Chapter 8

The next morning, Ella made her way to the hospital to check on Adam. As she came to his room, she stopped. Through the window, she could see a sexy woman fawning over Adam. They seemed to enjoy one another’s company – smiles on both faces.

I guess performing the ritual will be easier if both of us remain unattached.

Ella steeled herself and pushed through the door, making just enough noise to clue them in on her presence. Their heads turned toward her, and Ella swore she saw Adam’s face light up when he saw her, but as quickly as the smile showed on his face, it left, replaced by a mask of professionalism.

The woman continued to stand next to Adam’s hospital bed, clearly establishing her connection with him. Ella tried to ignore her as she walked over to Adam.

“Okay. We can do it,” Ella said.

Adam’s face clouded with confusion before gathering the meaning of her words. Surprise replaced the confusion.

* * *

Adam

When Ella walked through that door, Adam’s heart soared. He was still so much in love with her. But with one sniff, he could smell another wolf’s scent on her. His smile faded. She must have moved on. The scent was all over her, and quite fresh.

“Okay. We can do it,” Ella said.

Her words made no sense. Do what? Then it dawned on him. She was willing to let him reclaim her. Adam was completely surprised. He knew how much pain he had put her through and how hesitant she was to complete the ritual before. What had changed?

“Are you sure?” Adam asked.

Ella nodded. “Just look at you. If I wait any longer, the Moon Rising Pack will be without its Alpha.”

So it was out of duty, not love. Adam’s heart sank. He nodded.

“I’ll get Gereth to let me out of here so we can do this properly,” Adam responded. “And once I’ve reclaimed you, you don’t even have to see me again.”

Ella nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line.

* * *

Ella

Ella went to find Gereth so he could discharge Adam. As she pushed through the door, she found a single tear pushing out of the corner of her eye. She brushed it away with her finger and continued without even glancing behind. Ella knew that if she looked back, the scene of the unknown woman all over Adam would open the floodgates for the rest of her tears.

She found Gereth inside his office, poring over some documents. He had his reading glasses atop his nose. Werewolf healing could only go so far. Age still caught up to each one of them eventually, and Gereth was one of the oldest wolves Ella knew. Ella knocked as she entered.

“Hey, Gereth,” she said, hoping she wasn’t interrupting anything too important, “Adam asked me to fetch you. He’s ready for discharge.”

Gereth looked up from the papers piled on his desk, peering over the rim of his glasses to see who had walked in.

“Hmm, yes, Ella. I shall get to that right away.”

He looked back down at the documents in his hands, seeming to have completely ignored her. Ella rocked on her heels, not sure whether she should wait for him or return to Adam’s room.

After a few minutes, Gereth looked up again.

“You may go now, Ella.”

“Oh, um. Okay.”

She shuffled over to the door but paused as she heard Gereth’s voice again.

“Tell Adam I will be there before the end of the hour. I have to finish this paperwork before I can check his status and make sure he’s ready for discharge from a medical standpoint.”

Ella nodded and then walked through the door, shutting it behind her. She rolled her eyes as she walked away. He knows very well that Adam is just fine to be discharged. He’s just stalling – I know he has little love for me after I ran away.

Ella returned to Adam’s room, knocking as she walked in.

“Gereth said he needs to finish some paperwork and he’ll be right in.”

Adam looked straight into her eyes as he nodded in understanding.

Ella turned to leave again, deciding it best to go to the waiting room for Adam. She didn’t want to intrude on him and his lady friend.

“Ella, wait,” Adam called, halting Ella’s departure.

He paused, not sure he should continue.

“Yes?” Ella asked after the pause became uncomfortably long.

“Y-you’re welcome to stay… if you want, that is,” Adam stammered.

“Oh. Okay,” Ella answered, shutting the door again.

She moved to one of the chairs along the wall, away from the woman. Ella laced her hands together, twiddling her thumbs. She kept her gaze on the floor, not sure where else to look.

After a bit of uncomfortable silence, Adam spoke up, introducing the woman who had been fawning over him.

“Ella, this is Lia,” Adam said.

Ella gave a polite smile and waved her hand in greeting.

“Lia, this is my Mate, Ella.”

Ella’s breath hitched as he said that word – Mate. Was there hope after all? No, no way. Lia bristled slightly at the word, but quickly recovered her cheery demeanor. Lia’s reaction caused Ella to smirk to herself. Looks like Adam hasn’t been completely honest with her.

“Adam and I met a bit ago and have been practically inseparable,” Lia commented with a bubbly laugh. “Who knew an Alpha could be so kindhearted as well as tough?”

She placed her hand on his, clearly marking her territory as she looked Ella dead in the eyes. Lia might as well have shouted, “He’s mine!” Ella got the picture. Adam was taken. It shouldn’t matter anyway, right? I can’t let myself fall back to him after everything, can I? Ella wasn’t sure anymore.

Just then, Gereth walked through the door, causing everyone’s heads to snap in his direction.

“Well, Adam,” he said as he took the stethoscope from around his neck, “Let’s make sure you’re all good to go before we start those discharge papers, shall we?”

“I’m fine, Gereth. Just get on with it.”

“I’ll not discharge you until I know for sure you won’t faint on the way out. I don’t care who you are,” Gereth stated sternly.

Adam rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine.”

Gereth performed his examination. When he had finished, he clicked his tongue and sighed briefly.

“I wish your blood pressure was a bit better, but it’s within normal limits, so I’ll get the papers started. Just promise me you’ll take it very easy.”

Adam nodded curtly. “Sure thing, Gereth.”

Ella let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. He’s okay. Adam’s fine. He can get through this. Ella smiled as Gereth left. Once Adam was out of the hospital, they would be able to get Adam back to his old, healthy, strong self.

Typically, the discharge process would have taken a couple of hours, but being the Alpha has its perks. Adam was discharged and back in his street clothes within the hour. The plain black shirt was tight-fitting and hugged Adam’s muscular figure. Ella tried not to stare, but she had almost forgotten how good-looking Adam was. His shirt was neatly tucked into his jeans.

“Sorry, Lia, but this is where I must leave you,” Adam said. “Ella and I have some private matters to attend to back at my house.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Lia replied, her joyful façade slipping for a moment.

Ella laughed inwardly. Lia is definitely not happy I’m treading on her territory. She followed Adam out and they walked side-by-side to the black car waiting out front. Ella recognized it as Clint’s car. Adam’s Beta was his ride. Ella hesitated. After her last encounter with Clint, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be in an enclosed space with him.

“You coming?” Adam asked, noticing her hesitation.

“Y-yeah,” Ella stuttered, pulling the handle of the car door, and slid into the seat next to Adam.

“Thanks for coming, Clint,” Adam said.

“Of course, my Alpha,” he replied before glancing at Ella and raising his eyebrow.

“Ella has agreed to join me at my house so we can have a talk before I reclaim her. Once that is done, I’ll be able to finally heal and become the Alpha this pack deserves once again.”

Clint nodded his head and shifted the car into drive, pulling away from the curb outside the hospital. They drove in silence all the way to Adam’s large house.

When they arrived, Adam hopped out and ran to open Ella’s door before she could open it herself. He hadn’t been a gentleman for her five years ago, but he could at least start being one now. He held his hand out for her to take and helped her out of the car.

“Thank you, Clint. I’ll see you later,” Adam said, dismissing him.

Clint reluctantly nodded and drove away, leaving Ella and Adam alone in front of Adam’s house.

“Let’s go inside and talk,” Adam suggested, leading Ella up to the front door.