touch my face, then drops. "It's about doing what needs to be done even when you're terrified."
No one has ever called me courageous before. The word sits strangely in my chest, unfamiliar but not entirely unwelcome.
"What happens now?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Now you rest and heal." His expression softens slightly. "My pack will protect you while you do."
"And Gio?" I hold my breath waiting for his answer.
Ryder's smile is all teeth and no warmth. "Your brother and I are going to have a conversation about respecting boundaries."
The possessive edge in his voice makes something flutter in my stomach. My wolf purrs with approval, like she's finally found something worth responding to.
"Why?" I whisper, searching his face. "Why are you doing this?"
He studies my face for a long moment, like he's trying to solve a puzzle. "Because you're mine," he says finally, his voice low and certain.
"And I protect what's mine," he adds, his amber eyes burning with intensity.