Chapter 16

The relief that washed over me when the familiar spot came into view, I was ready to drop in my usual napping spot and just sleep. I slowed down when realization dawned on me, knowing this is where our time together comes to an end. I forced a smile through my stiff muscles, trying to ignore the pull of enervation becoming difficult to ignore. 

"You can swim?" I asked. "You're like half dead and still have a hole in your thigh still."

Obsidian shrugged, "I can suck it up for the short distance. I'll see you in the meeting I'm assuming?"

"If I'm not sleeping."

He let out a small laugh before nodding, without another word we both went our separate ways. I broke into a run, the adrenaline giving me a small burst of energy that I gladly used. I was almost home when some of my pack-members on patrol ran up beside me, their tails wagging and their whines echoing around us. I laughed and happily allowed them to help me back, my legs not wanting to work anymore as the energy was drained once more. 

My parents came running out of the house, quickly scooping me into their arms against my protests. It wasn't long until I was being shoved into the infirmary, tests getting run, a bath being started and food getting shoved into my face. I accepted the food without any argument, my stomach growling as I tried eating calmly. Some vigor returned to me, giving me enough strength to be able to bathe myself. If there's one thing I'll always refuse if I can, that is to have someone help me bathe. Not entirely a fan of being naked and vulnerable in front of fellow pack-members.

"You had two fractures that I'm guessing healed once the wolfsbane wore off, you are severely dehydrated and decently malnourished," the doctor listed as she inspected me some more.

My father frowned, "What happened?"

"They tried beating some answers out of Obsidian and I talked my way out of being their guinea pig for new drugs," I explained.

"And?"

"Once Obsidian was basically dead, they tried beating the answers from me for a few hours. Once they threw me back into the cell, that's when I decided enough was enough. They barely knew anything about us, but I'm sure they're changing some things now since we escaped."

My father silently agreed before releasing a breath, "I'm just glad you're safe. We're going to hold off on any meetings until you and Obsidian are fully healed."

"She should be healed within two days," the doctor suddenly cut in. "I can't say for that other king."

"He's going to take a little longer, I'm guessing," I mumble my reply.

She shrugged, "He isn't any of my concern. I could care less about murderers like him."

"He's not a murderer."

"Why are you suddenly defending him? You loathe the man, I thought."

"Because you learn quite a bit about someone when you're trapped with them."

The doctor frowned at my answer but didn't say anything else when my mother gave her a stern look. I knew my mother always believed Obsidian wasn't like his father, considering she was from his pack. But no one could have ever been convinced, until now, until I got a glimpse of his life as an alpha. His rules didn't seem too strict and seemed better for the pack. Especially the one about neglectful parenting isn't accepted in his pack, I feel as if some of my pack-members could benefit from that rule. 

I knew I might be a little too naive to instantly believe him, but there's something about him that screamed at me he wasn't lying. He wasn't trying to hide any emotion when he had told me, his eyes mirrored the raw emotion he was feeling when speaking about his pack. He wasn't like his father, but how different he is, is still unknown to me. I'll still be cautious around him, but the least I can do is stop calling him a dictator like his father was. I could be somewhat nicer to the man, considering everything we just went through and we're about to go through. 

Once my wounds were cleaned out and she bandaged up the gun shot in my leg, I was able to leave. Of course, my mother began questioning her, asking why she wasn't holding me in the infirmary any longer, if she was sure I would be fine and so on. The doctor would repeatedly explain to her that unlike humans, we didn't have to always spend days under their care to make sure we would be fine. Considering the lack of severe injuries and that the gunshot wound was almost healed, I would be fine on my own. Eventually, my father dragged my mother away while apologizing to the doctor with me following. 

I was relieved to be able to retire to my room and sleep for god knows how long, wishing this could just all go away. I know it won't, what happened is forever engraved into my mind, I'll constantly go back to those days. Even so, I wasn't traumatized from it all, I knew no one in my pack would do what they did. Except for whoever is reporting back to them and I'll make sure we find him.

"Dad, I need to tell you something important. I didn't want to say anything in front of the doctor and nurses," I voiced.

He nodded, "What is it?"

"The hunter.... he said we have someone in our pack who is reporting back to him. That's how that one hunter got in and drugged me and how our patrols keep getting attacked."

He froze, his eyes filled with anger as he turned towards me, "He didn't give you a name or hint?"

"No, just said we have one. I don't even know how to begin looking."

"It's okay, I'll figure out who it is sweetie. You need to focus on resting for now, I'm going to have someone patrolling the halls from now on. We can't allow this traitor to continue giving this hunter more info."

I nodded and went to my room, knowing my father could handle it. I smiled as I fell onto my bed, my body sinking into my mattress. For all the times I said my mattress felt too stiff, it felt like heaven after spending time sleeping on concrete. I'll never take my bed for granted again, not after that.