I woke to a white, sterile room that smelt strongly of ammonia, which could only mean one thing. I was stuck in the hospital. Again.
“Just great,” I huffed. At least this time, I was still wearing my own clothes, even if they were filthy, and I wasn’t hooked up to more than something to monitor my heart rate so, it could be worse.
I wondered where everyone was and what pack hospital was I in? It doesn’t look familiar to me, so I am hoping that means I’m still at Waning crescent.
SMACK!
I startle as I wasn’t expecting the intrusion.
I blinked in surprise at my father. Does that mean Declan succeeded in dragging me back? Oh, goddess, I hope not.
“FAITH you're awake.” His body sags in relief.
“What pack is this?” I couldn’t continue to wander forever. If I were at Crescent moon, Kyle would come for me, I am sure of it.
“Relax, baby, your Still at Waning crescent.” My father pulled me into a tight hug, it was a little uncomfortable because of the bed rail, but still, I felt comforted by his presence. Before he let me go, he kissed my forehead gently.
“Wait,” I pushed myself up, now just realising what being alone meant.
“Dad. What happened to Amy and Amelio? Please tell me that they are okay.” My lip quivers as tears threaten to spring to my eyes. They were doing everything they could to get in between Declan and me, to save me. I didn’t ask to be mated to Declan. Why was it that my loved ones kept paying the price?
“Hey, hey baby. Stop. You are fine; everything’s going to be okay, baby girl. Deep breaths.” I clung to my daddy as I inhaled till my lungs couldn’t take anymore and slowly let it all back out again.
“Feel better?” He asks.
I just nod slowly back.
“How long was I out this time?” Considering that my father had to travel here, it had to be at least a day.
“And where is Kyle?” I was sad that he wasn’t here.
“Little more than an hour or so, baby.” His hand brushed the hair from my face. The sheer relief in his eyes was undeniable.
“I’ve only been in the hospital for an hour?” I asked in complete disbelief.
“No, the whole thing. Kyle sensed your pain. He got to you very quickly. Suppose you hadn’t marked each other. There is no telling how.”
“Faith,” my mate cut my father off as he rushed to my side.
“Are you alright? How do you feel? Where is dr Linda? She should be in here with you. What do you remember? You should have mind linked me” I know he isn’t scolding me, but I’m so overwhelmed, and a thousand questions weren’t helping.
“Kyle,” I play with his arm. I’m using the comfort of the mate bond to calm the both of us.
My attention is stolen by Amy, who shuffles nervously into the room. I wonder what she could have to anxious about.
I don’t mean to. I just do it on instinct, but I shove Kyle to the side. I have never been happier to see my aunt. Oh, thank the goddess she made it out alive.
“Amy,” I throw my arms open wide.
“Oh Faith, I’m so sorry,” she cries as she runs to me.
“Sorry, what are you sorry for” I hug her with everything I have.
“We should have done more” her body trembles in my grasp.
“Why are you crying.” I pull away and wipe her tears.
“He took you.” Her eyes flicker towards my father,
“I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect her, Mitchell.” She stares at the floor. I can not stand to see my Aunt feel so guilty.
“Hey, you put yourself in front of an angry alpha for me. I never want to hear you say you are sorry for that again, okay. You did what you could.” I assure her.
“ I’m sorry to Faith. I shouldn’t have left you, he threatened us, he said he wouldn’t give up, and I didn’t take that as seriously as I should have. I hope you can forgive me.” He begs me with his eyes.
“Stop. Everybody stop.” I feel so frustrated that we are doing this.
“The only one that needs to apologise is Declan. He did this.”
“How’s Amelio?” I ask.
I regret the moment I did. I wanted to know that he was okay, but I didn’t mean to set amy off. Her tears were immediate. Her grief was so intense that even I could feel it. My stomach churned, my father wrapped his arms around his sister and guided her from the room without breaking the hug.
“Kyle?” I ask,
“He’s alive. But he’s in a coma. It doesn’t look good.” His Adam apple bubbles up and down, Cleary he was worried.
“ Faith, what do you remember?” Kyle pries with gentle sincerity.
Flashback.
“Hang on. I’ll get that.” Amy patted me on the knee. She dropped her things down on the coffee table and went to open the door.
“What are you doing here?” Amy answered the door. I was surprised because I had never heard her show such disrespect before. I stand to see the issue when Declan pushes his way rudely into the room.
“Are you ready?” He grins.
“For?” I ask, confused. Her smile falters a little, but he tries to hide it.
“Our deal.” He replies, what deal could be referring to
? I hadn’t made any, had I. I rack my brain trying to think of an instance where I might have, but I couldn’t think of a single thing.
“Did you get the flowers” his brow furrows.
“Yes,” I respond in mild confusion. It still surprised me that he even did that for me. It just didn’t seem
Like the new Declan.
“Great, so then” but his words trail off, his eyes are black, and he’s staring at me as he would rather see me dead.
“Am a Amelio,” I panicked shouted. He came running into the room.
“What’s going on” he narrowed his eyes at Declan.
“WHEN DID YOU LET HIS MARK YOU” he shouts. I can’t help but shrivel away from him.
Amy and Amelio are both very quick to shield my body away from him.
“I think you should leave,” Amelio tells him firmly.
“TELL ME,” Declan roars, completely ignoring Amelio's requests. He bumps into the shoulders of my aunts and uncle, but they remain strong.
“You are coming home.” He growls.
“I am home.” I snap. Crescent moon would never again be a place that I called home.
“YOU WHORE”, he goes running at me one more time. Amelio's feet dig hard to the floor as he attempts the keep him from me.
He slips Amelio and manages to grab me by my hair, I bite him, and he throws me from his arms. The back of my head throbs, dang what did I hit, my eyes droop
No, no, no, fight it, I yell at myself over and over again, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.
I see Declan’s hands close around my small wrist. Both Amy and Amelio shift. I watch as Amy sinks in teeth into Declan's Achilles hell, ooooff, and Amelios teeth sink deep into his arm, but that is when for me, the world goes black.