Chapter 4

“Ellie!?” The voice is low and caring, but also hurt and tired. I know that voice!

My head shoots up and I can’t help the tears of joy that stream down my face when Brandon limps over to me and picks me up in his bloody arms.

“It’s ok Ellie, you’re going to be ok now. I got you.”

I smile and snuggle into him as I slowly pass out, my tears falling onto his battered chest and relief flooding over me. I am safe, I am alive and I am ok.

The sounds of beeping from machines brings me out of my sleep. I can hear shuffling of feet, but I can’t open my eyes. However, I can hear the quiet whispers of a conversation.

“She will be ok Alpha, you just have to give her time.” I don’t know this voice at all.

“She has been in a coma for almost a week Dr. Grace! When is she going to wake up?!” I do know that voice, but I am so tired that I can’t place it.

A week? I have been asleep for a week?

“I don’t- I don’t know Alpha, I’m sorry. That’s completely up to Ellie now. Her body and her mind went through a lot and her first heat was so intense. We needed to subdue her even in her sleep."

I feel someone touch my arm with what I think is a blood pressure cuff.

"Her human body should have never been put through that. Without her wolf present to help with the pain she was in complete agony and couldn’t recover as fast as she should have."

I feel the cuff come off and her voice get softer like she is walking away.

"She’s a very strong girl Alpha. Just give her time. She’s completely healed, so it’s really just up to her at this point.”

“Very well, you may leave. I’m sorry for being upset Dr. Grace, I just can’t watch her lie here anymore while feeling so helpless.”

I hear the door softly close and feel the bed slightly move. I can sense someone sitting down next to the me. If it's up to me then I should be able to wake up. I try to move but nothing happens.

My hand is lifted and placed into someone else’s. I immediately feel the rush of tingles flow through my body, radiating from the source of the touch. The sense of pure love, worry, protectiveness and anger is so strong and I know exactly who is holding my hand. It is Colin.

I hear the door open and close again.

“Hey Colin, how is she today?” I can tell it is Brandon, and he sounds equally as worried as Colin. My senses are getting stronger, I can feel it.

“Hey, I uh, I don’t know man, the doctor said she’s healed and that it’s up to her to wake up.”

“Well, she’s tough. She made it through so much, she can get through this. I’m going to head back to my pack for training and give you two some space. Let me know if anything changes.”

“Ya, of course I will. Hey! Thanks again man, I owe you my life for saving her. You have my packs allegiance forever.”

“She’s like a little sister to me. I would do it again if I had to. You have my packs allegiance as well.”

With every stroke of Colin's thumb against my hand I can sense that I'm awakening, my heart wanting my mate.

“Thank you Brandon, have a safe drive. I’ll let you know if any-.” I feel my hand twitch as Colin stops speaking, signaling he felt it as well.

“Ellie? Brandon, go get Dr. Grace, now! I just felt her hand move!”

“What?! Ok, I’m on it!” I hear the door open and shut yet again, this time a little more aggressively.

My eyes slowly blink open and I bring my free hand to my face to shield them from the blinding sun. Colin lets go of me and I whimper quietly.

“I’m just closing the blinds, I’ll be right back!” He sounds almost frantic.

Once the blinds are shut and Colin returns I sit up in the bed feeling like I have slept for years. He on the other hand looks like he hasn’t slept a day in his life. I motion for him to come to me and he trudges over while shaking his head and tears start to fall down his cheeks like he’s been holding them in since the ball.

Seeing this makes my own tears let loose. I have missed him so much and I can only imagine what he’s been going through this entire time. He sits on the bed next to me and pulls me onto his lap. I nuzzle my head into his chest and like always he just quietly inhales my scent while combing his hand through my hair.

We sit like this for a moment, the only sounds that can be heard are the beeping from the machines and both of us taking in each others scents.

“What happened?” I am a little too scared to know for sure but I need to be filled in. I tilt my head back in anticipation of what he will say. Colin grabs his neck and massages it for a few seconds.

“Ok, well, obviously you know who took you. right?” He is trying really hard to not get angry.

“Yes, Alpha Shane knocked me out with something and had me locked up somewhere on his territory. I was there for like ten days maybe?”

“Ellie, you were there for just over two weeks. Josie and Brandon saved you and brought you back here, where you’ve been placed in a medically induced coma for a week. Your body couldn't handle your heat and you were so weak I couldn't, um, help you with it. Leia apparently hasn't returned either, so it was the only option.”

The memories start flashing through my head of the past few weeks, and tears form in my vision again as he continues.

“Is, is Victoria there?” He sounds hesitant about asking.

“No, she wasn’t. I don't know where she went Colin."

He notices my frustration but doesn't persist.

"Did, did Brandon, kill Shane?” I was nervous to hear the answer.

He visibly stiffens and stands up. After walking one lap around the room he quietly pauses and looks up at me.

“He thought he did. Shane was practically lifeless on the cement floor. He wasn’t making any noises and he didn’t look to be breathing.” I can tell there’s more, but I am terrified to hear the words.

“Ok, and?”

“Ellie, he’s gone. No one knows where he went. He’s a rogue now. Brandon has taken over as Alpha since he challenged him and won. Everyone in the pack now knows what happened there. Any omega’s that helped him have been turned rogue. Two of the guards were killed before the fight. Brandon believes there were two other guards that helped him escape though.”

I sit for a moment, contemplating all of the information that I was just told.

“Ellie, I never stopped looking for you. I haven’t eaten, I haven’t slept. I thought I lost you, I-” He rushes over to me like he still can’t believe I am in front of him and ok.

“Colin, I know. Josie told me. It’s ok, I’m ok.” I try to reassure him with a forced smile. “Are we able to go home? I’m ready to just move on from all of this.”

Almost as if on cue the doctor walks in with release papers.

“Hello young Luna! It’s nice to see you awake and smiling! Let me just check your vitals and Alpha Colin may take you home!”

That was the first time that someone besides Colin has called me Luna, and I can feel myself beaming with pride, this time a genuine smile forms on my face.

“Hey top warrior! Can I, come in?” My head whips around to see Brandon standing against the wall looking at me like he needs my forgiveness before he can come closer to me.

I see the visible scars on his body from the fight. The wounds are healed of course, but the scars will remain and I know there are probably more under his clothes. I hunch down a little knowing they are because of me, before pulling myself back together and shaking the thoughts out of my head.

“Hey asshole! You couldn’t of come to save me any sooner!?” His eyes widen and his mouth drops before we both laugh with my tears falling yet again.

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes while continuing to laugh. A single tear starts to fall but he wipes it away. He walks towards me and I hold my arms out ready for his big bear hug. Colin tenses, but knows better than to growl when I shoot daggers at him. He literally just saved my life.

My breath shudders when I feel Brandon’s arms snake around me, my emotions bubbling to the surface and he instinctively rubs my back in circles not saying a word. I know he isn’t my real brother but he quickly became the closest thing I have to one. I can sense our mutual love pouring into each other in this moment and I feel so lucky.

“Well," I pull back and give his hands a squeeze before looking at the doctor. "Can we go now doctor?!” I am so anxious to get out and get on with my life.

Brandon and Colin stare at me, then the doctor and then each other like they aren’t sure.

“Yes, you are completely healed young Luna. Your wolf should return any day now and we won’t know if there are any long term affects just yet.” She hands me my paperwork and I sign the discharge forms before hopping off the bed.

Colin hands me a bag with some of my clothes in it. I go to the bathroom, get dressed and head back out to the hospital room.

I was not expecting to see who is now standing next to Colin. I drop my bag and my eyes grow big in shock.